Does NHS Flu jab mean you are in group 6?

[AtLastEarwax]

Hey everyone

Ok I'm eligible for a free flu jab every year - they send me a text to remind me due to have epilepsy. I looked on the website and it classes neurology as a pre existing condition in group 6 but not sure if this means epilepsy??

Hubby seems to think that if you are eligible for a free flu jab - due to a health condition that's the target for group 6?

What's people opinions?

Thanks 😊

No it doesn’t automatically mean you’re in group 6. I get the free flu jab for asthma but am not in group 6.

Cloud surfing - why an earth not? Asthma should be a priority surely??

No , and not many asthmatics are currently deemed serious enough for grp 6.:

Cohabitants of people with blind cancer get free flu jab but are not currently category 6. They were on the list on MHRA first draft, but removed from final version, because of insufficient evidence on vaccine preventing transmission. Despite many statements from govt scientists that it is inconceivable there is no useful effect, reinstatement has yet to happen

*blood cancer

(It's a large and important group within all CEV, because it is the one where you cannot be sure the person with a cancerous immune system will produce the intended effect, and so need to have their school going, working cohabitants protected, or else they face lengthy SIeven from their family)

No. I have asthma and free flu jab but I am not a priority group. If I get covid, I am not likely to die.
Only very severe asthmatics in covid vaccine priority groups.

Same as @Cloudsurfing I get a flu jab for asthma but it sounds like we won’t be in group 6.

Unfortunately I don’t think epilepsy qualifies either looking at the bit in the Green Book on neurological conditions, it says
Stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Conditions in which respiratory function may be compromised due to neurological disease (e.g. polio syndrome sufferers). This includes individuals with cerebral palsy, severe or profound learning disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease and related or similar conditions; or hereditary and degenerative disease of the nervous system or muscles; or severe neurological disability.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955548/Greenbook_chapter_14a_v6.pdf

On another thread it has apparently been confirmed that most asthmatics aren't in a priority group, even if they are on the flu jab list. If that thread is correct then unfortunately it sounds like being on the flu jab list and/or being classed by the NHS as vulnerable doesn't automatically mean you will be in priority 6..

I'm asthmatic and grp 9, even with a combi inhaler.

Eccle Thankyou for that 😊

I am severely shocked about the asthma, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure covid affects your lungs ffs 🤦🏼‍♀️

Any person with asthma who takes a preventer inhaler is in group 6. Asthma UK have confirmed this (and my asthmatic 33-year-old husband just got invited to have his first dose on Friday).

To follow, this makes me wonder if group 6 does largely reflect the flu list... but I'm not sure about this (just seems to be in the case of asthma).

@loretta81

Any person with asthma who takes a preventer inhaler is in group 6. Asthma UK have confirmed this (and my asthmatic 33-year-old husband just got invited to have his first dose on Friday).

Interesting as I was told grp 9 a month ago. Wonder if gps will update their list. Fwiw dh had pneumonia last year but that is not taken into account either - he is grp 6 due to another condition.

And all over 50s were eligible for flu vaccine this year so by definition they cannot all be in group 6.

@loretta81

To follow, this makes me wonder if group 6 does largely reflect the flu list... but I'm not sure about this (just seems to be in the case of asthma).

This is not correct. Asthma UK states that 'This evidence does affect priority groups and means that some people under 50 with well-controlled asthma will be offered the COVID vaccine after the initial nine groups, because the purpose of the first stage of vaccination is to prevent deaths from COVID.'

I take a preventer inhaler. I am not in any of the 9 priority groups.

Updated 22/12 by the looks of things...

As I say, my husband has already been invited so this must be reflected in what GPs are doing (where we are at least -Cambridgeshire).

Epilepsy is listed on the covid vaccine calculator here

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-care-home-and-healthcare-settings-posters/covid-19-vaccination-first-phase-priority-groups

Group 6 does include asthma

@AtLastEarwax

Eccle Thankyou for that 😊

I am severely shocked about the asthma, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure covid affects your lungs ffs 🤦🏼‍♀️

What's with the face palm?

You think you know better?

@sleeplessinderbyshire

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-care-home-and-healthcare-settings-posters/covid-19-vaccination-first-phase-priority-groups

Group 6 does include asthma

Severe asthma. Not 'asthma'

Theres a whole other thread running on asthma.

We are not included in group 6.

Epilepsy is group 6 we were told, we both have epileptic DD's

It seems so random. My friend has asthma. She's in her 40s. Told me she literally never has to use her inhaler, hasn't had any issues since a mild asthma attack in her teens (her words). She describes herself as mildly asthmatic.
Yet she had a shielding letter from her GP surgery and has already had her vaccine.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955548/Greenbook_chapter_14a_v6.pdf

Scroll down to page 10 for the list of conditions included in group 6.