So how does shielding work (for me) when I have (primary) school age children?

[Crunchymum]

I got my letter today, would have been handy to have had it before I spent 11 months not shielding but hey ho.

So how is it meant to work? 3 kids due to go back on 8th and I'm meant to shield until 31st?

I’ve had mine today and have a three year old in nursery, I don’t believe it makes a difference, we send them to school and nursery like normal and hope for the best.

Unfortunately, that's been the case for the last year for everyone who is CEV. Their family members have to go to school or work as normal.

My husband has been in the shielding category since last March and I have to go in to school and teach hundreds of children every day as normal.

It's shit, OP. I hope you get your vaccine soon (as I presume you've not had it before if only just moved up to shielding category?)

Hopefully you might be offered a vaccine too before too long , and it seems a good sign you’ve been fine even without shielding (did you not know to or do you have a new health condition? DH and I both knew we had to without a letter and now I’ve been asked to a vaccine due to my health condition and hoping he will be soon too .

Thanks!!

And believe me I have absolutely no intention of keeping my kids home. I am going to be skipping down the road on 8th March (like many other parents I'm sure) but it just seems so impractical as well as very late to ask us to shield now?

First vaccine at the weekend, I was in group 6 anyway due to Psoriasis and arthritis. Is it group 6 that has now changed to CEV? I'm a tad confused.

Ps it is tricky about schools though . We send ours and just stay vigilant

Oh that is so good you have first one booked

I'm in group 6 too as I have RA. Not had a shielding letter though. I hope to get my vaccine on either Saturday (I'm on the cancellation list) or next week

I did have gestational diabetes with DC3 (she is 3 now) and I've seen a lot of noise about that putting people into the CEV category?

I assume it is that and not my other conditions? I take a DMARD for my arthritis and was told by rheumatologist (just last week via telephone appointment) that I'm definitely in group 6 as I'm not on any of the medications which can bump you up to CEV.

Vaccine been booked since last week as well.

Hey @crunchymum I've psoriatic arthritis and I've been sheilding since last year about May. I've been put in group 4 as I take methotrexate. It's weird to think that some with the same conditions are in different groups.

However mine will and have been going to school. Husband is a keyworker. So I drop them and pick them up but nearly otherwise I stay at home....

I do see my mum most weekends as she is vulnerable and in our bubble but that's it....

@Letsgetbizzy same condition and same medication but I've been told repeatedly (and had it confirmed very recently, again) that I'm group 6