Spring Booster

[greynot]

Apologies if this is already posted.

I checked The Green Book for eligibility for the Spring Booster, and as well as over 75 age, there is also this. 'Those requiring long term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions including.........rheumatoid arthritis' (Table 3)

So I phoned a local pharmacy to ask what proof I needed, explaining that I'm age 72 and on 20mg Mtx. And have never been classed CEV. They have booked me in for later next week, and said all my info would be available to them online (tho I will take a copy if my repeat prescription just in case!)

I'll let you know if anything goes wrong, but assuming it won't

[tyncwmmarchhywel]

would that include me at 73 and on 5mg predneslone with R A

[greynot in reply to tyncwmmarchhywel]

What the Green Book says is supposed to be definitive. But I think you should check with whoever is doing the Spring Boosters in your area.

[Runrig01 in reply to tyncwmmarchhywel]

Unfortunately the current guidance around steroid states you need to be either on >20mg for more than 10 days, or >10mg for 3 months to qualify. It is the same group as those who qualified for a 3rd primary dose. Page 5 of this letter explains qualifying on prednisolone

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

[GinnyE]

I'm on 20 mg methotrexate and my Rheumatologist wrote letters to say I should have extra jabs. Just had my Spring booster (fifth).

[Boxerlady in reply to GinnyE]

How long is it since you had your fourth please?

[GinnyE in reply to Boxerlady]

Just over three months. Walk in centre medic checked my info and said it was ok. I booked it through the government website. I think having had a third primary vaccine made it go through ok.

[Boxerlady in reply to GinnyE]

Thanks. I had mine in February so not due yet. Mine have all been through my surgery so I might message them in a few weeks.

[Madmusiclover in reply to Boxerlady]

Yeah I’m same. I’m going to rattle a cage in May. 3 months will be mid May. X

[Neonkittie17 in reply to GinnyE]

👏🏻 I’m glad your consultant has done this as there is little difference between 2mgs of Mtx needed to be eligible. It does say on some of the official documentation online that consultant discretion is accepted if you don’t fit the exact criteria as long as you have your consultant letter. All three of my consultants have supported me on my vaccine quest. My immunologist wrote the most excellent letter saying I needed to repeat vaccines 1&2 and then go ahead ASAP with the other ones to catch up. Well done, Ginny. 💗

[GinnyE in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks. We keep on, keeping on !!

[Neonkittie17 in reply to GinnyE]

We do indeed 💗

[GinnyE in reply to Neonkittie17]

Just wondering? Have you started your repeat first and second vaccines yet? Hope so.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to GinnyE]

Sorry Ginny, I thought I had told you. Thank you, I got my B cells back to the right level of being able to have the vaccines again my immunologist said at the end of February so I once I got his letter saying what I wanted to happen, I went to a walk in centre (as it got too confusing for the GP admin staff.)

I had the first repeat 2 weeks ago and go back for the second in 2 weeks then the third primary dose in 8 weeks then the booster in 12. Then I’ll catch up on the rest at the correct intervals. I’ll test for antibodies after the third. If no antibodies after the fourth/booster, my immunologist will look at Evusheld but still try the vaccines. How are you at the moment?

[GinnyE in reply to Neonkittie17]

So glad you're on to it now. (You may have said before but I've a memory like a sieve these days.) My arm is a little sore tonight but otherwise feel ok. We're going to Crete in six weeks so will feel alot safer now 🤞(don't get smug Ginny). Got to see some sun and sand soon; and five hour queues at airports, Greek covid quarantine hotels, cancelled return flights etc etc. ....

[Neonkittie17 in reply to GinnyE]

Crete is gorgeous. I am glad you feel more confident now to travel. I went there in 1984 and it was lovely. We went all round the island for 2 weeks. Hope to go be one day. My husband’s cousin retired there with her hubby five years ago to Chania. They love it. Hopefully the queues and cancellations have got sorted out for when you go away.

[GinnyE in reply to Neonkittie17]

It will be at least our fifth visit (lost count). Wish we were brave enough to up sticks and retire there!

[Neonkittie17 in reply to GinnyE]

That’s what the cousin did. They had several hols there and decided to build a house there.

[greynot in reply to GinnyE]

Enjoy Crete xxx

[GinnyE in reply to greynot]

Thanks, we will have a good try!

[Runrig01 in reply to Neonkittie17]

I agree. The official guidance states that you have to be on greater than 20mg MTX to qualify. The BSR tried to reduce it to >10mg but we’re not allowed. So currently anyone on 20mg or less would need a letter from their consultant supporting they need it.

