Asthma and group 6

[Genzymoo]

So, long story as short as I can;

I have mild to moderate asthma. Until a few weeks ago, we (asthmatics) were all due to receive the vaccine in groups 4 or 6. Govt then changed to group 6 only being if you have had a certain number of oral steroids in 3 months, or hospital admission due to exacerbation of asthma.

I am in my 30s. Over my lifetime I have had ICU admission for 5 days when I was 2 due to asthma, 4 days in hospital in the early 00s due to chest infection causing exacerbation of asthma, two presentations to A and E for asthma attacks and 2019 admission for chest infection causing exacerbation to asthma.

I contacted my surgery two weeks or so ago. They said that they were not vaccinating priority group 6 yet, but I was not showing up as eligible. I questioned this. They said they would review, and came back saying not eligible as the 2019 admission was for a chest infection; not asthma. I questioned again. They obtained my paper records and have said they cannot find records of the other hospital attendances - at this point I have no idea why, and that raises more than a couple of questions!

Over the last two weeks I have asked to speak to a GP and been told they will not discuss the Covid vaccine. I am unable to speak to the person in admin who has been reviewing my records; the best I get is that the receptionist I speak to adds a note to my records.

I know this sounds pathetic, and that I should just be happy that i will hopefully be vaccinated in May. Am I being ridiculous? And if not, what do I do now?

No, you're not being ridiculous at all. It's massively frustrating. Maybe try the practice manager, and in writing. It seems to have worked for others. Good luck

There is a long running thread on this. Upshot asthma is not deemed higher risk unless specific criteria are met and majority will be in their age cohorts not grp 6.

You're not being ridiculous in being concerned but asthma has been moved down the list as not deemed higher risk so I'm taking comfort in that and just waiting my turn. We'll all be done pretty soon anyway.

In your place I'd be requesting your records from the hospitals you've been admitted to. Really with the ICU admission from what I've heard you should have been in group 4 (I've also had an ICU admission for asthma which I think they missed because it was in Ireland even though I did have my follow ups here).

You’re not alone. They are missing many people (who are still considered vulnerable under current criteria) because of poor record keeping. It’s inconsistent but you know your own vulnerabilities so try to keep safe until you do receive your vaccine.

have you tried the national booking site? You may find you have been placed in group 4 by a computer algorithm that was done recently and can then book online.

You meet the criteria for group 6 on the basis that you have been admitted overnight due to your asthma, albeit some time ago as you were only 2 (I agree the more recent admissions should count as chest infections exacerbate asthma).

Does your GP surgery have eConsult? If so I would contact them using that as it will go to a GP and you can ask directly.

For my surgery the eConsult Service can be found on their website.

I've tried the booking site and it still won't let me book. I called up to try and book a couple of weeks ago, and they weren't able to as it based on GP categorisation!

The receptionist has today said I can't discuss with my GP, and wouldn't let me make an appointment. I've been told A&E attendances don't count as admissions. I was told that, in accordance with the 'guidance', admission with a viral respiratory illness does not count as an exacerbation. I've been told my paper records have been requested and will be reviewed (although that seems to suggest that they have not been already...).

I don't want to seem unsympathetic or unreasonable, but I never thought I would have to fight so hard for this!

I was told by reception that I couldn't discuss my repeat contraception request with a GP even though a GP had asked to discuss it with me make an appointment (reception wouldn't listen when I tried to explain this). So I did an eConsult which went to the GP directly and I was able to discuss it with him that way.

Can you book GP appointments online? If so, book one.
If not, does your surgery have eConsult or similar?
If not, try booking an appointment for another reason or requesting an asthma review.

I have managed asthma and assumed at my age I would be in group 8 so I was surprised to get the call last week. They said they have information that I have a condition which meant they would like to make appointment for me to get the vaccine. I wasn't about to argue and I spoke to a friend that works at the GP surgery about it. She seemed to think that it is because I am on a repeat prescription for inhalers.

I was told initially that I wasn’t in group 6 anymore. I had a phone consultation with a GP (not my own) who just quoted the guideline of controlled asthma not being included. A few days later I managed to get a call back from my own GP, when I queried a hospital admission to A&E I had a few years ago (was on a nebuliser, it later progressed to pneumonia). She spotted it on my records and immediately cross referred me to the practice manager who booked me in. It is such a huge relief and for me was worth persevering. It sounds like you should also definitely be in this group and worth persevering too. It’s so very inconsistent.

I've also been told I don't qualify for a vaccine despite needing a course of oral steroids each month. My asthma isn't managed well and I've been using my inhalers more than they recommend for about a year. My GP has officially classed my asthma as 'mild'. It makes no sense.

