Covid autumn booster

[ahfat41]

Usually get invite for Covid booster. Has the criteria changed recently only severe asthma sufferers are eligible now. Did not get any invited%? Thanks

[Poobah]

I qualify on age alone, but have yet to be notified that I can make an appointment. I know that you can go through the NHS booking system and, if it deems you're eligible, it will allow you to book an appointment for a vaccination. I'm waiting on my GP surgery to make contact as I prefer a much more local appointment; the NHS system was only offering appointments some miles away. nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-1...

[Gareth57 in reply to Poobah]

I'm not sure they are sending out invites, if you have the NHS app you can book appointments and I've heard that due to a low take up you can just walk into participating pharmacies. I had a look to see when they would be available and had been done within 2 weeks!

[Poobah in reply to Gareth57]

The NHS has stated that anyone who qualifies, will be invited for a covid booster, starting 18 September. I know last year my invite came towards the end of October.

[Gareth57 in reply to Poobah]

Ok, I was just trying to share my experience, and as my wife and I both qualified by age we both booked without waiting for an invite.

[Poobah in reply to Gareth57]

All the available locations for self booking are miles away, so that's why I wait for the invite from my GP surgery. It's not as though I live in a remote location either, but in a city but the NHS booking system seems to choose locations at least 10 miles away for vaccination appointments when I input my postcode.

[Mandevilla]

A friend's health board hands out Covid boosters like sweeties. I'm in a different health board and here they stick to the government advice that you have to have been hospitalised 3 times in the previous year to qualify. It really is a lottery!

[Bevvy]

I wasn’t notified about Covid or flu jab. I just went to chemist where they do them and was simply asked why I was eligible and had them no issues. They don’t need or want details just name of one condition. I have multiple conditions but only wanted one and not my life history!!

Also this chemist was happy with walk-in people so also I didn’t book.

[Singinglouder]

The guidelines say anyone with a ‘chronic respiratory disease’ is eligible - no mention of severity. Only question then: is asthma a disease or a condition?

[Singinglouder in reply to Singinglouder]

That was from .gov.uk - just checked the NHS website, and that says asthma if on steroid tablets…

[IncognitoC]

I got invited and had my Covid shot yesterday. But I have a lowered immune system.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I was vaguely wondering if I'd be eligible because the government website I saw said you're eligible with a qualifying condition but didn't actually define or list which conditions qualified... helpful, not!

My local pharmacy meanwhile sent me a text saying if I was in a group eligible for a COVID jab I could have it free and if I wasn't I could pay them for it, same as flu jabs.

Then I got a text from my GP saying hi please have a COVID jab. Guess I am eligible then lol. I'm in London, have severe asthma, and not on oral steroids because they don't work for me. I did get them for an admission in June so maybe that's why - unlike previous years Ionly had one admission in the last year instead of multiple.

On the other hand I got invited last year too with no recent admissions. I did see on my GP's computer that I'm still marked as high risk from COVID so maybe that's why.

[Homely2 Administrator]

I had to make a fuss to be put on the list qualifying for anti viral and unlikely I will be put on list for covid jab as my local gp surgery does not get involved in covid and tells you to ask the hospital. Hospital says contact gp.

I have been hospitalised three times in last year and am periodically on pred.

In practice I will just go to my local pharmacy, which does not do bookings, it just announces when it is doing flu or covid jabs and you queue down the street. The owner is very entrepreneurial.

[peege]

healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...

The above link is from Asthmalunguk forum for covid jab information.

I had understood its for everyone over 65 &/or anyone eligible for the flu vaccination.

This postcode lottery is ridiculous. I know people in other towns who just go to their pharmacy or Boots. My Gloucestershire town uses the local fire station as their vaccination centre. Texts went out 3 weeks ago, I had both vaccinations on Friday.

Be warned though, if you do get to a centre for vaccinations do wear a mask, no-one seems to and I nearly had apoplexy queueing up with people coughing, sneezing & breathing down my neck.

Heaven knows what housebound people do

[fraid]

Didn't know Covid jabs were still offered. Not had flu jab invite either - should I chase this up? 🤔

[Bevvy in reply to fraid]

If you are eligible I would just organise it myself. That’s all I did. Found and went to local chemist and had both jabs at once. I didn’t bother waiting for invite or message from gp. I stopped going to gp some years ago after I was concerned about the sheer mass of people waiting. Just started going to local chemist and getting it that way.

