Spring booster eligibility

DorothyParker

Hi - Has anyone under 75 here had their spring booster as a 5th vaccine? If so, what counted as severely immunosuppressed?

I had a 4th vaccine in December. Government website says the spring booster will be a 5th vaccine for the severely immunosuppressed, and a 4th for those over 75. But not sure what "severely" means. I'm on a biologic + 12.5mg methotrexate. Does that count? I've made an appointment and will take evidence of my medication but I don't want to waste their time if it's just for people with solid organ transplants and that.

jamieA

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/57857/spring-booster-eligibility

Hi @DorothyParker

Yes I've had my 5th vaccination in mid May - about 4 months after my 4th. This link has details of what medications meet the criteria.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine-people-with-severely-weakened-immune-system/

I'm on a biologic - Amgevita(adalimumab) - and 10mgs MTX.

The JCVI put out a statement in February 2022 about those eligible for a Spring Booster.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation-statement-on-covid-19-vaccinations-in-2022/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation-jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccinations-in-2022-21-february-2022

There's a government publication called The Green Book which details the criteria for immunosuppressed - it's page 16.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057798/Greenbook-chapter-14a-28Feb22.pdf

DorothyParker

Thanks @jamieA that's very reassuring. I had my 4th at the end of December so it's been more than 6 months. I suppose I could have had it earlier, but haven't had any invitation at all. Rheumatologist hasn't mentioned it. When I spoke to her in December she said nobody was having a 4th vaccine! I went ahead and checked with the vaccine centre anyway and they booked me in.

jamieA

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/696182#Comment_696182

Hi @DorothyParker

I live in Scotland and the 3rd primary vaccine and spring booster were handled differently here. Instead of the normal covid vaccine online booking service here these two occasions were controlled by a vaccines unit in the local health board. What was supposed to happen was the GP identified those patients that required an added vaccine, filled in a form and electronically sent it to the vaccine unit who contacted the patient with an appointment. In my case my GP didn't want to know so I contacted my rheumatology nurse and she sorted it out quickly. I think it might be worthwhile for you to contact the covid vaccine service. I did when enquiring about the spring booster and the agent I spoke to was aware of the path for the immunosuppressed and referred me to my GP/rheumatology clinic to get the form sorted. They really were helpful and I had no issues once I knew what needed done. Hope you get it sorted out ok.

BettyMac

Husband and self are booked for #5 next week.

Had #4 first week in Feb.

I read that 6 months is quite a good interval and we’ll be slightly ahead of that for this next jab. We have lots of family visiting from abroad in July so, when the invitation came through from our GP, we decided to go for it this month.

H had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - and I’m on Benepali and Methotrexate.