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Original poster

Would you gain weight to become eligible for the vaccine?!

149 replies

sweetlikechamord · 08/02/2021 16:56

I’m 9lb away from a BMI of 40.

As it stands I wouldn’t eligible for the vaccine until my age group (30’s)

If I was to gain 9lb (which I don’t think I’d struggle to do) I’d be eligible.

Would you? I think I’d be able to lose the 9lb again....

OP posts:
ThenCatoJumpedOut · 08/02/2021 17:26

Yes how about losing 9lb instead (if it is so easy to lose 9lb)? Would that not be more positive?

And better for your health?

ZoBo123 · 08/02/2021 17:27

Wouldn't the vaccine just make your risk from COVID about that of a healthy weight 30 year old? Why not lose the weight to be a healthier weight to reduce your risk from COVID. This is why WHO is questioning the policy of vaccinating low risk people to make their risk about the same when we could be vaccinating higher risk people in other countries.

LoveLifeBeHappy · 08/02/2021 17:28

LOL

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 08/02/2021 17:28

It's not about it being only another 9lbs though.
It's about a bmi of 40 being dangerously overweight, with everything that brings.

Lovetoridemybicycle · 08/02/2021 17:29

Just selfish, there is good scientific reason for the groupings.

"But surely I’d be safer being vaccinated rather than waiting for my age group which is months away!"

Yes YOU would be but some one more at risk would then not be

Whodofthunk · 08/02/2021 17:30

Ah I get where you are coming from, but it just is not worth it. You will feel a million times healthier and happier if you put that same energy in to losing more weight than you have done so far.

Lindy2 · 08/02/2021 17:30

I think that's a pretty appalling attitude to have. Making yourself fatter to get the vaccine is not the right thing for you to do.

Changing your life style to improve your health would have much more benefit.

PusheenLove · 08/02/2021 17:32

My cousin is bmi49 and isn't entitled till group 6

Original poster
sweetlikechamord · 08/02/2021 17:33

@Lovetoridemybicycle

Just selfish, there is good scientific reason for the groupings.

"But surely I’d be safer being vaccinated rather than waiting for my age group which is months away!"

Yes YOU would be but some one more at risk would then not be

@Lovetoridemybicycle

What are you talking about?! We’re all going to be vaccinated anyway.

It’s not like I’d be taking it from someone else who’s vulnerable. We’d be in the same category.

OP posts:
Original poster
sweetlikechamord · 08/02/2021 17:33

@PusheenLove

My cousin is bmi49 and isn't entitled till group 6
@PusheenLove

Yes that’s right. BMI of 40+ is group 6.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 08/02/2021 17:34

@sweetlikechamord the easiest thing would be to ring or email the GP with your current weight adding on the 9/10lbs that puts you over BMI of 40 and say that you are letting them know so they can code you into group 6 . I would imagine it’s pretty unlikely that they will actually ask you to go in and be weighed .

LegoPirateMonkey · 08/02/2021 17:34

I really sympathise, OP. A lot of weight loss is about mindset and when I feel low I find it very hard to look after myself too. I just think you might feel worse if you gained weight. And even with a high BMI, you are far more likely to survive covid than not. But the better your health, the safer you are. I think for your emotional well-being, doing something positive will be a lot more beneficial than deliberately gaining weight.

Original poster
sweetlikechamord · 08/02/2021 17:35

@Whodofthunk

Ah I get where you are coming from, but it just is not worth it. You will feel a million times healthier and happier if you put that same energy in to losing more weight than you have done so far.
@Whodofthunk

I know you’re right. Just hate this anxiety and worry of Covid and how ill it could make me.

OP posts:
User478 · 08/02/2021 17:38

Rather than gaining 9lb you could just wear a 5kg ankle weight and bootcut jeans, much easier than loosing the weight.

Lovetoridemybicycle · 08/02/2021 17:38

Yes everyone will be vaccinated in the end, but you would be delaying some one who is more at risk than you are.

SmudgeButt · 08/02/2021 17:39

My BMI is worse than yours and I'm older. And I have no idea when I'll be invited to have a jab. So piling on the weight may not help.

Frankly I don't think the invitation system is significant enough to take more than very basic things into account. the NHS knows my age and very little more about me. They don't know I'm a key worker or that I care for my extremely elderly MiL.

SmudgeButt · 08/02/2021 17:40

sophisticated not significant

CaptainSirTomMooreismyhero · 08/02/2021 17:40

If you think you can lose 9Ibs then do it...and then do another 9Ibs and then another 9Ibs until you are at an acceptable BMI. Why would you even consider putting yourself at more risk?

Every time you put weight on, the fat from your stomach will push up into the space your lungs should occupy when they inflate. You could easily contract Covid before receiving a vaccine and you would have less chance of surviving it if you are even heavier.

I can't even begin to imagine why you would think this is a rational thing to do. It isn't.

Original poster
sweetlikechamord · 08/02/2021 17:41

@Lovetoridemybicycle

Yes everyone will be vaccinated in the end, but you would be delaying some one who is more at risk than you are.
@Lovetoridemybicycle

I’m sorry I don’t understand how. BMI 40+ is in group 6.

Groups 1-4 are the priorities so I wouldn’t be taking a vaccine away from them and anyone else in group 6 would be offered their own vaccine.

I don’t see how me being added to group 6 would be a disadvantage to anyone else in group 6.

OP posts:
LApprentiSorcier · 08/02/2021 17:41

Why not speak to your GP and be honest about your weight and see what they say?

XenoBitch · 08/02/2021 17:42

The vaccine is not a magic bullet... and gaining well over half a stone to queue jump is madness. You will be better off losing weight and increasing your overall health than going the opposite way.

Whodofthunk · 08/02/2021 17:42

Just hate this anxiety and worry of Covid and how ill it could make me

But you would be letting anxiety take over and do something detrimental to your health if you go down that road. Take a positive control, you can do it Smile

year5teacher · 08/02/2021 17:43

@sweetlikechamord you say you “should be getting vaccinated” at your BMI but there has to be a cut off.
I know you must be really scared, and I empathise, but surely you can see this is not right.

TheOrigRights · 08/02/2021 17:45

No I wouldn't.

What about the increase risk in all the other conditions that are associated with being morbidly obese?

Is it true then that people with a BMI >40 are classed as CEV, in the absence of other conditions? I thought BMI >40 put you in the moderate risk group and therefore not called up for priority vaccine.

Original poster
sweetlikechamord · 08/02/2021 17:45

[quote year5teacher]@sweetlikechamord you say you “should be getting vaccinated” at your BMI but there has to be a cut off.
I know you must be really scared, and I empathise, but surely you can see this is not right.[/quote]
@year5teacher

I didn’t think about it not being right.Blush

OP posts: