Most asthmatics no longer in group 6, so no early vaccination

[user143677433]

Apparently this was news in January, but I have only just found out. Most asthmatics, although still classed as clinically vulnerable (not ECV), are no longer in group 6 for vaccination. Only asthma patients on oral steroids or those who have been hospitalised with asthma will be vaccinated in group 6.

Article in British Medical Journal.

I know it’s sensible - apparently it’s as a result if evidence that shows people with asthma don’t have any worse outcomes, which I recognise is great news - but it’s made me very stressed.

I’ve got what my dr classes as “bad asthma” having to take several puffs of a combination of inhalers each day, but it is “well controlled”. But back in the first lockdown I was wrongly classed as ECV which left me very nervous throughout and extremely cautious.

As a result we didn’t do anything last summer when many people were enjoying some normality. Then having been told we (husband is asthmatic too) were in group 6 and likely to be vaccinated in April/May, it was amazing. I was so happy. We even booked a cottage holiday for July to look forward to.

I know I should take this as good news, and of course I don’t think we should be vaccinated early if there is no additional risk, but it is quite difficult to be expecting to be vaccinated and then have that taken away.

My SIL's asthma is well controlled but she has been offered the vaccine next week.

Write to your GP about how often you take each inhaler (if you take a lot of reliever inhaler each week then your asthma is certainly not well controlled) and about the fact that you were on the shielding list in the first lockdown and ask if you can take any spare vaccines.

If your GP practice is doing the Pfizer jab they have use up the stock within a short space of time (as it's kept so cold) so will likely have spare vaccines going at the end of the day.

@Scarby9 that’s interesting. I wonder if it’s not being consistently applied then.

@Lovely1a2b3c I would feel so guilty at jumping the queue. Or as if I was being a nuisance to the Dr. I didn’t end up on the shielding list - I got a phone all initially to say I would be, but then another call a month later to say I wasn’t.

I think it's up to your GP. I know of 6 people with mild asthma booked in next week.

Try book yourself in this link and see what happens....

If your not eligible, talk to your gp...

You should be in group 6 at the very least

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/?fbclid=IwAR2UK9wUk41lZkiykBZhzk2_55eYHehSP7IDXjwwsNj3IgGtehAuOTXk2q4

@user143677433 I understand how you feel. Many of us have been extremely cautious for nearly 12 months now. The NHS still classifies us as clinically vulnerable so it is difficult to feel reassured. Like you, many of us have been counting down the days to get the vaccine, only to realise we won't get it for a while. There has been confusion about this since December which has caused a lot of anxiety for many people.

There are a couple of other recent asthma threads on this topic and there is a lot of inconsistency in terms of those being vaccinated. Some mild/moderate asthmatics are saying they have been invited for the jab even though they don't fit the Group 6 criteria. Others (on same medication) are being told by their GP's they are not on the list.

[quote FidgetArse]Try book yourself in this link and see what happens....

If your not eligible, talk to your gp...

You should be in group 6 at the very least

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/?fbclid=IwAR2UK9wUk41lZkiykBZhzk2_55eYHehSP7IDXjwwsNj3IgGtehAuOTXk2q4[/quote]
That booking service is England only.

When this pandemic first started it was expected that asthmatics would be high risk but they actually did far better than expected. Recent trials suggest that using a steroid inhaler dramatically improves chances of all Covid patients to avoid severe illness
I am asthmatic myself and one sibling is severely asthmatic (CEV) but I honestly would not panic as figures suggest the risk is not high

@DumplingsAndStew

It is yes, sorry

I am not 65 until September so will be in group 7 despite having asthma and visiting an asthma clinic annually I blow around 350. Have never been hospitalised, use inhaler twice a day as instructed. It is frustrating because OH has been vaccinated.

Does your peak flow rate have any bearing, does anyone know? Mine’s low - 300 and I’m mid 40s - and asthma nurse talked about COPD during my last review. Looking at the chart, my lungs are that of an 80 year old but GP dismissed my concerns of reduced lung function when we spoke and as I’m currently controlled I won’t be in a priority group.

@justasking111 @Takemebackto98 when I created the thread I didn’t realise that there already was one. It’s worth a read

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4153161-Can-someone-clarify-the-asthma-situation

It looks like clarification has come out that if you have ever been admitted to hospital for asthma, or ever had 3 courses of oral steroids in 3 months, then you are in group 6.

Having an end of day spare vaccine isn’t queue jumping. Even Oxford has 10 doses in a vial and once punctured the doses have to be drawn up. You can’t put a part used vial back in the fridge.

[quote FidgetArse]Try book yourself in this link and see what happens....

If your not eligible, talk to your gp...

You should be in group 6 at the very least

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/?fbclid=IwAR2UK9wUk41lZkiykBZhzk2_55eYHehSP7IDXjwwsNj3IgGtehAuOTXk2q4[/quote]
The online booking service is not being used for group six as there is no national database. These will be invited by GP only.

It seems to me there is variation and interpretation by different GPs. I know of several people with very mild asthma being invited. I don't see that as a problem in the bigger picture everyone will get it fairly soon.
OP you may still get an invite from your GP, they will be working through many patients. If they don't get in touch in the next couple of weeks I would ask.

I had a hospital admission at 7 so 30+ years ago. Not sure if that would be enough?

Basically nobody bloody knows.

I've just been invited to book mine, available dates started from this Wednesday. I assumed my asthma would be classed as mild; I do get the flu jab but rarely take my brown inhaler (although I did require tablet steroids in hospital once but that was 11 years ago).

Interestingly my husband who has no obvious vulnerabilities was also invited to book a vaccination. He is randomly offered the flu jab each year though (never been told why, he didn't get it at his previous GP's) so I wonder if our practice is prioritising on the flu jab list perhaps. Doesn't seem very consistent nationally.