I recently received a letter in the form of an email from the NHS stating that following a review of my medical records, i should immediately report to them if I test positive to covid so that they can arrange treatment options. I also received some LFTs in the post. Although I haven'd had covid yet I am surprised that I am now classed as vulnerable, as this was not the case all the way through the pandemic to date.
Has anyone else had a change in advice from the NHS?
I had a letter too as did quite a few others. I don’t think my status has changed as i was on the vulnerable list anyway. I think that if you get Covid they will just review you to see if you need to have treatment or not - that’s all.
This Gov.uk guidance page was updated last week.
It says it only applies to people living in England and that here is separate guidance available for people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk
Updated 14 March 2023
gov.uk/government/publicati...
Seems we can now be included whether or not on immunosuppressive drugs if have:
- certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
- inherited or acquired conditions affecting their immune system
I got my first free lateral flow test pack a few days ago
Pretty sure the lines about "certain autoimmune..." have been in the guidance for some time, I think it is more likely people being reviewed by their specialists/teams and moved on or off the lists by the doctors.
There may also have been a change in the triggers for automatic inclusion even if the guidelines haven't changed - that part of the system seems to be a mystery even to the doctors. I'm not on the list, even though I was previously CEV, whereas my wife is now on the list (not even vulnerable before) - but no one seems to know exactly why.
She's had cancer, and cancer treament, in the last year but not chemo, not immunosuppressives, and not now on any treatment. Other cancer survivors (some at far more risk from the cancer than her) that we know are not on the list. Neither GP nor oncology will admit to putting her on the list, nor can they explain it, other than to say it may be "the algorithm". Somewhere in her several inches thick (if printed out) case file of scans and test results etc. something or some combination of things has raised an automated red flag.
yes, I had exactly the same. Tests arrived last week in the post. who knows with the nhs 🤷♀️
hi I have been moved into the list but that’s due to immunosuppressants for psioratic athiritus I have developed.
Yes, I too received the letter and the testing kit. I was thrown somewhat as to what was going on, feel much better having seen this posting so thank you Yodel.
we do not get letters nor did we have vulnerability levels and special considerations in the US but now every one over 55 , history of mental illness, cancer, weaken immune system or with a BMI greater than 25 is told to get antiviral treatment upon covid positivity. We have public service commercials and flyers not personalized mail for this advice.
Yes I received this too. I haven't had covid yet luckily. I wonder how many people who are just on hydroxychloroquine, like myself, caught covid and would have benefitted having this treatment available earlier? Seems a case of after the horse has bolted!
Glad I've got access to it though.
Thanks for all your comments. I guess it will be up to 111 when I test positive to covid.
The US advice is interesting.
I am just back from New Zealand and interestingly, anyone over 65 who tests positive there has anti-virals delivered to their home address immediately. They use similar drugs.
I have had Covid twice… July 2021 & July 2022. I am triple positive APS… and have SLE…I am a nurse and i work in a busy family practice medical clinic… I am on Eliquis & Plavix. I did not receive any treatment for Covid. The first one got me down pretty good for about ten days..the second time it was about five days… I live in the USA.
I had an email saying I needed to call 111 or my gp if I tested positive for covid last year. If you are on this list you can get COVID tests on NHS for free. When prescribing meds they will ask if you used an NHS test or bought one. For some reason they only accept NHS tests before prescribing the meds so I'd recommend having a box in stock at home if you are concerned.
So when I had covid last month I called 111. I had a screening calls with a doctor before being prescribed paxlovid which was delivered to me.
However from me calling 111 to getting the paxlovid was 2 days (I might have been unlucky).
By the time it arrived my temperature was finally coming down. The paxlovid made me very nauseous too.
111 was very helpful. The doctor will make a decision based on your own health situation so hard to help you with anything too specific. Gov.uk is good too
I hope you stay well and don't need the meds!
And also I meant to say my status changed as I changed medication recently. I also wasn't vunerable at the start of the pandemic
The advise changes as they find out more . I wanted extra covid boosters outside the 3 for over 70 s . 73 . As I have APS , auto immune condition . Overweight . Afib. No NHS reccom for it though. For 2023 Spring boosters for cohorts I am again asking my G P to refer me for this extra booster . It annoys me that autoimmune conditions APS re not included .
My Experience with COVID
APS during pregnancy: treatment and monitoring 
Sticky Blood and Covid
Keeping safe during COVID 19
