When will those in the same household as vulnerable to allowed to apply for tests?

[LoudestCat14]

Yesterday it was announced that those living in the same household as people immunosuppressed by certain conditions will now get the vaccine as a priority, but there was no info that I could see on when we can apply for one (my DP falls in the IS category). Anyone?

Hi we are in this category as well, try booking online, or our GP said they will contact us soon (DS 16 so seems to need a specific type)

Orangesandlemons77 The online booking system hasn't been updated yet to include the category. I'm hoping GP will contact me, but me and DP aren't married so it's whether they check other occupants at his address or not.

DH is registered at a different GP surgery to me. How will they know we live at same address?

Did you get offered the flu vaccine last year because of his condition?

I wasn’t offered it, but I read that could have it and went to boots to get it free.

Tests or vaccines? Your title says one and your post the other

I'm immunosuppressed myself and my GP hasn't got to me yet. DBro on the other hand has had his weeks ago, 50 miles away. Seems very much a postcode lottery on timing.

@Ballstothis1

Did you get offered the flu vaccine last year because of his condition?

No I've never been offered it, even though he has a type of blood cancer.

SleepingStandingUp I meant vaccine!

@LoudestCat14

Orangesandlemons77 The online booking system hasn't been updated yet to include the category. I'm hoping GP will contact me, but me and DP aren't married so it's whether they check other occupants at his address or not.

Ours seem to have been updated as when I tried to book DS (16) it didn't give the message of 'not being eligible' but instead something about contacting the GP for a specific vaccine. Wonder if the GP has updated it. Rang them and they are ringing tomorrow about it.

How do you know what conditions are included in this?

I'm on the shielding list and my DH and DC were offered the flu vaccine last year because I was shielding. Does this mean that they'll also be offered the Covid vaccine?

The blood cancer UK Facebook page says that the NHS will be issuing GPs with guidance soon...

Tried looking into it, but best I’ve come up with is JCVI have advised, and Matt Hancock has asked NHS Eng to implement according to BBC. So not quite yet I presume.

The reason I asked about being offered flu vaccine was DD (23) was offered it through GP as DH CEV. Common sense would say that the postcode would bring up other people living at same address, but who knows!

So spoke to DH’s doctors today. They have been advised that those living with an immunosuppressed person should book by ticking the option for ‘carer of clinically vulnerable person’. Then take evidence of the immunosuppressed person. So I’ve booked vaccine for me for tomorrow and I’m taking a print out of my husband’s medical record that says he has psoriatic arthritis and is on methotrexate (immunosuppressant), ID and marriage certificate (just in case!)

That’s good @FigDate, you’ve definitely covered all bases there

Could someone link to the relevant guidance or news story. My googling skill are clearly a bit rubbish.

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-vaccine-advice-for-adults-living-with-adults-who-are-immunosuppressed#history

Thanks @Rillington
So it's still a recommendation atm and not an actual policy that has been implemented

They seem to have removed the unpaid carer option from the form now so it seems like it will have to involve GPs.

I saw this on Monday and tried booking online for my family, I had tried my husband every morning and evening recently (He's approaching 50) and always to the page where you say if your a carer etc, Monday evening it went straight to selecting where he wanted the vaccine, same for both young adult children. I asked my friend to check as she's a similar age to husband and she couldn't book. My family are all now vaccinated. I don't know if my Dr had updated something on their records that allowed them to book, my Drs are great and have always looked after me brilliantly, they had my family in really quickly for Flu jabs last year. So I would advise to keep trying, I believe the advise is that all household members of immunosuppressed be offered the vaccine by mid April.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-the-health-and-social-care-secretary-on-covid-19-vaccination-to-protect-severely-immunosuppressed-adults/letter-from-the-health-and-social-care-secretary-to-the-jcvi-24-march-2021

When my family went for their vaccines the team there had them listed as carers I believe, which we hadn't selected when booking, it never asked if that makes sense, just went straight to booking.

Update. They gave me the vaccine. But it wasn’t straightforward. Had to speak to vaccinator, then nurse, then doctor. Then he looked at all the evidence I took and went off and discussed with someone. Then said I could have it. The confusion is ticking the ‘carer’ option. They are being very careful about only giving it to the eligible, as they should. The doctors surgery saying that’s what they’ve been advised but vaccination centre unaware of that. I’m probably one of the first people they’ve dealt with in this scenario. In a few days they’ll have had more and maybe markers will go on records. But not on my record due to being at different doctors to DH. Glad I’ve had it anyway. Good luck folks.

www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/cancer/gps-asked-to-identify-immunosuppressed-and-invite-household-members-for-covid-jab/

It looks like this might be happening. Our practice manager is going to call me next week with appointments for my DC.