To be gutted re vaccine groups and asthma?

[1starwars2]

I have been generally positive and very careful throughout, but I feel really thrown by the news that asthmatics have been removed from group 6 of the Covid vaccine schedule.
I have been literally checking my phone for a text invite as our local surgery announced they were starting vaccinating grp 6 and sending out text invites.
Now I will not be in any of the first 9 groups, and my asthma has been crap for the last year.
A lot of asthmatics have been voluntarily shielding, and looking forward to vaccination and it seems a bit unfair to kick us out of the vaccination schedule now.
I would like to be pleased that it looks like asthmatics might be at no more risk of dying, but I don't feel that would apply to me, and am surprised at those findings.
I generally develop a chest infection, (I have had pneumonia and pleurisy in the last few years) with any cold. I am scared of covid, and it's a genuine fear not anxiety.

@SilverGlitterBaubles

I was a bit when a fit and otherwise healthy SIL who suffers with allergies has an inhaler which she says has only ever used once declared she would be vaccinated as part of this group. I suspect this will no longer be the case. There are a range of severities of asthma sufferers and those with more severe disease should be prioritised.

The problem is there are a lot of degrees with asthma. I have moderate asthma, so highest dose of symbicort, montelukast and ventolin. I've had a couple of courses of steroids in the last year but not on them routinely. My asthma isnt well controlled at the moment (since covid ironically) but as far as I can tell I wouldn't be in group 6 (as it happens I've been vaccinated as I work for the nhs) There is good evidence that asthmatics are fairing much better than previously expected but that information has not been well communicated and has left a lot of people anxious and uncertain.

I'll probably be massively flamed for this but if unpaid carers are now eligible for the vaccine, is there no one in your life you help care for who is elderly for example? I think most people could make the definition fit somehow. I know its jumping the queue they've made, however, I think ultimately we know our bodies best. If you're afraid and feel like you would have a severe case it's a potential way to get it earlier.

My mam is CEV and her rheumatologist had mentioned to her he wasn't sure she'd have an adequate immune response. She mentioned it in passing to the dentist who was doing her jab and he said he would do my dad and me too. I legged it along as I knew if I caught it I could be in trouble, and didn't want to wait til category 6 if it was on offer.

hides

OP I am also asthmatic but it's controlled and I have no vaccine invitation. My friend who is asthmatic and is prescribed steroids each winter has already had her first jab (same doctors surgery). That's as it should be I think.

I'm really worried and confused about this. I take fostair and sometimes ventolin. I'm also a carer (on carers allowance) to someone who struggles enormously with social distancing. I am worried about what would happen to him if I get covid, especially if I have complications.

@elliejjtiny

I'm really worried and confused about this. I take fostair and sometimes ventolin. I'm also a carer (on carers allowance) to someone who struggles enormously with social distancing. I am worried about what would happen to him if I get covid, especially if I have complications.

If you are a carer you will still be in group 6 just make sure your GP is aware.

@GiBlues

I am in the exact same position as you OP. I’ve had pneumonia a few years ago and 90% of the time when I have get a cold I need steroid tablets and antibiotics as well as the 2 asthma inhalers I take every day. If we are vulnerable enough to need a flu jab every year, how are we not vulnerable enough for the Covid vaccine? It just does not make any sense to me. It strikes of changing the goal posts to meet the targets they have set, as they did at the beginning of January when diabetics and people with heart problems got bumped down from extremely vulnerable (group 4) to vulnerable (group 6) so they could get to the 15 million vaccinations target by mid feb. Or maybe I’m cynical 🤨

Loads of people are invited to get the flu vaccine. it really isn't relevant to whether or not you should get priority with the Covid vaccine. People with severe asthma are still a priority - just not everyone of the 12% of the population that has asthma. I get an invitation for the flu vaccine due to having some autoimmune disorders. i'm not a priority. I have no problem with that. People who are SEVERELY vulnerable are a priority. The rest of us need to wait. If you and I and everyone else with any condition was a priority, basically, there would be no priority as it would be just about everyone

The thing is it's not all asthmatics who have been removed from Group 6 - it's those who are less at risk of becoming seriously unwell based on medical record codes of previous history.

It never was going to be a blanket approach, and for other illnesses it isn't either with some people falling into different groups.

Surely people understand there's a spectrum of severity with any illness?

ETA I have asthma that is classed as "severe" - for those who don't understand what severe asthma is it was over 10 ITU admissions within a year, six of which were on life support machine. It's not something anyone would "want" or wish for.

@Humpty11

My understanding is that if you’re invited for a flu vaccine due to an underlying condition then you’ll be invited for the covid vaccine under the clinically vulnerable group.

Millions of people get a free flu vaccine. I do for auto immune disorders. We don't all qualify.

