Covid vaccine

[Whatawonderfullife]

Hi everyone,

Thank goodness for all of your help. I know if all else fails to come here to ask a question. Well I hope I’m allowed to ask this,

I was wondering if I am entitled to the Covid vaccine yet or do I wait for the over 50’s turn in the queue, ( I am 53)?

I am tapering slowly, currently on 14mg of pred for GCA and have started taking Methotrexate currently at 15mg.

I haven’t heard anything from my GP or rheumatologist apart from when I asked if I was supposed to be shielding and the answer was yes. I don’t want to seem impatient and appreciate there are many people needing the vaccine urgently, that’s why I thought I’d ask you for advice instead of bothering the NHS.

Sorry if this has already been covered and thank you again.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you have been advised to shield in the past and it’s on your records then you should be called earlier than the usual 50s group.

Other than that I can’t answer - sorry!

Have you looked at the information online for the different groups?

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Whatawonderfullife in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much. I took a look at the link you gave me and it explains it. I’m a little way down the list but that’s ok, there are many more at risk than me. Stay safe and wishing you well

Thanks again x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There is an age group that has vulnerable people added to it I think.: Over 70s plus CEV

But there is no point you trying to contact them - they are saying very clearly you will get called when it is your turn.

[Whatawonderfullife in reply to PMRpro]

Yes thank you, that’s what I thought. People keep asking me if I’ve been contacted and I keep being told I should ask. Like you say, when I phone the doctors, for other things, the message is clear not to call about it, so I haven’t.

Thank you again. I knew I would have help if I asked. Sometimes things get a bit foggy and I’m not quite sure what I should do. 😊

[SheffieldJane]

I imagine like me, you will be called mid February, fingers crossed. Carry on shielding before and after. Due to your shielding status and GCA and suppressed immunity. I have had a government letter. I mentioned it to my GP and got a testy response. So who knows.

[headgirl]

I am shielding, have a government letter and have been called for my vaccination next Monday (age 62). Do hope that you won't have too long to wait.

[Whatawonderfullife]

Well it will be what it will be, I will get the vaccine when they decide. Thank you all for your advice. Good luck with the vaccine and stay safe.

[Waves2]

It is worth checking with your gp. I was advised to shield in the previous lockdowns but didn't receive a letter so wasn't on the list. I was down to around 10mg pred at the time of the first lockdown. Since then I have developed GCA and have tapered back down to 18 from 40. Still no letter. However a gp friend suggested I ask my gp and she immediately put me on the CEV list (critically extremely vulnerable) and I received a letter within a couple of days and my vaccination is tomorrow. I am 63. My gp said it was based on how long I have been on pred - 17 months -rather than the dose. It's worth emailing and asking the question. We will still all have to be careful though even after the vaccine but it's a big step in the right direction.

[Whatawonderfullife in reply to Waves2]

Ah that sounds like good advice. I had exactly the same. A letter for the first letter but nothing since, I’ve been on pred since October 2019. I’ll email them, I had to request a flu and pneumonia vaccine, I discovered after that I should’ve been offered the flu vaccine in the winter of 2019. Maybe I’ve been missed?

[Waves2]

I assumed it was an automatic process to be on the list but it obviously isn't so definitely worth a try. Best of luck.

[Whatawonderfullife]

I received a letter eventually and then a txt message inviting me to make an appointment for the vaccine. I had it on Wednesday within ill effects. Thank

You so much for your help. I hope you all (who haven’t already received one) receive an invite for your vaccines very soon.