Ataxia Uk Covid information leaflet & GP Practice.

[Legs-alive]

I’d just like to say a huge thank you to ataxia uk for producing the Covid information leaflet. I wrote a short note about my ataxia to my health centre, asking if I was classed as vulnerable on my medical records, as I was wanting to have the vaccine when it became available, along with a copy of the ataxia uk Covid information leaflet. I received a phone call the day after saying NO I wasn’t down as a vulnerable patient but I was now after they’d looked & read through my medical records & the information leaflet I’d sent to them & was now done to be called once they started the vaccine for the vulnerable groups. I wonder how many other people with ataxia actually think that they’re down as classed as being vulnerable due to their illness & will automatically be called for the vaccine, when in reality they’re not?! It Maybe worth just double checking with your own practice to see if you are & are wanting the vaccine when it becomes available?

[pinjem]

Yes, I think it could be very helpful, I hope others use this too. I have just emailed the surgery to ask a similar question as you, Legs-Alive- I had to ask for the flu jab this year, last year my excellent GP opted me in. I repeatedly asked that I be put on the list for a flu jab every year but got a vague assurance that I could have one this year as I wanted one, from the reception and Nurse I/C of flu jabs...When I brought the subject up again, I was told I would be old enough to have one automatically from now on anyway. I will wait and see.

[Legs-alive in reply to pinjem]

Hello pinjem. I would advice printing off a couple of the ataxia uk leaflets & writing a short letter to your health centre practice manager & also your named GP(that’s who I sent them to) giving a brief outline of your ataxia, when you were officially diagnosed & by whom by etc & ask if you are official on the vulnerable register at your health centre for the vaccine & if not could they please amend as necessary so that health officials will be able to see this. I’m so glad I did, otherwise I’d have just assumed I was down as a vulnerable patient when I actually wasn’t & would never have received notification when the vulnerable list started having their vaccines! Best wishes

[pinjem in reply to Legs-alive]

Success, thank you.