Shielding update

[poly2]

Hi all. Has anyone received an official email yet from the government in England . Just read a press release from gov.uk to announce shielding to end from Thursday 01st April.

[piggie50]

Just received it. Not read it fully yet.

[poly2 in reply to piggie50]

I've not received an official email yet but just a little concerned I've not had second vaccine yet and not due for it until early May. Although I've had enough of shielding not sure I'm ready to go back to work either.

[piggie50 in reply to poly2]

Yes, it’s a quandary for workers, i guess it depends on your job and risk. I am retired but will still be cautious.

[friendofpiglet in reply to poly2]

I wouldn't get too exercised about your second dose of vaccine, I suspect it's the current tranche of first doses that'll get delayed (if any). I notice that second dose implementation is ramping up considerably now.

[poly2 in reply to friendofpiglet]

Not too concerned about their being a delay. I'm sure there will be enough for everyone. I'm just a little concerned about going back to work before the second vaccine. The message from blood cancer uk was to stay shielding until at least a few weeks after the second vaccine. Obviously the government don't agree.

[friendofpiglet in reply to poly2]

I take your point. We idle retirees don't always think of you workers like we should.

[poly2 in reply to friendofpiglet]

I don't blame you at all. If you're retired you shouldn't have to think about us still having to go and enjoy your retirement. I'm ready to go back to be honest just a little apprehensive.

[Mood2020 in reply to friendofpiglet]

🤣

[Eadaoin in reply to poly2]

I don’t think they “don’t agree” it’s just that the “government” can only generalise and would expect individuals to follow their own Doctor’s advice where it differs....and their letters have always been just guidance.

[poly2 in reply to Eadaoin]

Yes I tend to agree. Just a bit difficult at the moment where I work as there are still a few positive cases and they're not doing lateral tests. They have been very good protecting me when we went back last time. I'm sure they will this time too.

[Trocken in reply to poly2]

Fully understand where your coming from I’m fortunate that I work for the nhs and was lucky to have been given my vaccines early on, I had my second last week, our trust has made a stance that staff are not allowed to return to work until 2-3 weeks after the 2nd vaccine which to me seems very sensible, especially after the current info on the effectiveness. I don’t know if your aware that public health England have made home lateral flow tests available for people who live with or are part of a support bubble for school aged children. My husband and my parents have been and got some, the more people testing the quicker people can isolate and certainly makes us feel more comfortable being able to return to work!

[Runner999 in reply to Eadaoin]

yes, technically guidance. But for those with the same condition as someone with a letter - which allows people to stay away from work, it is very unfair that they do not have a letter, and have to go to work, if they feel vulnerable.

[BeckyDing in reply to poly2]

Hi I received my official email yesterday and does confirm shielding ending on 1st but encouraging to still work at home until you have had both jabs and restrictions ease further. There was also a section of if returning to work it must meet covid working guidelines! I’m quite lucky as my work really aren’t expecting a return to the office until 21 June earliest for everyone and we need permission if we want to before that date but also speaking about hybrid working going forward anyway. What have your work said?

[poly2 in reply to BeckyDing]

Hi. Hoping to speak to work today. I'm expecting them to be sensible and tell me to wait until I've had the second jab. They have been very good to be honest. They e mailed me a few weeks ago to ask if I'd had my first and if i had a date for the second. They know about my illness and do understand how careful i need to be so fingers crossed they will let me wait. I will keep you all updated. Thanks for the replies.

[SusieG60 in reply to poly2]

I got my email. I havnt had my 2nd.vaccine yet either im not happy about going back as they originally said were not protected untill 3 weeks after 2nd dose. And i think the letter contradicts itself. Work from home if not walk to work and get someone to collect your medication

[Superwoman]

Yes have got mine through this afternoon. 👍

[AndyT]

Yes - got mine yesterday advising shielding to end from 1st April but still need to be cautious around social and work contact etc - confusing advice..!

[poly2 in reply to AndyT]

Yes it is. I think we have come this far by shielding and staying safe for nearly a year so can't see a few more weeks making a difference until we've had the second jab to be extra certain we are protected.

[AndyT in reply to poly2]

I suspect many of us will do that.

I’m due my second jab on 17 April so will continue shielding until May, when I should have better protection from it and we’ll also be able to see how infection levels are going as lockdown eases.

Guessing we’ll see an increase in cases as most under 50s won’t have been vaccinated by then, so it depends how vulnerable each of us feels, despite the jabs..!

Advice to everyone is still to work from home if you can, until at least 21 June, so I’ll stick with that...

[YBSx]

Hi

Yes I received my email too yesterday and looking forward to returning to work I have working at home difficult. However after the information on the BBC website I am not too sure what to do. The website states;

The researchers tested volunteers for antibodies and T-cells in their blood, which signals that the immune system can protect against illness from the virus in the future.

