I went for my annual flu/covid vaccination on Monday only to find out that because I am not on any DMDs or drugs that depress my immune system I no longer qualify for Covid vaccination. I’m an old timer who was never offered any DMDs and only only symptom management meds.Pharmacies are charging a ridiculous amount for said vaccine. How do ppl feel about this? I know that quite a few of my MS buddies are in same situation. Thoughts please…..
1 Like
Yes, I was surprised when I found out that Covid vaccines care no longer being given to those withMS unless they are on one of the DMTs that suppress the immune system. I’m on one of very early DMTs - - Avonex - and won’t be getting the Covid jab. I do find it strange, slightly worrying and inexplicable: we can get the flu vaccine but not Covid!! Guess I will be extra cautious and careful to avoid the possibility of catching Covid.
Hi shirleyannjones. It’s a strange one this year. I was in my gp surgery a couple of weeks ago and saw a poster regarding flu and COVID jabs/booster. At first the receptionist said that I was too young to get the flu jab too! Then she had a look at my records and said, “ok, you can have the flu jab, but not the COVID booster as you have to be 75”. Like yourself I’m not on any DMT’s and have only ever been offered short time medication when I’ve had issues. During 2020 I actually caught COVID and had to go into hospital to have an infusion dripped into my arm for a few hours. So yes, it’s a bit of a worrying situation this year because I’ve had every booster offered up to now including the spring booster back in April time. Maybe the government/NHS are trying to save money! If so it’s possibly not a good policy. Short time gain over our health and maybe a long expensive time in hospital.
If you can be bothered to read through this long report it explains where the decision comes from and the thinking behind it ( tables 3 and 4 give some useful details). I guess that in summary it comes down to costs / benefits
That was what I was saying..in a roundabout way, perhaps Hank_Dogs! It’s about saving the NHS and the government money. But do they ever really save much? It’ll be peanuts in reality compared to the huge amount wasted on other projects and ideas. Like the cost of some individual or firm who wrote that paper! Cost and benefits is fine as far as it goes. Although as that well known advert said “every little helps”! Depends on which side of the fence we sit though.
I’m wondering about getting my booster done privately. I see that Boots and no doubt other places do it. Mind you, I got a bad episode of Covid a few years ago in spite of being fully up to date with vaccinations.
Do you happen to know if we can get the antivirals that used to be given to those that caught Covid?
I’m not sure whether we’ll still be offered the antivirals. I got COVID during that first year and I had the infusion offered on that occasion. Had a few hours in hospital having it dripped into me. This coming week I’m actually going to a MS event that I was invited too. I’ve never been invited to one before. It’s being organised by the ms society. I know that there’s various talks regarding current treatments and medications. Several different organisations there. I’ll see if I can find the right person to ask about the antivirals this year. And even if I can’t find the right person I’ll ask someone. Someone who might know that is.
Hi Hank_Dogs and all
I caught Covid for the first time last year (I am fully vaccinated), and was admitted to hospital following a conversation with my GP where I was monitored for several hours then prescribed the antiviral drugs Plaxlovid, I didn’t want to stay on hospital on the Covid Ward any longer than necessary, but on release I had to find a chemist who had them in stock as the hospital had none in their pharmacy.
I’m 65 and had the flu jab this week. I asked about the latest Covid and my nurse advised me to check the mns app. So having checked, I have been able to book in for a Covid vaccine next week…. Hopefully I’ve not read the details incorrectly and they won’t turn me away 