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?

Ffs.

I need to request more asthma meds so will do an eConsult and ask my GP what counts as a hospital admission. As I said before I went to an urgent care centre at a satellite hospital with my asthma attack as it was less than half the distance of A&E.

No mention from asthma UK as to whether or not they have been pushing for more of us to be included.

Also surprised that they haven't included people with add on treatments.

Thanks to everyone who has been updating this thread, either with personal info or public statements.

Based on the latest statement from Asthma UK I may meet the criteria for group 6. If not, I have no clue when I will be eligible for the jab.

I am sorry for anyone who has an underlying condition, faces constant exposure, and is excluded from the priority groups. I hope that they do prioritise some professions next, even if it drops me further back.

@Eccle80

Also when are GPs going to have time to go through every asthmatic’s medical records to determine if we have ever had a hospital admission or three courses of steroids in 3 months? Given it sounds like a lot of vaccination centres have plenty of spare capacity at the moment, wouldn’t it be more efficient just to invite all flu jab eligible asthmatics?

This also could exclude any immigrants who do have a history of severe asthma under this criteria, as that specific medical history may not be accessible.

A hospital admission is an overnight stay.

I think asthma UK need to start pushing to see the evidence/ rationale, perhaps they don’t have the funds though

@Eccle80

Also when are GPs going to have time to go through every asthmatic’s medical records to determine if we have ever had a hospital admission or three courses of steroids in 3 months? Given it sounds like a lot of vaccination centres have plenty of spare capacity at the moment, wouldn’t it be more efficient just to invite all flu jab eligible asthmatics?

I would also suspect that many of the records simply won’t be there because people have moved, it was some time ago, or they were seen out of area and it didn’t make it back to the GP. In fact I know when I was seen at the out of hours clinic for asthma in my own area it didn’t make it back to the GP who at the time was in the same building!

@BungleandGeorge

A hospital admission is an overnight stay.

I think asthma UK need to start pushing to see the evidence/ rationale, perhaps they don’t have the funds though

There is a plea for donations after their blog about the vaccination priority criteria.

Their statement doesn't say at any point whether or not they have pushed for the criteria to be wider, perhaps taking the level of treatment into account. It makes me less inclined to donate tbh.

My SIL was surprised to be offered the vaccine in Group 6 for next week. She thought her asthma, being well controlled, just left her in the over 50s group.

@Eccle80

Also when are GPs going to have time to go through every asthmatic’s medical records to determine if we have ever had a hospital admission or three courses of steroids in 3 months? Given it sounds like a lot of vaccination centres have plenty of spare capacity at the moment, wouldn’t it be more efficient just to invite all flu jab eligible asthmatics?

This is going to be a nightmare if you've been unfortunate enough to be caught in one of the few electronic notes loss issues. My area is one where there are thousands of patients with missing electronic notes and the paper notes are rarely referred to.

I've never been hospitalised but only due to their being specialised hubs to go to instead when I used to live more rurally. Where I live now, it would have been hospital admission.

The vaccination programme is going so quickly that I suppose the issue is that by the time they’ve raised funds and done anything the majority of asthmatics will have had it based on occupation/ age. I can’t understand why they weren’t all over it at the beginning of December but I’m not sure how much funding they have. They don’t strike me as one of the charities that lots of people support

Also when are GPs going to have time to go through every asthmatic’s medical records to determine if we have ever had a hospital admission or three courses of steroids in 3 months? Given it sounds like a lot of vaccination centres have plenty of spare capacity at the moment, wouldn’t it be more efficient just to invite all flu jab eligible asthmatics?

This. I was hospitalised numerous times for weeks at a time due to massive asthma attacks as a child. I’m 43 now, haven’t been hospitalised for 31 years, is my GP expected to trawl through decades of medical records for one patient to determine if I’d be eligible? So much easier to just give the vaccine to everyone eligible for a flu jab. The work’s already been done to assess who’s vulnerable to respiratory diseases, why add unnecessary red tape and create all this uncertainty?

@Eccle80

Also when are GPs going to have time to go through every asthmatic’s medical records to determine if we have ever had a hospital admission or three courses of steroids in 3 months? Given it sounds like a lot of vaccination centres have plenty of spare capacity at the moment, wouldn’t it be more efficient just to invite all flu jab eligible asthmatics?

I got a text then a call from our GP to ask how well controlled my asthma is

GPs will have to contact asthmatics to ask as asthma reviews have been cancelled due to Covid. My last one was January 2020. I had them every 2-4 months since diagnosis in 2018 as I kept getting symptoms and needing additional meds.

About 3 weeks after I was told my asthma was stable enough to reduce my meds and only have an annual review I was back for a post asthma attack review. I was then back on 2 monthly reviews but then Covid hit so I couldn't have one in March 2020. Haven't heard from them since.

If you have ever had an emergency hospital admission for your asthma, or ever been prescribed three courses of steroid tablets in a three-month period you will fall into priority group six.

Well on one hand that's me. Blue lighted and admitted two or three times in mid teens.

BUT I'm now 40, have a blue inhaler for emergencies which I haven't needed for a good 8 years, and had an asthma review in 2019 for the first time since 2000, only because I was nagged into it by hubby on workday asthma day. I wasn't even on the asthma nurse's list. I've had the flu jab annually but don't get a letter inviting me. Just ask and as I'm on record as asthmatic I get given it. Last review went..."any changes?" "No." "Used your inhaler?" "No." "Okay, carry on as you are." No regular meds at all.

