Shielding letter

[Vonnie10]

Hi does anyone know were online you can inquire about a shielding letter, I had the letter twice before but it’s hasnt appeared this time around I’m on toczlizmab so I think I’m in that group who will receive the vaccine, is there a link anywhere which I could go on, I’ve looked and can’t seem to find it rang my gp they says it’s not upto them so the secretary says many thanks ?

[Lolabridge]

I had been waiting for mine ... and it arrived today. The postal service is creaking at the moment so maybe your letter has just been held up.

[allanah]

Postal servive is so slow, mine only arrived today

[Sallysuk in reply to allanah]

My son works for postal service which is not the problem as all post being cleared on time. As in original lockdown the shielding letter took weeks to arrive as sent out late. This time my shielding partner received a text immediately third lockdown was announced but his letter and vaccination invite has just arrived ie one week after he had his Pfizer jab and several weeks after lockdown announcement.

[Hidden]

I only received mine this week. (The last lockdown in November it was 3 weeks late) I think as long as you had a shielding letter in the past you will still be on the list.

[bunnycaramel]

I received mine yesterday post is delayed due to staff off with coronavirus. I was told this by my pharmacist’s assistant whose partner works for the post office.

[Vonnie10]

Thanks people just need to be o the list and sont get missed my hubby had is in work . God bless you all..take care x

[Boxerlady]

Mine arrived today.I'd assumed that we were on the list permanently 🤔

[Vonnie10]

We must be on its permanent but you know things get missed and I dont want to miss out when it's my turn ..but I see different info on here I've just read a post and it conflicting it reads like me having *just* having RA which is enough for me anyway dont know about others.. that post reads like I'm not priority were as the gov list says immune suppressant are and I thought tocziflizmab is a immuno one 🤷‍♂️

[Neonkittie17]

I don’t think I will get one but my GP practice or rheumy finally submitted my details to the NHS in December after 10 months, so I did get an Email from MH a week ago re shielding, but not sure if I’ll get a letter as I was missed off twice before. I’ve haven't had any post for almost a week and I’m not supposedly in one of the badly affected areas! xx

[Vonnie10 in reply to Neonkittie17]

It's bad here in liverpool I'm on the edge of liverpool ..my husband works in lpool in the NHS as does my daughter ..I hd my letters the lst 2 times but like others have said could be slow the post..were all on edge its nightmare..hope your ok NK..xx

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Vonnie10]

Yes thanks Vonnie I’m OK here. Hope you’re steady with your knee. 💗 I got a very long email from the DHSC on 7 January which is a long e-letter re shielding so I’m not sure I’ll get an actual letter as well.

Has anyone had an email signed from Matt Hancock and an actual letter or just email and no letter so far? ( I am the one who had all the aggro re being left out of the CEV register since April by a stroppy rheumy nurse and the GP practice didn’t add me either, so never received the first two letters. I do qualify as CEV. However I think it is my GP practice who have given the DHSC my details.)

The email from the DHSC has my national health number on it. I’m going to check with the GP practice next week I’m on the GP list for the group 4 vaccines. I also want to check if they are doing any of them at the GP surgery building as I can’t stand to queue in a large place for an hour or even stand an hour and also I don’t want to stand with lots of people in the queue all taking and likely many will be taking their masks off and not distancing. I’m not sure if everyone including mobility impaired have to go off to the sports centre or whatever. I think it’s slightly different for many places. I don’t use a wheelchair and can’t stand up from one myself .. most of the standard ones are low .. and couldn’t move one by myself. I can walk no problem at the mo the short distance I’d have to, but not stand up still for any length of time. I hope your letter comes soon Vonnie. xx

[KittyJ in reply to Neonkittie17]

I’ve always got a text then an email then the letter arrives NK so yours will probably arrive very soon. My letter came today dated the same day as the email. Bit of a waste of money to send a letter by post as well as the email but 🤷🏼‍♀️

I had good reports from people at my GP surgery today, saying it was well organised with volunteers in the car park helping direct people and making sure it all ran smoothly. It was done on time and safely so I’m hoping that the stories of long queues are just a few places and the majority are not like that. I too was concerned about having to stand around for ages as I can’t, so this has made me feel much better about going when my time comes.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to KittyJ]

Hi KittyJ, My vaccine isn’t going to be at the GP practice where I go for my blood tests and feel safe there as only one allowed in. It’s not set out inside suitably to partition off. I hope though they will have some limited vaccine appointments at the GP for mobility impaired/elderly who can’t stand etc. As I said I am not sure I can. I’m hoping that when it comes to queuing for it that security/stewards make people distance and keep masks on.

