Hello and these next few week I suspect lots of those who were in the shielding group ( if the government reach their 15 feb target) will get " the jab" 😂 and congrats to you all !
So I'm sending lots of love to all the others who are patiently waiting on their turn , especially those non shielding lovely young people.
Even when we have our vaccines we still have to do the distancing thing to look after others so we show we care xx so keep safe everyone 😍😍
🤗 yes to that
How lovely of you, I'm still waiting for mine but in Wales so......... but I've seen posts on facebook from people who are shielding now starting to get appointments so fingers crossed x
Yes , I know , I hope it really rolls out soon xxi also feel for those in countries that are oppressed or war torn, however scary must it be for them to add on a pandemic x 😟
How funny, my appointment has just come in the post 😀 having it Monday, typical I've got to go for my blood tests Monday at the Dr's at 10.30 and the vaccine isn't until 3.20 which means a 10 mile round trip twice (was going to put a ! but thought better not 😜) but good news :):)
x
I bet it is exciting having something to do for a change. Good luck
Thank you, hahahaha, yes, an excuse to leave the house and travel further than my front door funny how little things cheer us up now 😂
Woo, day out 😁
What’s one of those? 🤪. Had a trip to the bank and docs letterboxes Wednesday night! Oh to be out of the house!! 😜
Mention it to your “vampire”. He/she might get you a quick slot. It’s just one extra item on the conveyor belt. My appointment is for 10.10 - 10.20 so there’s a bit of leeway involved. Go on, be bold! 😁😁
Hi Allanah, hope you're doing ok.
Thank you for posting this, it's a little overwhelming for some us who are waiting for treatment (Rituximab for me) and not able to the vaccine yet (I think) but I've had no call up yet. I was told in December I couldn't have the vaccine for 4 months after Rituximab but I think things have changed since then, still waiting to hear what is actually happening.
Good luck with yours! Xx
I hear Gps can check if you are on the list, dont know if that's correct but maybe their admin could give estimates. I hope you dont have to wait too long 😍
I was going to email my GP but should be going in for Rituximab any time now..just waiting to hear, bloods all ok, I haven't wanted to bother them but my bloods will need redoing at this rate. Thank you ❤️
Yes bother them lol. 😂They will totally understand you have to get timings right xx it's actually an important question, good luck x
Yes, I'm just wondering if it's because of Rituximab, I've emailed them! Thank you x
Good luck.
Postponed my Rtx which was due early March to have the vaccine on the advice of my rheumy but some Rtx patients may not be able to wait until after the second vaccine makes its been extended to 12 weeks. That is the spanner in the works. Do ask to confirm you are group 4 register at the GP and if not say you are on Rtx and other meds if so, and other health issues if so, as you may have been wrongly categorised by the GP admin. I was. Good luck. 💗
Thank you, I've been in the CV group since April 2020 so should be group 4, but when I had my pre-Rituximab appointment in December, back then it was only Pfizer they were using and they said I may have to wait until after Rituximab for 4 months, so maybe I'm on a delay list..who knows!!. The surgery was not taking any messages on their online service today or non urgent calls, so will try again on Monday. Good luck with yours NK XX
Hi 3LB. When I have my vaccine next week it will be 22 weeks/5 & half months since my last Rituximab in early September. I spoke with my nurse 2 weeks ago and she said anything offered after January (4 months after Rtx) would be good timing for me to have the vaccine, and she said don’t refuse it to wait some extra weeks since last Rtx. I haven’t actually waited the “text book full six months” but almost. Two weeks shy! I suspect my B cells grow back slower as I often last a long time before I need to repeat Rtx. You can’t wait for 10/12 months though to feel pain to know the B cells are really repopulating to be able to mount a better immune response. You need the vaccine when it’s offered .. now or as near to or as you can. By the time I get my second vaccine it will be the end of June and if we are to wait a month after the vaccine to have Rtx then I’ll get my next infusion in July. It will then be 10 months since my last Rtx so hoping my joints hold out. Hoping we all do who have to do the Rtx juggle. 💗
I think it has to be a decision made for each person as to their RA status and if possible try to leave a decent gap on the recommendation of your rheumy. As Senior Rheumy James Galloway said on the NRAS Zoom re Rtx and the vaccine .. that even if B cells are not fully repopulated, we should still have some and have enough other bits of the immune in tact to make a good response. No one knows for sure how much response they’ll make RA or no RA. It is the delay of the second vaccine and if we flare before then. I am hoping to last as long as last time (almost 12 months) till I need to repeat as I postponed my Rtx due 8 March so to have the vaccine. Advice of my biologics nurse. I am going to have my B cells monitored as to when they actually come back as normally we do them before and two weeks sfter Rtx but she wants to do them more frequently to monitor more closely,
Are you feeling in need of your Rtx at the mo, as though its running down now? It took me 10 months to get on the CEV even though there was no doubt I should be on it, but a general rheumy nurse disagreed (?) and bungled it up for me. Been a bit of a nightmare, I’m sorted now anyhow. Let us know how you get on when you phone your practice on Monday. Can the rheumy nurse clarify for you? Thank you 💗 Hoping you can do some calculating and sort yours. I didn’t know there was a different wait time for Pfizer/Oxford. xx
Thank you and yes, I have followed the story of you getting a CEV letter and the way you were treated, so glad it got sorted for you.
