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Asthma suffers and covid vaccination – are you expecting one?
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tpbikerFree Member
For the last 10 months the nhs has been telling asthma sufferers that asthma is a risk factor for more severe covid infection. All his publications state this including Here, Here and Here
Basically they all say, if you have non severe asthma, and are offered the flu jab then you are at moderate risk from the disease, and would take extra precautions. Asthma uk clarified this with the government and were given advice that anyone with non severe asthma who was prescribed a steroid inhaler and was entitled to a flu vacine would fall under priority group 6.
So today I mentioned it in passing to my gp surgery. Apparently I don’t qualify as despite having a daily steroid inhaler and free flu jab, I’ve not got asthma thats sever enough to put me in hospital.
Given I’ve spent the last 10 months taking extra precautions based on nhs guidance, I’m pretty pissed off that I’m now being told I’m not going to be prioritised for a vaccine. If I’m not at extra risk then NHS need to change their guidance. And if I am at extra risk I should be on the priority list
Realistically, as a non key worker who can work from home, at 45 with a chronic lung condition, I’ll now be one of the last groups in the country to get a dose, despite the fact I’m apparently at moderate risk.
Kinda pissed off tbh.
Anyone else been told they won’t get one?
TroutWrestlerFree MemberMe = Teacher, aged 45. Daily Preventer inhaler. 4 doses a day, + Immunosuppressant meds for Eczema (a life changing difference BTW) and I am officially on the Shielding List, so I am expecting to be in Group 4.
EDIT I have never has an “Asthma Attack”, but can get a persistent wheeze and have been prone to respiratory infections in the past.
RaouliganFree MemberProbably similar set up to you in terms of steroid use and age, I get vaccinated when I get vaccinated…
I’ve worked from home all year but ridden a lot and I the summer was out for beer a lot in a socially distanced way.
To be fair I’m more bothered about paying for prescriptions that keep me alive that diabetics get for free…
tpbikerFree MemberDo you take oral steroids as they would put you in group 4. If not then it’s probably the immunosurpressant meds that are qualifying you for a jab.
I also get a persistent low peak flow in summer usually, down from 670 to 450 at points, but haven’t had an attack as such, just wheezy and breathless.
reluctantjumperFull MemberIn the same boat – 40, regular inhaler and offered the flu jab every year but when I enquired with my GP was told I’m at the back of the queue.
jimwFree MemberI think you will get one if you want one, but not in the very near future, as I thought that they had announced that they expect every adult to have been offered a vaccine by July?
I think the severe conditions that qualify for earlier vaccination are quite restrictive, certainly mild asthma (which I also suffer from, I have required oral steroids on two occasions in the past couple of years) is one one of them.
I have a 59 year old friend who has asthma, a heart condition, a rare thyroid condition that means any stress, both physical and mental, can cause him to go into severe shock. He has been told that he will be vaccinated in his age cohort not the high risk cohort as he was not given a shielding letter.
I understand your frustration with the messaging.tpbikerFree MemberYep it’s super frustrating
From the nhs scotland site for groups at high risk..
This group includes people who are:
aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
under 70 and instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds
pregnant
And those with:chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
If this isn’t the case then it needs removed from the guidance asap. I’m either at risk or I’m not..which one is it?
The green book is inconsistent with previous advice..it says you need to be on regular systrmic steroids to qualify for higher risk. Yet by the nhs own definition that put you in the cev category.
Asthma uk seem to be riding back on their original guidance for some reason
*THREAD* We've had an update from the government giving more clarity on where people with asthma fall in the COVID vaccine priority order. This information has now been added to our website here: https://t.co/rOgBSVJr4o pic.twitter.com/58ctW4D3n2
— Asthma UK (@asthmauk) December 22, 2020
tall_martinFull MemberSuggests non severe asthma sufferers should be in group 6. So before the general population of adults.
Seems fair to me an ashmatic teacher.
