Can someone clarify the asthma situation?

[Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady]

At first people with asthma were in group 6

Then they weren't

Now apparently people who use a brown preventer inhaler are back in group 6.

I used to use a brown inhaler but was using my blue one too much (asthma was not controlled) so they moved me to symbicort which is a combined inhaler.

So am I on the list for group 6 or not, as I don't use a brown inhaler anymore.

Does anyone know or could link to the guidance?

I have mild asthma, no steroid inhaler and never been hospitalised. And got invited for a jab yesterday. No idea why, but obviously not going to turn it down. Although if it's reassuring, I got Covid at Christmas and other than feeling breathless for a few days (which my inhaler didn't help with) and generally flu-ey, I didn't suffer too badly. Still not going to risk getting it again though.

@WarriorN yes I would assume so.
That's good @BookShark!

I have just had my invite from GP. On Fostair 100, 3 lots oral steds in last 12 months. Would describe my asthma as moderate and in/out of control. Not on list for any other reason. NW.

Good news both of you!

I’ve just been invited - bog standard Clenil and Ventolin here, no oral steroids or hospital admissions, though I am on the flu jab list. I’m not complaining but I am confused!

I can only be happy for people who are getting jabbed, and be fingers crossed that my mostly well behaved asthma will be added to the group 6 list by my GP. It doesn't feel likely though.

I have mine booked for next week.

I don't know if it's because of asthma or BMI or both.

I've been invited to get my vaccine. On fostair 100/6 on MART, montelukast and ventolin. No oral steroids for a few years but I have been to see my nurse a few times this year to get my asthma better managed. Shocked and relieved to get an appointment.

It seems a few people on this thread are now starting to get vaccine appointments even though they don't fit the 'steroid tablets only' criteria. Is this a hopeful sign for the rest of us who only take a steroid inhaler and ventolin?

@Notcoolmum, @Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady and @SilenceIsNoLongerSuspicious - please can I ask how you heard about your appointment? Called by GP or letter from NHS?

Many GP's have told mild and moderate asthmatics they are not in Group 6. But this flurry of appointments announced on the thread today makes me wonder whether the vaccine roll-out has now moved on to Group 6 and the NHS has the accurate list. Perhaps the list does include moderate asthma sufferers?

This uncertainty is causing a lot of stress for so many people.

@AcornAntiques I had a text yesterday inviting me to book my appointment.

The text came from my GP practice.

I have just this minute got an email from our GP regarding my husbands asthma ( has a blue and brown inhaler ) and been told my husband isn't in group 6 as he's not got severe asthma- only severe asthma is in group 6 apparently- from GP .

@AcornAntiques A text from my GP (same number as for flu jabs), asking me to book in to a local GP surgery (not via the national booking system).

Apologies if this BMJ article summarizing current policy already been posted www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n430

Thank you for letting me know @Notcoolmum and @SilenceIsNoLongerSuspicious.

Congratulations to both of you! You must be so relieved.

It is a worry for those on similar medication that have been told by their GP's they are not in Group 6. It is so confusing and inconsistent.

Mine was the same @SilenceIsNoLongerSuspicious I wonder if we are in the same area!!

It just seems a lottery. If you've been given an appointment definitely go for it before they change their minds!

This is probably a stupid question - but what counts as 'hospital admission'. Is it spending a night in hospital?

Would going to urgent care with an asthma attack for 4 hours one Sunday morning count?

I was diagnosed less than 3 years ago. I have had one asthma attack - November 2019. My nearest hospital is some way away but there is a small satellite hospital a few mins drive away which has an urgent care centre so DH took me there as it was quicker.

My ventolin had kicked in so I didn't need to stay longer than it took for me to be diagnosed with a chest infection and given antibiotics and prednisolone. I then saw my asthma nurse at the GP surgery the next day for a post attack review. I then had 2 or 3 more appointments with asthma nurse and GP over next 2 weeks as it took ages for me to get down from 14 puffs a day to my normal 4 and my chest infection didn't shift until a 2nd course of stronger antibiotics.

I have no idea if that would count in my favour vaccine wise or not! I'm on Fostair 100/6 and Montelukast and was on that before the attack I had. I've always considered my asthma to be moderate.

Someone I know with asthma they describe as 'mild' (clenil and ventolin which is rarely needed) was hospitalised with Covid.

I think being admitted means you get a wrist band. Last time I was admitted as they put it on they said "you are being admitted but don't worry you probably wont have to stay overnight".

Those of you who’ve been offered - do you mind me asking your age?

@Cracklefraggle @BookShark @SilenceIsNoLongerSuspicious did age come into your jabs??

Nope, I'm early 40s so it is purely based on my asthma. I do feel a bit of a fraud if I'm honest, but I'm not going to turn it down in case that removes me from the system. Sounds as though it's individual GPs making the decision at the moment.

Great to hear people are getting invites, gives us all hope.
@BookShark do NOT feel like a fraud, grab that opportunity with your sharky fins!

@BookShark absolutely take it! No judgement, I’m very pleased for you!

I was just wondering as husband is 39 and always needs steroids and at least 2 types of antibiotics for every cold that inevitably goes to his chest. His immune system seems generally terrible but he wouldn’t hit the severe asthma criteria if its 4 courses of steroids a year/hospital admission....

Like Bookshark, I must be getting it due to asthma, not age or anything else.