Offered the vaccine but not sure I qualify?

[CautiouslyPessimistic]

GP have offered me a vaccine. I didn't think I was a priority group but evidently 'severe mental illness' counts as group 6.

The thing is I wouldn't qualify my mental illness as severe: I've been badly depressed three times before and I'm now on a long term antidepressant which the GP are counting as indicative of 'severe' i.e. they've done a sweep of anyone on this medication and are inviting all of them. I do have a history of self harm and addiction, but that was 12 years ago and I'm now extremely stable.

I feel guilty. My husband says if the GP categorise me as group 6 then I should take it, plus anyone who can get it should to reduce transmission. Plus I have a history of not really taking my own health seriously. I struggle to categorise myself as 'deserving' and tend to minimise my own vulnerabilities. And yet the fact remains I haven't been depressed for 4 years and I cope perfectly normally day-to-day. I feel guilty taking it when I feel like other people probably need it more than I do.

WWYD?

If the offer is there I'd take it

Take it, you're no less qualified to have it.

If you are offered it then definitely take it! We will all be done eventually and it has obviously been decided for a reason that you are next in line. I wouldn't question it.

Just take it.

Don't question the system.

Line up, roll your sleeve up, job done.

Lots of these guilt prompted threads about feelings of queue jumping. Guilt is a totally pointless emotion. If you are offered it, take it. You might be our 15 millionth person to do so!!

The system is working. Trust it and celebrate it and think of it as doing your small part in getting us the hell out of this hell.

My DH has also been told he's group 6 and will be called for an appointment soon. He has no idea why he's been prioritised but it is possibly that it is because he has had heart problems in the past so that has flagged him as more at risk.

Take it.

Listen to your GP and DH. Take it.

Could be the GP is worried that if you became ill with covid or was unfortunate enough to get long covid that could have serious consequences for your MH.

Take it and don't quibble about it.

Please take it, the more people who do the better and we really aren't likely to run out.

Your GP who knows your medical history has advised that you have it. Are you going to listen to her or to that random voice in your head (which presumably isn’t medically qualified ) ?

No one here on MN is going to tell you to go against your doctor’s advice. Or at least no one responsible.

Do it. The more people willing to get the jab the better. It would cost the NHS more time and effort re-categorising you than it would just you turning up when you are supposed to and having the jab like you would have at some point down the line anyway.

Take it.

It needs to be got into as many people as possible as fast as possible, the way for that to happen is for people to turn up when asked rather than to worry too much about the exact order and take up NHS admin time rearranging people.

Anyway the rollout is happening so fast it will probably just be a matter of a few weeks between when you get it and when you would have got it otherwise.

Thank you everyone - needed some voices to drown out the guilt. Very appreciated. I shall take it and be grateful!

Just take it. If people keep not taking it when offered, that will create more work in the admin system. Whilst not a big deal for one person, times this by many, many people. and it adds up. In some areas category 9 are already being offered it. Don't feel guilty at all.

You should certainly take it and not feel undeserving.

If it’s any help to you - think about the overall benefit to others and avoiding pressure on the NHS. People with MH problems are more at risk and more likely to need hospitalisation - hopefully this wouldn’t be in your case, but I wouldn’t like to see time wasted by GPS as they try to assess each individual’s specific circumstances.
On a personal level for you long Covid would be a risk and could be a trigger for a bad depressive episode. You also mention previous addiction problems this could mean some issues around prescribing certain painkillers should you need them to survive critical or intensive care.
I also have long term MH problems which are successfully controlled, I do understand the need to not think of yourself as being clinically vulnerable, ill, or a burden in some way. But don’t over think it, just get the vaccine and feel positive that you are helping with reducing the transmission rates

Take it! You're protecting pregnant people like me who can't have it at the moment. I don't begrudge anyone having it or in what order. It's such a complicated bit of admin to resolve, I would think you passing for now would cause a headache for the people organising this.

Yes take it, all adults will be offered the vaccine eventually and you are one less person to get through.

Good on you soldier. Thank you doing your part.

It helps everyone the more people who are vaccinated, no need to feel guilty at all.

Take it so everyone moves one step closer to getting it!

Definitely take up the offer.

Gp says you can have it on medical grounds so be wise to have it!

If the GP have put you in group 6, you should be in group 6! Take it, you aren't jumping the queue

Update: had the jab, feeling very grateful

Well done, good decision.

Well done! It's not queue jumping if you were legitimately offered it but I'm very happy to see that people don't necessarily operate on a me me me basis. I too would not dream of queue jumping but if I was offered a jab I'd be delighted.