I've not stopped crying

[Dementedswan]

Back in March 2020, my husband and I were both informed we were high risk, we have followed all guidelines and more. We have not seen anyone outside out household, shopping delivered etc.

Today the doctors called my husband, he is getting vaccinated on Wednesday. That's good news. However they do not have me on priority list. Despite my conditions being in the original risk group.

I'm pleased dh is getting the vaccine, but I'm terrified of sending my dc back to school with rates of 190/100,000 and the new variants are just starting.

I think this just proves there must be different criteria for different conditions which makes a mockery of the whole thing to be honest. I know what I was told and it’s similar to what Ophelia said (although I mixed up vulnerable and shielding) but it looks like you’ve been told something completely different.

@ihearttc I’ve said from the start that it’s a bit of a lottery depending on who your consultant is . I know of people who have the same condition as myself but without all the other conditions I have that got shielding letters from the start . Fortunately although my endo is basically crap my GP is very good and I got my first dose vaccine at the start of Feb , meanwhile my 6 monthly endo appt has now been moved again from March to May . I actually last saw him about 18 months ago .

I have anxiety and I know how horrible it is.

BUT read your message after your DH was done, you were pleased with how it was managed. Try to focus on that positively, you said it was well managed. That's really good.

You'll get yours soon. Hang on in there

[quote ihearttc]@Floralnomad

That’s not what I was told by my Rheumatology consultant. I gave RA but don’t take an immunosuppressant only a DMARD. It’s the immunosuppressant that puts you onto the shielding list (and the vaccine list for group 6). I’ve queried it several times over the last year as I’m a TA so our HT and our Academy Trust needed to make sure. Maybe it’s just for RA but seeing as the immunosuppressant does the same thing regardless of the condition then I would have thought it was the same for all.

Regardless if you have to shield or not, having an auto immune condition will not mean the OP is automatically in Group 6 as it’s the medication not the condition which causes the risk factor.[/quote]
The immunosuppressant puts you on the shielding list and in group 4. I’ve been shielding since March due to biologic drugs for Psoriasis, the Methotrexate didn’t qualify me. I was vaccinated in January in group 4.

[quote ihearttc]@OpheliasCrayon

Where did you get that information from? That must have been what my consultant meant? I only take a DMARD (Hydroxychloroquine) so clearly I wouldn’t be in Group 6 but she said if I took it plus Methotrexate (which I’m supposed to do) I’d be vulnerable (which is what I meant by shielding). Apologies for being confused with shielding and vulnerable.

But it seems like it’s the Immunosuppressants which makes you vulnerable rather than the disease itself which was the point I was trying (and failing because of my inability to explain anything!) to the OP.[/quote]
That information was from both the royal college of gastroenterology, and also the royal college of rheumatology. It was given to me by both my hospital departments last year when all this started.

More than happy to post you the links to the "official" guidance so you can check drugs / conditions if you'd like?

@Dementedswan contact the vaccine centre and ask for clear masks or a lipspeaker. They’re still working and you need to give consent so better you understand what is said.

I was going to add- when you speak to your GP about being included in Group 6, maybe also explain your issues with the vaccine hub. They might be able to give you the jab at the surgery, or at least to reassure you that the your husband can come in with you if at the hub.

My dh spoke to them, they freed up an emergency half hour apt. Cannot offer me the jab as list's as strictly defined. Agreed that my anxiety is under control and I'm being stupid as originally I was on list.

Diagnosed with severe depression, got some meds and follow up apt with a direct line for apt when ever I need one.

Not being stupid that should say