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?

@Athinginitself - I think with your asthma severity you would’ve been in a higher priority group anyway. You would be classed as “severe” asthma

@Horace23

Do you not see that its confusing to be told that you're vulnerable and at increased risk for nearly a year but that you won't get the vaccine Asthmachecker?

Do you agree with the decision? Are you aware of any research that supports asthmatics not being at increased risk?

Well, I am a moderate asthmatic myself which is exactly the reason I emailed the JCVI, so you can draw your own conclusions there!

Please, don't everyone contact their GP to discuss. They won't know. Until the day it's decided asthmatics can have a letter sent, your GP will not know for sure. It's not an appropriate use of their time given they can't tell you anything with any certainty and it's out of their control.

You would be better asking the government agencies as others have started doing above.

Well I spoke to my Drs, as I needed a medical review in any case so was speaking to them anyway Only severe asthmatics and I won't get the vaccine. Asked if asthmatics were now at lower risk than thought but they didn't really answer.

I don't know what to do next. There's tons of other threads about opening up once the vulnerable have been vaccinated but all the vulnerable won't be!

Applogies Asthma Checker you seemed to be implying that asthmatics were trying to jump the queue rather than genuinely concerned in your earlier post.

If you are in a vulnerable group, the doctors surgery/GP etc will contact you when it is your turn to be vaccinated will they not?

@Whyistheteacold

If you are in a vulnerable group, the doctors surgery/GP etc will contact you when it is your turn to be vaccinated will they not?

I don't know about everyone else's Gp but that is what mine are doing .Just waiting on my call or the.

Whyistheteacold - no! not if you are asthmatic. The only asthmatics getting priority in group 4 OR group 6 are those whose had more than 4 courses of oral steroids (prednisone tablets) or been admitted to hospital with their asthma.

This rules out the majority of asthmatics.

If you want to change this we need to start making a fuss about it, and asking for the reasons behind the decision making. If it's the numbers with asthma rather than a clinical reason then that is disgusting.

My understanding was that as the situation has evolved it's become apparent that asthma isn't a particularly big risk, and it's vascular issues rather than respiratory ones to look out for? Hypertension etc? Haven't followed closely though.

I'd hoped combination inhalers might be used as a simple differentiator between mild (vaccine in line with rest of age group) and moderate (group 6), but it seems not based on this thread. Doubt I'll get it then, I've only had the occasional course of pred as an adult.

Mindy do you have any links to research re that? All asthmatics are still included as vulnerable on the government guidance here www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/

Hence all the concern, we're being told over and over that we are at risk but won't get a vaccine with other vulnerable groups.

No not at all Horace, like I said I haven't followed it all. It was just my impression from following casual chat. Also I feel like if there was evidence of asthmatics being severely affected it'd be shouted from the rooftops as there's so many of us the NHS would be struggling. Much like we all know of the risks to people with high BMI or diabetes. I think it was just originally assumed that asthmatics would be severely affected because people were ending up on ventilators, but I'm not convinced that's actually how it's turned out.

More than happy to be corrected on this by someone who is better informed.

Ok ta Mindy! I'm just desperate for some evidence to alleviate my anxiety right now.

Any ideas for keeping going until Autumn? Right now I feel more despondent than I have at any other point of the pandemic. Everything is going to merrily open up and I'll (we'll) still be hiding at home.

It is really frustrating, I looked at whether I could volunteer to help with vaccinations, but saw it said they don’t want volunteers who get a free flu jab, so clearly I am too vulnerable to help with anything, but not vulnerable enough to be vaccinated.

As a 40 year old with three school age children I do worry about the risks if vaccination is still a long way off

Aaarggh Eccles! Schrodingers vaccine where we are simultaneously vulnerable and yet not vulnerable!

I am on Seretide (daily) and Ventolin (as needed). My asthma is not very well controlled at the moment and I am using my Ventolin inhaler frequently.

I work as a Teaching Assistant in Secondary and am working full time in school at the moment, mostly in a room of 10 year 10s who are quite blatant about not following social distancing and lockdown rules. I feel it is only a matter of time before I get covid, so am really hoping to be in group 6 for vaccination.

I have a phone appointment for an Asthma Review tomorrow, so will be asking about this - will report back with any information I get.

@Horace23 yes that’s a very good description! I had an asthma review by phone today and asked the nurse, but she seemed to think it was all by age not condition so it didn’t really help. Our surgery are apparently on 67 year olds though which is great, so I guess not long until group 6 and I can work out then whether I get a message or not!

@farley123 hope the review is helpful and they can look at your medication to improve things for you

I'd missed this JCVI update on 25th January.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/955548/Greenbookkchapter14aav6.pdf

Defining asthmatics in group 6 as needing repeated systemic steroid treatment. This isn't the inhaled type.

It no longer says severe asthma in both groups. Severe asthma is in group 4 and then asthma with its inclusion guidelines in group 6.

@purplebagladylovesgin

I'd missed this JCVI update on 25th January.

[[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment]]data/file/955548/Greenbookkchapter14aav6.pdf

Defining asthmatics in group 6 as needing repeated systemic steroid treatment. This isn't the inhaled type.

It no longer says severe asthma in both groups. Severe asthma is in group 4 and then asthma with its inclusion guidelines in group 6.

Where does it say not the inhaled type of steroid? I'm on Clenil modulite, would I be in group 6?

Systemic steroids are drugs which effect the whole body via the blood stream, while inhaled steroids via an inhaler go directly into the lungs. So when they say systemic steroids when referring to asthma it generally refers to drugs like Prednisolone.

I emailed my doctors to find out about it, and they said it works like the flu vaccine and I will be in group 6. Very pleased!

What medication are you on @User7777 ?

@Whitecup4

I’m on symbicort and fostair plus I have a blue inhaler and I take montelocust. Would I be in group 6?

When is group 6 getting vaccinations? What group are we currently vaccinating?

Sorry for all the questions

Symbicort AND Fostair? At the same time? That would be giving you too much inhaled steroid AND far, far too much long acting broncho dilator. Montelukast is fine with one or other of those inhalers.

@TrashedWarrior I'm on Fostair and Montelukast and ventolin if needed. Been asthmatic my whole life.
I think doctors are interpreting the guidance as they see fit.

@User7777 - do you mind saying what dose of Fostair? I ask because I am also on Fostair (100/6 4 puffs a day) and Montelukast, plus ventolin if required.

It's Fostair 100/6.
Honestly, it seems like its being left up to individual doctors to decide? Mine said eligibility was the same as the flu vaccine, which seems to be how being clinically vulnerable works, though that's not what the guidance says 🤷‍♀️

Don't think a 16 year old will get it no matter what colour inhaler....its not been approved for under 18s I thought..