Who is eligible for covid booster as househould contact?

[Cally55]

Can anyone tell me who counts as a household contact. I have just had my sixth vaccination. My daughter who lives a way off isolates for a week before visiting. This is because she works in an open plan office with 50 other people. She is cross because she can't buy a jab like she does for flue! She was part of our support bubble when the govt still admitted covid was a problem.

The document produced by the govt on 3 October is the same as it was in March, it just says household contacts are eligible. She lives in a different health area.

I know that being vaccinated doesn't stop you getting it but I feel it must help, particularly if we need her help in an emergency.

I am still om 5mg of pred, waiting for a synacthen test, and 150mg azathioprine.

Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks in advance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It won't stop her getting it - and you are fully vaccinated so although you might get it, you shouldn't be really ill with it. It isn't really that different from meeting others - you know neither whether they are vaccinated or even if they have Covid if the symptoms are mild.

I'm not quite clear why you are so worried - that is a low dose of pred. I'm on more pred plus a biologic immunosuppressant and I don't ask people I am with if they have had their jabs - here we only get them every 6 months anyway and since the initial primary course I think only at risk patients have had additional jabs.

Have you enquired? If she states she is a close and regular household contact and you are worried they may relent and offer her one. But household contacts are usually members of the household - which she isn't.

[Cally55 in reply to PMRpro]

I'm not as worried as she is! She's a bit of a worrier anyway so I don't think its an excuse not to visit. I do keep away from shops etc as I have had two goes of non covid pneumonia involving a week hospital in the last 3 years. She also works with a lot of young men who do not consider going to work with respiratory symptoms as being anti-social! We will just have to wait and see if this govt extends vaccination.

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

During the hot summer we went to a family garden garden party where I sat near a soon to be in-law. We were chatting away when she said that she had left her husband at home in bed with awful Covid symptoms and was pleased to get out of the house. I was inwardly furious but thanked her for letting me know as I was vulnerable and she would understand why I was moving my seat. I know that we were out in the open but I was still concerned. Over the top reaction? Not in my opinion.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

Bet she didn't even have the forethought to wear a mask - just in case. Though first time daughter caught it from husband who'd picked it up at a stag do (he was best man I think). He'd tested, someone else hadn't. This time she got it at work (for the first time) and he didn't get it from her. The day she tested positive she got a notification that her booster was available to book (a year since the last one) and proper masking was being reintroduced in the hospital. Bit late on both counts.

I'm still wearing a mask ...

[123-go]

I find it incomprehensible that there isn't clearer guidance but we are where we are. As PMRpro says, your daughter may be able to get another vaccine if she explains the situation. She is obviously very caring.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

This government isn't going to is it - if they won't even explain to people how to save energy?

Kay Burley did the government online thing - on the basis of her responses they advised getting a heat pump - for a mere £35K!!! Have you seem the Alf Garnet diatribe on how to keep warm: hot drinks, hot meals etc. As he points out - they can't afford to put the kettle on ... Nothing new under the sun if you live very long.

[Nextoneplease]

Hi Cally

I wondered about this as my daughter, who I see approx weekly, works in a school, and we also look after our grandson one day a week. However - I did come to the conclusion that they’re not household members, and really are no more risk to me than anyone else I may come across (unless grandson has something like chickenpox).

Your daughter seems very caring so perhaps you could talk to her about this? We all want to protect each other and I hope you can reassure her that she’s doing all she can 😊

[Cally55]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Its a lot harder for the family when i'm ill, my husband gets very worked up and last time although I didn't have covid I was on a respiratory ward so we were very much isolated. They had no idea what was going on!