As we haven’t had any mail for 6 days maybe a letter might arrive soon! It does seem a waste of both emails and letters. However it’s efficient of them!

[KittyJ in reply to Neonkittie17]

I hope so too for you 😊

[Neonkittie17 in reply to KittyJ]

💗 Thank you

[Sops in reply to Neonkittie17]

I have been inundated with Matt Letters and e=mails, coming in at about 2 a week, with each policy change. Agree do not need both, also getting regular letter from my Local Authority, and once a week telephone call from NHS responders Team have not had time to be lonely!

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Sops]

Wow you could keep warm burning all that lot couldn’t you?! They’ve definitely been saving paper as far as I was concerned!!

[Sops in reply to Neonkittie17]

Yep, did consider papering the downstairs cloakroom as an historical reference.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Sops]

Ha ha ... why not?!

[Hidden in reply to Sops]

Wow jealous.I get a text then a letter.. never get an email although they do have my e- address

[Sops in reply to Hidden]

We just really want the appointment letter, don't we. My daughter had her vaccine in Friday and i am so envious, but very pleased for her x

[KittyJ in reply to Sops]

Yes I get a local authority letter too Sops which says at the end of it I will get another letter from Matt telling me this info but they are sending one too in case the other takes a while to arrive!! 🙄

[Sops in reply to KittyJ]

Real kill-a-tree stuff, hopefully we will get the appointment letter soon x

[Vonnie10]

I m so dopey just checked my email nd there it was sorry 🙄

[Boxerlady in reply to Vonnie10]

Not dopey, just trying to cope with this strange and stressful situation! Glad that you've found it, though - one less thing to worry about 💐😉

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Vonnie10]

😁💗

[Moomin8]

nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

[medway-lady]

Delays at post office might be the reason as mine dated 22 Dec landed with the one from 7 Jan yesterday and we know here a lot of posties are sick.

[Bootoo]

I received mine in the post today dated 7/1/21 same date as I got an email

[Soundofmusic52]

I would think it’s on its way mine only came today 😷

[bubblyalex]

Mine arrived today too xx

[Paula-C]

Mine arrived a few days ago, I know in certain areas of the country due to staff being off due to covid mail is taking longer to arrive,

[Pat9442]

Matt and I are like that🤞❤️🤞 He is always sending me 5 page letters! They all say the same, just the dates change. however I will get the vaccination by age long before because I am CEV!

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Pat9442]

😁🤪

[HappykindaGal in reply to Pat9442]

Hahahaha. Think he loves me more 😂😂 He sent me four letters this week 😂😂💕💕🥰🥰 I must have everyone elses

[Sops in reply to Pat9442]

Like that CEV,! A new handle other than OAP....

[stubbs1958]

I've only just got mine yesterday, I believe a lot of postmen & women are shielding that may be the reason why it's late.

[RA2002]

I received the letter a week or so ago as an email attachment. I then received a hard copy in the post earlier this week. If you were classed as clinically vulnerable before and none of your meds have changed then I am sure you can take it that you are still in the same category. Postal deliveries where I live have been disrupted due to illness/shielding/isolating etc., so maybe it will arrive soon?

[HanaleiBa]

I called my GP and they said I’m in the clinically extremely vulnerable group - it was “in the system,” though they didn’t able a shielding letter from me. So, maybe ask if the NHS has categorized you that way? Sounds like the GPs know?

[MadamePetitPois in reply to HanaleiBa]

This is similar to my situation. My GP practice have told my that I’m in Group 2 for the vaccine but are unable to send me out a letter! Apparently it’s all done from NHS central. I’m on Tofacitanib as well as being poorly controlled with joint damage. 🤞🏼that we all get the vaccine soon?!

[Sallysuk in reply to MadamePetitPois]

Our GP practise phoned my 80+ husband with a vaccination appointment and 3 days later phoned me (75+) with an appointment 2days after him. The NHS invite arrived a week after we had had our jabs and no postal holdup as our postman says all post being cleared daily around here. Who can we believe as everyone seems to opt out of responsibility or just blame covid 19. Incidentally the organisation at GP run hub was brilliant short wait/social distancing and helpful staff all round.

