How do you find out if you are eligible for the covid booster

[FallenMadonnawiththeBadBoobies]

At the end of 2020, I spent 10 days in hospital with covid, which had a pretty good attempt at trying to kill me off. Prior to getting covid, there was no reason for anyone to consider me as being vulnerable. I had had two lots of breast cancer but, as far as I was aware, there was no damage to my lungs from radiation.

Although I have made a full recovery and am living my life as normal, I really don't want to have a similar experience if I catch Covid again, which I am sure I shall at some stage.

I have tried to find out if I am eligible for the next booster, even though I am under 65, by calling my GP. I couldn't get by the receptionist who said they no longer deal with vaccinations and I should dial 119, which is, of course, completely useless. All I want to know is whether they consider me to be vulnerable (and not, why not).

I also want to find out about access to paxlovid, and whether it is possible to get this through a private doctor.

Can anyone help with these issues please?

Whether you are eligible or not is not up to your gp. You do need to contact 119 when the covid vaccines start later this month.

(I deal with this as part of my job)

But surely, the information as to whether I am vulnerable or not will be coming from my GP? No-one could tell me why I was hit so hard by covid and therefore I am assuming I'm not going to be recognised as vulnerable.

But thank you - I'll ring 119 next month.

I’m in Wales. Just this year been diagnosed with a condition that means I’m eligible for a flu vaccine. Someone called me last week to ask why I’m eligible for a Covid vaccine (they asked if I’m a cater or if I have a medical condition). Never been a cater so I assume it’s the medical condition because I got a text about booking a flu jab too.

I haven’t been given an appointment for a booster (Covid) yet but assume to phone call meant I’m eligible and will get one. Not sure if it’s the same elsewhere though.

There's a chapter on COVID in the Green Book which goes into the detail of who is considered vulnerable. The link to it is on this page:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-advises-on-eligible-groups-for-2023-autumn-booster#:~:text=Specifically%2C%20JCVI%20advises%20the%20following,%2D19%20chapter%20(Green%20Book)

A question for anyone who’s knowledgable about this (sorry to hijack, OP!)- how do they know I am now “vulnerable” and eligible for flu and Covid vaccines? Like how did they find out about my condition?

I’m just curious really!

They would have put a marker in your record.

They aren't doing boosters this autumn.

Big data and algorithms

Afaik paxlovid isn't available via a private route. I understood that you had to be currently having treatment - chemo, biologics, steroids, cyclophosphamide etc. or currently have one of the underlying conditions listed on that link above

I get iv antivirals as the others interact with my meds but they check my records to make sure I'm still entitled.

Ok that link is weird as im covered by green book and 16-65 but been told won't be getting one 🙄

These are the eligible groups for flu and covid vaccines this autumn:

Specifically, JCVI advises the following groups be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine this autumn:

• residents in a care home for older adults
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)
• frontline health and social care workers
• persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
• persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults

The point I'm trying to make is that I don't think I fall into any clinical risk group. However, surely, the fact that I was extremely ill with Covid i.e. I could not breathe at all at one stage without C-Pap, is clear evidence that I am vulnerable.

I feel like a sitting duck waiting for it all to happen again.

Yes they are for the elderly, vulnerable and health and care workers. Not forbade general population. Ours start at the end of the month. NHS

GP's can add people from my experience. I got added because I work with many over 80's including with chronic illnesses, I'm not a carer but work for a church. My drs know we are basically doing social services work a lot of the time and I worked throughout the main pandemic in person helping the vulnerable. I'm a carer for my dd as well, she has asd with comorbidities which put her on the list

Can you email or speak to the practice manager? Your records need to be coded to flag that you're vulnerable. GP's can and do amend records as DP had his changed earlier this year. (Hopefully yours will)

They are doing immunisations this autumn. I've had my letter. I'm post-chemo so my immune system is a bit feeble.

OP, surely because you have had covid recently and fought it off, your immune system will be well primed to deal with it if you come into contact again.

Immunity wanes over time, so those who had it last in 2020 are more likely to be at risk.

MintJulia, I had Covid in December 2020, not recently, which is why I am concerned. There is a new variant going around, so anyone who had a previous variant may not have immunity in any event.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I shall wait to see whether I am invited for the booster or not. If not, I shall commit a cardinal sin and go and decamp in at the GP's premises until someone talks to me about this!

I have covid currently and believe me it's so hard to breathe it's just awful.
I certainly will try to get a covid booster this year as I've just booked my flu jab via my GP for the first time I assume as I've health problems so hopefully will be invited for the covid one too

People with high BMIs were classed as “vulnerable” or whatever… meaningless.

The list for antivirals is actually very small and doesn't include high BMI

Just book an appointment & say you are an unpaid carer & they will give you the Covid vaccination.

These are England , other countries in the UK differ .

This is for eligibility in Scotland.

i had a text from my gp surgery to offer flu jab and covid if i am eligible.
have asthma so probably will be - but i guess i will find out on the day!