Vaccine

[Ljr2]

Hi has anyone who has RA not yet been called for the vaccine.

[bubblyalex]

I am assuming you haven’t been by your question. It is worth checking with your rheumy about what group you’re in and then talking to your gp. Some have found themselves in the wrong group at the gp practice but it is the rheumy that says from what I have seen so far and many gps rely on them. 🍀

[Ljr2 in reply to bubblyalex]

Hi no nothing yet it's very confusing. I will wait and see what happens.

[bubblyalex in reply to Ljr2]

Don’t wait ... check... it’s what everyone else has done here who hadn’t heard. It’s wise to be registered in the right group. Most of us are either group 4 or 6 from what I can tell and I think those two groups have been done. Start with your rheumy team to check what level you should be on and then ring your gp. Very possible you have been missed off the list so just in age category.

[Thanksnhs in reply to Ljr2]

Hi definitely check, I have had a transplant and I was missed off the list, I got my vaccine soon after I phoned my gp

[tazman3 in reply to bubblyalex]

I was just about to send a reply complaining about the lack of appointment for vaccine. Then the post arrived and I am now booked in for my first jab on wednesday! So keep the faith, you might be lucky tomorrow.

[helixhelix]

You should be in group 6 (if not 4) and in some areas they have already reached this group. But not in others where still doing 4 and 5. Check with your GP.

[skinclinic in reply to helixhelix]

No - not had mine yet either I am 67 almost 68 on triple therapy (S H and M)for the last 2 years and no vaccination or appointment yet. But .....I did have a letter yesterday to advise me that I am in the sheilding group - only about a year late !!! So many others a lot younger , taking no meds or any health issues have had theirs 3-4 weeks ago . I have contacted my GP , Rheumatology Dept and Health board but to no avail -just told to wait . One helpline looked me up on his database and said it would be another month.

If you do the online OMNI calculator- I should have even been given an appointment date for my 2nd jab by now

. Apparently I am in the group who can only be treated via my GP and they have had no vaccine deliveries for almost 2 weeks

Very hit and miss because my GP surgery even put a message on their Facebook pages 3 weeks ago asking for anyone to turn up to the vaccination centre on a first come first served to get the vaccine that was left over - needless to say I wasn’t aware of that offer

. Also our GP’s are allocated the AstraZeneca vaccine only - not that I mind but I guess that extends the waiting time if only one manufacturer is supplying them

Ironically the AstraZeneca vaccine is processed just a mile from my house ... I am in north Wales

The wait goes on ..... but glad to hear that some of you have at least got one foot on the vaccination ladder . Keep safe

[Marionfromhappydays]

I'm having mine Thursday, was contacted Friday (I'm 47 and on 1 biologic ).

Hope you get yours soon.

My GP wasn't aware I was taking biologics so they updated my records 🙄

[allanah]

It depends on age if your RA isnt in the CEV group. But they are onto group 4/5 now. But call gp and check xx

[Ljr2]

Thankyou all for your replys. I will ring docs Monday to check.

[dwsurquhart]

In BC Canada I will be luck to get the vaccine by September. Going by front line workers first, then age, with no priority for immunsuppressed. I have to be really careful as we got a letter from my sons elementary school that there is a covid exposure there. Also, the health ministry of BC says that you cannot choose your vaccine. I want the Astra/Zenica vaccine. Just now approved in Canada but without people the choice of the one they receive.

[CagneysMum]

Having mine Tuesday (group 6) but when I contacted my GP last week to check, they had me listed as group 8 and not due yet. I think it’s a national NHS database classification?

When I pointed out this was wrong to the poor frazzled ladies on reception, they explained that they weren’t medically qualified to amend so I emailed the practice nurse instead. Received an apology and vaccination invitation the same day so its worth checking 👍

[Whezziewhoozie]

My GP was not aware I was on biologics either as they come from the hospital Via healthcare at home. I contacted them after I realised they had moved past group 6. I had the vaccine the same day....

[VeronicaF]

I haven't either yet, I am 57 yrs

[Zoppy89]

Hi Ljr2, Definitely ask if as per most of the responses above.

I’m on mtx and sulfasalazine and 31 my rheumy nurse told me in feb to expect a call up when they start group 6.

They have been racing through in my area (Hammersmith and Fulham) due to poor uptake and when I went for a blood test I asked the nurse and she said I wasn’t on the list.

I mentioned that the MTX comes from the hospital and she said it looks like I was missed but she would need to check with a doctor.

The next day I had a txt to book and had my first jab yesterday.

Good luck getting yours x

[Tia53]

I was exactly the same as many have already mentioned. My partner got a text inviting him to book an appointment for his jab last week. He's no underlying health issues. I got onto my GP's and after speaking to 2 different receptionists over 2 days the 2nd one apologised for their systems not having my RA details and MTX on and then booked me in for my vaccine. I could have had it the next day (Wed) but I do my MTX injection on Tues evenings so I waited until Fri (26Feb) I had the Pfizer jab and no side effects apart from a bit of arm ache yesterday. Absolutely fine today 😊

[darugaca]

In the United States, and have not been called, its 65 and older now, and home care workers, and I'm 56, but had covid about 2 months ago, was bad for about two weeks, lost sense of smell and taste and had problems catching my breath which lasted about two more weeks after. but now I feel great and got my smell and taste back and breathing fine.

[Hidden in reply to darugaca]

It's great to hear you have recovered so well. It's a scary disease and we naturally hear lots about people very badly affected by it.

[Hidden]

Simply having RA doesn't move us up the priority groups. I understand that if you just take a non-biological DMARD you are not judged to be at particular risk, in which case you will be called with your age group. If you are on a biologic or steroids, I understand you should be in a higher group. Don't panic! The roll-out is going well.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Ljr2, welcome. It can vary depending on area but my h checked for me whilst at the Surgery as he'd got his appointment & I hadn't (he's 62 & diabetic). I'd been missed, should have had it weeks ago. Apparently a box should have been ticked & it hadn't & I'd been lumped in the over 60's group (I'm 60). A couple of hours after checking I received a text with the link to make my appointment & a follow up call from the Surgery 20 mins later asking if I’d been able to book, I guess because I’d been missed they'd been more attentive. For RD I'm on MTX & low dose prednisolone.

I'd check with your GP Surgery. They may be behind but conversely they may have missed you too.

[chunkypie]

I'm in group 6 and have had no contact. Tried to phone GP but they just have a answer phone message directing you to the local hub. Cant even speak to a human. My hospital consultant send a letter to my GP updating them on my meds every three months so they have no excuse for not knowing if they have forgot me. I'll be trying again monday.

[Carolsos in reply to chunkypie]

I am in group 6 also if I ring the doctors up there is a very long message telling you not to contact them and hang up. I don't even think they have any vaccines yet! I am hoping to get s text soon. I saw on NHS that I should get the vaccine by April 12, but I hope it's before that! Take care Carol

[chunkypie in reply to Carolsos]

It seems if you haven't had a shielding letter then you wont be classed as group 6. Everyone I know how has had the vaccine in group 6 recieved a shielding letter at some point. Good luck.

[Lovetodanceto]

Well hey there am 49 and haven't had the vac

[Ljr2]

Hi all I rang docs this morning and was told they are still working on the over 80s so i wont be getting any time soon if that's the case. A friend who is with another practice who is younger and no heath conditions has just been called for hers. So I think it's down to the gps and how many vaccines are distributed to them.

[Ljr2]

Got the call for vaccine due to have it Thursday.