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 😊

@loretta81

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

That was back in December... the quote I used was from a post yesterday.

Wow, ok, my husband's done quite well then!

No eg only those with a severe or profound learning disability are in group 6 but those with less severe learning disability are in the flu group.

Epilepsy is in Group 6 just to steer it back to you OP.

My Mum was worried about the vaccine affecting her epilepsy medication, so I looked at one of the epilepsy association websites and it said that epilepsy is within one of the nine vulnerable groups for vaccination, as getting covid could throw the effectiveness of the medication out. From this, I understand you'll be included sooner rather than later.

[quote Eccle80]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[/quote]
Epilepsy is literally in this list

@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).

This is unfortunately not true.

Epilepsy is on the list for the covid vaccine, but not the flu jab btw OP, unless that's changed VERY recently or you qualify another way? I've been notified that I'm in group 6 (for epilepsy) and will be getting a booking text "soon" (I think my surgery were getting fed up of ppl ringing them!), but I've always had to pay privately for a flu jab.

I am in group 6, though it’s not clear from that poster that someone linked to up thread, as I have a history of thrombosis. I’m not on the list for the annual flu vaccine.

Smooth change

No I was face palming as in 'ffs government it affects lungs so why an earth isn't asthma included'

@mootymoo

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

How old are your DDs??

@scissy

Epilepsy is on the list for the covid vaccine, but not the flu jab btw OP, unless that's changed VERY recently or you qualify another way? I've been notified that I'm in group 6 (for epilepsy) and will be getting a booking text "soon" (I think my surgery were getting fed up of ppl ringing them!), but I've always had to pay privately for a flu jab.

Interesting I've always had mine on the nhs for at least 12 years because of epilepsy? How strange this thread is in showing different areas of the nhs

@LetsPlayBamboozled apologies, my bad reading, I looked over the list and must have missed it, sorry!

No I was face palming as in 'ffs government it affects lungs so why an earth isn't asthma

I know. I was asking if you think you know better.

You see it is known that all asthmatics are not any more vulnerable than non asthmatics. Hence only 'severe' asthmatics being on the list.

@HipHopBanzai I never need to take an reliever ( blue) inhaler as my asthma is really well controlled by steroid inhalers every morning and night. I can really feel it if I miss them especially for a few days. Is your friend taking a preventive medication. Could be tablet like antihistamines even.

I had a flu jab this year, but previous years my surgery didn't offer it to me, although previous doctors surgery did every year . I've been wondering about the Covid jab, assumed I wouldn't be offered it as I'm only 40.

I have to admit I don't know a lot about asthma, I haven't had that in my family or friendship circle to gain any in depth knowledge but I honestly thought having asthma would be group 6. I have been seizure free for 4 years, that's pretty good going for my types of epilepsy (3 different types) but a busy two day at butlins meeting sodding tinky winky and all and my brain decides to short circuit and bam a full blown seizure. I personally naively thought anyone with asthma could have the same risk

sorry just to add same risk to an asthma attack not a seizure

I have mitral valve prolapse. Probably had it from a very young age so suppose you could call it congenital heart disease (but not really) No symptoms, no meds, healthy heart function and very unlikely to ever progress or impact my life. It still entitles me to the flu jab every year and according to my GP puts me in group 6.

Do all asthmatics get a flu jab? I’ve never been offered. On preventive meds and not very controlled. No ones suggest it ever

DH has that alpaca and has another leaky valve , a valve replacement and has had endocarditis. Taken off flu jab list by GP!! Had to beg this year.

Still supposed to be Gp 6 according to his consultant so we will see...

DH is eligible for the flu jab ... I'm not sure why but I think probably his atrial fibrillation rather than one of his other things. He's not in group 6.

@2020isnotbehaving no they don't seem to. Seems to vary by area, I've moved about quite a bit. This year the flu jab was offered to more people though. They often just send a text to say to book, and it's vague like flu jab bookings are open, so easy to not realise it means you specifically can book. They don't send a letter. I'd had that text and not thought anything then I went for a smear and the nurse said I'll give you your flu jab too my lucky day!

@Piggywaspushed They took him off the flu jab list?! I get called every year without fail and tend to get pestered if I don’t follow up. One year while they were at it they gave me one for pneumonia too for good measure I wonder if decisions are being left to practices then? Fingers crossed he gets it.

@2020isnotbehaving

Do all asthmatics get a flu jab? I’ve never been offered. On preventive meds and not very controlled. No ones suggest it ever

They never shut up about the flu jab with me - every asthma review it gets mentioned and, before Covid, for most of the time post diagnosis 2.5 years ago, they were every 8 weeks. I get a text every year to book one and this year I also got a letter warning me how important it was that I had my flu jab this year due to the risks to me of catching flu.

My understanding was that every asthmatic with a preventer should be offered the flu jab.

I would ask your asthma nurse why you're not being offered the jab.

I also am pushed to get the flu jab. Hubby and I book in to boots rather than the doctors as it's closer and they have earlier appointments as the doctors gets booked up so fast. Hubby pays and they just double check in eligible, tick the box and do it. Obviously DS goes to the doctors though