Hob-NobFree MemberAlso asthmatic both on the blue & purple inhalers, who has also had pneumonia a couple of time so was a shielder, but not any more.
Otherwise a fit & healthy 41yr old, just have the view I’ll get whenever I get it – makes bugger all difference to being able to do things at this stage. Work remotely & get shopping delivered, so I’m pretty low risk regardless 🙂
tpbikerFree MemberSuggests non severe asthma sufferers should be in group 6. So before the general population of adults.
Seems fair to me an ashmatic teacher
They’ve rode back a bit on that advice. Certainly my gp doesnt think I’m in group 6.
Otherwise a fit & healthy 41yr old, just have the view I’ll get whenever I get it – makes bugger all difference to being able to do things at this stage. Work remotely & get shopping delivered, so I’m pretty low risk regardless 🙂
Yep for now all good. But what about in 6 months time when all the other at risk groups are vaccinated, then it’s the front line workers, shop workers, transport folks..Basically the country will open up and I don’t particularly want to still be at home avoiding folks as I’m at higher risk of severe illness.
carbonfiendFree MemberLong term asthmatic on prevention meds as well but I won’t be holding my breath for the vaccine soon. I’ve looked into the rabbit hole that is covid & come to conclusion its just an opportunity costs that I have got time to invest in.
Example – college at work COPD just had stage 2 lump removed from his lung chronic heart disease just had 3rd heart attack – signed off sick fit to work 😳 never had a shielding letter.tpbikerFree MemberYet they are dishing it out to folks in specs savers ffs
I wouldn’t mind if the country is being shut down until everyone has the vaccine but it won’t be. In 6 months time the risk to me will be far greater than at any other time during the pandemic. And point me to one other condition outlined in the links in my op that wont qualify folks for the vaccine…none..
Baically they are saying, it’s a risk factor for sure, but there too many of you so you’ll just have to deal with it
Total joke.
And if they are saying it’s now not a risk they need to get the guidance changed. How does one go about requesting that?
JakesterFree MemberI think some of the confusion arises because of the early classification of ‘vulnerable’ and ‘extremely vulnerable’. I seem to recall at the outset those with more than mild asthma were initially advised to shield, but that was revised to people who are ‘extremely vulnerable’.
I have moderate to severe asthma (inhaled and oral medications, recent emergency hospital trips etc) and so fell initially in the the ‘shielding’ category, but apparently no longer do. I haven’t heard owt and whilst I’m hoping to fall into the early jab category, I doubt I will, sadly.
grumFree MemberI think that’s right Jakester. We have a severely asthmatic daughter and initially she was thought to be in the highest risk category but this was revised and in fact we were told in some cases asthmatic people were at lower risk than those without. Perhaps it depends on the type of asthma/triggers etc.
dougiedoggFree MemberNo, I havent even been invited for my annual Flu vaccine, so I doubt I’ll be getting the Covid one.
lungeFull MemberSo today I mentioned it in passing to my gp surgery. Apparently I don’t qualify as despite having a daily steroid inhaler and free flu jab, I’ve not got asthma thats sever enough to put me in hospital.
This sounds exactly like me.
I’ve accepted that I won’t get one until much later in the year as even with the Asthma I’m relatively healthy and condsider myself low risk. Hoping I won’t be at the very end of the line, but wouldn’t be suprised if I am.tpbikerFree Member@Jakester, you will definitely be eligible as both recent hospital visits and oral steroids are qualifying factors in the green book
It’s not just about having to shield however. The guidance says non severe is also a risk, even if you don’t need to shield. The dept of health even said as much to asthma uk as revently as December!
but this was revised and in fact we were told in some cases asthmatic people were at lower risk than those without.
Yet all the government guidance, including those published 1 month ago states otherwise.
You may be correct, but if so they need to change the guidelines. This isn’t a trivial thing. People with asthma are making significant sacrifices to follow the government guidance. It’s not just about a bit of extra hand washing, I’ve barely seen any of my mates, stay clear of the local cycle club runs etc..if im not at greater risk than a normal 45 year old then my behaviour will change greatly ( within the rules if course) over the next 8 months.
