I have only just this week received an email notifying me that I’m elegible for antivirals if I test positive for covid. This is the first time I’ve been notified of this, and I was a bit taken aback as I’ve had covid twice now, with no offer of antivirals. Has anyone else only recently had this notification? At first I thought it might be a scam email, but it’s a gov.uk email address and does link to nhs site to order lateral flow tests, so is genuine. I now feel rather cross that it’s taken this long to be notified and that I didn’t have access when I could have benefitted from them. Any thoughts? I’m in the South East of England.
antiviral letter (covid): I have only just this week... - NRAS
antiviral letter (covid)
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girli1111
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My friend has received one. I haven't
Yes I got one yesterday. I've never had one before. I found it a bit odd that it said only lateral flow tests from govt.uk are valid,not ones bought from a pharmacy, and that I would be sent a box.I'm in Hertfordshire.
I’ve been able to order a free box of tests through a link in the email
I follow the link on the nhs website. I put ‘NHS Covid tests’ into the search bar. On the website I tick that I can receive treatment (RA). They always arrive the next day. I think we’re allowed to order two boxes of seven each week.
I got one yesterday as well, and I’m also in Hertfordshire. Am a bit puzzled as I’ve never been on any list before and am taking 15 mg methotrexate a week.
I was shielding for most of 2020 and I had quite a few letters from Matt Hancock about it. I'm on a biologic so I'm guessing that's why I've had this letter. Although I was on it before covid started and I've never had any contact about antivirals before. Strange.
I wasn’t advised to shield and have have no communications before, so followed my instinct to be extremely careful. It’s odd that you were advised to shield and yet didn’t have the antivirals letter before. Bizarre.
No logic. It's always been so hit and miss 🙄
I received one as well, I am in Sussex. I had been told verbally that I may be entitled to anti virals, but this is the first official communication. Rather surprising as I had sheilding letters all through lockdown.
🙋🏻♀️ Yes. me too - on 9th Jan 2023! It was closely followed by a pack of Covid tests in the post. I had to send a whole load of evidence to my GP surgery about why I should be on that list a while back - you'll see that I shared that on my posts a back then. My GP went through all of her patients, who needed to be on that list and personally, manually added the correct code against their medical records, because the system had failed to do, automatically, so in the first place. I'm in Essex.
Screenshot from Government email.
Had letter on 14th Feb. Never had an official letter before. Have had 6 vaccinations. Got COVID last Nov. Never informed anyone. Was like having a cold.
It was Tuesday that I received my email too. I have had covid twice now, and suspect I’m quite exposed as I work in an infant school and so few if that age group have bothered having vaccinations. My covid experiences weren’t too bad but I’ve now ordered the tests so that i could access the antivirals if I found I needed them ‘next time’
Interesting. I had one this week too. I thought it was because my GP practice is amalgamating with another one and it had been flagged in the transition, clearly not. How curious.
Yes, I got one on Tuesday, out of the blue
I had one too - I had a formal letter before (a couple of years back) saying I could receive anti-virals and how to obtain them.
I assumed the email was because I’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes and am on insulin.
I received this email on Tuesday too. I'm in West Sussex and just assumed that my GP or rheumatology department had updated a record somewhere because I'm on a higher dose of methotrexate than I was during lockdown.
yep me too.
I’ve not had this. Do you know what the criteria is for antivirals?
If you go into the . Gov website you can get free testing kits if you fall into the criteria. Below is the link to the NHS website which explains it!
nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...
I have just tried that but says I'm not eligible as don't have symptoms.
Yes I had that letter (post and email) I have been lucky enough to not have had covid but due to a bad reaction to 3rd vaccine have been advised not to have another
Me too, Mine came on Tuesday, still waiting for the tests! Does anyone know if they do get sent automatically as is stated in the letter or do we have to follow the link?
I placed an order via the link, but hoping to get some sent through anyway. Nothing has arrived yet mindyou!
Ditto! I received an email this week and like you, was rather surprised to receive it now. I've had covid once, a year ago and was ok so no harm done.
