Vaccination Priority Groups

RobinHill

Hello, Not sure which forum this would be best placed in, but thought that people on here may have experience and advice on the matter. I am 53 y/o with a chronic and degenerative neurological disorder affecting the nervous system and muscles. I have significant difficulty with many aspects of daily life as a result. I am a touch concerned with my GP practice (of two years) in that despite numerous medical documents detailing the condition on my patient history, they had not coded this on my patient summary record. It came to light back in November when I queried the flu jab, at first being told not eligible, then on requesting a GP appointment concluded that my condition merits the flu jab. Two days later I was called for the flu jab. However I now find that they are stating that do not fall into an at risk group because I am not recorded as having respiratory issues. I know of other people who have other conditions that are listed in this group for eg. Parkinsons, LD, Down's, Epilepsy whose surgery has them down as at risk ie. group 6. See document link below and extract from pages 8 and 9 attached. This clearly lists "Chronic Neurological Disease" as an at risk group. However they seem to be interpreting the text as conditions that have a compromised respiratory function. Any advice or comment appreciated. Thank you.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/961287/Greenbook_chapter_14a_v7_12Feb2021.pdf 

KxMx

Patients with ME are having similar issues.
Check out the ME Association on Facebook, they've produced a template letter which you could adapt for your condition.
It is down to GP, some have had success with the letters, orhers have still been told no. 

RobinHill

My worry stems from a neurological consultant (on TV) describing the muscle loss being akin to spending six months in space. Due to my condition that would be devastating and doubt very much that I would be able to recover.

KxMx

There may be a support group/charity/organisation around your specific condition which may be able to help advise as well. 

It is very worrying but remember the more that are vaccinated ahead of you the less likely you are to catch it.

Israel have been finding the vaccination program is slowing the spread amongst general population and a study around the Oxford vaccine found effectiveness against spreading it to others once vaccinated. 

Really early days in terms of data but very promising. 

Spoonie_Turtle

I wouldn't worry about what your patient summary record says; mine only says about medication and maybe vaccination history (I can't remember off the top of my head) - what health professionals see when they access it, e.g. if you need treatment in hospital, is more than what we see on our accounts.

But I absolutely understand why you disagree with their interpretation of the vaccine eligibility.  I can see why they've interpreted it the way they have, in the context of likelihood of needing intensive care, but on an individual level that's just not good enough; people already disabled through illness can't afford for it to wipe us out even if we wouldn't necessarily need hospital treatment!  I don't have any advice but please let us know how you get on with trying to rectify this.

RobinHill

I am under 70 y/o with a chronic health condition and as a result back in November was advised by my GP that I needed the flu jab, but they now state that I am not in an at risk group!!

https://www.cmt.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/

"We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

This group includes those who are:

• aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
• under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
  ....
• chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
  
• diabetes
  ..."

[Deleted User]

I have diabetes (type2) copd and epilepsy and my view is that I will be called when I'm called, and meanwhile I just don't put myself at risk, simple really.
On a positive note they will have vaccinated the first 15 million by Monday thats one hell of an achievement