CV due to low white blood cell count?

[Emilyontmoor]

I would be interested to know if anyone who is expecting this vaccine in the latest priority group has been classed as clinically vulnerable / immune compromised as a result of a low white blood cell count? My white blood cell count has been low ( 2 with a minimum 4) for years, ever since I had chemo. My friends count is 3, discovered in a routine hospital blood test with no underlying cause found, yet she was sent a shielding letter from the hospital and is now in the group for vaccination. My GP has multiple blood test results over the years, all 1-2 but the fact they didn’t send me a letter didn’t surprise me, whether there was reason or cock up. Having just spent 18 months caring for a young adult family member after a major life changing injury, multiple operations and rehab they haven’t provided much support and their reception team are incapable of processing even the most basic paperwork without intervention from me, the hospital, district nurses, physios etc. I did think about querying it but I had had enough fights already and no doubt I am on some list of troublemakers.

I am just interested if I should have been told to shield / been in the clinically vulnerable group. It’s not that I would push for it to get vaccinated. I am in the next group anyway.

Also are people with low blood cell counts being told not to have the vaccine? Is that something I should worry about?

Bumping, as this affects me too!

I have a low white blood cell count (also had cancer - ten years ago and it never recovered). But I never got told I am clinically vulnerable. I have actually had Covid and it floored me like a bad virus but no where near needing hospitalisation or anything and recovered fully within about six weeks x

Thanks Scottishmum!

Mine is low as I'm neutropenic and was shielding from the start

Scottishmum I had a positive antibody test in October after it was discovered my DD had antibodies in an NHS trial. She lost her sense of taste and smell in March when it was not a known symptom so presumably I had it asymptomatically then. It wouldn’t be surprising if I caught it from her since I was clearing up her used tissues and hugging her to reassure her it couldn’t be Covid because she had a runny nose. I don’t remember any symptoms but I was very anxious and imagining them and poking my glands constantly... So it was very confusing to discover I had had it and my supposedly crap immune system had coped after all. That is why I am not anxious about getting vaccinated before the rest of my age group. It feels like it would be having your cake and eating it....

My friend has been told that there is no problem with the vaccines for people with neutropenia because it is not a live virus.

Queenpaw It is obviously inconsistent whether they told you to shield or not.

I've had my vaccine as that was recommended
They said I'm not at more risk for covid as such but I can't fight any form of secondary infection like pneumonia
They said it's because my neutrophils sit around 0.3 and I'm on GCSF

Queenpaw Are you having chemo? If so . I had GCSF throughout my chemo, my first dose actually sent my neutrophils to 0.1 and I had a dodgy few days in hospital with an infection. So I suppose 2 out of a minimum 4 is a good thing....

wankmaster It does feel as if you get forgotten even if your GP practise are not rubbish. In general post chemo I have had very little advice on what this means whereas my friend whose low blood count is not chemo related gets very well looked after. I think you are supposed to go away and not complain or raise any issues, just be glad to be alive, which I am obviously! However it would be nice to think someone would let me know if my anxiety was paranoia or there is an issue....

I'm not no. I kill off my own neutrophils so they never get chance to mature so I'm on GCSF for life

anyway. I hated injecting myself.

My friend is wondering this, low WBCc after chemo 10y ago, also now pregnant... she’s been offered the vac but not sure what to do, never been told to shield but thinking she might have to if she declines vaccine