Immunocompromised people should receive treatment that would prevent them from being infected with COVID-19.

[dianthus101]

Many people including cancer patients, people on immunosuppressive medications, transplant recipients, people with primary and secondary remain extremely vulnerable to Covid, even after vaccination. For them lockdown has not ended and if anything, it is even worse than 2020 as COVID-19 infections are very high in the community. Some immunosuppressed people have barely been outside since 2020 and the psychological distress is enormous.

I'm not sure if people realise but an antibody treatment (Evusheld) that would prevent them from being infected was authorised by the UK regulator authority (MHRA) in March this year. Despite the fact that the evidence for this treatment is greater than it was for the COVID-19 vaccines (when they were rolled out) it is still not available in the UK (privately or via the NHs) even though it is available in 32 other countries including the US and many European countries. This is because the UK government have not bought any. There doesn't seem to be much publicity about it and I know many immunocompromised people feel very forgotten.

bloodcancer.org.uk/news/leading-charities-and-clinicians-urge-government-to-secure-evusheld/

I'm immunosuppressed and have had five jabs, but still have managed to have covid six times. Fortunately I've not been desperately ill although two of my infections were awful and I tested positive for almost a month earlier this year. The real issues for me are that a) I have to stop my immunosuppressant medication while I'm ill, which makes my underlying condition flare uncontrollably; b) repeated infections surely can't be doing me any good given I already have health issues and c) who know if the next infection I get is the one that will land me in hospital?

I am absolutely behind things getting back to normal and although I don't partake too often (usually only in the weeks immediately after an infection, when I feel 'safest'), it's so lovely to see everyone enjoying life again. I wouldn't change that for the world.

However. I agree wholeheartedly that those who are vulnerable should be better supported, particularly those who are extremely vulnerable. Things like wfh with absolutely no quibble from employers wherever possible, and no pressure to go in for just the one day a week or whatever. Free testing not only for those who are CEV, but also those close to them. I don't think there should be any blanket restrictions - no more masks or lockdowns - but it does need to be acknowledged that some people need extra support, and for that to be acted upon.

Most importantly I agree with you OP that Evushield should be available to all who need it. Also that antivirals are routinely given to all CEV patients who test positive, and there should be no jumping through hoops to get them - perhaps a pack to keep at home, so treatment can begin immediately. If this were the case, perhaps CEV people could feel more confident about going about their business - even doing things like using public transport, going to gigs etc which we took for granted prior to March 2020.

I honestly don't think any of this is too much to ask.

I dont really know enough about the cost benefit analysis.

Are immunocompromised people at as much risk from this variant?

Risk of death?

It's all in the OP's link, @Topgub .

Very interesting to read, thanks OP. I will certainly use their letter template to contact my MP.

Four jabs here, and still recovering from covid six weeks after infection, despite anti-virals. They made me feel so much better, but I've gone down-hill again. I just want my life back!

@IneffableGenderFairy

I missed the link, will look now.

I've read it and I'm obviously missing something

Where does it detail the actual risk of the current variant?

And what are the costs of giving the evushield every 6 months?

Are you in one of the at-risk groups, @Topgub ? Or have a vulnerable family member?

Or are you a medic?

Just trying to work out your angle on this.

@IneffableGenderFairy

I dont have an angle

Just interested in the actual data.

If it helps, then people should have it

I'd rather that than endless ineffective, unnecessary vaccines

Thanks. Just being cautious, as people who respond to these threads tend to be either those who are affected, or those who are hostile to us. (God knows why).

For many of us, this could be life-changing. Being able to live like a normal person again would be...

I don't really have the words.

The vaccines are neither ineffective or unnecessary, and that comment shows your angle.

Oh. Missed the vaccine bit.

I found they were impossible to get hold of when I had it. It took them 4 days to even ring me back. It's obviously not working in my area.

@SuperPets

Depends on your definition of effective I suppose.

They clearly reduced the risk of death from delta in the at risk groups

So there's that

Why do you think the vaccines are ineffective and unnecessary?

As I said, I've had covid six times and have not needed medical help once. Someone I know with the same condition as me, on the same medication and younger/in better health than me caught covid prior to vaccinations and died. As did many, many others with the same condition/meds.

They reduced the risk of death across all groups. And reduced the need for medical intervention, and reduced severity of symptoms across the board.

Experts state the vaccines saved tens of millions of lives. So yes, there is that.

I think theyre ineffective because they need boosting so often

And also because its not clear how effective they are against current variants or even if its necessary for current variants

Certainly not for the general population.

And because they do fuck all to reduce transmission even if they do reduce risk of severity

You clearly have no understanding of the vaccines at all and your opinion is therefore not of any interest.

@SuperPets

Stop replying to me then

🤣🤣

To OP, hello my people. We are still shielding and very few people seem to understand why. It's really tough mentally. Thanks for understanding.

Why? Your uninformed points need challenging.

@SuperPets

So they are of interest?

OK. Challenge them then.

Show me the data that disproves what I've said

I‘ m immunosuppressed, have had x 3 jabs, refused the 4th. Have had covid once that I know of. I was fine. I’d prefer not to take any more medication that what I already do thanks. I’m happy for others to have it if they want it though.

@Topgub This is not a thread about vaccines. It is a thread about pre exposure prophylaxis in immunocompromised people. If you want people to give you data on vaccines in healthy people start another thread.

@dianthus101

Tell that to the people questioning me

Nobody would be forcing you to take it. Not everyone who is immunosuppressed would be eligible anyway ( it would depend on whether the vaccines are likely to be effective).

And what are the costs of giving the evushield every 6 months?

Drop in the ocean compared to costs of the pandemic. And less by far than an ICU admission.

Right now there are about half a million people who still need to follow shielding-type advice. That's the equivalent of a city like Glasgow, or Sheffield, or Bristol still being under lockdown.

And as those affected are not an age group, it is like a city - young and old.

And 500 have died since NICE approved the drug.

It's British developed and made, and in use in about 40 other countries.

I think it's a national disgrace that the government has been prepared to throw so many people under the bus.

And it's also bad from a self-interest pov. When the immune-suppressed fall ill, they stay ill for a long time. But it's not just taking up NHs resources. It's that by staying ill for a long time, they act as a perfect incubator for new variants.

We need a procurement decision now. And a roll out plan in the autumn - one that actually works (not like the utter balls up of third primaries).

It's a crying shame, and a mark of an 'I'm all right Jack' government that they leave people in this plight when there is a good and effective way to give that 'city' their lives back