If they turn round and say, oops sorry you aren’t at any more risk after all that I’ll be furious.
JakesterFree MemberWell, let’s hope so, but (pardon the pun) I won’t be holding my breath!
sofamanFull MemberAsthma uk seem to be riding back on their original guidance for some reason
Is there recent info from them?
I found several twitter threads with folks (inc you?) pointing out the difference between what Department of Health have said vs what is in the green book… Maybe Asthma UK need to be lobbying further to get the green book updated.
zilog6128Full MemberI’m in the same boat as OP, except I cannot WFH, quite happy to wait tbh and would rather see police/ambos/teachers etc get it ahead of me (although obviously if offered would very gladly accept!)
tpbikerFree MemberIs there recent info from them?
They’ve gone from ‘we’ve been told that if you use a steroid inhaler you are in group 6 and have asked for guidance to be changed’ to ‘we understand non severe asthma sufferers are in group 6 but are seeking urgent confirmation on this’. Looks like their post on 22nd Dec was a bit premature.
Tbh i don’t mind not getting the jab if I’m not at greater risk than anyone else, i don’t expect to jump the queue. My issue is that they are telling me i am at greater risk, I need to take extra precautions, yet I’m not going to get a vacine until pretty much the entire uk population has had one before me.
I called asthma uk about it yesterday, they agreed the messaging was unclear and many folks had contacted then with same query. They are apparently discussing it with policy team today but I’m not going to hold my breath. As a minimum however, someone needs to clarify the risk to non severe asthma sufferers, as last time I looked it was similar to someone with diabetes, which is most definitely a qualifier for the jab.
The thing that worries me most is not dying, that’s very unlikely. The issue for asthma sufferers is that long covid ruins the lungs, and if they already don’t work particularly well the effects could be magnified.
zilog6128Full MemberMy issue is that they are telling me i am at greater risk, I need to take extra precautions, yet I’m not going to get a vacine until pretty much the entire uk population has had one before me.
it’s not ideal obviously but realistically all you can really do is carry on keeping your head down for a few more months!
smiffyFull MemberI’m the same – chronic asthma, I have been hospitalised with pneumonia etc. Is it not the case that once a certain proportion of the population is jabbed the risk of infection reduces anyway? I don’t particularly care if I’m the first 55 year old or the last 55 year old to get it, as by then a meaningful chunk of us will not be passing it around.
tpbikerFree Memberit’s not ideal obviously but realistically all you can really do is carry on keeping your head down for a few more months!
It’s not a few more months though is it. Once the first 9 priority groups are jabbed around may time it’ll be a free for all with all restrictions being lifted.
In phase 2, if they continue doing it by age then I won’t be far behind, however i think the plan is then to switch to those most exposed to the virus.
I suspect, as a non front line worker I’ll be fairly down the phase 2 list, despite being at a higher risk than most of serious illness in phase 2 due to both my age and my asthma.
Realistically I’ll be surprised if I get a jab before November time. Living on my own I’m genuinely not looking forward to the the next 10 months, my mental health has taken enough of a battering already, a large contributor to that has been the fact I’ve been taking so many extra precautions, based on nhs advice. They need to come out and be transparent about the risk. If there is none then fine, I’ll just carry on as normal.
grumFree MemberHave you tried speaking to your GP/asthma consultant for more specific advice?
tpbikerFree MemberHave you tried speaking to your GP/asthma consultant for more specific advice?
I’ve never been refered to an asthma consultant. Basically, until last may I was prescribed a blue ventolin reliever inhaler. I was using it 2-3 times a day and had peak flow readings of around 450 (down from 650 after using the inhaler). I assumed this was normal usage, but only after checking online did I realise that I should be using the blue reliever inhaler around 3 times per week max. So I contacted the gp to ask to see the asthma nurse, only to be told they aren’t running the clinics at the moment but 450 was very low and I should be on a steroid prevented instead.
