Psoriasis in priority group for vaccine..

[itsthepaininside]

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-care-home-and-healthcare-settings-posters/covid-19-vaccination-first-phase-priority-groups

So on the conditions list for group 6, psoriasis is listed.
I have psoriasis and have never been told I’m
in the at risk group?!
Does anyone else know anything about this!

How do we know what category we are in? Thanks

Yes so from what i have read just methotrexate does not make you vulnerable it is that with other meds like yourself. Not that it works for me think it’s absolute rubbish

Has having a BMI over 40 always been on the list?

@EdersonsSmileyTattoo

I have Psoriatic Arthritis (so Psoriasis and the Arthritis that goes with it). I’m on Methotrexate injections, Abatacept infusions plus various other meds including oral steroids. I’m ECV because of the immunosuppressants and the steroids as well.

@EdersonsSmileyTattoo

So is it the condition Itself or the medication that makes you vulnerable?

The gov website doesn’t list the mediation as a risk, but does specify psoriasis.

@Crunchymum

Has having a BMI over 40 always been on the list?

@Crunchymum

Yes that’s always been a risk factor.

@Bambi1222

How do we know what category we are in? Thanks

@Bambi1222

Click on the link I posted. It shows on there.

@EdersonsSmileyTattoo

I have Psoriatic Arthritis (so Psoriasis and the Arthritis that goes with it). I’m on Methotrexate injections, Abatacept infusions plus various other meds including oral steroids. I’m ECV because of the immunosuppressants and the steroids as well.

I have PsA and am only on Methotrexate (well I say "only" but you know what I mean) so I guess group 6 for me?

@Bessica1970 she's never had any shielding letters. I am ECV myself and have had all the letters and texts and am in category 4, but nothing for DD. Her dermatology consultant didn't advise her to shield. I'll ask her to get in touch with her team about it.

@EdersonsSmileyTattoo

I have Psoriatic Arthritis (so Psoriasis and the Arthritis that goes with it). I’m on Methotrexate injections, Abatacept infusions plus various other meds including oral steroids. I’m ECV because of the immunosuppressants and the steroids as well.

Have you had any bad side effects of the medication?

It seems to have definitely changed - I'm sure it was only medication before (from what I remember, it was primarily if you took multiple medication including steroids that you got bumped up to ECV - being in, eg, Humira wasn't enough on its own). It makes sense though given that the complications of covid seem to relate to the immune system attacking the body which is exactly what psoriasis is and that a number of the treatments are also used in the treatment of arthritis/psoriasis.

I’m fairly sure it will be to do with the medications linked to psoriasis. It’s in the same line as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus which are/can be treat with immunosuppressants.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is an auto condition but because I take Hydroxychloroquine which is a DMARD not Methotrexate which is an immunosuppressant I won’t qualify for the vaccine at all until everyone else is done (I’m under 50). As I understand it, it’s to do with the medication and not the condition

@ihearttc

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is an auto condition but because I take Hydroxychloroquine which is a DMARD not Methotrexate which is an immunosuppressant I won’t qualify for the vaccine at all until everyone else is done (I’m under 50). As I understand it, it’s to do with the medication and not the condition

Based on the link OP shared, you're now in the group that gets the vaccine as priority 6. It definitely seems to be a change - other medical conditions mention treatments but this clearly has a line saying if you have RA, lupus or psoriasis, you're eligible. Will be interesting to see if they clarify or any of the professional bodies provide guidance. I can imagine it's a huge number of people!

Nobody has ever been able to confirm this to
Me

@mynameiscalypso

Oh I shall have a read. I’m also a TA so would be very useful to get it sooner rather than later.

I presumed these types of conditions are on there because they are auto immune conditions.
The risk with covid comes from your immune system potentially over reacting creating a cytokine storm, which it has form for if you suffer with any autoimmune condition.

[quote Madhairday]@Bessica1970 she's never had any shielding letters. I am ECV myself and have had all the letters and texts and am in category 4, but nothing for DD. Her dermatology consultant didn't advise her to shield. I'll ask her to get in touch with her team about it.[/quote]
I would. I did.

Dermatology sent me a 'shielding letter' confirming I'm CEV, but only because I was on Adalimumab (aka Humira / Imraldi) and I have a co-morbidity (in my case, a metabolic condition).

I noticed on the distribution list on the letter that it had just been sent to me, not copied to my GP.

So I copied it and emailed it to my GP. Never heard anything back. Their phone lines are buggered and they are saying on their website NOT to ring about the vaccine.

So in the end DP took a copy and a covering letter and out it through the GP surgery's letterbox on Friday night.

They just texted to say I've been added to the CEV list.

So please don't assume, anyone, that you're on any list until you check.

I assume it’s because some patients with severe psoriasis are on methotrexate or biological immune-suppressing medications
which put them in the high risk category. I don’t think psoriasis in itself makes one any more vulnerable (I used to work in a secondary care psoriasis clinic).

Immune suppressants with a combination of other drugs / co-morbidities = cohort 4

Psoriasis with 'lesser' or no treatment = cohort 6

@Banana0pancakes

I’ve never had any shielding letters so as far as I’m concerned I’m as safe as any other member of society. I even queried it back in March as I had to prove to my HT that I was ok to work and she sent me this which says take normal social distancing measures. I’d be very very grateful to have the vaccine ASAP as I’m feeling very vulnerable in school at the moment but I very much doubt it will apply to me.

That's a crap chart, @ihearttc, although thanks for posting it (I was trying to find it!), as so many patients fall between the three categories. It was put together very rapidly at the end of March, and it's the same one issued for Rheumatology patients.

@JamieLeesCurtains

Yep I was given it by my rheumatologist. I really hope I’m included in Group 6. I chose not to take Methotrexate when I was diagnosed 6 years ago as to me at the time it felt like a too potent drug for something that wasn’t affecting me too much. I wanted somewhere to go with treatment if my symptoms got worse so I just take Hydroxychloroquine (which has been a bit of a miracle drug as far as I’m concerned).

What I think is crucial and somewhat overlooked is the point the chart makes about how well controlled your illness is - I've been on Humira for 9 years and in that time, I've had periods where it's worked really well and my life is 'normal'. I've also had periods when it's not been enough and my immune system has gone a bit wonky. I would assume the latter is a more dangerous situation re Covid than the former even though the underlying condition and medication is the same in the two.

@Banana0pancakes

I presumed these types of conditions are on there because they are auto immune conditions. The risk with covid comes from your immune system potentially over reacting creating a cytokine storm, which it has form for if you suffer with any autoimmune condition.

Agree - this is my understanding also and my fear, as a psoriasis sufferer, of cytokine storms.

I have only once seen an overseas GP about the condition who simply prescribed sleeping pills for the itching, so not on my records and unlikely to be on any priority list. Just manage it myself and try to keep safe by staying home and avoiding contact with others.

I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and I think it’s the psoriatic arthritis that the list is referring to I think the wording has been misspelt and should say psoriatic x