Change in antiviral provision

[Inclement]

I assume all those in the Uk classified as extremely vulnerable have received as I did a mail informing them that the provision of antivirals is changing in that one now must contact GP, 111, or hospital if testing positive for Covid. Any thoughts on this? Having avoided infection so far and having had 7 vaccinations I am beginning to feel less cautious, so suppose this will be a natural winding down process in society,, but I still feel the risk is going to be there for some while and wonder how others feel now. Time to move on?

[sweetpea19]

hi

I’m not sure how we can move on if the risk is still with us, having said that I do find myself not wearing a mask unless in a crowded environment but I do still try to avoid direct contact with people when I don’t wear one . I find that friends etc do say to me that it’s time to move on , after all you’ve had 7 jabs! But I still err on the side of caution but it’s easy to forget it’s still around us as practically no one wears a mask now. I myself caught covid last Xmas eve and despite reporting it and also waiting for contact about anti virals No one ever got back to me so the system didn’t work for me anyway . I did feel poorly but recovered after 2 weeks

I agree with you that there is a winding down but hope that all of us who are vulnerable will still have some support for however long it takes Take care

[MWxxxx]

Hi. No I have not had any information on this yet. Like you I've had 7 vaccines and not caught it yet. Still don't go to restaurants or anywhere busy where I can't wear a mask. However, I am starting to feel self conscious on buses and shops in my mask. I tend to avoid busy times more through embarrassment than fear of catching covid - I am the kind of person who likes to go unnoticed so feel very stressed when people stare - which they do now.

I did think however that we were suppossed to phone 111 or our hospital team anyway if we tested positive for covid? I have had numbers for haematology (both for during office hours and a ward number for out of hours) on my fridge for the past 3 years. I also thought that if you rang 111 they would triage you and you would be contacted about antivirals. I wouldn't trust my GP surgery - I can't imagine I would get anywhere with that!

I do think though it is worth rechecking arrangements. I will bring this up at my next haematology appointment to make sure their processes havent changed. I want to be prepared for if/when I do catch covid.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

[Inclement in reply to MWxxxx]

Yes to be fair the changes seem to be that from 27 June the responsibility is now on the individual to report a positive test result rather than them being contacted by the NHS automatically as before, and a decision will then be made re antiviral provision. From October the access to free tests might change too, possibly dependent on the Covid situation by then. Further vaccination for winter may I suppose keep things under control. I think I maybe overreacted on first reading the mail, and realise that as with life in general it must now be a personal choice on risk and cautionary attitude. I am not embarrassed though by choosing to wear a mask in some circumstances, even though I accept it is probably just for my peace of mind rather than helping to keep me safe! It will take time to get back to the pre-pandemic frame of mind.

[MWxxxx in reply to Inclement]

Thank you for sharing about the changes. Hopefully I will also get an email eventually. Bit worrying about the tests - I don't test as regularly as I used to but whenever I get a sniffle or cough I like to take one just in case. I want to make sure I know as soon possible if I catch covid. With the responsibility for us to follow up on accessing antivirals, it is even more important we find out quickly.

[Inclement in reply to MWxxxx]

Yes it does say that one should only test if symptoms showing, however mild, and if negative to continue testing for 2 more days and report to NHS if positive and then seeking advice if necessary. So worth keeping a box of tests in hand.

[Rachelthepotter]

Hi. I finally got covid:😢- fully jabbed, but was in a car with someone coughing and sneezing ( and not vaccinated). Not nice, despite eventually accessing molnupiravir. The system of contacting 111 /GP worked, tho long waits for people at call centres to phone back.

[Wyebird in reply to Rachelthepotter]

that’s my big issue, every jab bar number 7 has made me ill but I keep having them in order to protect others and those who are unable to take the vaccination.

[AndyT]

I got my email yesterday. I finally got Covid in February this year and received Paxlovid soon after my positive test, so I hope the new system still gives us rapid access to antivirals when needed. Can’t say I’m too hopeful!

[Wyebird in reply to AndyT]

how were you with covid after the anti viral? How long were you ill for?

[AndyT in reply to Wyebird]

I was I’ll for 5 days in total - testing negative 3 days after starting the antivirals. No side effects from Paxlovid apart from bitter taste in my mouth, which went quickly after I finished the course. I’d definitely take it again.

[Wyebird in reply to AndyT]

gosh sounds as if the drugs were very helpful. Thrilled for you. I think I was really ill for about 2 days but wiped out for about 7. I initially thought I had a heavy cold it was only because 2 friends suggested a covid test I did one.

[Ebot]

My experience when I got Covid (between jabs 5 and 6) was endless pfaffing between the Covid number, 111 and GP to get antivirals. I remember thinking, thank goodness my other half was managing the countless telephone calls / hanging on. And I wasn’t particularly sick! So I’m not really sure what’s changed - possibly one less option for waiting on hold to speak to a human who tells you to call a different number???!

I’m just getting on with life with a degree of caution. And a facemask or two in my bag / pocket / glove compartment as some sort of talisman!

[Lilliegarden]

I was advised last year I would be entitled to anti virals & was able to test the process when I caught covid a month ago!

Tested positive on the Saturday, reported to 111. Heard nothing Sunday day, had a call 11pm Sunday night from 111 to confirm I’d reported a positive test…

Monday I was due my consultant appt so called to cancel & explain I had covid. Consultant advised they were unable to help re anti virals as not their dept & to contact my GP. I felt so rough I just went back to bed & didn’t ring anyone!

Tuesday morning I woke up feeling a bit better, Wednesday I received a call from the hospital pharmacy to say they had my anti virals & wild get them delivered Wednesday evening.

Woke up Thursday morning & felt 110% better so decided not to take them.

Pharmacy guy told me that as covid has now been downgraded from a pandemic, the teams set up to organise anti virals for us clinically vulnerable are being wound down, hence taking 4 days to get the meds to me.

Thankfully I had a really mild case. I chose to have 2 of the offered vaccines & lead most of my life outside with work & hobbies so rarely trapped indoors with lots of other people.

As an aside - bizarrely, as soon as I contracted covid, all the side effects I’d been having from starting Pegasus (joint pain, nausea, itching) stopped straight away & haven’t come back (bar a small amount of itching)

[beetle in reply to Lilliegarden]

I’m glad you mentioned your ‘aside’. I caught covid in hospital while fevers every evening were being investigated. I was readmitted and given antiviral Molnupiravir. Since recovering from covid I have noticed my fever every evening has been drastically reduced. Definitely bizarre!

[Lilliegarden in reply to beetle]

The one occasion I’ve been happy to catch something else to make me feel better!

[Exeter21]

It was a waste of time in my area . I caught Covid last year & rang the number & they refused even though I had only just tested positive. They were not that happy with the antivirul I got impression. I was not too I’ll with Covid & have put it behind me & moved on 👍

[Wyebird]

hi yes I’ve received an email. I was one of the’lucky’ ones . I had mild covid just after 2 vaccines. So I don’t fear covid as much as those who haven’t had it.

I also had it when you had to isolate for 10 days. I seriously think that that is like a recuperation period. It maybe makes you rest more than you would have.

What I find difficult to comprehend is how can I get it and recover really well and others with no serious medical issues are extremely ill and unfortunately don’t recover.