should I have the vaccine?

[tactum]

I have always been identified as CEV throughout this pandemic. Had an email last night telling me I should get the first dose by mid Feb. Brilliant for me. HOWEVER.....I have mild asthma. I am prescribed a steroid inhaler to use every day but don't use it as no need - GP agreed it was up to me to decide. I haven't got through a whole salbutamol inhaler in the last year, and can't remember the last time I even had a puff.

When they started sending me all the CEV letters last year I just took them with a pinch of salt and did my own risk assessment - as in, not asking for help with food deliveries etc. Still followed all guidelines for lockdown.

I am mid 50s with absolutely no other underlying health issues.

I feel a fraud getting the vaccine tbh, but another part of me thinks I should trust them to know what they're doing. Also fearful if I 'gave up my place' I might get forgotten. But a part of me feels like telling them to give it to someone more needy. What would you do?

They have said you are eligible for the vaccine, just take it. Im early 50s and getting it, as i work in care.

Just get it if you can

If you don't take it, they will waste effort following up on you. If you're getting it a few weeks sooner then that's great, think of what a lovely late spring you'll have knowing you're fully vaccinated. Stop overthinking it, get the jab and say thank you politely on the way out.

You’ll get offered it eventually regardless. Just take it. I read somewhere refusal could do more harm than good.

Get it 100%

thanks, I will. Yes I guess the 'admin' in putting me back in the queue/following up will probably be more of a burden

If you think you have been misidentified as CEV, you should contact your hospital team or GP and get that changed.

You will then be slotted in to the priority list either as CV or by age, depending on his w they class the severity of your asthma

Take the vaccine.

Agreed that you have been misidentified. I have mild asthma and have never been identified as CV; let alone CEV! I also have a brown inhaler (used very infrequently).

Personally I'd feel guilty taking a vaccine before I should. I'm presuming I'll get mine in 2022!!

Yes unless there’s other medical conditions not mentioned then you’ve likely been miss-identifier for CEV. I’ve got a brown steroid inhaler for daily use and am not even in group 6 for vaccination! Despite that if you’re offered it then take it. If you say no they might not offer it again even when its your age group.

Thanks for opinions. I actually asked to be removed from CEV list during the first lockdown and they wouldn't do it!!

Look, your guilt issues aren't relevant to their clinical decisions. They've assessed you as extremely vulnerable and meeting the detailed vaccination priority guidance.

Take the vaccine. If you say no they won't faff around and then come back to you again, you just won't get it.