@RingPiece

I've also been told I don't qualify for a vaccine despite needing a course of oral steroids each month. My asthma isn't managed well and I've been using my inhalers more than they recommend for about a year. My GP has officially classed my asthma as 'mild'. It makes no sense.

That's ridiculous - you clearly fit into the category within table 3 of chapter 14a and that doesn't leave any room for interpretation. Have you raised with the practice manager?

Genzymoo. No, not yet but that's a good idea. When I queried their decision I was asked why I would want my asthma to be classed as severe enough to qualify for a vaccine which is in itself is cause to make a complaint.

I've been told no as well despite being on 2 inhalers and montelukast. Apparently rocking up to a and e and being put on nebulisers doesn't count as I didn't stay overnight. Neither does steroid prescriptions for chest infections because, you know, not asthma. Except that is my pattern - I get a virus and it goes onto my lungs!

I've complained but they won't budge. As a 49 year old teacher I am royally fucked off.

I think it depends on where you live. A friend has had two courses of steroids in the last year, is on the same inhalers as me, and was offered a vaccine two weeks ago.
I've had around ten courses in the same period. Not been offered vaccine and today was again told I don't qualify to be in group 6.

The way they have handled asthma and priority vaccination is very poor. It would seem some GPs are following the guidance to the letter, I know mine are.
Whereas other are putting seemingly mild asthma through.

When you can't breathe and need steroids and a nebuliser it's frightening. I'm not following the logic that covid won't exacerbate asthma that's poorly controlled.

To my mind poorly controlled asthma is any exacerbation that has required more than a few extra puffs of salbutamol in a week and needs a vaccination in group 6.

On the plus side, and there is one, the amount of vaccines coming into the country in the next week or so means up to 4 million a week will be vaccinated. I fully expect we are going to be giving first vaccinations to phase 2 within the month. It's really gathering pace.

Hold tight, not long now.

I am trying to be positive but i'm back with a full class of 35 as opposed to a keyworker bubble on Monday. I don't feel confident given that my bubble already popped once and we are 4th highest in the Uk for cases.

I told my partner that if I get it and get ill or hospitalised he is to tell everyone it is NOT due to an underlying condition, it's due to blind negligence.

GPs are NOT controlling the grouping.

I don’t know why people still think they are.

The list of who is in what group comes from the JCVI.

Of course if the GP has incorrectly coded something that can make a difference. But this idea that your GP is sitting there making the decision for each patient is just not true.

@phlebasconsidered

I've been told no as well despite being on 2 inhalers and montelukast. Apparently rocking up to a and e and being put on nebulisers doesn't count as I didn't stay overnight. Neither does steroid prescriptions for chest infections because, you know, not asthma. Except that is my pattern - I get a virus and it goes onto my lungs!

I've complained but they won't budge. As a 49 year old teacher I am royally fucked off.

Unfortunately the criteria specifies strengths/doses of inhalers rather than the amount.

It also specifies “emergency admission” rather than “emergency attendance”.

My DS1 is in the same position. He was in Group 6 & now he isn’t. He only had one hospital admission around 11 years ago due to asthma. His constant steroids seem to carry no weight.

I have "uncontrolled asthma" according to the asthma nurse who called me a year ago for a review (I go through more blue inhalers than I'm supposed to). Haven't had oral steroids since about 2009 and last hospital admission was as a child. Also in my 30s. I take salbutamol and Duoresp Spiromax. I was very surprised (and over the moon) to get a call out of the blue last week to book me in for a vaccine. Had it done on Friday, so somehow I qualified under group 6. Best of luck OP it seems so hit and miss.

@LIZS

There is a long running thread on this. Upshot asthma is not deemed higher risk unless specific criteria are met and majority will be in their age cohorts not grp 6.

*@Genzymoo* is in group 6, she meets the criteria.

Speak to the practice manager @Genzymoo

I have quite bad asthma.i have been hospitalised by ambulance after nebulizer about 18 months ago. I have had two lots of steroids in 2 weeks about 6 months ago. I have Fostaire inhaler morning and evening 2 puffs each time and occasionally need additional puffs during day. I also have blue reliever. I was told by my GP I am in group 6 two weeks ago. My dh also has asthma but far better mananged than mine. He has never been hospitalised. His GP had him in last week for jab. My GP still not called me in. In meanwhile I have had jab as a carer on Carer's Allowance last week. Just wondering.how long before GP sends me text.

Group 6 can now book on the online national booking system.

If you’re unsure if you’ve been included in Group 6, going on and trying should show you....it will let you through if eligible.

I have several asthmatic friends who have been called in group 6, who work at home, do not meet the criteria and are on just brown and blue inhalers. I am finding it hard to understand as I am on combi inhalers and work in a school. I am given to understand I have to wait for my age to be called (40s).