So I have been prescribed one of them and hey presto my peak flow now never drops below 550 and is usually over 600.
My GP is the one who said I’m not eligible for covid vac, only the flu jab. Since thats the case I’m of the mind to ask her to confirm to me that all the documentation on the nhs sites is inaccurate and that I’m in fact st no additional risk. Be interesting to see what she says
woollybackpaulFree Member45 year old with asthma, brown puffer once a day, blue puffer when needed.
Mostly working from home, need to visit a site once or twice a week.
I expect theres a boatload of people at greater risk than me so happy to wait in line. My 98 year old Grandad has only just had his, 78 year old Dad is due to have his Friday and I’d be pi55ed off if I though people in my position were ahead of him in the queue.
i_scoff_cakeFree MemberI’m not a Doctor but I have done the e-training on the two vaccines and I don’t recall asthma being a contraindicator.
lungeFull Member45 year old with asthma, brown puffer once a day, blue puffer when needed.
Mostly working from home, need to visit a site once or twice a week.
I expect theres a boatload of people at greater risk than me so happy to wait in line. My 98 year old Grandad has only just had his, 78 year old Dad is due to have his Friday and I’d be pi55ed off if I though people in my position were ahead of him in the queue.
This about sums it up for me if you take 5 years off all the ages mentioned.
My asthma is well controlled, I’m fit and healthy and in truth whilst I’ve played by the rules, I’ve certainly not been overly cautious through the last year.
There are people in much greater need of the vaccine than me.tpbikerFree MemberI expect theres a boatload of people at greater risk than me so happy to wait in line. My 98 year old Grandad has only just had his, 78 year old Dad is due to have his Friday and I’d be pi55ed off if I though people in my position were ahead of him in the queue.
Absolutely, so would i..my mum and dad are both 75 and haven’t had a jab yet not even been contacted. I’m not arguing that asthma sufferers should be ahead of those more at risk. I’m arguing that we should be prioritised according to the risk that is set out in every nhs publication since covid appeared. So probably in front of a healthy 50 year old for example.
And if we aren’t at greater risk then make sure that’s clear so we can adjust our behaviour accordingly.
JakesterFree Member_scoff_cake
I’m not a Doctor but I have done the e-training on the two vaccines and I don’t recall asthma being a contraindicator.I don’t think anyone is suggesting it should delay provision – rather, people are asking whether or not it makes you a higher priority for vaccination.
kennypFree MemberPurple and blue inhalers for me, and in my mid (okay late) fifties.
Would be nice to get the vaccine soon, but in all honesty there are loads of folk out there in far greater need. Some because of age and/or health, others because of doing useful, even vital, work.
sharkbaitFree MemberI have done the e-training on the two vaccines and I don’t recall asthma being a contraindicator.
Indeed, in fact it comes up as an incorrect answer if selected in the list of contraindicators.
Apparently I don’t qualify as despite having a daily steroid inhaler and free flu jab, I’ve not got asthma thats sever enough to put me in hospital.
So that’s good then isn’t it?
My daughter has a steroid inhaler and there’s a less than zero need for her to have the vaccine ahead of anyone else her age.
Maybe the fact that you’re, presumably, well enough to be able to go biking regularly should be an indicator of your risk?sofamanFull MemberMaybe the fact that you’re, presumably, well enough to be able to go biking regularly should be an indicator of your risk?
That means it is well controlled asthma and probably not triggered by exercise, mud, dropper posts etc.
Instead, their trigger might be viral chest infections 🙁
fatoldgitFull MemberMy asthma is controlled,…. ( just about )
Seretide inhaler .. 2 puffs twice daily
Montelukast tablet every evening
And always have my ventolin reliever with me
I get the flu jab yearly, but don’t expect the COVID jab any time soon.I think the decision re qualifying or not comes down to the definition of “ Chronic”… and although I get severe attacks every couple of years ( usually exercise induced ) the fact it is normally controlled by medication suggests to me mine is not Chronic
Nearly a year now I’ve still been going to work, wearing a mask avoiding groups of people, getting shopping online and delivered ( mainly )
In fact doing anything I could to protect my 88 year old parents who did get jabbed last night 😁, and although I know that’s not the end for them, it is a start and a huge relief to me.