I last had Rituximab in Dec 19 so I'm overdue for sure, this will be my 6th cycle, my last cycle took much longer to kick in than normal..and they were going to change my medication in April 20 but then everything settled down. I had a flare up in December, but it's important I keep up on it as my RA is very destructive when untreated, I'm now needing two operations for knuckle replacements on both hands (long story) pre-Rituximab damage as it took so long to get me on a medication I could tolerate, I normally get a year out of Rituximab, the first cycle is was about 6 weeks relief!
No different wait time as far as I'm aware between the two vaccines BUT I was told in December the Oxford vaccine was better for patients being treated with Rituximab. Back when I had my appointment, it was only Pfizer that had been approved or the Oxford hadn't started..things are changing all the time though and so is the knowledge about how the vaccines affect us..immune surpressed patients, it's a catch 22 decision for me..vaccine or delay Rituximab but will hopefully find out more next week.
My bloods were all ok to go ahead with Rituximab, I'm working from home etc, so if I had to delay the vaccine I would (I think) as I don't want any more damage to my body, if I could give to my husband though who is a Supermarket Manager with diabetes I would!! All my very best wishes to you xx ❤️
There’s an NHS portal where you can book your own. If you’re on the shielding list it will allow you to book. I did that yesterday and going on Monday. Not received any letter etc..you’re just asked to take the confirmation reference with you to your appointment.
Yes that’s the same as me. Got a text from GP’s surgery with a link to book test. No letter. I think it varies area to area.
Hi, Thanks for this and yes I've tried it with my NHS number . But, I'm going to wait until I get notification from my GP or the hospital as it may delay my treatment. Also, I've heard of others not in the shielding list who've been able to go in this way and book a vaccine taking it away from people that are waiting to be called by their GP with the official notification. Good luck with your vaccine. ☺️
I didn't get anything. It also took the surgery an age to realise I was on any shielding list at all. So doesn't surprise me I've not received anything so I took it into my own hands and it allowed me to book. A friend tried who isn't on any shielding list and is under 60 to see if it was a fluke. She wasn't allowed to book anything and the system prevented her from booking.
Ah ok..I tried it without putting my NHS number in and it let me in, maybe they've changed it now as people were getting through this way. I totally agree with you, many of us can slip through the net, and I've still had no notification but as I've said in previous comments, it could be as I'm going in to hospital for Rituximab and I was told my vaccine could be delayed by 4 months after treatment..ringing Monday to find out!
I'm glad you're getting your vaccine and hope it goes well. ☺️
Live in US . It has been 2 months since my last Rituxin infusion and my rheumatologist told me I could get the COVID Vaccine shot. He said that there needs to be only a five week wait period between a Rituxin infusion and a shot for COVID. I got my shot three days ago.
Glad you got your shot! I was told this in December so things may have changed, will find out next week. Best wishes to you.
Great news x
Lots of hugs back to you Allanah. 💗 xxxx. Waiting to hear for group 4. Shouldn’t be long. Good luck for yours too. So many people wanting to be vaxxed, which is excellent. Just look how well we are all doing. xx xx
Hope it's not too long and sending patient internet thoughts, xxx lol x
Thank you! 💗 I got the call this morning and will be phoning them back Monday to have it either Monday or Tuesday. I want to finish my antibiotics first even though I was told it should be ok I’d rather finish them tomorrow morning. The person who called me said they can only book two days ahead so be ready to go Monday after I’ve phoned them back, or go Tuesday. xx
I think the vaccine programme has been excellent hasn't it?! Good luck to everyone getting theirs! X
Well I read somewhere that Matt Hancock had watched the film Contagion , if you dont know it it was a film years before this pandemic but science based on a pandemic. It's been spot on actually... but he said that is what prompted him into buying lots of different types of vaccines x nice but strange story if it's true x
Oh wow..really! Well we can't fault them on the vaccine programme! X
Couldn’t watch that. My hubby wanted to watch “I Legend” but I can’t. I recall watching it years ago and thinking what if anything like this happens ......
It's actually a really good movie if you know the ending , the pandemic stops!!,
It’s been nothing short of excellent so far hasn’t it? 💗 Phoning my practice on Monday for my appointment. Could go same day or Tuesday. It will be happening all over for group 4 now and very busy. x
Thanks allanah, it's lovely hearing of extended family members, friends and those on this site bit by bit moving forward and getting their vaccine. Giving their reassurances and giving us hope that the line we are patiently waiting in is moving along and fingers cross it wont be long. You are so right about once having the vaccine to maintain safety for all about continuing to wear masks and hand washing etc. Take care xx
You are so nice.😊 I admit to being very jealous when my baby brother got his last month ! Well he is a front line worker but I was congratulating him, through gritted teeth 😂😂over it now though 🤭
I just see it as one big long line and each day that line moves a long and we move a few more steps further. Hopefully not long allanah...we can do this!