[Stayloose]

I have no idea. My husband had a shielding letter sent by Rheumatology in the first lockdown. That has been the only communication from anywhere. Answer ph on rheum says they aren't sending repeat letters and can't discuss shielding.. G P answer phone says they can't comment on shielding / vaccine. Fingers crossed he's on the list for first 4 groups.

[Lotphie in reply to Stayloose]

I also had letters from Rheumatology in first lockdown and nothing since. I was on 2 immunosuppressant drugs but was taken off methotrexate temporarily as I have a damaged lung which they think is caused by methotrexate or RA. Phoned Rheumatology but told to contact Gp who said they couldn’t help and toco tact NHS so round in circles. My sister also has RA and she’s had every letter and email but lives in a different part of the country. In the meantime I’ve locked myself away and hope I will be called for vaccine.

[Evie3]

I have continually received one by email....each lockdown....then sometime later get the hard copy

[Swimming20]

I only got mine the other day..but l got a text in the first week as l am on Tocilizumab also ..but the post is very slow at the moment..l am still getting xmas cards x

[Artfanatic]

Hi Vinnie10, I didn't get a letter 1st time around but as this time you can be vaccinated sooner I rang Rheumatology nurse who said ring Docs I rang & had to book a call with Doc. When we spoke it turns out I should have been on the list & was missed off & Doc said he was glad I had questioned it as they're so busy! He sent me the letter fir shielding issued on 2nd Dec as he didnt havevthos latest lockdown one, but hes put me on the list for the vaccine call up as critically vulnerable. I'm on Adalimumab biologic injections & Methotrexate for my RA,so clinically suppressed immune system. So if you're on biologic you should get a letter too, so ring you're Doctor again? I've booked another call with Doc on 21st to discuss which vaccine would be suitable & if its ok for me, as I have allergies & if the Oxford one is 'live' I don't think we can have it? Good luck with you're Doc, try again!

[madme1]

Hi Vonnie same here the post is on its knees. They've stopped doing tracking updates and everything. But I do eventually get it. Can you not go to the Gov.co.uk website to see if there is any info there?

[Cat1001]

I am CEV but have never received a shielding letter, I got a letter from my hospital a couple of months into the first lockdown with guidance on shielding after I had a phone appointment with my rheumatologist. I have RA, fibromyalgia, Raynauds and now kidney problems and on methotrexate, abatacept and steroid treatment to name a few so am completely baffled as to why I’ve never received a letter or email 🤷‍♀️

[NN55 in reply to Cat1001]

Pleasespeak to your GP too as you should be on the list. Of CEV people i think. If you google the gov. Guidelines for clinically extremely vulnerable assuming you live in UK - you should find on there the info about steroid therapy and shielding - good luck and stay safe !!!

[LeaRa]

I don't get any shielding letter. Is this only for people who's taking certain medication?

[Anita07]

I only received mine this morning and I live in Brighton 👍🏽 It will arrive soon

[nothingseems2work]

Hope you're letter arrives soon. Do you need to be on certain drugs?? I'm on 20 mg methotrexate injection and diagnosed 7 years ago, haven't received any shielding letters and haven't spoken to a RA nurse since March last year,

[Gardening53]

Hi I’ve only just got my letter yesterday from government think the post is a bit behind xx

[Neonkittie17]

Post has just arrived today .. two official looking envelopes for me so it may be in there! I won’t open till tomorrow though.

[Gigi71]

I got mine Wednesday, our post has also been effected in Essex due to sickness. I got one for tier 4 after Christmas, I got a text for the last 3 letters but not for this one!! We seem to be called for the vaccine in descending age order, my b IL has his Sunday week, he’s 77 and with the same surgery as me. Im 75, still waiting and hoping 🤞🤞x

[NN55]

Hi Vonnie , it is important you phone your surgery again and ask to speak to the secretaries or Practice Manager and ensure you are on their list as clinically vulnerable.as you are on immunosuppressant medication. A few months ago NHS England reviewed the “at risk groups” , when this was communicated to the GP surgeries it was up to the secretaries to apply these new criteria to their lists of patients. It is possible your surgery has made an error if you still have not heard. If you find you cannot get past the receptionist, Make an appointment to see your GP and explain your concern to himm, ask him to check for you.

Good luck , let me know how you get on.

[Vonnie10]

Hi thanks I received my letter today like people said the post is slow..its says I'm due mid Feb huge relief 4 more weeks and in abit more free..🦇🦇