[greynot in reply to Runrig01]

That was the previous guidance, for 3rd primary etc. I double checked with the Green Book, and it has a specific section on the Spring Booster, which does state 'long term immunosuppressive treatment' fir conditions such as RA (specifically listed). This one does not state a cut off dosage, unlike the previous guidance. The pharmacy where I'm booked next week said I am eligible on 20mg mtx, which wasn't the case for 3rd primary.

The goalposts keep moving, so I nipped in quick to book!

[Ascidian]

I'm not yet 60, on 20mg mtx and sulfasalazine. Had my spring booster on Monday. I just took the letter from my last consultant appointment, which showed the meds. I had been ready to argue my case, but there were no problems or discussions. They just noted the meds and checked that it was more than 90 days since my first booster. Good luck

[virtualreality]

Thanks for sharing this helpful info. In case it's useful to add another possible route, I found I was able to book a Spring booster online via the NHS website and just needed to tick to confirm I meet the stated criteria for having a weakened immune system (in my case due to being prescribed steroids but also presumably MTX). It was really quick and simple to do. My last booster was just over 4 months ago.

My appointment is this afternoon and I think all I need to do is take a consultant's letter stating the medications that confer eligibility. I haven't been given a Covid-specific letter from the rheumatology team or GP even though they said I needed the additional doses. Will post an update here on how it goes in case it's handy to know.

[virtualreality in reply to virtualreality]

No problems getting the booster yesterday - I just took along a consultant's letter covering a normal hospital appointment which listed my medications, and that was fine.

[Amb1xkr]

Hi greynot I received a letter from rheumatologist back in December to qualify for 4th jab which I had early January so I have now booked through NHS online booking site for spring booster tomorrow (93days) since last jab. I have to take either repeat prescription or rheumatology letter showing my AS condition and hopefully will have the 5th jab. Does anyone know if it is Pfizer? I’m on methotrexate.

[Porcs]

It’s Moderns,pretty strong.I came off drugs for 2 weeks

[junik53]

Unfortunately I don’t qualify for booster as I am only on 15mg of MTX and was told it had to be 20mg also I am 68 so don’t qualify that way.I enquired via my rheumatoid nurse and this is what I was told.The following month I caught covid ,was pretty bad for about 3 of the 7 days I was positive so was able to manage,so glad I didn’t get any complications

[greynot in reply to junik53]

The Green Book has different guidance for the Spring Booster, which has only just started being administered. It no longer gives a cut off dose.I've had 2 primary jabs (last feb/april) and one booster so far (back in Nov).

Of course, the Spring Booster criteria have not been very well publicised, so there is a lot of confusion.

I got confirmation from the pharmacy where I'm booked in next week, rather than from my surgery where they are overwhelmed in general or from the rheumy dept

[junik53 in reply to greynot]

Oh ok ,maybe worth trying a pharmacy to see what they say

[greynot in reply to junik53]

Ask one that's doing the Spring Boosters,or a walk in centre if you have one locally. Quote the Green Book at themnif you need to (politely!!)Good luck

🙂

[patrickd]

Have you had ONE booster? US is allowing a 2nd booster (4th shot) to people with underlying medical conditions and those over 60. I plan to go for my 4th shot towards the end of summer as I've been so lucky to already have Covid in early March. I feel I already have (3 months anyway) of antibodies, and well, I get side effects from the Covid Vac (any vac I get side effects).

[greynot in reply to patrickd]

Yes, the Spring Booster will be my 2nd booster (4th jab). I had my first booster early November.

[patrickd in reply to greynot]

I was just wondering...thank you. Did you have Covid? My whole family got it in March and I believe the vaccine really helped keep it "manageable" anyway.

[greynot in reply to patrickd]

I've managed to miss Covid so far...hope I haven't jinxed anything by saying that as I've got an op coming up in a month so must stay clear for that to go ahead!!!

[AgedCrone]

The problem seems to stem from the fact that there appear to be lists , lists & more lists…& it depends which list you land on that decides if you “appear” to qualify for various treatments.Then it depends if your GP is proactive & will put your name forward if your consultant so advises.

My GP point blank tells all patients “anti virals are nothing to do with us”…..despite being copied the NHS letter advising them what is expected of them.

The same applies to booster vaccinations….the best outcome seems to be as many people are saying…to turn up at a local. Vaccination centre with a letter from your rheumy team saying you do qualify.

[Green230461]

Good for you! Best of luck to you 💐I have been given a letter from my rheummy last week to say I can have a booster when my 91 days are up from the last one!

[trace58]

is this for your 4th or 5th booster

[greynot in reply to trace58]

4th. I wasn't eligible for '3rd primary' as you had to be on over 20mgMTX to qualify for that.

So I've had 2 primary jabs and one booster so far, with Spring Booster booked for next week, as the guidelines have changed to 'long term immunosuppressive treatment' for conditions including RA.

My only booster was last Nov.

It took a while to track down this info!!!