Three weeks after one dose of the Pfizer jab, an antibody response was found in:

39% of people with solid cancers

13% of people with blood cancer

97% of people with no cancer

Following a second dose three weeks after the first, which some cancer patients received, there was a sharp rise in their antibody response against the coronavirus, to 95%.

But among those who had to wait longer for their second dose, there was no real improvement in protection.

Five weeks after the first dose, an antibody response was detected in:

43% of people with solid cancers

8% of people with blood cancer

100% of people with no cancer

[JV4E in reply to YBSx]

I agree that this is the crucial point. We can wait until we have had 2 jabs before we go back to work etc but how do we know we have any protection ( even after two jabs) . We could still be extremely vulnerable because we have failed to generate immunity. Answers ( and testing for those with blood cancers to measure immune response) is urgently needed.

[azaelea in reply to JV4E]

I totally agree with your last sentence. I had my 2nd jab yesterday but this is 11 weeks after the first , so I have no confidence that I will be protected in 3 weeks’ time. I also read the statistics quoted by JBS in Blood Cancer UK and another article a few days ago. I have received my Email too.

[HazeBlue]

Yes mine arrived Wednesday evening

[Rooi]

Recieved yesterday , but wasn't told officially to shield at the start of lockdown a year ago !

[Devilgirl]

Got my email yesterday tea time. Like most I have not had my 2nd jab yet not due till mid April. I'm luckier than many in that I can carry on working from home & my employer is looking at giving the choice to everyone to work from home permanently if they want.

[MaggieSylvie]

Hi Poly, I received an email yesterday saying we could stop shielding at the end of March but to continue being careful and with extra advice for workers concerning furlough. This was from MDS, not the government. Previous to this I had advice from MDS saying that because of the need to test the vaccinations, extremely vulnerable people should shield until the end of September. It's all a bit confusing.

[Cassandra61]

Hi,

I had my email yesterday and my first vaccine in February, the second dose is due by the end of April. I have been shielding and I am a teacher. My school has been very supportive but not sure if I should ask to continue working from home until I have had the second dose + 3 weeks. What do you think? I would really welcome your suggestions and widom.

Stay safe everyone and thanks for being there.

[poly2 in reply to Cassandra61]

There's no harm in asking. You can have a look on blood cancer UK at their guidance that states it would be advisable to wait until after a few weeks after the second vaccine before going back to work.

[Paul_1971]

Im glad to stop shielding. We have protection from our first jab. The evidence to suggest we arent protected is flimsy at best.

Plus others having the vaccine are protecting us too as it helps provent transmission.

The low levels in soceity of covid too.

Yes be vigilant and careful still...not going to go to any parties but looking forward to a beer garden beer come mid April.

[poly2 in reply to Paul_1971]

I'm glad to stop shielding too but i just think we've come this far so a few more weeks isn't going to make much difference and as we now have the easing of lockdown and now hearing of spikes within the schools already and care homes i for one would rather wait a few weeks more.

[Paul_1971 in reply to poly2]

I guess its an individual concern.

Having read Maz's post on the protection levels for MPN patients not being considered to be impacted in the same was as other blood cancers i think its probable we have significant protection from the once dose we have received.

The protection levels is something i dont ever recall being discussed much before, but it would seem the covid vaccine provides better protection than the Flu vaccine does, which is only circa 50%, Flu is a serious illness which can kill and we dont shield every winter because we arent fully protected.

Im not saying everyone should have the view, its just mine, we are all different, with different ages, health etc.

Im not saying because thats how i look at it, its how everyone should.

I guess as a forum its just about voicing our own opinions.

[Jenny_F]

I got the letter stating you are not advised to shield after 1st April and I took it as the people that were shielding that cant work from home wont be supported after that date. I can work from home and am not changing my shielding habits, especially as I got a local government letter about a May election that said apply for a postal vote don’t vote in person.

[linphy]

I received email yesterday I had my 2nd vaccine yesterday (Oxford). Haven't felt rough like I did on 1st one but I have had a nose bleed this morning

[Mandy-moo74]

I also have this concern about returning to work, I am a dental nurse by trade as this is a high risk profession due to the aerosols that are generated when treatment is carried out, although they are very strict with having to wear the enhanced PPE, just scares me a bit, would not be returning anyway until I have had my second vaccine anyway

[Runner999]

yes, e-mail is always day or two after announcement. they probably have to release them in batches so as not to overload systems.

[Jbut]

I had my email, to stop shielding on 31st march.I work in a nhs maternity hospital and many have had covid. I have my second jab on tuesday. My job is to see patients, so i can't work from home. I am worried going back, i am going to ask if i can take a few weeks off but they will probably tell me to take as holiday. Has anyone asked GP for a sick note to cover the few weeks after second covid jab.