Asthma update?

[planningaheadtoday]

Does anyone have current up to date information?

It would appear that unless an asthmatic is using oral tablet steroids almost continuously alongside inhaled steroids (and is therefore in category 4) then they are not on list 6 at all.
No vaccine. You can be once dose of oral steroids away from being in group 4 but not qualify at all for a vaccine under medical vulnerability.

Surely it makes sense to grade the severity of the asthma. To be on regular steroids plus many other asthma meds is not the same as taking the occasional puff of salbutamol reliever.

I'm finding it hard to understand.

I had this confirmed by a doctor today who admitted things are changing at a fast pace.
Just wondered if anyone had latest info?

As far as I'm aware that is correct. Asthma hasn't turned out to be as great a risk factor as first feared when the vulnerable lists were first done. It's the oral steroids themselves which puts people into the CEV group, it can make the risk from covid worse. At the moment unless you are on these oral steroids you aren't on the priority list for vaccines.

Asthma uk say that they have recieved clarification and that people on regular steroid inhalers are in group 6.

@Athinginitself

Asthma uk say that they have recieved clarification and that people on regular steroid inhalers are in group 6.

Thank you for this, it sounds like good news, I had thought I wouldn’t be eligible at all as an asthmatic who normally gets the flu jab

Yep me too. Sounds like it was just a mis wording issue. Fingers crossed. Have had covid once and didnt fair particularly well with my asthma so could do without trying again

@Athinginitself

Asthma uk say that they have recieved clarification and that people on regular steroid inhalers are in group 6.

Sorry I am eligible for the vaccine in group 6? I have a brown and a blue inhaler and get the yearly flu vaccine free.

Yes that seems to be what they are saying. I'm on a symbicort mart regime and montelukast am am thinking I'm still in group 6 as expected given what they said has been clarified.

A bit more of the thread..

Well that’s great, I had thought I wasn’t in any priority group and given I’m in my early 30s wouldn’t get the vaccine until much later this year so am very pleased if this is true!