I haven’t received an updated letter, but received both letters and emails when antivirals became available to the immunosuppressed. So I’m assuming this time it’s those who didn’t get notified previously that are now being informed. I am having issues when sending results as you also need to send a photo of your result, which I do. It then says there’s been an error and asks you to do again, but then won’t accept the code as you’ve previously used it. Anyone else getting this issue. Thankfully so far they seem negative, although apparently their technology can pick up positives difficult to see with the human eye.
From what I gather you can’t upload a negative result only a positive one. So that is why it’s not working. I had covid recently and it accepted the positive results, then when I was negative for 5 days couldn’t upload them at all but after that I got a rebound infection so uploaded another positive test. I was given antivirals but my GP wasn’t informed about it and interestingly the 2nd rebound infection is the only details they have about it not that they give a damn.
it specifically states on the site to report ALL results positive, negative or void. I tried to report same day, so it was not that the time had lapsed.
LFT reporting
That’s interesting as when I tried to upload a negative result it told me negative results couldn’t be accepted so who knows haha maybe there’s not joined up advice perhaps ?? I haven’t received an email or letter with latest advice but maybe it’s in the post. I informed my GP of positive result because the CMDU didn’t tell them and the receptionist at my GP’s who I told was very unhelpful but had I not told them myself they wouldn’t know.
I think the recent communications are just to those previously missed, whether that was incorrect coding, or started immunosuppressants later. I’ve not heard of anyone, who had the initial emails or letters getting an updated one. I know they tightened which immunosuppressants were eligible, with tnfs now not automatic, but the clinician to use his judgement when other immunosuppressants are taken alongside it. Take care 🤗
I had an email this week and just started Imraldi so assumed it was that that triggered it. Previously on 20mg methotrexate. No tests in the post yet though.
you can order them online, you just tick the box stating your eligible for antivirals. You’re allowed to order a Box of 7 every 3 days.
Hi, I did have the initial letter/email and I also received this one.
Just got mine, by email.I wonder what's suddenly triggered this flurry!
Yes, got the notification. Ordered the tests myself, which have arrived, because I didn't trust the system to send me some. When I had Covid last year I was able to get the antivirals.
I had an NHS letter not email this last fortnight and received the tests yesterday. Never been notified as being vunerable until now.
Yes. I got one on friday. I posted similar and several people on here have received them. Maybe they have just changed the criteria but it does seem rather odd to do it now. Do they know something we don't?
yes I have only just got the letter was quite surprised to get it out of the blue !!
No email or letter for me yet and I’ve always been CEV and always will be. I rang 111 when I had a positive result as 119 wasn’t open. I waited several hours but the CMDU did sort antivirals but they didn’t deliver so my husband had to go and get them which wasn’t great as he had covid too and wasn’t well but still had to drive to the other side of the city to get them. I think that covid is rife again hence the flurry of letters and emails going out.
the eligibility list is completely separate to the CEV list. There are 7.5m on the CEV list, only 1.5m are on the antiviral list. It’s dependant on which immunosuppressants your on. Dmards are generally not included, but biologics are. MTX is only covered if you use it for interstitial lung disease but not RA. Hope this helps explain it. 🤗
Thanks for the info. I’m on the antiviral list as I have severe hypogammaglobulaemia and not because of Dmards or biologics. I think they check on each individual if they get covid. I had several phone calls to check whether an ambulance was required, which thankfully it wasn’t. In my experience the NHS still works well where antivirals are concerned and if your eligible they’re pretty quick at getting you the treatment you need. I’m very grateful for that. I rely on government website for latest information anyway as I rarely get emails or letters.
Agree, that is exactly what the eligibility list states. I am only on Methotrexate, so didn’t think I qualified. So why have they now sent us all letters and tests? Don’t think the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. If we are not eligible, why send them.
not sure. Although initially MTX was included for any condition if you were on greater than 20mg. It was only in May, that it changed to only those with ILD. They have always stated in the email & letters that you MAY be entitled to antivirals. It is then up to the clinician at the CMDU unit to confirm you meet the criteria, or that it won’t interact with other meds you take. I’ve known a good number who received email or letter only to be declined. In fact since May it also states those on tnf inhibitors don’t automatically qualify, as evidence is showing they’re not at very high risk. However if they are on other immunosuppressants as well as a tnf then the clinician can use their discretion.
