Rapid survey regarding 3rd primary dose of COVID vaccine

A group of charities and patient groups including NRAS is supporting a rapid survey aimed at all adults with a rheumatic condition in the UK, to understand the progress of the roll-out of third primary COVID-19 vaccination doses for people who are severely immunosuppressed. We have heard from patients reporting difficulties accessing third primary doses. We hope the survey will help us to understand the scale of any issues, what has worked well, and what has not.

Please complete the survey whether or not you have received your third primary vaccination dose yet. You can also complete the survey if you have a rheumatic disease but do not think you are eligible for a third primary dose. This is a rapid survey so it will close on Monday midday 8th November.

Please copy and paste this link.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...

Full guidance on third primary doses can be read here.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Examples of rheumatic conditions include:

Forms of connective tissue disease (for example: lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome, scleroderma)

Form of systemic vasculitis (For example: Behcet’s or types of ANCA Vasculitis like GPA)

Giant Cell Arteritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis

Axial spondyloarthritis (including ankylosing spondyloarthritis)

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

[Summerrain14]

All done x

[Boxerlady]

Thank you for doing this - done

[Wobbies]

All done. x

[Neonkittie17]

Done

[clive42]

Done

[Pinkypie2018]

Completed

[opalfree]

Done

[Hopefulfuture]

Done

[Sheila_G]

Thanks Nadine but I still don't know whether or not I am eligible for the third primary vaccine or not. I just went for my booster and will try and get another in 6 months. I have been told different things by different people. The latest I have been told by a friend with RA is that if you take below 20mg of mxt you don't need the third primary unless you also take a biologic. Can you please confirm this. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Sheila_G]

Hi Sheila,Your friend is correct about the dose of MTX having to be 20mg or higher to qualify for a 3rd primary dose.

Please read the information in this link here.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Particularly point 3 in the Advice section.

However, if you watch the NRAS Facebook session with Professor Stefan Siebert, (you don't need to be on Facebook to watch it) he does say that he would look at the individual on MTX to review other risks.

nras.org.uk/resource/facebo...

I hope this gives you some clarity. If not please contact the helpline and we can go through it with you.

To get in touch with our Helpline please email [e-mail] or call 0800 298 7650

[Sheila_G in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Nadine. That's very clear.

[Evaflo10s]

Done .

[Cien]

not qualify for third primary jab but has done booster jab

[GinnyE]

Done. Good to be able to make comments.

[Green230461]

All done ! Still waiting for my third jab 😡

[Hollyhock123]

Completed

[Gymcactus]

Done, thank-you for doing this survey, have had my booster, only on 15mg methotrexate and sulfazalozine.

[Lolabridge]

Done!

[BoneyC]

Form completed.

[sunnyweek]

Done. I'm going for third primary tomorrow to a walk in centre and hoping they will have heard of them by now, as I only have a short window before retux infusions next month.

[Hidden in reply to sunnyweek]

Maybe print this letter off and take it with you. england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

[Biofreak]

Done. I'm still confused as the information as to whether I should have the booster or 3rd primary vaccination. I was told by rheumatology nurse that I only need the booster. I am not on methotrexate but take Sulphasalazine and Abatacept. However, I also have type 1 diabetes, asthma and sleep apnoea. When I mention this no-one seems to know because they only deal with their field of expertise. Tried ringing 119 to book booster but cannot due to it not being 6 months since my 2nd Covid vaccination which won't be till 12/11. Quite fedup of trying now and getting nowhere.

[Ozzy in reply to Biofreak]

I know how you feel I was told to ring 119 by my GP practice when I asked for help, rheumatology said I should be offered a booster. I don't know if I need 3 primary or not. I am on tocilizmab.

[Biofreak in reply to Ozzy]

I'm totally fedup with the whole thing. We shouldn't have to make all these phone calls and multiple enquiries to get what we need but unfortunately, it seems to be the way of things. When I asked at the GP surgery about the 3rd primary vaccine, the receptionist looked at me as if I was speaking Klingon. I'm just going to wait now and get my booster at the appropriate time.

[Ozzy]

My six months are up in five days I tried to book booster today but online a message said that it may take longer than six months to book but at least I have had my flu jab thanks to Boots.

[Mmrr]

Done