Am I eligible for the vaccine now or not ?

[en0la]

My Gp says not yet but I thought I was given this message. Who is right ?I have asthma.

If the GP refuses, you can complain. The patient is marked eligible in national system and refusing to organise the correct vaccine is obstruction and non-compliant.

I thought people with asthma who haven't been on steroids nor hospitalised or hospitalised witting x amount of years have been pushed back now. Not 100% sure.
My DP had his in Feb but he has been on steroids and hospitalised a couple of times for his asthma so think this is why he got his. He was also on the shielding list if that makes any difference.

Within*

I’ve got the same message for my DD who is 16 y.o. so needs Pfizer. And atm there are problems with Pfizer supply. I’ve read it that you need Pfizer as well for some medical reasons.

The OP screenshot is the message a 16 or 17 year old gets when they are eligible for the vaccine but can only have Pfizer so GP must organise it.

Odd. I do have allergies but I'm not younger than my children

@RuthW

Asthmatics are only eligible is they have had oral steroids (not inhaled) or an asthmatic hospital admission in the last year. This is part of my job.

I heard that was incorrect, I'm sure it was reported on a news website via asthma uk

I do think it’s a bit of a postcode lottery. I got mine about a month ago. Im asthmatic, in my 40s and have been hospitalised once - 20 years ago! Was surprised when I was called up if I’m honest but nurse I spoke to on the day said it was right that I was there

@NiceTryBiggins is that what it means? My DD has that when she tries to book. She should be in Group 6.

@RuthW

Asthmatics are only eligible is they have had oral steroids (not inhaled) or an asthmatic hospital admission in the last year. This is part of my job.

I'm afraid you're doing your job incorrectly then. It's a hospitalisation at any time historically not just in the past year.

If your GP said 'not yet', then that's your answer.
I am group six, but never got a letter from my GP. As friends with no underlying conditions were getting the vaccine I just went ahead and booked myself through the website, as I think they had just started doing my age group (I'm 58), underlying condition or not.

@en0la

My Gp says not yet but I thought I was given this message. Who is right ?I have asthma.

Sadly only a minority of “clinically vulnerable” asthmatics are actually entitled to the jab.

It’s an utter disgrace.

@RuthW

Asthmatics are only eligible is they have had oral steroids (not inhaled) or an asthmatic hospital admission in the last year. This is part of my job.

You need to go back to the guidelines @RuthW - it’s a hospitalisation at any time, not in the past year.

[quote Rillington]@NiceTryBiggins is that what it means? My DD has that when she tries to book. She should be in Group 6.[/quote]
I'm also interested in this too

My 17 year old DS has the same message, and it was a different message to what I had about me.

Most asthmatics were bumped out of group 6. I’ve been hospitalised 3 times in last 10 years due to pneumonia aggravating asthma, but it was classed as pneumonia rather than asthma, so doesn’t count for vaccine. Lots of us in the same boat unfortunately. Might just have to wait.

@RuthW
You are wrong
It is hospitalised ever.

Needadvice54321:

Is your DS clinically vulnerable? I'm not sure whether this is just a standard message for 17 year olds who will eventually become eligible by age or whether it is for CV 16 and 17 year olds.

Odd. I do have allergies but I'm not younger than my children

I guess the message is being given for the same reason then.

You are eligible for the vaccine under the national system and therefore entitled to it.

You can only have one of the vaccines (usually this is because you are 16 or 17 and can only have Pfizer) so the GP has to arrange it (even if their personal opinion is that you are not eligible - it is too late for that, the national system already says you are eligible).

In your case, if you are over 18 and have allergies, it maybe that the system can also identify that you can only have AZ due to allergies.

If the GP is refusing to organise a vaccine to which you are entitled in the national system, you can contact the CCG or other patient complaints group.

Alternatively you will have to wait for your age group to be eligible, if you allow the GP to block your access to the vaccine. Typically it will be admin staff who do this. Have you spoken to an actual GP?

I would also check that the NHS have your date of birth correct and haven't got you down as 16 or 17. E.g. if someone entered today's date instead of birth date when registering you. It has happened...

Basically, your screenshot just means you are entitled to a vaccine but it has to be a specific one and that can only be ensured if the GP organises it.

Bear in mind that the GP surgery will only look for one major diagnosis but the new algorithm used by the national system will look for a combination of risk factors that may individually be less than major but the algorithm works out the combined risk. A human cannot do this. That is probably why the national system says you are eligible but the GP says not.

Asthmatics are only in group 6 if they have:

• had 3 courses of oral steroids in a 3 month period
• have ever been admitted to hospital due to their asthma

Unfortunately some people are struggling to access a vaccine if their hospital admission was some time ago, or abroad, or was coded by the cause of their asthma attack, such as a chest infection.

It seems to be a bit of a lottery as to how your GP interprets the guidance.

@Walk20

Needadvice54321:

Is your DS clinically vulnerable? I'm not sure whether this is just a standard message for 17 year olds who will eventually become eligible by age or whether it is for CV 16 and 17 year olds.

He's asthmatic and has been hospitalised and been on steroids, but not for a few years, so I'm not so sure!