Taking hydroxychloroquine but I’ve just found out that I cannot get the Autumn Covid booster with my GP

[PrincessPearl]

I booked my flu jab this morning and was told I was no longer eligible for an autumn Covid booster, which I thought odd as I was always invited early for other Covid jabs as well as being offered anti viral meds, if needed.

Does this sound right to you? I am only taking hydroxychloquine and am just wondering if those of us with mild, managed auto immune disease have now dropped off the vulnerable list.

Thanks for any advice :). It’s a bit of a worry - lots of people are getting Covid where my husband works - dropping like flies this week

[Polina44]

Hi,

I too only take Hydroxychloroquine for my lupus. Take other meds but nothing immunosuppressive. I have been invited for both flu and Covid booster. Also get free tests. Falling into this list has only been last 6 months for me. It seems the GP practice now makes this decision. Maybe you should ask them for an explanation of why they’ve moved you off. Perhaps it’s just that Hydroxychloroquine is just a DMARD and not immunosuppressive but why the varying decision who is eligible? I presumed they’d switched from looking at medication taken to diagnosis of conditions too? Who knows?

I’d ask for an explanation.

All the best L x

[happytulip]

I suspect if you contacted your Rheumatology team (consultant or specialist nurse), they would write to your GP and advise them that you should have the booster. That's what I would do anyway.

[caninecrazy]

Hello PrincessPearl , i too take hydroxy daily. I was offered a flu jab for the first two years after being diagnosed then refused, reason given is surgery needs to save money so i pay for it each year instead at my local chemist. Hope you can have yours still at your doctors surgery xx

[caninecrazy in reply to caninecrazy]

oddly i wasn't considered at risk when covid vaccinations began but am now. been invited for next one but hesitant as last one knocked me for six . i have had covid twice xx

[PrincessPearl]

Thanks for your replies. I’m going to go back to my GP and question things. I know that there are now surgery budget implications as this has been mentioned in the press, maybe my surgery has deemed me healthy enough to do without. I guess I am - until I get Covid 😬

[Murp17]

Hi I’ve taken Hydroxychloroquine for a number of year even before being diagnosed with Lupus & have always had the flu jag I would contact your rheumatologist about this I would also contact your doctor asking why your not entitled to the flu jag as this may just be a oversight on there part. How you get help you require x

[Wendy39]

Hello

Unfortunately having lupus alone didn’t make people Clinically Extremely Vulnerable in the covid assessment for vaccines. It was dependent on the severity of your lupus symptoms and the medication you took,

If you had active lupus and/or were on immune suppressant medication you then became CEV.

I don’t think people on Hydroxychloroquine and no other medication were eligible for the extra vaccines.

LUPUS U.K. should have the information on their website.

If you would like the vaccination I think you should try to contact your GP or Consultant Rheumy for a chat.

Best wishes

Wendy

lupusuk.org.uk/covid19-vacc...

[AgedCrone]

The qualifications for the Autumn Covid booster have changed.Check on line or go to Boots chemist & ask….they have the latest info,& you can book to get the vaccination there if you qualify.

PS:

See below from NHS ENGLAND for more details of those qualifying…...looks like people will be alerted after 18;September

Residents in care homes for older adults.

All adults aged 65 years and over.

People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the Covid-19 chapter of the UKHSA Green Book on Immunisation.

frontline health and social care workers.

Last autumn, all over-50s were offered an extra dose, but the government's advisers on vaccines recommended that only over-65s should automatically be included this year.

The NHS will contact those who are eligible. People in England will be able to book their jabs through the NHS website, the NHS app or by calling 119 from 18 September.

[PrincessPearl]

Just to let you know that I ended up getting my Covid jab along with my booked flu jab. I turned up at the clinic on Sat and explained matters to the nurse who couldn’t understand the mix up, it didn’t make sense and so gave it to me