I live in Hertfordshire and received one on Wednesday - a bit of a surprise to be honest
I’ve had covid 4 times now and a reaction to the booster - on the last one which may be due to a PEGS allergy -so maybe it’s good that there’s meds available to get over the virus as it’s been unpleasant at times.
I've never had a notice that I can have the antivirals and i to have had COVID twice, logged all the lateral flow tests and never been offered them either.
I haven’t had a letter but have had 6 vaccinations.
Last year when I caught Covid I was given an antiviral infusion.
This exactly what's happened to me, I'm a bit confused I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago and just been left to figure things out for myself, I think the communication is very poor , so do we order lateral flow test ourselves? Or are they sent automatically? I'm in the west midlands
I have had the e-mail too, rheaumatoid arthritus is now listed as one of the criteria to qualify for antivirals and doesnt seem to matter what meds you are on. Also NHS website has amalgamated with NHS digital and I think that is why so many are now being notified .
I don’t understand how some people get letters and some don’t. If you go on the government website and you fall into any of the categories listed you can get free covid tests. Register and be eligible for anti virals.As you have mentioned you have had covid twice and not had them. I haven’t had covid and I wouldn’t bother with them unless I was extremely poorly. We are vaccinated ( well I am !!) as I am for flu.
it depends on what immunosuppressants your on, not all are eligible. Most f the dmards aren’t included, like MTX, leflunomide or Azathioprine. Biologics are. If you’ve received the email or letter you shouldn’t need to chase, they should contact you within 24hrs. I should say MTX is eligible if you’re taking it for interstitial lung disease but not for RA. If you didn’t get communication you’re probably going to have to chase via GP/111/rheumatologist.
I am on Humira ( biologic) and I have ILD,RA,OA and CKD but I have never had a letter and I am happy to use the .gov website if I feel I need anti virals. I have never had covid and been in contact with everyone in my family that has had it ( never isolated ). I just guess I am immune to it as my respiratory consultant thinks! 🥴
I’m similar I’m on benepali, MTX and steroids as well as inhaled steroids. I have lung complications from my AS, and have adrenal insufficiency where any infection or stress, good or bad, can put me in a crisis. I have received all the earlier communications.
My hubby had covid, and was really poorly with it, yet I didn’t get it. He does sleep separately to me due to me waking in pain, and disturbing his sleep when he’s working the next day. He also uses a separate bathroom, and sat at the opposite side of the living room, when he came for dinner. Good that you’re familiar with how to access the antivirals despite their lack of communication. Hopefully you’re ordering your LFTs online, as only nhs tests are accepted. 🤗
I also received the email this week and I was rather surprised that these were not sent out last Autumn! I thought it was a scam so went to the Government site and ordered a box of tests which arrived 24 hours later. Is this as a result of new research?
Best wishes to all- I’m so glad that we have this site to share experience!
Does anyone know if this is just England? I haven't received any notification in Wales.
the information is the same in Wales, but they have a self referral route if you meet eligibility.
This chart shows you if you’re eligible. It’s under the immune mediated disorders section
wmic.wales.nhs.uk/wp-conten...
Marvellous - just the link I needed, so I've bookmarked it in case.
Thanks!
hi I got that email too there was a link to order some tests I got them really quickly I’ve had cold like symptoms so did a test straight away but it was negative but I did report it. It said I can get antivirals if I get covid I’m guessing because I’ve got RA and I’m on methotrexate.
Yeh I had the email last week. I had covid last May and got antivirals after phoning 111 and they referred me so already know I'm eligible. Does seem a bit late jn the day to be sending these out. It's some of the GPs that need telling.
I received letter last week and this too was the 1st time I’d had one . Not had covid but did know where to get help for antivirals if needed.
