Covid 19 and vaccinations: Updated guidance for the immune suppressed

[Broseley]

I get daily emails from the government and this one received today gives an update on the spring vaccination programme. gov.uk/government/publicati...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Thanks , sure MrsNails will add to Covid posts in FAQs when she has time.

[MrsNails in reply to DorsetLady]

I’ve added to Spring Booster Information in The Covid Post

Thank You Broseley

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to MrsNails]

🌸

[Humphreydonk in reply to MrsNails]

👍😷 Thanks, Mrs Nails 💚

[SheffieldJane]

Thank you for sending this Broseley. I went through the process giving my date of birth and my NHS Number. I was then told that additional primary doses were not being offered and that I would be contacted later in the year if I was deemed eligible for a booster dose. I have been on Prednisalone for over 7 years and have probably had 6 vaccines, primary and boosters. So I guess I just sit tight? Bit confusing.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

SM may have different views, and may consider you DO need other booster - might be worth contacting her - to ask the question.

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DorsetLady, I will. Increasingly I am prevailing upon her good nature for what are really GP matters although they may stem originally from long term steroid use. My GP surgery is increasingly inaccessible and disengaged. I did eventually find out from the surgery’s Pharmacist that Entric coated 1 mg Prednisalone tablets are available but extremely expensive. Her sole focus is saving money on unnecessary prescriptions. She offered to help me reduce Prednisalone, seemingly unaware of the link with Adrenal insufficiency. I declined politely.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

I'm sure she won't mind - much of the info as to whether you are immunosuppressed and need another booster etc does come from your consultant rather than GP..

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

PS.. forgot to say- wen you rang, you DOB was probably the thing they took most notice of...

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Oh yes! I hadn’t thought of that. They are focusing on the over 75s and people in care homes aren’t they ? I am not sure whether to chase a vaccine. I had Covid, it was horrible but I got through it.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

Maybe let them get through oldies first [myself included 😏] - and then see how you feel about it...you might also get some feedback from others

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Good advice. X

[123-go in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think you’ll find you are covered for the April booster under ‘Who is this Guidance for’ paragraph. 🤞

[SheffieldJane in reply to 123-go]

Yes I know. Will you kindly come to the drop in centre and explain it to the people running it? I was challenged last time, you know how fit and youthful we look. 😁

[123-go in reply to SheffieldJane]

We could go in together- Battleaxes United! 💪

[Dewdrop456 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I was refused in the drop in centre as well. I have been on Steroids for over six years and am nearly 67.

[Broseley in reply to Dewdrop456]

I was identified as being at risk and put on the NHS list for antivirals. But I was on 40mg pred at the time, now I'm on 5.5mg. But until they remove me from the list, I will take full advantage of it!

[bluedolphin2 in reply to Broseley]

I'm on MethotrexateAnd got a text from NHS England saying if I get Covid, I would know be given antivirus meds. They are sending me test in the post to use & if I'm positive they will contact me. Plus they have said I would get the spring Booster too.

[Broseley in reply to SheffieldJane]

I just go along to the walk-in centre with my steroid card and one of my rheumy letters and they accept me, no quibble. I get vaccinated with all the over 75s, so get some strange looks.

[dmart7]

There seems to be a change here which will probably cause some glitches. Before, the criteria was spelled out in the specific quantities of both prednisolone and MTX. Now it seems to rely on a consultant establishing eligibility for an individual's "autoimmune condition". With respect, that doesn't sound wholly reliable. I wonder if the criteria is spelled out more clearly elsewhere....?

[Humphreydonk]

Thanks, Broseley. 👍💚😷