So I really don't think I count as severe asthma, but according to that definition I do. Which would be good as like a previous poster I am a teacher and my only protection is a window that opens 3 inches. I feel it's that "at risk of getting it" element that perhaps makes me more in need of the vaccine, rather than the severity of the asthma itself. I'm either Grp 6 or (unless they do prioritise key workers) one of the last ones to have it - who knows?!

I guess in an ideal world they'd do a risk assessment along the lines of chance of getting it x likely severity if they do, but who has the time to do that for every person in the country? Crack on as quick as possible and it won't make much difference I guess.

@AcornAntiques

Asthma UK have just tweeted the following:

"We have been urging the government for clarity on which priority group people with asthma will be in for the COVID vaccine and we have now been given further information.

If you were sent a shielding letter, you will be in group four. If you have ever had an emergency hospital admission for your asthma, or ever been prescribed three courses of steroid tablets in a three-month period you will fall into priority group six.

If you do not fall into either of these groups and are under the age of 50, you will be vaccinated after the first nine priority groups."

This is the same message that many GP's have been giving to non severe asthmatics. I just don't see how some people who don't fit the category are being invited.

Been following this thread for a few days as was unsure about whether I'd qualify or not. All along, I've presumed I'd be in Group 6 but reading those specific guidelines, it seems not. I'm on Fostair twice daily and last winter had prednisolone twice, so given that I never needed the "magic" third dose, that's me out. Really annoyed and upset about this as I know if I get any kind of cold or chest infection, my asthma goes through the roof. Meanwhile my 53 year old husband who's fit as a fiddle, will be vaccinated before me! As several PPs have said, how come we are classed as high risk when it comes to the flu jab, but not to the Covid vaccine?? Makes no sense.

What does it by ‘ever been hospitalised’? Ever as in even as a child? I was hospitalised a few times due to getting bronchitis and other things as it affected my asthma, and have had paramedics out too, but not since I was very young. I’m not sure my gp would know that either.

If I get even a sore throat it aggravates my asthma. Last year I needed two courses of steroids straight after each other due to a chest infection that was the worst I'd had in years, and at the time I thought myself lucky to avoid a third course. But a third course would have bumped me up the list now to get the vaccine earlier. Bugger.

Yes I’m the same, last year I had two courses of steroids back to back and just avoided a third course. Now I wish I hadn’t.

I got the text to have the vaccine. I have mild asthma. No steroids or brown inhaler. Never been admitted to hospital because my asthma. I’m 40 with normal BMI and no underlying health conditions. I’m certain all asthmatics, especially those on the flu vaccine list, are getting texts now to have the covid vaccine.

I take a daily steroid inhaler and salbutamol but don’t seem to be on the flu vaccination list, as my doctor hasn’t contacted me about it for years, although I usually just book it myself without any problems. So I guess that I won’t be on a Covid vaccination list either, even if they decide to book in all asthmatics - and I’ve had a good asthma year, likely due to Covid restrictions so won’t be a priority anyway.

Not all asthma reviews have been cancelled because of covid. I've had two over the phone.

It must be individual GPs who have decided

I use Symbicort and have only had steroid tablets once in the last five years. I'm late 30s, normal BMI and no other issues. I get the flu jab each year and I had the phonecall today, having the vaccine on Tuesday. I'm absolutely delighted as I'm also a teacher and was dreading the thought of potentially going back with no protection. Our surgery have been fantastic throughout all this - most of their over 80s had the first dose before Christmas. I guess I'm just lucky.

Interestingly while I'm possibly no longer on the priority list with my asthma (though I'm sure I had a few years with enough steroids to count in the ever category) I can get one having had a stroke which wasn't initially down as a priority.

But my gps hadn't recorded me properly as asthmatic and refused to acknowledge it until I kicked off about paper files and showed my peak flow reading was awful. I have to hope they have my stroke down as when the nurse gave me my last b12 she had no idea despite them actioning all the lifelong drugs I'm now on. So that may be a fun argument too.

What a day! Yes my poor 20 year old ds is looking unlikely. He has steroids but only ever twice on the bounce. I haven't told him yet about the latest. Hoping his gp puts him thru as he has steroids quite often. And then thanks to this thread I learn my dp a stroke survivor is now priority- I wonder if I will be invited too as his carer. He is genuinely scared I'll have to go to hospital and he won't know what to do.

@PuttingOnMyParts

I take a daily steroid inhaler and salbutamol but don’t seem to be on the flu vaccination list, as my doctor hasn’t contacted me about it for years, although I usually just book it myself without any problems. So I guess that I won’t be on a Covid vaccination list either, even if they decide to book in all asthmatics - and I’ve had a good asthma year, likely due to Covid restrictions so won’t be a priority anyway.

A lot of GPs don’t contact people for flu they expect you to contact them. This year is the first one in years I was sent an appointment for it from the GP

@DrMadelineMaxwell

If I get even a sore throat it aggravates my asthma. Last year I needed two courses of steroids straight after each other due to a chest infection that was the worst I'd had in years, and at the time I thought myself lucky to avoid a third course. But a third course would have bumped me up the list now to get the vaccine earlier. Bugger.

Technically back to back would be one course. It’s one loss of control of symptoms rather than 2