I had my Covid booster vaccine in October. I had a letter from the NHS last week saying I "may" be eligible for a fourth vaccine as I "may" be immunocompromised (I put "may" in quotes as I thought they would know...!)
This is news to me as my GP or consultant haven't said I'm in the immunocompromised group but looking at the NHS website it says if you're on daily steroid medication you are, which I am. But you need a letter from the GP to make the appointment.
Rang the GP - receptionist says vaccines are nothing to do with them anymore, told me to ring 119. Couldn't get anywhere with 119 who thought it was for the GP to decide. Rang GP again, got through to another receptionist who was happy to send me a text to take with me to the vaccine centre as you can't turn up without one. I made an appointment online and when I arrived it was mostly empty and they didn't even ask to see my text or appointment letter. Another mad week in the world of vaccine appointments! It didn't seem to make much difference that the "booster" I had in October should've been my primary 3rd dose. I'm just very grateful someone somewhere in the NHS knows I was eligible for another vaccine!
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A colleague, who’s a retired GP, says very few people are aware they are eligible for a 4th jab and the communication about is very poor- you almost have to be in the know to get one- glad you got sorted.
Had very similar experience. I couldn't get a letter from my GP surgery or from my cancer consultant but took a copy of the email saying I was in the immunocompromised group. The pharmacy didn't even look at it and gave me the 4th dose. My asthma is well controlled and only flares up if I get a chest infection (Asthma developed as an after effect of the chemo treatment). I caught Covid 10 days after having fourth doseand have no symptoms at all. My advice would be that if you are having difficulty getting a letter for 4th dose take some proof of your condition and go to a pharmacy/centre that are doing injections. At worst they can only say no. Stay safe - cheers.
I wonder whether it's because, where I live, the GPs organised the initial vaccines and now it seems like the NHS has taken over them - perhaps people are falling between the cracks as I know initially some GPs had to manually go through patient records to see who was eligible for the vaccines early on.
I received my fourth inoculation around a month ago...because my immune system is messed up. My GP’s Surgery called to say that they had booked me in at a local community hall for a fourth inoculation and, a few days later, I received an NHS letter advising me to book in a fourth inoculation. It’s nice to think that they are all taking such good care of me.
I’ve had regular telephone consultations with my Respiratory Clinic Consultant throughout the pandemic, including one in December, plus another one in January...after which she booked me in for a chest X-Ray for the following day (to rule out any other issues) and I’ve been booked in for a ‘face to face’ consultation at the hospital in early March. Thank you NHS..
Hi,I've received my email advising that I need my 4th vaccine when I haven't even had my 3rd as being given the run around between GP, Consultants and Receptionist as to who is responsible for providing my letter for my 3rd Primary vaccine.
Another telephone consultation with GP this morning so hoping that it's positive.
I'm very confused about the 3rd primary jab and who should be invited for it. I'm on the clinically vulnerable list and I've had my first, second and booster. I take symbicort 200/6 6x puffs a day plus spiriva respimat 2.5mg 2x puffs a day. Is there a list of inhalers and doses which make you eligible? Thankyou 😄
It gives examples of who is classed as immunocompromised - I'm on a daily steroid tablet so that's how I met the criteria. I'm not sure you would do, even though you're on two inhalers but always worth asking your GP. I had the same issue - my "booster" became my third primary dose once I found out I was eligible, and my 4th dose was my "booster". I don't think it makes any difference but it's worth mentioning if you do go for a 4th dose.
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