Is asthma on the 'clinically vulnerable' list?

[Russell19]

I'm not talking about shielding, I'm talking about the government list of people who should follow extra precautions. This is for work purposes mainly.

I have seen it on government advice dated 11th May but I have been told advice has changed since then.

AIBU to think asthma is classed as clinically vulnerable?

Both lists are here

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/

You are only supposed to stay home from work and shield if in extremely vulnerable group who got a government letter.

I am asthmatic, have had to go on to a nebulizer twice in last six months, have had to to have steroids twice too on Fostaire but not on extremely vulnerable list who got government letter so still working but being very careful.

@Pipandmum - I was just going to say what @TheModicum has, no-one should be going through inhalers that quickly and your friend needs a review. Overusing reliever inhalers like Ventolin can cause heart and blood pressure issues so this needs sorting sooner rather than later.

I have asthma and regularly look at the asthma.org website. I haven't received a letter as I don't fit the criteria. I spoke to the asthma nurse at my GP surgery and she was quite happy that I follow the guidelines to self isolate as much as I can. Might be going back to work at the start of June. I feel a nice anxious bout returning if I'm honest.

If you’re asthmatic enough to qualify for a free flu jab then you’re “vulnerable” and advised to stringently social distance

In my job, I can't social distance which is why I'm asking. The policy says clinically vulnerable are to work from home so was trying to work out if that means me.

Depends when steroids were taken, what current medication you are on to control asthma etc

If you cant social distance then use protective equipment - mask, face shield, gloves etc. Could there be a cover around where you work

I got a shielding letter due to my son’s asthma. It all depends on severity

The advice changed, and it's linked to your steroidal dosage. Asthma UK website is really good, and far clearer to understand than the govt's.

I'm not asking about shielding though, I'm just asking what is classed as 'clinically vulnerable'.

I believe the high dose of steroids etc is the classification to be 'extremely clinically vulnerable' which then means shielding.

The list is on the post and asthma is on it so yes.

Surely if you’re in the extremely vulnerable category you’d have a shielding letter?

Why can’t you practice social distancing and what alternatives are there?

Maybe I'm not explaining myself very well sorry.

I'm not extremely clinically vulnerable, I'm just clinically vulnerable. Or I was checking I actually was clinically vulnerable, and that the advice hasn't changed.

I thought asthma was taken off the list ?

OP most people with asthma i.e. those who qualify for a free flu jab (which is those who have been prescribed a preventer inhaler, so the majority of asthmatics) are advised to practice stringent social distancing. A smaller number with severe asthma are advised to shield until 30 June.

If you can't social distance at work then I would argue you should be working from home, if possible, or be given paid special leave if WFH, or reasonable adjustments to enable you to social distance, aren't possible.

My employer is doing this for anyone in the vulnerable, or shielding groups who are unable to WFH for any reason. Special leave with full pay.

Asthma does make people vulnerable. I have 'moderate' asthma - I take Fostair and Montelukast I.e. 2 of the 3 criteria for shielding, but have had less than 4 courses of steroids in last 6 months and so don't meet shielding criteria.

I know someone with mild asthma, much milder than mine who spent several weeks in ICU with Covid. Mercifully she is now out of danger, but has now been off work for 8 weeks. Asthma really does increase vulnerability.

@sunshinecake this is what my friend is saying but no idea where she's had it from.

@CaffiSaliMali thank you so much for that post, really useful and answers a few questions. I have just found this on asthmauk posted 5 days ago which pretty much answers my question.

I would think based on what you’ve said you are ‘clinically vulnerable’ and should be doing strict social distancing (2 metre distance). My work was going to move me to a lower risk area where I could do this (not my normal job!) until I was told to shield.

From “Full Fact”

Strict social distancing for the clinically vulnerable

‘Clinically vulnerable’ describes the wider group of people who have been identified as being more at risk from the new coronavirus but not so severely that they need to shield themselves.

The government doesn’t actually recommend that clinically vulnerable people follow any rules that differ from the universal social distancing guidance.

But these people are being told to follow that guidance carefully, and to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.

As discussed above, this group includes anyone aged 70 or older regardless of their medical conditions.

It also includes anyone who is under 70 but has health conditions including chronic mild to moderate respiratory disease, chronic heart, kidney or liver disease, chronic neurological conditions, diabetes or a weakened immune system because of conditions such as HIV and AIDS or medicines like steroid tablets.

This group also includes pregnant women and anyone classed as seriously overweight, with a body mass index of 40 or above.

This Link gives all the advice on social distancing depending on the type of workplace.

I think I have mild asthma. I have the red and white inhaler for day to day use and ventolin for when I'm really struggling. I think I had the virus, was laid low in bed for two weeks, sent to hospital once, taken to hospital by ambulance once, x-rayed and told I didn't have it. So no clue as two doctors who saw me thought I had it but the X-ray said no.

Depends on the level of asthma. Dd has asthma but well controlled by medication, even though that medication is for asthma that is more than mild.

I was told by asthma nurse we didn’t need to shield and that she wasn’t classed as vulnerable. Didn’t get a shielding letter. She is 11.

We have all likely had COVID 19 in our house, although not tested. Luckily she coped ok but we had to see at dr at one point.

She got given pred and antibiotics- and i know antibiotics don’t fight a virus but apparently this has been standard - I was given two different kinds.

Again, I'm not asking about shielding. I'm wondering about the 'clinically vulnerable' list.

Yes it’s in the clinically vulnerable list. A poster has copied out the list for you.