[fraid in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks, but housebound which is another added burden getting a home visit.Just wondered if Covid needed, though would def want flu shot. They so dismissive on this, exosting to try, but needs must I guess.🙁

[Bevvy in reply to fraid]

Ahh didn’t realise your situation. Yes I would follow up for both jabs. On another site I am on there has been talk about difficulty of getting jabs for those who can’t travel outside the home. Tried through gp surgery, district nurses and so on. Main suggestion was to phone 119 for advice and help.

[fraid in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks. Who answers the phone these days though? Shall try gp but know they'll say on wait list then forget me ☹️ Is Covid jab really needed now? Tbh would rather have flu jab re asthma. Why is life such poo?And who keeps throwing it at me? Why does my body hate me? Now I've made meself laff. I don't care, finally got me blackout blind so maybe get some sleep despite naybors blinding all night lights . At least I have my humour...😂😂😂 Good luck out there. Safer to stay in... 🤪🤗

[Misscrisps in reply to fraid]

My surgery is offering COVID jab when you are there for your flu jab. So it could be you could have both when you get your flu jab.

[fraid in reply to Misscrisps]

Thanks but as I need home visit have to wait longer. Did phone dox, said I'm on list, just wait, as usual. Last time they couldn't do flu and covid on same visit. Shall wait, am not neurotic about it but as X who still lives here ☹️ says won't have flu vax now, 🤷‍♀️ ,I'd rather get it done. Just another pain in the arm! 😂

[secrets22 in reply to fraid]

Same, i've heard nothing.

[peege in reply to fraid]

YES ! Covid boosters are available now as are flu vaccinations

[fraid in reply to peege]

Thanks but like I said, I need home visit so have to wait until they have enough of us in a small area to make it viable. They do normally tell me I need them but not so far. 🤷‍♀️

[AJP2]

Hi, i think different surgeries are faster than others at sending invites. I had text on 18th Sept inviting me to book, my daughter on the same day was given hers along with her flu jab (she had message a week or so before saying if you are booked for flu you will be offered COVID), whereas my uncle had heard nothing by the end of last week from his surgery despite asking but was able to book online. The 3 of us are all eligible on the basis of our asthma with my uncle being the worst and are all in different counties.

With regards to the criteria they should all be following The Green Book (chapter 14a for COVID) where poorly controlled asthma is a risk factor. They define this as:

- ≥2 courses of oral corticosteroids in the preceding 24 months OR

- on maintenance oral corticosteroids OR

- ≥1 hospital admission for asthma in the preceding 24 month

If you think you are eligible you can try booking online

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi All

Hope you are doing ok?

You are right I think there are so many different takes on the Gov advice regarding both antivirals and Covid jabs right now.

I keep getting NHS England mails saying you need to follow up antivirals if you get covid, then when I did last month (after avoiding for 3yrs..!) my tertiary team just said no… you don’t meet the criteria despite being on biologic and all the usual high dose ICs 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

So again I have had messages saying book a covid booster - which I have done through the website but it did say for only care homes, over 65yrs, immunocompromised (and those living with them),frontline care workers… so I have to take proof with me to the appt to show the medication that qualifies me..

Again I’m a bit concerned about this if the local NHS are as dismissive as they were with antivirals!

Tbh if I get too much hassle I just won’t bother with any of them… it’s all so much conflicting and difficult advice. It really does not encourage patients anymore..

Sorry - rant over!😅🤣

[Misscrisps in reply to Pipsqueak77]

I was the same with the antivirals. Rang to say I had Covid, this was March (like you I'd managed 3 years without catching it) and despite several texts and emails telling me I would qualify, and let them know immediately I was positive, I was told no anti virals for me. They did subsequently have to prescribe me steroids and antibiotics!

[Pipsqueak77 in reply to Misscrisps]

Thanks for your reply..hope you are recovered?😊

Yes it’s all a lottery! Like you I’ve subsequently had 2x antibiotics and am still on pred a month later..🤔 narrowly missed A&E..

A course of antivirals would probably have been much cheaper and easier for everyone!🤷‍♂️

Take care

[Misscrisps in reply to Pipsqueak77]

I've just started yet another 7 days of Pred. But related to a current flare up rather than the COVID one. I too was nearly hospitalised with covid, GP said my stats were awful, BP and heart rate sky high, and blood oxygen low. Felt dreadful. It took 2x antibiotics for me too and a 5 day and then a 10 day steroids.

