Covid Vaccination Group 4 or 6?

[n1mble2]

I wondered what experience others have had.

I take both methotrexate and inject the biologic abatacept (Orencia) each week for my rheumatoid arthritis. In the first lockdown I was classed as clinically extremely vulnerable and told to shield.

On 4th November I received a letter from Dept of Health giving advice for those previously identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. I also received a letter from my local council offering help with shielding.

I have therefore assumed I would be in group 4 for Covid vaccination.

However, whilst speaking to my GP receptionist today she said I was in group 6.

Does anyone know how these ‘vulnerabilities’ are classified and is anyone taking similar medications who know they are in group 4 and hence due their vaccine shortly?

Many thanks.

[rounder]

I take abatacept but also have asthma and another lung issue, it's the meds for those that dropped me into group 4. I'm 62 and had the Pfizer vaccine almost 3 weeks ago with minimal side effects. I understood that being part of the shielding group out is into GP 4. Hope you get your vaccine soon.

[Hidden]

I’m in the same position.. nobody is sure . I’m shielding from work as I too had this letter .

[Boxerlady]

I had the letter and will be having my vaccination on Wednesday. I'm only on triple DMARDS so don't really think that I should be in the shielding category but don't want to refuse the vaccine in case I then drop off the list completely.

I'd query it with your GP if I were you as it might have been your rheumy department that put you on the list rather than your surgery; I had letters from both.

[Hidden in reply to Boxerlady]

I’m thinking your right my Rheumatologist put me in the list my gp surgery has never been in touch with me during this pandemic and wouldn’t give me a letter for work back in March it’s was the hospital who said I was CEV

[Teddyedward]

I am classed as CEV and had my jab last week as a group 4 but I also have diabetes so that might have something to do with the classification?

[Paula-C]

If you've had the letter you should be group 4, got mine booked for this Friday. Receptionist probably doesn't know.

[helixhelix]

According to government info if under 65 you are group 6. It is only clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) who are group 4.

Here

gov.uk/government/publicati...

The CEV category is now these people:

Corticosteroid dose of ≥20mg (0.5mg/kg) prednisolone (or equivalent) per day for more than four weeks

• Cyclophosphamide at any dose orally or within last six months IV

• Corticosteroid dose of ≥5mg prednisolone (or equivalent) per day for more than four weeks plus at least one other immunosuppressive medication*, biologic/ monoclonal** or small molecule immunosuppressant (e.g. JAK inhibitors)***

• Any two agents among immunosuppressive medications, biologics/monoclonals** or small molecule immunosuppressants with any co-morbidity****

So MTX and biologic means you are in vulnerable group, not CEV, here’s the chart

rheumatology.org.uk/Portals...

[Boxerlady in reply to helixhelix]

I'm sure that's true helixhelix but I'm sure that I'm not the only one put into the CEV category and offered the vaccine in Group 4 despite not being so according to that chart. If someone has had the letter, having been assessed as CEV by their rheumy, isn't it worth them asking? 🤔

[helixhelix in reply to Boxerlady]

If you’ve been offered it then don’t turn it down! Sure people should ask, but be aware that is is pushing a boundary so people shouldn’t get cross if a negative answer...

Mind you it is looking as if many areas of the UK are speeding along and group 6 will only be a week or so away!

[KittyJ in reply to Boxerlady]

Same here Boxerlady, I’ve got my vaccine on Saturday, only on mtx and biologic but then we knew it was all a mess. My daughter has had all the shielding letters and she’s young with no meds or illnesses 🤷🏻‍♀️

[MJSlide1958 in reply to KittyJ]

Hi KittyJ, Have you been asked to stop taking your biologic and methotrexate before the covid vaccination and after too?

[KittyJ in reply to MJSlide1958]

No I haven’t MJSlide, only if I actually get covid. I asked my rheumy a couple of weeks ago.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks very much KittyJ

[Smelliott in reply to MJSlide1958]

It's all very frustrating, according to the criteria above I should be in group 4 (mtx + prednisolone >5mg for over a year now), but I haven't received a letter, and having spoke to 119 just now they couldn't book me in. I'll try my GP tomorrow. I had a feeling I'd slip through the net!

[Barrister]

I inject MTX, Benepali and also take steroids as I have Adrenal Insufficiency and I am in group 4 and had my first vaccination last week.

Clemmie

[Moomin8]

omnicalculator.com/health/v...

Try this

[Revita2020]

Hi I also had the same situation. I queried which group I was in with my doctor. When I spoke to him he said I was in group 6. I had a chat with him an told him my concerns that I might be in the wrong group from looking on the gov website. He got back to me with, I should be in group 4 and classed as clinically extremely vulnerable being on an immuno surpressent. He then got In touch with the practice manager to tell them an they contacted me to tell me I could have an appointment for the vaccine the coming Saturday which was the one just gone. I was nervous an quite anxious about getting it but was absolutely fine. I had the Pfizer one an I'm only on Benepali injections. So I think it's definitely worth questioning as group 6 is a while off getting the vaccine yet. When you look on groups on the gov website an the NHS website it tells you how you fall into each group an does say if your on immuno surpressents you should be in group 4 so I do think it's worth asking speaking to you're doctor to express your concerns. Here is the link below to the NHS website that tells you which group you fall into hope this helps

nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

[Downtime]

I’m taking Mxt and Leflunomide and I had a shielding letter last year. I didn’t shield as I chose to just social distance etc, but I assumed I’d be in the vulnerable category group 4 for the vaccine. My doctor said now they had found that people like me aren’t that vulnerable and I would be called to have the vaccine in my age group. It seems to depend on how many immune suppressants you take and which ones.

[Hidden]

I wonder what some places are doing as I have so many health issues as well as RA. I have asthma, pulmonary oedema, underactive thyroid, OA and many more issues but I haven't been called to have the vaccination yet. I know of people younger than me who have had it (I am 70 in three weeks time) and some of them haven't got health problems. I have queried this with my doctors surgery and all I have been told is that I am in group four and will be called in for the vaccination when they get that far. It seems a bit unfair to me.

[Hidden]

phone consultation with my consultant. We are a 4 my gp said 6 . Consultant Said methotrexate &biolgic/ Jak means we a CEV . Consultant said get gp to email him if there was a problem. Rang surgery and asked to confirm I’m on the CEV list on consultants advice. Receptionist said why do I or my consultant think I should be on the list ???? Told her consultant conversation and asked her to email him. Just had a confirmation I’m group 4 await an imminent appointment.

I’m on mtx and Baricitinib.