Getting hold of Covid antivirals like Paxlovid in 2025

[Notgoingtooutmyselftoday]

I have Covid and due to a medical condition and immunosuppression I am eligible for antivirals. There is currently not a sensible system in place to get hold of them. 19 phonecalls today: GP, 111, 119 plus a list of numbers various people have directed me to. No further forward.

I just wonder if anyone here has been through this process recently and has a phone number that's worth calling to try and get things sorted?

Official NHS seems to say 111 but the computer says no when I call them (more than one attempt).

It’s a potent treatment with a high risk of side effects. The current strains of COVID-19 are generally considered less risky than this retroviral for the vast majority of cases now.
Your pre-existing medical conditions are going to be the deciding factor in the cost-benefit analysis here. Thus your GP needs to make the call (not their receptionist). Call tomorrow and request a phone appointment. Explain that you are a high risk case and therefore need to speak to a GP.

I’m a nurse, working for 111 & still frequently do referrals to the service that provides anti-viral meds for people testing positive to covid - it’s still a trial, infact i did 2 referrals over the weekend so I’m puzzled that 111 isn’t helping. You have to have symptoms which started in the last 5 days to qualify for the trial. Ring them again & say you have COVID & wanting referral to CMDU - that’s the name of the service who provides the meds.

Thanks both of you for your replies.

I was passed from pillar to post yesterday and made 15 phone calls to different numbers I was given (not exaggerating!).

I called 111 for the 4th time this morning hoping a shift change from yesterday might make a difference but everyone there is adamant that this is now a GP responsibility. I wonder if 111 varies by region.

To be honest I'm losing the will with the battle to get the antivirals and think I might just take my chances without them but I'm a single parent to a child who has her own medical issues so I feel the a need to make sure I'm as well as possible to look after her. Argh!!!