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Original poster

Household members of immunosuppressed prioritised

84 replies

Orangesandlemons77 · 29/03/2021 17:02

Just seen this in the news, might be of use to others

Those who live with someone who has a weakened immune system are to be prioritised for coronavirus vaccines.

It is hoped that the move will help to limit infections in immunosuppressed adults, such as those with blood cancer, HIV or patients receiving chemotherapy, who are less able to fight infections naturally.

Independent experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said that people over the age of 16 who are living with an adult with a weakened immune system should be prioritised for their vaccine.

OP posts:
Judashascomeintosomemoney · 09/04/2021 17:19

@nether

Firstly a person in the household need to be officially CEV - did he get the shielding letter?

It sounds as if he didn't (he'd have been group 4, so unless over 70 that would have come before age) so he is not at the level of severity for which this prioritisation was provided (households of those in group 6 fall outwith)

But to complicate matters, he was group 5 for age when he got the jab but has since had his 70th birthday so is now group 4 for age same as CEV category.
nether · 09/04/2021 18:01

Sorry for bum steer!

English guidance here:

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/03/C1228-Vaccination-of-adult-household-contacts-of-severely-immunosuppressed_31mar.pdf

and you'll probably need to book a phone call with your GP to see what they recommend.

I think I was getting muddled because the November draft guidelines referred to household of CEV being category 6, and in December that was suspended until sufficient evidence of impact on transmission. And I hadn't noticed the change in wording when re-instated (our CEV household member is immune suppressed, so for us there's no practical difference)

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 09/04/2021 18:54

nether Oh I missed that too.
So DH is definitely included then. Though DDs are under the age for AZ now and could only have Pfizer or Moderna, so I suppose that might mean they won’t get on the list for a while anyway if second jabs for 1-9 cohort is prioritised.
Also, being a bit devils advocate, if the listing is in order of vulnerability, then groups 1-5 household members should come before group 6 household members. Or am I looking at it the wrong way.....

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 09/04/2021 18:59

our CEV household member is immune suppressed, so for us there's no practical difference
Sorry, I was using immunocompromised but I meant immunosuppressed. Probably confused matters Grin

nether · 09/04/2021 19:21

I always get the terms muddled up and usually just end up referring to a wonky immune system Grin

iVampire · 09/04/2021 19:22

My system was once described as ‘perturbed’ - I rather like that turn of phrase!

Rillington · 09/04/2021 23:31

I am immunosuppressed and have been trying to get my teenagers booked in since the beginning of last week. It's a complete farce. Doctors originally knew nothing about it. Now saying all jabs for under 30's suspended until further notice in their Group of GP's. 119 won't book them in. I emailed the vaccine minister but got a standard reply to contact the NHS. It's disgusting that this was announced two weeks ago and it's still not in place.

longtompot · 09/04/2021 23:36

Do you have a link to the article op? I've not read anything about this. My yd is on immunosuppressive meds and has had her first vacc. I've thought all along people with immune suppressed family members should be vaccinated at the same time.

longtompot · 09/04/2021 23:50

@Rillington thank you. Her condition and med bracket is on there so shall call the gp Monday and see if my ed and I can get our vaccinations. My dh has had his first one already due to his medical situation.

Rillington · 09/04/2021 23:51

Good luck @longtompot I have made at least 10 phone calls and have got nowhere.

longtompot · 10/04/2021 15:21

Thank you @Rillington I've emailed my practise with the link to the nhs England page so we shall see what they say 🤞

OpheliasCrayon · 10/04/2021 15:25

My DH had his today. Someone from our GP called me yesterday (I'm immunosuppressed) and asked me if there was anyone in my household who wanted it and he had it this lunchtime

Realitea · 10/04/2021 16:08

My DH is immunosuppressed and we got a letter today which said all adults in the household can book their vaccine now. The only problem is, ds has covid and we can't go anywhere. Typical!

Realitea · 10/04/2021 16:09

Just to make it clear, Dh had his vaccine over a month ago anyway, it's the rest of us in the house that can book now

longtompot · 10/04/2021 17:06

@Realitea so we could be due a letter in the next few day? Here's hoping. I've emailed anyway, so we'll see who we hear from first. My yd who is the one who is immunosuppressed nearly didn't get her vaccination. It was only when my dh had his and spoke to the dr there that said she should have had it and to contact the surgery. They think it was because they only had her as having JIA and not as RA which is what it's classed as when an adult, but they keep the JIA bit to show the history ie it didn't start in adulthood.

Realitea · 10/04/2021 17:16

Yes I think you should get your letter very soon. I noticed our letter was sent a week ago but they got our postcode wrong so it arrived late!

longtompot · 12/04/2021 21:45

@Realitea had a reply from the COVID team at the surgery asking for more details dob etc so hopefully we shall have them soon.
@Rillington Have you tried emailing your surgery with a link to the nhs England page? Might be worth a try if you've not been successful with the phone calls.

Rillington · 12/04/2021 22:25

@longtompot Yes I have tried calling, emailing. I have rang my Clinical Commissioning Group. I have emailed NHS England and the vaccine minister. There is a shortage of Pfizer in my area. They are only giving it for second doses and won't vaccinate any new people even though they acknowledge they should be done. They are only being supplied with the number for second vaccines as what was done 12 weeks ago. Looking at Twitter there are many in the same boat.

Workinghardeveryday · 12/04/2021 22:39

I am CEV, had my first one beg of February. Dp offered his due to me, he’s said no! Doesn’t trust. Test.

Workinghardeveryday · 12/04/2021 22:39

Sorry - twat

longtompot · 12/04/2021 22:41

[quote Rillington]@longtompot Yes I have tried calling, emailing. I have rang my Clinical Commissioning Group. I have emailed NHS England and the vaccine minister. There is a shortage of Pfizer in my area. They are only giving it for second doses and won't vaccinate any new people even though they acknowledge they should be done. They are only being supplied with the number for second vaccines as what was done 12 weeks ago. Looking at Twitter there are many in the same boat.[/quote]
Oh god how annoying! I really hope you get a result soon.

Rillington · 15/04/2021 14:10

Our GP has finally booked my children in for their vaccinations next weekend. They have had a special Pfizer order.

WolfMother326 · 15/04/2021 17:19

I have Crohns disease and am starting Adilimumab/Anti-TNF immunosuppressives, and am also pregnant. I asked my gastroenterology doctor if my husband (39 y o) could be added to this list, due to my immunosuppressive treatment, and he said no. Is it only for the family of people with cancers etc?

Rillington · 15/04/2021 17:29

@WolfMother326 I take Azathioprine for Crohn's Disease which make me immunosuppressed. I was part of the shielding group since March last year. It might be because you haven't started your medication yet. Once you do then contact your GP about your husband. It is the GP's doing this group not the national online booking or the 119 service.