Confused about asthma and vaccine group

[FebFrosting]

As the Gp practice clearly states not to contact them with vaccine queries and my usual annual asthma check is not happening, does anyone know if :
Fostair inhaler (twice a day, two puffs but doubles when have chest infection or peak flow lowers)
Ventolin
Occasional use of prednisone ( once in last 8 months)

Have been in hospital for nebulisers and once in HDU with chest infection/ breathing issues abut thankfully not since started the fostair a few years ago. I also take antibiotics preventatively for a primary immune disorder but apparently that is not on category 6. It does help reduce chest infections ( only had 3 last winter) which helps my asthma.

Would the asthma medication put me in category 6? Am mid 40’s and a teacher in school teaching the vulnerable/KW children.

Wondered if anyone else had similar medication and knew?

So frustrated with the confusion over this. I just want to know what group I’m in.

I am also higher risk - asthma, reduced lung function, scarred lungs, antibody & immune issues and I’m in my mid 40s. Must be lots of us in this situation who are at moderate risk.
During my appointment with an asthma nurse last week she
told me that asthma (except that of the CEV kind) has been taking off the group 6 vaccine list and to speak to a GP for further clarification. I dropped them an email and have so far received clarification that I’m not high risk but a GP will get back to me to discuss it.

Glad you have had support and hopefully some advice Takemeback.

Yes, I agree PatchworkElma.

I am debating whether I have to resign from my job as a teacher because if not in group 6, waiting until around Middle of autumn for 2 doses of W vaccine, or even later as I am in my 40’s does nothing appeal. Can only resign at set times of the year so I wish to know.

Usually I am chased for my asthma review but this year, not offered this far.

Am going to try to get hold of my named Gp, who actually knows me this week. Will try electronic contact tomorrow, then a phone call on Friday.

*@Takemebackto98@ glad they suggesting the Gp will contact you - did they clarify what group you were in?

@FebFrosting I got my dates mixed up. They are calling me this Friday. But reading the other thread running on asthma, I’m not holding out much hope.

Did you manage to get hold of your GP?

Hi, I heard from admin person that the receptionist asked to ring me that I am group 6. I do have a few other health issues as well so wanted to ask if that combination put me in group 3, so not too sure if it is the asthma or the combination.

So 2.9m 65-69 in UK and 7.3m in group 6 I think. So end Feb-April is estimation. Am going to cross my fingers for March!!

Hope you get an answer @Takemebackto98

Sorry put me in group 5, not 3!!

@FebFrosting great news. Hopefully not too much longer for you.

Thank you. Now it is in a few, countable months it feels more bearable. Hope you hear on Friday.

I’ve just had my conversation with the GP. No vaccine for me as my asthma is mild and controlled. I haven’t been anywhere the last few months so admittedly this is the best year I’ve ever had!

Apparently, even though “we know that those with asthma are at higher risk” lots of people mid 40s have co-morbidities and they can’t possibly bump everyone up into the higher risk groups...

This is the flattest I’ve felt since this pandemic began. Especially as during my last Asthma check the nurse mentioned COPD as my peak flow rate is so low..

It wouldn't be so bad if mid-forties were definitely following 50s but with all the talk of doing teachers, police etc after the 50's cohort it's the uncertainty that's killing me.

How you balance the risks between people way more likely to catch it but also far less likely to be ill (healthy police and teachers in their 20s for example) with people less likely to catch it but way more likely to be ill (40-something asthmatics in non-public facing jobs) I don't know. Realistically shop workers are probably not that different in terms of likelihood of catching it than police or teachers, so if they all get priority too the wait for us will go on forever. Shop workers are already getting priority lateral flow tests in my town.

Maybe they could have another lower heath-based priority group after the 50's that could include asthmatics that hadn't already been vaccinated, I would feel bit better then.

I've had a text to book my vaccine today.

Unfortunately as a have high BMI too I can't she'd any light on whether my asthma was a factor.

Fingers crossed for the rest of you and

@Woodandsky I agree. It could be autumn.

We’ve been as careful as we can be (DH also has a health condition not on the list) not having family and friends over, didn’t eat out to help out, holidays last summer were low risk camping etc but we have DC at primary school ... how long can we go on like this?

The hardest part for me, actually, is now dealing with family who have now all had the first vaccine due to their age or the fact they work for the NHS who weren’t taking it all that seriously in the first place, pressuring us to see them when restrictions are lifted. We managed to fob them off last summer but there was the implication that we were over-reacting. They all have robust immune systems, have never felt that panic of not being able to breathe and feel like you are drowning. They just don’t get why I’m cautious with my ‘mild’ Asthma!

Just got my text to have the vaccine! I have mild asthma i have budesonide and ventolin. I'm only 33! Live in Somerset! Hope this gives other people hope!

Looks like a postcode lottery!

My DNephew has had his.
19, very mild asthma

Group 5 is only just starting and Group 6 is huge, almost as big as all the groups done so far. That means it will take many weeks to get through the groups and some people being called early doesn't mean much about whether or when others will be called. GPs may have done their own additional vulnerability assessment to determine an order, or be going by age within the group, or by surname, or by postcode...

I'd be surprised by GPs leaving out asthma patients, the advice for group 6 seems loose enough to include them all. They might well prioritise Group 6 diabetes and heart disease patients above asthma patients though, because the risks are so much greater.

From my conversation with my GP, it is the decision of the practice manager to prioritise those most at risk. Looking at the other thread running on this, it’s luck of the draw if they think you are worthy of it or not. No consistency.

Due to the fact my asthma is currently controlled - now, today, not generally. Mine is cold triggered so next week could be a different story (if I actually went anywhere to pick one up) but he was only interested in now and was adamant I don’t qualify despite also confirming asthmatics are at higher risk.

It appears there are just so many of us in our 40s with co-morbidities that they can’t prioritise us, which is concerning as we have seen a higher number in this age group hospitalised than during the first wave.

@MRex unfortunatley the criteria for including asthma in Group 6 is not wide at all. It only lists severe asthma which, according to Asthma UK, only describes 5% of asthmatics. The majority of asthmatics are not eligible.

However, it is clear from this thread and the other asthma thread that some GP's are allowing non severe asthmatics to be included in Group 6. This is either because GP's are using their discretion, or they have coded people incorrectly.

It's causing a lot of stress for non severe asthmatics who, despite not being in Group 6, are STILL classified by the NHS as clinically vulnerable.

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.

But it seems some lucky people are being being invited despite not fitting the criteria.

Thanks, that's useful