Why are people with mental health issues being offered to vaccine earlier?

[ShutUpAlex]

I had wandered why I had been offered the vaccine already as a young and healthy 27 year old when my 50 year old mum still hadn’t been offered hers yet.
Just seen on Facebook that the vaccine is being offered to those with severe mental health issues. I have bipolar disorder so that explains why I have been offered it. But not sure how that puts me in category above my mum who is older and more at risk? Can anyone shed some light on why this is? It’s probably really obvious and I’m being thick

People with MH issues tend to have worse physical health too.

GPs may flag those with MH issues as vulnerable. It depends on your doctor and your condition. PP is also right about poor MH often correlating with poor physical health.

Above. Also you may have a dependency on a medication where interactions with severe covid symptom.s haven't really been explored. That and the risk of mental health declining further if you have health related anxiety keeping you in more than even the rules allow. Some patients are eating terribly, barely exercising. It will impact their long term physical health.

There’s a few reasons:
Some with severe mental health issues may be less able to socially distance
Some with mental health issues may be more likely to be suffering from lockdown and require support bubbles
Some with severe mental health issues may be more likely to have regular in or outpatient appointments so may be more likely to be exposed to/expose hospital/care centres to the virus
Some with severe mental health issues are more likely to be leading chaotic/unstable lives which increases exposure

Because many will have underlying health conditions too

And some medication impacts the immune system

Those living in hostels/mh units/secure settings the spread of the virus is more prevalent

Many struggle to look after their physical health, some unable to retain the information they makes them and other more vulnerable to catching covid

As a group, there can be a lot of complex risk factors. It's easier to just include everyone rather than to work out the specific risk to each individual. Having poor mental health long term can affect employment and there's a lot known about how vulnerable healthwise people on low income are

Also, as an aside, if your Mum is 50 in England she can just get on and book her own appointment via the central online booking site.

Ah ok I guess that makes sense.

Tbh I have no idea, but please do take the offer up if you've been invited. With so many already vaccinated, and the need to get as many vaccinated as possible, I wouldn't be too fussed about the order at this point. Good luck! And hope your mum gets her invite shortly (as she should do if she's 50!)

They’re not doing me because I’m pregnant!

There have also been a higher number of suicides over the last year.

If she's 50 she can book hers. It's existing conditions and over 50s at the moment

You don't need to wait to be called, you can book online if your eligible 😊