Asthmatics are being left out of vaccinations. Should I tell my Dr about my BMI?

[Itsjusttheprice]

I’m 35 and asthmatic.

I take a daily steroid inhaler.

I’m not a severe asthmatic and I didn’t have to shield.

My understanding was that I would come under group 6 for the vaccine (16-64 with underlying health condition)

The asthma UK website states this is their understanding but they are seeking clarity.

I’ve read a lot on of people on an asthma support group I am part of that say their doctors have informed them they don’t come under group 6 unless they are severe asthma and they will be vaccinated by age.

I’m really surprised by this as I qualify for the flu jab each year because of my asthma.

I haven’t spoken to my Gp about my asthma and the vaccine, but wondering if I should inform them that I have a high BMI (40.6)
I was last weighed when pregnant (2019) and my BMI was 38.

I know that high BMI would put me in group 6.

It would not hurt to either email or ring surgery and point out your BMI. With asthma and high BMI you need jab asap. You should be at beginning of group 6.

Unfortunately asthma UK are still having to seek clarifications because the (sorry can't remember the name but it's 4 initials beginning with J) cocked up.

The green sheet states severe asthma in group 4 and group 6.

So basically someone made a cock up with typing. It's the only thing I can work out anyway.

I started another thread about the asthma situation a few days ago. Lots of advice and someone posted a response they'd had from the J people.

Basically it looks like we are not included in group 6 at the moment but asthma UK are working on it.

So yes, phone the GP about your weight. I did the same. Had to go in and get weighed but felt pretty safe.

Will 17 year olds with asthma, moderate, be on the list? He's 18 in August.

I called our go and the receptionist updated my weight over the phone.

No, not at the moment

That was to Lizzie

@LizzieMacQueen

Will 17 year olds with asthma, moderate, be on the list? He's 18 in August.

If moderate asthmatics are put in group 6 then yes that would include 17 year old as group 6 is 16-64 year olds with health conditions. They'd need to have some Pfizer vaccine available for him though as the Astrozenica one isn't liscenced for under 18s. My 16 year old DN has just had the Pfizer one (healthcare worker,)

Can I ask if low BMI counts? I'm under 18.5, asthma, 55 yrs old? Should I tell them? Although they know my weight so maybe not needed...don't want to ring unnecessarily...

@Macronisanarse

Can I ask if low BMI counts? I'm under 18.5, asthma, 55 yrs old? Should I tell them? Although they know my weight so maybe not needed...don't want to ring unnecessarily...

No ....only BMI of 40 + will put you in group 6..... low weight is not a risk factor

Yes. Call your GP and tell them about your BMI and make sure you are registered at higher risk so you can get your jab in group 6.

Oh thanks @Firefliess - I will wait to hear about that. He's pretty anxious and reluctant to return to school as it is.

@Bluebelle41 you're right - have just read the replied to the tweets. All very unsettling for people. I'm sure it will be resolved but from the start they've struggled to define asthmatics using medication. I was told to shield, and never told I was taken off the list, even though I know that I fitted the original criteria, but not the revised one which has now disappeared!

There's a good thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4153161-Can-someone-clarify-the-asthma-situation?watched=1&msgid=104373373#prettyPhoto

Hopefully Asthma UK will be able to clarify the situation for us later this week.

OP I would absolutely flag your BMI to your surgery.

I did my last contraceptive review online to get a new prescription - I had to weigh myself and take my blood pressure at home and send them the results on eConsult. So with luck they may accept you just telling them. I think it would be worth going in though if that ensures you are correctly categorised as in group 6.

My GP surgery recently sent out a text survey to everyone under 65 asking for their height and weight. Very sensible in my opinion, to get people moved up the list where appropriate

It is astonishing the variation in policies between GP practices. Some seem to be trying their hardest to ensure anyone who might be eligible and need the vaccine can access it, while others are trying to exclude people from accessing it as far as possible.

It comes down to whether your GP practice sees the priority list as an inclusion list to try and vaccinate as many as possible or an exclusion list to try to limit the numbers as far as possible.

My MP says only shielders with asthma will get it. Even in group 6.

Just to add I’m in my 40s asthmatic but not life threatening. Last week gp sent out a message to say they had surplus vaccine for that day only. As a result I and a few other asthmatics were able to get the vaccine that day.

I emailed the JCVI directly about this. Advance search me for my longer posts about the responses I got, but in summary they confirmed that moderate, clinically vulnerable asthmatics are not in Group 6.

Looks to have been decided as those who use a regular steroid inhaler BBC News - Covid vaccine priority for 'severe' asthma
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56012530

Ooh it was previously thise that used steroid tablets.

Change to steroid inhaler will include quite a few of us! (I sadly should qualify under other issues too but I think of asthma as my main one.)

Don't get too excited - BBC article has been updated and now says that asthmatics in group 6 are those on oral steroids.

It no longer says those with a steroid preventer inhaler

Ah yes I think that's where there has been a mix up before.

Yes update your GP they may make you have a telephone consultation over the phone to discuss your BMI and next steps. Our surgery isn’t offering in person appointments for weight at present so being done over the phone.

Until it comes from the JCVI it’s not official so yes I would absolutely ring up and document any other criteria which would make you eligible (BMI, carer etc)

Latest twitter thread from Asthma UK - no update yet but they are seeking clarity on who gets the vaccine in group 6 and who doesn't.

mobile.twitter.com/asthmauk/status/1359840126038405127