But got through eventually. Does make me rather scared of the new wave though when the majority of people are now saying Oh it's just a bad cold! Hope you are well very soon. X

[Pipsqueak77 in reply to Misscrisps]

And you! Thanks👍😊🤞

[jacic64]

I'm in West Oxfordshire & had a text from GP surgery on the 18th September. Had both jabs on 21st at the GP surgery. It was really quiet, I spoke to the GP & he said they're really concerned that there's a low uptake for the COVID jab. I have severe emphysema & recently diagnosed with lung cancer so I was top of the list for an invite. I hope you all manage to get sorted soon.

[Belke]

As an asthmatic, just had the most horrendous chest infection after catching Covid recently for the third time, although Im 63 and have not been notified to have a Covid booster I will be booking one before Christmas at the chemist. My doctor advised to have one but I should have some immunity for a couple of months. My last Covid jab was a year ago.

[secrets22]

No, I've not been invited for a jab either.

[Thomas45]

Yes the criteria has changed. I remember it being newsworthy about six weeks ago.I have asthma as well as permanent AF, and was invited three weeks ago to make an appointment, which for me is this coming Saturday for my 7th covid jab and umpteenth 'flu jab.

I was also notified by text from the NHS to make an appointment if I hadn't heard from my GPs.

[PinkSharrie]

Hubby and i had our flu jab on Saturday through Boots and they asked if we’d like to book our covid jabs and i said yes as we were supposed to have a spring covid jab but couldn’t get it our Drs aren’t very good to be fair so that was why i went through Boots I’m asthmatic but hubby isn’t if that helps

[SuziElley]

I should qualify on age, severe asthma and heart condition but didn’t wait for an invite, which still hasn’t appeared. I booked direct through the NHS app. I think if you qualify then it will allow you to book anyway.

[samhla]

Our letter (in Scotland) has just arrived and our appointment is 24th November. Don’t know why it’s so late as we are usually in October. Neighbour with much weaker immune system is also in November so dont think there is a priority list.

[Suffolklady]

If you are of the appropriate age you will get Covid vaccine or classed as Vulnerable in the past for asthma or immune suppressed etc then you will be on the ‘books’ as eligible just need to contact your GP. It’s all on the data base who and who isn’t is eligible.

[Jasmine22]

I’m apparently not eligible as I don’t take constant steroids, only when needed. I was hospitalised last year with a life-threatening asthma attack, but this doesn’t seem to count. I tested positive on Friday and am so ill and wheezy. It’s much worse than when I had covid in March of last year, but then was not long after my full course of vaccinations.

I hate how the system works regarding who can and can’t be protected.

[Misscrisps in reply to Jasmine22]

Do see your GP asap, if you haven't already, before you get any worse. I needed antibiotics X2 and steroids X2. Get well soon.

[Jasmine22 in reply to Misscrisps]

Thank you! I have now started antibiotics and steroids. I only slept for 25 minutes last night, so I’m hoping they will work quickly.

It’s nice to know someone cares

[Patk1 in reply to Jasmine22]

Get well soon Jasmine22.lot of local people gets colds or covid x

[Collienut]

I asked when I had my flu jab and I'm down as 'consider'. I think our GP is starting Covid jabs this week for three weeks, so will see if I get an invite. If not I will try the local pharmacy and see if they will do it. It was letting me book online so fingers crossed.

[Hpaddict]

I have asthma, I went to my local Lloyds Pharmacy near me and they said that because I have asthma, I was eligible for the covid booster. Maybe you could try a chemist near you.

[Chip_y2kuk]

My GP sent me a text saying something like if you need a covid booster your nearest walk in booster clinic is .... (which was the local covid booster clinic and has been going on 3 years now)

I went to the clinic and the woman quizzed me on why I was eligible "as I'm clearly not in the 70 or over category "

I got the jab and left there was only me and two older couples in there having theirs

[fraid]

Strangely have just had booster reminder email- maybe coz I phoned gp to remind them? Still have to wait for home visit but at least I know I'm not forgotten!

[Starstream20]

I had my invite yesterday but you can just book online if you are eligible 🤗

[Poobah]

I got my invite by text on Tuesday from my GP surgery, rang them and surprisingly secured an appointment for Saturday morning for both covid & flu jabs. Last year I had to wait until late November for an appointment. It looks as though the take up may be down this year. The other surprise was my GP surgery answering the phone in under a minute. 😄