How long to get anti virals

[Beanso]

Has anybody had the anti viral drugs and do they issue them on the weekend?

Tested positive on Wednesday, had a phonecall that day to say I'm eligible for anti virals and will receive another phone call to discuss the options in the next few days. It's now Saturday and I've heard nothing. Is there still a chance I will get them? I assume if I don't hear anything until Monday it will be too late as you have to start them within 5 days of testing positive. Anybody know more details about how it works?

When we went through the screening, we got an initial phone call from a nurse at a prescribing centre very promptly (within a few hours, just for basic eligibility check it seemed) and were assured that a call from a prescriber would follow within 48 hours. GP must have also been notified by the system as we got a call from them too (wanted to check how ill she was, presumably to be poised to escalate)

Call came right at the end of the 48 hour period. We didn't get antivirals as it was clear it was a mild case by then.

I did wonder if it was a form of rationing (deliberate delay to reduce the amount supplied) but it's a bit of a risky policy as obviously you need them as early as possible to avert the possibility of severe disease.

Or of course it's just chronically understaffed - which is a bit shit as access to antivirals was meant to be a key part of keeping the most vulnerable safe.

5 days. Give 111 a call and they can chase for you.

Mine took 6 days

Yep, day after day of chasing GP, oncologist, etc - no one seemed to know what to do. Finally picked them up on day 7, which was too late to start them and symptoms had calmed down by then anyway. Lots of wasted NHS time and money as, of course, they wouldn't take the tablets back!

I wonder if they prioritise health conditions? I am eligible but can't imagine I'd be the highest priority.

@Badbadbunny such a waste! I guess you could use them if you get it again - if they haven't expired

They phoned yesterday, turns out I'm not eligible after all. No idea why they sent me an email saying I am. The whole system is clearly a mess!

How frustrating - and at a time when you are feeling ill - hope you get better soon.

I tested positive on Tuesday morning last week and reported it, got a phone call on Wednesday morning to see if I was suitable (asked what other medication I’m on), then later that afternoon the local hospital covid unit phoned and said they were going to send me them out on Friday which they did. I got a call later that day to make sure I’d got them