‘Shielding’ vs ‘Vulnerable’?

[aWeaponCalledtheWord]

more confused than ever now.

i though the isolation for 12 weeks group would broadly include everyone eligible for NHS flu jab (as in those people advised to have it).

the new ‘shielding’ group doesn’t make any mention of this at all.

i have 2 autoimmune conditions, i take methotrexate, my thyroid needs removing (failed op in January) and frankly, i’m fat.

will i be getting the Golden Ticket letter from the NHS? what about people who don’t get this advice, but are immune suppressed and have the NHS flu/pneumonia jab recommended to them?

so confused. and scared. can anyone cleverer than me help me make sense of this?

[vintagechick43]

I'm also really concerned about this as I'm on methotrexate for RA . I'm also classed as a key worker as I work in retail for a large health and beauty retail shop
We have seen a large volume of shoppers over the last 2 weeks, we are more busy than we were at Xmas and I'm feeling vulnerable.
Doesn't help that the only safety measures they have put in place is hand gel for staff.

[YoursTunbridgeWells]

I'm theoretically on a biologic - when it was prescribed I was told it might make me a little more susecptible to infections. I agreed to take it BUT never did. The whole lot is sat in my fridge. I feel extremely guilty about the cost but I felt bullied into it at the time.

I really hope don't want to get a letter in case it has implications for triage if I get ill. (Sorry don't want to upset anyone that does concern me though.)

[mynameiscalypso]

From what I've read online, I don't think methotrexate on its own will qualify but biologics might. I'm waiting to hear from my rheumatologist (Humira) and my dad is going to speak to his (he's on methotrexate).

[iVampire]

I’m quite looking forward to the Army forcing Ocado to let me have a delivery slot!

The Govt said about a week ago that there would be further precautions announced for the exceptionally vulnerable from this weekend.

I haven’t got my letter yet, but know I will because I am clear-cut in one of the categories. So I’ve had a few days to get my mind round the whole idea.

[ShowYourself]

There’s a vulnerable list (flu jab) and there’s an extremely vulnerable list; organ transplant recipients, severe lung disease and significantly immunosuppressed.

More guidance will come on what’s considered “significantly immunosuppressed”

We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.
This group includes those who are:

aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
diabetes
problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
those who are pregnant
Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice about the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.

People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:

people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)

[ClientQueen]

I'm under the "rare disease that significantly increases the risk of infection"
However my GP doesn't even send me a flu jab letter so I don't know how this will work! I'm under haematology though at the hospital

[Wejustdontknow]

Does anybody know if coeliac disease falls into any of the categories, I have the flu jab each year for it and it can cause spleen problems but they are not specifically tested for, I work in retail so still working at the minute but obviously social distancing except for work. I can’t seem to find anything online that can tell me one way or the other how at risk I may be

[iVampire]

ClientQueen Haem departments are likely to be pretty efficient because so many of their patients will be in the cocoon group

If you think you should have been included and haven’t heard by the end of the week, get in touch with your unit and ask

[ClientQueen]

@iVampire I actually have a telephone appointment on Tuesday which is good timing! They're trying to figure out how to get me my meds as only dispensed by hospital pharmacy
They sent me an email after I asked which says "serious condition, high risk of infection leading to neutropenic sepsis" cheery news

[YoursTunbridgeWells]

Aha I am fostair - apparently this will make me very high risk.

[jeanralphio]

Not sure how we're meant to stay safe during chemo appointments whilst also not leaving the house at all.

[aWeaponCalledtheWord]

bbc website now says the group includes ‘people on immunosuppressive medication’. i’ll be waiting for my letter then!

[aWeaponCalledtheWord]

the Shielding group, that is.

[NotEverythingIsBlackandwhite]

Better to be extra cautious than not cautious enough. If you don't receive a letter stating you are in the most vulnerable group, then there is nothing to stop you self-isolating for as long as you wish to allay your fears.

[AuntieClare]

Hi, my sister is looking for a support group with other mothers who are shielding, as she is shielding with her husband and small children, and finding it really hard. Any ideas welcome!