Am content to carry on with my regime for a while yet as I expect another rise in cases later in the year when covidiots think they can go back to normal life 5 minutes after finally getting jabbed 😒MoreCashThanDashFull MemberI’ve never been refered to an asthma consultant
That reads to my non-medically trained eye that there are therefore a while heap of people ahead of you in the queue for the vaccination, unfortunately.
Doesn’t explain why you got a shielding letter though.
tpbikerFree MemberDoesn’t explain why you got a shielding letter though.
I didn’t get a shielding letter. That would put me in group 4, not group 6.
Maybe the fact that you’re, presumably, well enough to be able to go biking regularly should be an indicator of your risk?
Utter Nonsense…I have well controlled asthma, it’s not severe but that doesn’t mean I don’t have it. If you are so sure there is no risk then why does every nhs publication that covers risk factors say that non severe asthma is a risk. Click on the 3 links in my op, it’s all there. And why are asthma uk stated that they think everyone on my medication should be in priority group 6?
but in all honesty there are loads of folk out there in far greater need. Some because of age and/or health,
I’ll reiterate again, im not for a minute saying I should be given it in front of those at greater risk. The nhs have clear priority groups to ensure this doesnt happen, based on risk factors. After all the pensioners, shielders, and healthcare staff have been vancinated then there is priority group 6. This is for people who are not clinically extremely vunerable, but do have underlying health issue which puts then at higher risk than everyone else that’s not been vaccinated in the first 5 groups. In every nhs publication I have ever read (links in the op) moderate asthma (ie asthma that makes you eligible for the flu jab) puts you within this higher risk category.
I’m not saying I should get it before some 90 year old care home resident. I’m saying the NHS have defined my chronic ailment as puttimg me in the higher risk group, (read the links I posted in op if you think I’m talking rubbish), and as such i should be prioritised alongside everyone else who has an ailment in the same risk group. If my ailment isn’t a risk factor however then the nhs should be clear on that and remove my condition from the list of high risk conditions
As it is they are saying ‘you are at greater risk of illness, you need to take extra care’..followed up by ‘no, you aren’t getting a vaccination.’
The contradiction is fairly clear..
SusieFree MemberI’m sure no one with asthma expects to be prioritised ahead of the elderly. I was assuming it would be group 6. If not, that means my partner who is 50 in 2 months and perfectly healthy will be offered it before me. I have 4 puffs of fostair daily but still feel like someone is sat on my chest.
sofamanFull MemberIf you are in the group “16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions”, then you will be prioritised ahead of 60 year olds, but behind 65 year olds. IDK if you think that that is ‘elderly’ but that isn’t the point.
Since last March, “Underlying health conditions” = clinically venerable according to the guidance. This included moderate asthma, the implication being that if you catch covid you are more statistically likely to die than a 60 year-old. You should take serious precautions.
But now they are saying “Underlying health conditions” = clinically venerable but that does not include moderate asthma.
So either you:
a) are still at significant risk of dying (but sorry, we are not going to vaccinate you according to that risk), or
b) weren’t actually at significant risk of dying (but sorry, that semi-shielding was pointless compared with your age-based risk).Transparency on the decision making would be nice. U-turns based on evidence is fine.
grumFree MemberI’m clinically venerable. 🙂
Just checked with my missus re the changing advice and she said some of it came from our daughter’s asthma consultant and some from info she had to dig out herself (this is for young people though, it may be different for adults).
It does seem there was a shift in how serious it was believed to be for asthma sufferers and that this wasn’t really communicated well if at all.
FWIW our daughter has severe asthma which has hospitalised her many times and she is in group 6
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