Blagging a scarce Covid booster

[OldPenny]

Recent posts have asked questions about Covid booster eligibility for those taking prednisolone and being immuno-suppressed, potentially.I flippantly replied to PMRPro recently that I would accept my invitation via the NHS messaging service, book an appointment with my local pharmacist and see if they might dare to turn me away 😉. I had not been refused before.

I was told that the vaccine (Pfizer) was relatively scarce this spring and as I was younger than 75 and did not exceed the 20mg pred threshold, I could not have a jab. 😕

Only when I said that my GP recommended it after my recent prostate cancer diagnosis was I able to receive the vaccine.

So, unless you have another medical issue like me that trumps the criteria, maybe it will be harder this time round to persuade the jabber that you are eligible or a deserving case...... OP

[Hidden]

I have mine without a problem due to being immunosuppressed - Best wishes David

[Koalajane]

I am just back from having mine. I had Moderna. I am under 75 and my steroid have not exceeded the 20mg pred dose. I had my letter from the doctor(2 years old) and was given it with the only question being had I had problems with the vaccinations before. My letter stayed in my handbag.

[OldPenny in reply to Koalajane]

Well done! Actually, mine was also Moderna, not Pfizer

[Pixix]

I think cancer is the only trump card, & I don’t think anybody will lie & say they have that! Cancer treatment is the top of the list, as it strips your immune system! I arrived at my appointment and told the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth. I suffer fromPolymyalgia Rheumatica, Fibromyalgia, Raynauds Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Hypermobility, Essential Tremor, Vertigo, Trochanteric Bursitis, Haemangioma - spinal, Sciatica, Orthostatic Hypertension, Blepharitis & macular Degeneration. I did not get my vaccination. The vaccine is scarce & can only be used in the UK for those on the list!! The pharmacist showed me the Govt guidelines that everybody who gives the vaccination must follow. The pharmacist explained that they have changed & are only available for those under 75, if your doctor says you need one, & then you will be able to get it at your surgery (this is true, my husband is over 75 & is getting his at the surgery on Saturday). The criteria for steroids…youhave to be on at least 20mg, & you have to be on that dose for over one month, NOW, in order to get the jab in England.I explained PMR users & flares…but he said surely even in a flare you would not be above 20mg for over a whole month. It was interesting to see the government documents & how it applies to steroid users. From my other diseases I have a weakened immune system, but none of those listed above is on the government list as allowed to have the vaccine this time.

[Koalajane in reply to Pixix]

I was half expecting I wouldn’t get mine but he didn’t ask why I was invited or any questions of that nature. I had a letter from my doctor but it was 2 years old but he didn’t ask to see proof so it stayed in my handbag.

[OldPenny]

All I can say is "take care", Pixix.

[Pixix in reply to OldPenny]

How can I? Or why should i have to when others younger & without issues are getting the vaccine? It’s not fair! We have to shield every winter on the orders of a professor in charge of a large lung unit,& my husband has asthma & COPD. We’ve had enough…been shielding since November & want a life!! Want to travel! Etc etc

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Did you tell them that? Covid is still potentially no good for lungs and if you have to shield in winter anyway that should be a no-brainer for a jab any time of year.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

No. I didn’t meet the criteria on the rules, & that’s OK. He wasn’t interested in looking through my lengthy repeat prescription encyclopaedia, or discussing any of my fun diseases. He did say PMR isn’t on the diseases that are allied with bad results from Covid, or that people with it are, by default, immuno suppressed. (He put it better than that)! I pointed out that it’s the steroid treatment that’s important to remember, & he said, yes, but only those on 20mg and above & stay on that for at least a month…now, not when they began the treatment years ago!! Personally, my highest was 17mg, so I wouldn’t have got it at the height of my steroids intake. Those who are recently diagnosed with GCA will do, though. I don’t think the rules are quite right, but I’m more fedup that they’re applied to some who are struggling, & I freely admit I am right now, & not applied to those who either blag their way through, or present two year old letters, or who just don’t get asked the questions.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Wonder what your chest consultant would say?

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

He’d probably organise one for me…but I’m very happy to pay £45 to get one! The Professor isn’t from my local hospital, they referred me to him because they couldn’t understand why I kept getting so sick. So I will travel a bit whichever route I go. S x

[11caroline29]

I got my spring booster last week at local hospital vaccination clinic. Been on steroids almost 10 years but on 8mg at the minute. I'm 59 with PMR and GCA in the past. I had letter from Rheumatology few years ago but wasn't asked for it this time.My husband is on 15mg with MG and he also had booster vaccine at age 62.

Perhaps you should discuss your situation further with GP ?