That's frustrating and I'm sure you're not alone. I got this email too after no previous information telling me I was eligible for treatments - but I've already had two courses of antivirals thanks to HealthUnlocked!
I didn't think I was eligible based on earlier guidance - it was only from reading posts here that alerted me to the change in criteria.
So when I got Covid I registered the test results online, ticked the box saying I might be eligible for treatment and they took it from there. I just happened to have some Government-issued tests left over on both occasions.
So I completely understand why you're cross and I suppose it's just bad communication, much as there was in the beginning of the pandemic. But now you can be prepared for next time. x
p.s. I'm also annoyed because I bought a box of spare of tests when I ran out during my recent infection - now I find that not only did I spend nearly £8 for no reason, the tests can't even be registered!
Yes I received the same letter this week and like you had covid in the past and reported it to no avail. So assumed I must not be that vunerable
hi, I had the email this week. I have had covid 4 times since October and although reported each time have never been offered anti virals. The email arrived shortly after my 6 month telephone assessment with the rheumatology nurse and wondered if she picked up I was missed.
yes I got the email last week. Would have been useful when I got Covid in December. Rang NHS to inform them I had covid and was entitled to the antivirals - I’m still waiting for them to come back to me 🙄
yes I received the email the other day saying I was special lol not received my tests yet or in writing but Royal Mail don’t rush do they so I will wait a few more days then try.
yes, I also received the email. I did though think it was a scam, but now know others have received it, feel more assured😊
i had just assumed I would get them as on the CEV list. Caught Covid last July phoned 111, went thro to a Dr who was actioning someone in my area to ring me next day to,organise (it was a Saturday) and they said I wasnt eligible…I was dumbstruck. Luckily I was 6 months on from having Rituximab and I survived. Havent had anything from Gov since. Hopefully you wont catch it again🤞
I got a letter this week also. I live in Cornwall and have had shielding letters throughout. Rather surprised at delay in them sending letters out but always assumed I would be able to get treatment if necessary. Have had 6 Covid vaccinations.
Yes me too first one I’m in Hertfordshire
I live in Scotland. I received my letter sometime ago informing me if I took Covid to call 📞 a certain number to be offered help. I ended up coming down with Covid just prior to Christmas 2022 and it was a nightmare. I was prescribed Anti-Virals, and it they were a life saver for me.
Glad you had access when you needed it!
Hi,
I got an email too out of the blue, titled 'covid treatments', dated Tue 14 Feb.
It mentions treatment, nothing specific like antivirals and says they will send me Covid tests.
I was assuming this was spam (unless/until I get the tests through the post) but not now I've seen this, thank you!
I've had 6 Covid vaccines & flu jabs too of course.
I live in London.
I have never received an email about anti virals
I was also not told to isolate when the first wave hit. Due to a mix up in communication between my dr an hospital
I also was not put in high risk group for vaccination due to a mix up with my dr and the rheumatology department at the local hospital not making it clear I was in very high risk group.due to medication I take
But when I caught covid 17 months ago rheumatology department did contact me and arrange for a antiviral infusion straight away
I do use covid app
This is strange. I have had a letter and an urgent test fof this reason for a year now. I'm in the North East. It's in a drawer as I haven't had to use it. I've just been buying lateral flow tests from Boots.
I just applied for lateral flow tests and ticked the box that said I was eligible. When I tested positive for Covid I called NHS 111 and gave them my medication and I was called by a doctor who prescribed and had delivered antivirals and a oximeter. The NHS when it works is fabulous! I really felt the antivirals helped. Only side effect was a really foul taste.
Like you I've just received one... Not sure it's because of my condition, scleroderma,or the numerous medications, including methotrexate that I take
a lot of us vulnerable people have received one so not a scam
Me too. Like you I have had covid before and wasn't offered anti-virals, although when I saw my rheumy she said I should have been.
The shop bought tests haven't been valid on the government website for a while, I've had some set aside from the government website.
Very similar story here. Received the letter last week, two weeks after testing positive for my second bout of Covid. I contacted 111 and was told by the covid response team that I didn't qualify for anti virals, so it feels a like something must have changed...I hope I don't get it again, but maybe if I do I will get them next time as it took a good while to get better.
