Shielding and being extremely vulnerable

[Judyloo]

Hi, has anyone else found weird inconsistencies in who gets shielding letter? Nothing during first lockdown, just a letter halfway through the second, and one again last week. I have two friends who are same age group, in our sixties, and both on less than 25mg of methotrexate and no other steroids etc. I was due a routine phone appointment today with my consultant but that has been cancelled. I am in extremely clinically vulnerable category so will get a jab soon hopefully, however my friends will not as they are not in that group. Very inconsistent.

[Emwozere]

Yes I think it's odd. I am only 46 but got a letter in the first lockdown as on MTX for RA. Haven't heard whether I'm clinically vulnerable or just have health condition - but technically it's both as I am on immunosuppression meds. Haven't heard anything else since March 2020!

[KittyJ]

It’s very inconsistent and varies around the country. My daughter gets the letters etc and she’s young, healthy and takes no meds so it’s a big mess.

This is a link to the chart. Mtx and no co-morbidities is not in the shielding category.

rheumatology.org.uk/Portals...

[helixhelix in reply to KittyJ]

That's from March last year. I though they had reassessed and found that MTX and/ a biologic is not a high risk. Just steroids and Rituximab, and other comorbidities of course. So strict social distancing rather than shielding?

But I have to say I din’t understand UK system at all as seems so variable, and changeable!

[KittyJ in reply to helixhelix]

It was from here, it says updated 20.01.20

rheumatology.org.uk/practic...

[AgedCrone in reply to helixhelix]

Don’t worry HH no one here understands it either

[Neonkittie17 in reply to KittyJ]

Yes it’s been bungled in places! Mine was bungled and took me an age to try correct it.

[Boxerlady]

I've had all the letters but don't believe that I'm CEV as only on triple DMARDS and no other problems. Both rheumy clinic and GP put me in that category but both admit that they were being over-cautious and putting lots of patients on the list.

I've been very careful but haven't been isolating. I am wondering if I will feel guilty if called to have the vaccination early but equally, I really want to have it and want as many people as possible to do so as I think that's the only way out of the current situation 🤔

[Pippy25]

In my experience it has been nothing short of shambolic as in the first lockdown I received countless letters and calls for my late dad who they felt was 'vulnerable' (even offering him support and messages saying they were struggling to contact him), yet nothing for myself and I am alive! It was quite upsetting at that time and had to put it down to people only trying to do their job with the wrong information. To be honest in my situation I have just gotten on with things and have managed as best as and will stand in line and wait to be called for my vaccine when it's my turn, until then I will keep myself safe as possible. I know for some these letters are important for employment etc and understand the concerns if one hasn't been received, but as others have mentioned it appears to be different all over the UK. As you say it's very inconsistent. Hope you get your jab soon and wish you all the best x

[oldtimer]

Not as far as I've been concerned. I've had my shielding letters early on in each lockdown. I was also contacted by the council in case I was in need of support. And the GP surgery contacted me to find out if I needed any extra support. Is isn't surprising though with the numbers involved, and the absence rate due to illness or contact with illness, that occasionally people slip through the net, some letters aren't prepared, posted or delivered.