@Nanuki

ETA I have asthma that is classed as "severe" - for those who don't understand what severe asthma is it was over 10 ITU admissions within a year, six of which were on life support machine. It's not something anyone would "want" or wish for.

yet some on here would like to believe that having asthma and being hospitalised once 40years ago makes them the same as you

I think we understand that Nanuki, but are frightened because of how awful it is to be unable to breathe- as of course you know. A few days ago, it seemed as though we'd be vaccinated really soon. Now it won't be for some time. We're scared- and we've stayed in- and we were looking forward to imminent vaccination. No one wants to queue jump. It's just disappointing, and a bit alarming, that's all.

When was this announced?

I spoke to my doctor at about 5pm today and she confirmed I'm in group 6 due to my asthma. Now concerned this isn't going to happen . I also have a stupidly high BMI and work in childcare . Gah I was so happy for a few hours!

Yeah, the majority of the population are scared, not just asthmatics.

It's great that you've chosen to stay in - you've clearly had that choice and been able to do it with limited or no consequences.

Everyone who was advised to shield will be vaccinated in Group 4 (or they have already).

Vaccination cannot be based on people having decided they wanted to shield. That would just give priority to those who are financially privileged and weren't shit scared about losing income or employment or education opportunities.

I really do hope everyone is vaccinated as soon as possible but it has to be assessed on risk.

I have had an update from the Epilepsy Society
Epilepsy is categorized as group 6 but people have contacted the epilepsy society to say their gp is saying epilepsy isnt a condition under group 6
The green book says it is
So might be confusion with other conditions too
Re epilepsy I think an update has gone out to GPs

@needadvice54321 Don’t worry, it sounds like you will qualify on the grounds of BMI even if you don’t on the grounds of asthma.

I'm not sure @CavernousScream , my BMI doesn't quite hit 40 so I don't fit that criteria either. I'll just take solace that hopefully all this means is I'm in a better place than I feared

There have been a lot of studies since last summer showing that there is no link between mild/moderate asthma and severe covid, and that asthma may even be protective against severe covid - it isn’t new information. A study last week into steroid inhalers found they are an effective early treatment for covid, which could explain why asthma sufferers are less affected than was initially feared.

I also have asthma that is currently well controlled with daily brown inhaler but in the past has not been, not been admitted but been nebulised in a&e and taken oral steroids on multiple occasions, regular chest infections following colds etc. However I did suffer from covid c6 weeks ago and now fully recovered, did not need any additional treatment except blue inhaler for a couple of days, and my oxygen levels were better than DH’s who does not have asthma. I don’t expect to get called for early vaccine, but if I do I don’t consider myself a priority. I had a far worse virus last January that if I had gone to GP would have resulted in a course of steroids.

Anecdotal I know but this may make you feel a bit more at ease. My DH suffers a lot with his asthma. Has a steroid inhaler and ventolin which he has to use often. He's now been moved into gen pop for the vaccine too. However he had covid and he was poorly with it but it didn't affect his asthma at all.

That's another summer written off then for me, as i'll have to stay at home until I get the vaccine probably in the autumn now (given the second doses will take priority over summer).

I take DuoResp, which is equivalent to Symbicort, and while my asthma is reasonably well controlled, (because I manage it properly), it just never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t be in group six until today’s announcement, which came as a complete shock.

Now I will have to wait until late April to be vaccinated while the government are pandering to morons who refuse to be vaccinated because they are stupid enough to believe the absolute nonsense they read on social media. It’s fucking ridiculous.

I have been ultra, ultra cautious for almost a year, since well before the first lockdown, and now I have to accept that I won’t be able to go anywhere, see anyone or do anything until the middle of May. I‘m so angry & disappointed I could cry.

It sounds like some people on here are saying they are scared and want a vaccine whilst not properly controlling their asthma. If it disturbs you from you sleep then please go and see your GP or asthma nurse and have a review. One of the reasons mine is well controlled is I do so once a year. I have had medication increased and reduced as needed.

I sympathise OP. I only get asthma when it's triggered by hayfever but it is scary. The thought of catching Covid during the tree pollen season (now to late March) really scares me and I am planning not to go out so often once it really gets bad.

The problem I have is that when they were drawing up the shielding list some of us were on and off it several times , so it's inevitable that many of us have been taking additional care , thinking we were borderline needing to shield and now we don't even need early vaccination. If they knew months ago, they should have said . Nowt like communication

@User133847 why do you have to stay home? If you are shielding then you will be given the vaccine in Group 4.

I saw that yesterday and assumed my husband would no longer be in group 6 but he got a text for his vaccine today and will have appointment this week. He takes steroid inhalers but has not had hospital admissions or oral steroids so would be considered to have mild asthma. So it may still be that you do get it as part of group 6.
That said, the reason for the change is because there is no evidence that having controlled or mild asthma gives you an increased risk of being hospitalised or dying from Covid which is good news.