Covid Booster

[Hollybee21]

Quick query . I have not received an invitation to have my booster this time. I understand that I am not due to have it because I am only on 6.5 mgs of Prednisolone now (briiiant) but I thought I should as I am now on Methotrexate. Could someone please advise. Thanks

[Alan7690]

Not sure but I’m on 8mg now but been on Pred for 6 years and got mine 2 weeks ago with no issues. It honestly appears to be a lottery if you get it or not

[Kendrew]

Hi Hollybee21,

I'm currently on 3½mgs of prednisolone and just received my invitation from NHS to have the Spring booster, with information on the various ways to arrange it.

[123-go]

You are eligible for a Spring booster as you have a weakened immune system compromised by your medication:

gov.uk/government/news/most...

If you Google ‘Spring Booster walk-in clinics near me’ you will see relevant addresses. You don’t have to wait for an invitation as long as there is a suitable interval between jabs. My surgery has only ever contacted me after the event.

[jessiem]

I’m on 4mgs of Pred and 20mgs of MXT. I’ve been offered the vaccine - assuming it’s because of the MXT.

[Badger51]

I’ve just had my Covid vaccine and I’m on 4mg of prednisone at present. I did check with my surgery when I received the NHS invitation and they were clear I should have the vaccination.

[Hollybee21]

Thank you all. I’d better get proactive. I’ve been holding back because I’m also in the middle of having my Shingrix vaccines and I had quite a bad reaction to the first one.

[123-go in reply to Hollybee21]

Have your Covid jab in a different arm to the shingrix vaccine and make sure that there’s at least a couple of weeks between the two.

[Hollybee21 in reply to 123-go]

Thanks

[CamGina]

I had an invitation via the NHS app. I'm on 5.5 mg. Haven't done anything about it yet. Had my second shingles vaccination today.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to CamGina]

Well I'd wait at least a couple of weeks now!

[CamGina in reply to PMRpro]

No problem, when I checked there was nothing within ten miles!😂

[TizzyS]

when I went for my covid all they were interested in was my reason for being there, I said I’m on prednisolone and methotrexate and that was it, got my jab… hubby who has always got his before me didn’t qualify this time….. he’s got COPD which isn’t on there list….. happy times

[Suffererc]

I had my invitation in April. Now had the jab. I am on 1.5 Pred. Had Pfizer and all ok 😊

[Floridafan]

Last spring booster I was on 3.5mg and was given the jab and have been invited again for this years booster even though I’m now only on 2mg, will have to see what they say when I arrive

[Swdai]

just go on NHS Covid web site and put your NHS number etc in & it should automatically bring up places wher you can book . Just tick the immune surpressed box.

[Hollybee21]

Thanks all .

[Marijo1951]

I got the invitation by text and made an appointment with a local pharmacist. He rang me before the appointment and told me that they've been instructed only to vaccinate people who are on at least 20 mg of pred (I was on 2.5 mg) I asked about methotrexate and he said that didn't make any difference. So the appointment was cancelled.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marijo1951]

Did you ask about long history of pred use? That seems to have met with approval by some doctors.

[Marijo1951 in reply to PMRpro]

No, he was quoting from his instructions from the NHS so I assumed that was all there was to be said.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marijo1951]

I suspect some doctors will override the rubrics, All seems a bit mixed if you ask me!

[Marijo1951 in reply to PMRpro]

In my area it's only certain pharmacists that are listed on the NHS website. I asked my GP's surgery, and also another nearby NHS Health Centre, at both of which I'd been vaccinated before, but neither are offering jabs this time round. So clearly, as you say, the situation is very mixed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

This is from Green Book - so yes maybe open to interpretation- pity PMR or GCA not listed in group 5. IMHO that covers patients on here....depends what they class as long term?

Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment including patients

1. Undergoing chemotherapy leading to immunosuppression,

patients undergoing radical radiotherapy, solid organ transplant recipients, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients, HIV infection at all stages, multiple myeloma or genetic disorders affecting the immune system (e.g. IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder, SCID).

2. Individuals who are receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy including, but not limited to, anti-TNF, alemtuzumab, ofatumumab, rituximab, patients receiving protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors, and individuals treated with steroid sparing agents such as cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil.

3.Individuals treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than a month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day for adults.

4. Anyone with a history of haematological malignancy, including leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

5. Those who require long term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions including, but not limited to, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, scleroderma and psoriasis.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I think some doctors do because they realise the implications - showing the concept of "Ask the pharmacist" has its flaws ...

[HalleysComet]

I was invited for a jab- I think it is my age which is the deciding factor, rather than the steroids I am taking.

[67Blue]

I also think it is going by the age. But I went before I was even asked. The nice young man at the pharmacy looked up his screen and said yes you are due for your spring vaccine, no question even as to whether I was still on steroids or not, I'm sure it was because I'm 75 which seems to be the age and over they are starting with. Just said ring after 3 and ask if there is any vaccine left today.

[67Blue]

Sorry, just looked at your profile and see you are only 74 so that won't help, it looks like it will be down to other factors at the moment then, good luck.

[Hollybee21 in reply to 67Blue]

Thank you. Love the ‘only 74’😀