Just a quick question; does your doctor class you as being higher risk when it comes to COVID vaccinations?
I have received my invite for my Spring COVID booster vaccination. This is under the Higher Risk category. I need to provide a letter from Dr's to say why I need it which will be near on impossible to obtain but I wondered what your experiences have been?
I am lucky enough to be going to an event where there will be thousands of people in a couple of weeks time and so thought best to be up to date with my jabs.!
Written by
GreenBamboo
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I’m a bit confused by the question. I haven’t had my spring notification or vaccination yet. In the past I’ve received a notification by text. I’ve then just gone along to the centre and had the jab. I’ve never been asked for a Dr’s note. So two questions:-
1. If you’ve got the invitation why do you need a Dr’s note?
2. If you definitely do need a Dr’s note why would it be near impossible to get?
This is relevant and important to all of us so sorry if I’m missing something.
I have received a text message inviting me to have a booster. This is six months after my last booster. So I have had the 1st, 2nd and first booster already.
From reading the NHS website this appears to be the Spring booster that was released for over 75s and under with low immunity.
I think that I have been invited because when the 1st vaccination was available originally, which was fairly close to be unwell with Enc, I consulted my doctor to see if it was appropriate to have an early vaccination (I didn't meet the age criteria and would have to wait months and was genuinely concerned at that time). He referred me to have it earlier than my age allowed at the time.
Now when I look to book through the NHS system it states that to have the booster you need to provide a letter as to why you need it. The only reason I say a letter will be impossible to get is the bank hols & getting an appt.
I have booked the vaccination anyway and will show the invite text & hope that is enough.
My question really is does having had Enc put us in the higher risk category or was my doctor being cautious in the earlier days of COVID or is it relative to when you were unwell originally?
I think the risk category depends on the type of E, among other factors like age and co-morbidities. It would make sense to me that those with autoimmune encephalitis, especially if they are on immunosuppressants (or had them recently), would be considered high-risk.
But the question remains whether boosters are effective against the current variants of SARS-CoV-2. That seems unclear at best and misleading at worst. I got the first and second doses of Pfizer in March and April 2021, respectively, but I stopped there. I'm open to getting a booster once it's actually updated to combat the more recent variants.
Either way, good luck with the appointment, and I hope my two cents helped a bit.
Hi GB,I haven't had any vax nor have I suffered from Covid/Wuhan Flu. My Enc doctor said I have enough on my plate. If I went to a large venue I would just wear a mask and rely on my natural immunity which Fauci has recently said is a better protection than the vax. All very confusing ......
Yes it has been so confusing all the way through with vaccination advice.
It is also easy to forget that there are people who cannot have the vaccine for various reasons which leaves them having to always wear a mask in public places or even terrified to go out leaving them housebound. I really feel for those in that position.
I will feel more comfortable in a large venue with lots of people having had the booster.
I have decided to have the booster, it feels the right decision for me but I totally appreciate that it is different for everyone.
Hey GreenBamboo ! As kitnkaboodle says: “if they are on immunosuppressants (or had them recently), would be considered high-risk” — as I’m still on prednisolone until September (just coming up to my one year anniversary for encephalitis!) and only six months on from my Rituximab treatment that resets the immune system (and takes many more months), I was labelled as immunosuppressed and therefore advised to have an extra Covid jab. Very current because had a jab last week! I was told to bring along the letter from my local specialist. Well, I was asked to bring it but they didn’t ask to see it when I arrived on the day.
I’ve had Covid twice, once just before I was due to leave hospital - delaying my exit! - and the second time early this year. Both times I had no symptoms at all – I only knew I had it because I had to do Covid tests at hospital, as they tested everyone everyday, and tested myself again at home because I was due to see people. It certainly shows how Covid can spread so easily when so many people don’t know they’re carrying it because they have no symptoms at all.
I think both Remos and kitnkaboodle have just took the words out my mouth so I agree with them both 100%.
For your knowledge I had a form of viral/infectious encephalitis the day after my 1st birthday well over 40 years ago not autoimmune.
I had the Astra Zenica the first two times, then my first booster was Pfizer last December, and they were all home visits because I'm housebound with profound Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - OCD, so I'm just awaiting my next text like everyone else.
For me, the experience of having Enc and the fear of being seriously unwell ever again has cemented my belief that the vaccinations are the right way for me to manage the COVID risk ( although I appreciate that this is not the correct decision for others).
I have my booster vaccination booked for Thursday afternoon and I an just hoping that I only have a mild reaction, if any.
The thought of having an illness where breathing is restricted is too much for me to contemplate!
Hi, I'm classed as being at high risk from covid, but then I do have addisons disease, which is an autoimmune condition. I had my fifth COVID injection of Saturday
I have been awaiting my fourth one but apparently I'm not entitled to the spring booster according to the NHS website but I'm like the average person, no wonder I haven't had a text off them. I just have to wait and see who is going to be eligible for the autumn booster then.
Good afternoon. Hope you well. Weirdly my doctor pushed me to get all the covid ones and issued a letter saying i was at a risk catagory . This albeit was soon after discharge from hospital
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
New Here, 1 year after being diagnosed with viral encephalitis