Wont it be great to get a bit further on . Xx
Yes and we are not going backwards so it’s great. x
I’m waiting for mine still but my sister and brother both in their seventies have had theirs up country in the Warwickshire area so they are getting around to us soon.
I'm one of the lucky ones as I had mine on Wednesday. I messaged my Spanish sister in law to tell her and she replied to say that she's got no idea when they might get it, despite being over 70. Very pleased that we're getting on with it here 👍
Talk of the devil.......just had a phone call from my dr. Vaccination at 5.20 tomorrow. Woohoo 🙌
Good stuff x
Great news, Green! I was happy to be woken up with that same call this morning!
😄
Good to hear that you are getting your jab, I’m getting a wee bit impatient now, maybe if I say this I will also get a call. I’m on the shielding list as well but no call yet but when the blue envelope came through the door it was for my hubby who is in the next group to be done and is getting his next week and so are a few of my friends in that group as well. I was told I’d get a call by text, think they are going to be done before me or maybe a call will tell me to come this week who knows. Just glad people are getting theirs. Best wishes
I'd call your gp to check if they put you on the shielding list , especially as your hubby gas got his appointment. Seems strange ? Love the blue envelope idea though 😍
I’m defo on the list as my GP called me a few times to tell me to stay in and ask how I was. Our surgery is tiny and can prob only do two at a time but wish they had just sent me to the vaccination clinic now which is 40 minutes away and I will have to drive him there, seems a bit crazy. I will just have to be patient, not one of my virtues lol. X
I echo calling your gp, especially as your hubby got the call. I’d call them and let them know he has had his booked and you’re in the group above him but not had your call. Some people round me have managed to book themselves in together. Another friend rang and found she’d been put in the wrong vulnerable group they switched it and she was given an appointment X
I would give your doctors a phone all this happened to my friend too. They got her in with her hubby. So it’s worth a try.
I will try that too thanks
Thanks worth a try if I can get through to the doctors.
Hope yours comes through soon 🌺
Thank you x
Just had a phone call from my surgery. Vaccination at 2.30 pm on Monday. So relieved. My 2 brothers have already had theirs, one with no underlying conditions, so must admit that it was preying on my mind.
Hope everyone else hears soon!
Good stuff x
What a lovely post. Yes there will be lots of people who have to wait for possibly quite a while.... but the UK seems to be doing well, so hopefully not too long.
Yes I am still being careful, but OH (who will have to wait quite a while here) reckons that not being vaccinated means he no longer has to do shopping with me! Any excuse.
Uh oh lol. Has he been set straight 😊
Nice try 😂😂
😂😂
I have a date for mine but it plans to snow on Sunday. Let’s hope I can get to the venue ok
🙏
Fingers crossed
Living in Worcestershire and getting my jab today.
Great news 😀
Great news hope it goes well for you😃
I’m in group 5 - aged 65-70 - and have my jab tomorrow. Everyone with RA (aged between 18 and 65) should be in the next group (6) according to the gov schedule so shouldn’t be long to wait now.🤞
Great news x
What a lovely upbeat post 🥰 I’m in group 6 so should receive mine by early March according to my consultant🤞🤞 but OH will have to wait until group 8 so not planning any trips this year but have high hopes and everything crossed for next year for a trip to my paradise island Kefalonia 🙏. Stay well and safe everyone.
Yes it seems strange that I get mine but my hubby whose my carer wont. So if he gets sick I cant look after him and he cant make the dinner , then what 😂😂
How come he won’t? On the gov list (with the book your vaccine letter) it says unpaid carers? 🤔
They put unpaid carers on level 6 I'm level 4
Then you get on this site and we will send a parcel from fortnum and mason
Hi allanah ...hope you are keeping well ..am writing this as l live near you ..l was starting to get anxious not hearing about mine as they are doing quite well in this area ..then on Thursday l got a text from our health centre inviting me for a vaccine at Northallerton Hub l got in for monday ..then yesterday l gets Letter from NHS in inviting me to a vaccine in a pharmacy in Stockton..couldn't believe ..so fingers crossed ..what a weight of my mind ..take care x
Excellent news x
I had the text from GP’s to book my test it offered me Newcastle, Gateshead, Hull at this point I thought oh no as I live in York. However right at the bottom of the list was York. So had mine yesterday.
Great 👍
Thanks for your kind & thoughtful post. X
I get mine tonight Can’t wait xx
Getting 2024 off to the right start
Hi everyone!. Seen the rhuemy again, sulfa to add to the list, and one of the latest scribblings for all of you.
Covid Vaccination Group 4 or 6?
Nauseated again 
