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 just did that survey and got a score of 39. I've never been told to shield and AFAIK I'm not group 6.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-56281064

It seems more and more asthmatics eligible for a vaccine in group 6 are being turned down by their GPs as their admissions aren't 'recent' despite the guidance saying 'ever had a hospital admission' and not 'has had a recent hospital admission'.

the guardian are also reporting this. They say that gps will use clinical judgement and take into account factors such as age and ethnicity.

Also seen Asthma UK have updated the government will not add asthmatics as an extra group after group 9. I am not surprised, the government were never going to agree to that after announcing the simpler age groupings, it would open the floodgates to other groups wanting priority. They should have been fighting for all flu vaccine eligible asthmatics to be in group 6

I've been invited to, & have booked, my jab for tomorrow so am guessing I've been classified as Group 6.
My asthma is very mild (I have Qvar & Ventolin but rarely use them unless I'll) but I do get the flu jab, however my BMI is above normal range - other than hayfever, nothing yes wrong with me & im 41. This is South West.

Has everyone seen this today? Just to add to the general confusion! Though in the video he references severe asthma.

GPs near me are definitely sticking to the hospitalisation/steroids rule.

I've not seen that @Eccle80, when did he say that?

Still not heard anything about mine but I've been invited to an asthma review next week so hopefully I can ask about groups then.

I was hospitalised 15years ago and I’m on seretide, montelukast and ventolin. I’ve had steroids 3 times in the last 6 months. My asthma isn’t well controlled, I use too much ventolin. I had an asthma review last week to go through my action plan

I was told I’m not in group 6.

I’m 40.

I can’t help feeling frustrated when some people with mild asthma are getting called up. I’m happy for them that they are, but I don’t understand the criteria at all. It seems like a bit of a lottery.

@ConnieDobbs it is on the UK Prime Minister Facebook and Twitter accounts

They really need to control the messaging and keep saying 'severe asthma'.

It would have been simpler and more straightforward to just vaccinate those eligible for a flu jab.

Last Tuesday my doctor told me I was not in group 6. (Fostair, montelukast, ventolin, nebuliser at home, several courses of pred last year) late 40s.
Yesterday I received a text to say I was now eligible to book, what changed??

@OpalOwl

Last Tuesday my doctor told me I was not in group 6. (Fostair, montelukast, ventolin, nebuliser at home, several courses of pred last year) late 40s. Yesterday I received a text to say I was now eligible to book, what changed??

If you're late 40s it could just be your age group. Latest news is that they plan to have 40-49s done by Easter.

Possibly, although the text stated health issues. Asthma is the only health problem I have.

After complaining on here on Friday, I got a text yesterday!! Looks like most asthmatics are being vaccinated now?

I received a text too, definitely not due to my age. Excited that several of you have as well! I’m confused though as I thought group 6 was coming from the GP?

@justasyouare As far as I'm aware, under 18's are not eligible for this vaccine at all?

I've not been invited yet.

Nor me. Grp 6 were called a couple of weeks ago, now on over 55s.

I’ve not been called either, my GP has moved onto groups down to 9, and I am not eligible on the NHS booking site either. Unfortunately I think it is just down to luck as to what your GP decides to do with asthmatics.

Posted too soon, text arrived earlier but am in group 9.

Unfortunately it seems to depend on your area. I'd be interested to know whether it is random or whether the areas which are behind in their vaccine programmes are being stricter with the criteria.

I believe my GP started group 6 several weeks ago so I'm not expecting to be called until eligible due to age.

I was hoping the criteria for asthmatics and group 6 would take into account add on therapies like combination inhalers and tablets like Montelukast. However, it doesn't and I don't meet the criteria in terms of hospital admissions or steroid tablets.

I have a number of other health conditions and wondered if a combination of them might trigger me to be in group 6 but it doesn't look like it will. Up to date info for EBS suggests no additional risk, thankfully so I will wait for 30 -39 year olds to be called up.

@EpidermolysisBullosa I think the research showed that asthmatics using combination inhalers and/or Montelukast are at increased risk, albeit only slightly. I'm in that group too.

I hoped they would include those meds in group six but they didn't, and left it to GP's discretion instead. Meaning that you have some people who only take ventolin being put in group 6 and others on much stronger meds being left off.