Yep, I got the e mail on Tuesday 14th feb. I thought it had been triggered by a visit I made to Urgent care on the Saturday evening, but it seems its whats happening generally. Im near Woburn .Maybe there's another wave on the way ?
Never had one, even though I take 25mg methotrexate each week, am asthmatic, have Lupus, both arthritis, many allergies etc. I have never had an explanation either, so I am one of the many who are still isolating and frightened to death to venture out x
I’m sorry you are still feeling restricted like this. I am also ‘vulnerable’ technically, but I’ve worked in an Infant School throughout most of the pandemic (except the first three weeks of lockdown) and I have, to my knowledge, only caught covid twice, and it’s not been too bad (first time was the worst). So perhaps that can reassure you a bit that you can get on and live your life. I take reassurance that I’m vaccinated.
Yes I got one this week as well and currently have covid. Unless you have a severe dose of covid it's a bit pointless taking anti virals. I'm quite suck but feel not sick enough to ask for antivirals so if I would you, I wouldn't worry about it.
Hope you have a speedy recovery. my previous two bouts of covid were not too bad, but I’m reassured to know the antivirals would now be available to me should I need them.
I'm still battling, still positive. Ha this 8 days now and must say it's been worse than a dose of flu. Still can't taste or smell anything however, not sure I would have needed antivirals.My daughter has an immune disease and was given them and within a day started to feel better. They do work.
Hopefully ypu won't need them.
I yes, I have just received a letter. totally unexpected and never been mentioned before.
Yes - me too! Looks real - I even ordered some tests from it. I have RA and have also had Covid twice (that I know of). I wonder if the data collected over the pandemic has pointed to an increased risk to RA patients so we've been added to the ? This may not have been available at the time. I know there has been a big study to look at how people respond to this this and other illness through blood tests (my dad was asked to take part recently in hospital), so maybe its off the back of something like that.
Not had a letter but after being unwell with Covid in 2021 & still have bad long covid I tried very hard to get input from my GP. I have a text from them to say that I would definitely get anti virals if I caught it again & to contact them. I caught it again in December & rang 111 who arranged a nurse phone consultation but afterwards recess text from 111 to say they were too busy to help & to contact my GP. I rang the surgery & got a rather rude receptionist who asked me what I expected the GP to do. I asked for a call back. It never happened. A few days later I got a call from a lovely nurse at CMDU who said it was too late to give them now but said all she could offer was 3 days of infusions at a centre over an hours drive away. She said they had nasty side effects so decided rightly or wrongly to leave it. It was a real mess tbh. Just annoyed at GP. Anyway I’m still here. X
I got one a few months into the covid epidemic after I'd had 2 vaccinations then later I caught covid, went through the process of getting the antivirals got a phone assessment then heard nothing more so didn't get the anti viral, caught covid agaian 3 weeks ago was told in the info when reported the positive test that I would get a phone call in the next 24 hours .I didn't! So much for the initial letter.
I have received this letter and fortunately haven’t had Covid so far and I am on Methotrexate tablets 7 tablets a week. Also had 6 vaccinations.
Morning. I had a letter yesterday, and like you, for the first time. Maybe they are catching up on paperwork 🤣.
I haven’t had Covid, but the fact that you have and weren’t offered these is concerning…
My sister (who doesn’t have RA) was offered anti-virals as part of a drugs trial when she got it. She’s over 50, which was the criteria I think 🤔.
I received my letter last week (Norfolk). I was originally told I didn’t qualify when antivirals were first available, but when I spoke to my consultant in September last year she told me the guidance had changed again and I would qualify.
My daughter, who lives at home still, now has Covid - for the 2nd time. She was unwell last Wednesday, and tested positive on Thursday - so on day 4 and still positive. She was sick at first, then headache with a sore throat. She is full of cold and feeling yuk. She's been isolating in her room, thankfully. So far, my husband and I are still testing negative 🤞I'm hoping I don't need those antivirals. I'm not using the NHS tests until, or unless I test positive.
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