The Extremely Vulnerable Group post vaccine

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

I had my recent blood test result.
My neutrophils are 0.8 which is below normal range.
Am wondering if its the result of the covid vaccine.

Almost certainly not. Been through all of this several times with my blood doctor and with a doctor after my appendectomy (which happened the same time as my second jab was due).
If anything it would temporarily raise your neutrophil level. You produce more when there is something to fight, they don't get wiped out by something like a vaccine. For instance I had normal neutrophil levels when I got the appendicitis . . . normal for someone without neutropenia and an appendicitis that is. My neutrophils should have been off the chart.

My level is lower than yours and caused by absolutely nothing. I've had all the tests.

 

[hash tag]

I have had all 3 jabs and am relatively comfortable about going out Etc. I feel that I am relatively well protected from the worst effects of covid
and if I go anywhere I always wear a mask. I have been on a train once or twice and buses, but as for the tube, once but never again.
I have also been to pubs and restaurants where there is a respectable amount of distancing. I have just booked tickets to the cinema tomorrow night
for the first time since I can't remember when. The cinema seats are spaced and I don't expect it to be too full and I have picked what I consider to
be the "safest" seats.

 

[hattie]

Went and had an antibody test.
Result being very low antibodies after 2 vaccines.

I've had a blood test for antibodies too Sugar Kane - I have NO antibodies despite 3 vaccines - not reassuring! I hope your work are sorting things out safely for you

My vaccines haven't worked due to recent treatment for follicular lymphoma. It takes at least 6 months after last treatment for my immune system to begin to work again

So I'm wondering how vulnerable people are feeling now that rates are so high and restrictions (in England at least) being so minimal. ?

To me it seems such risky time for people with dodgy immunity. I know there are treatments now, and there is a plan in place for vulnerable people to access them quickly if tested +ve. But for some reason that doesn't give me confidence to live life like my vaccinated/protected friends and family do. Of course it's great news that Omicron is (possibly) very well tolerated by people with good levels of immunity - but when will it be ok for people for us? When I hear "this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated" and the stats of numbers in ICU, I feel a little bit terrified - because essentially I am unvaccinated. I feel like people like me have been forgotten in the general narrative from the gov and the media

I'd be grateful to hear how other vulnerable people are feeling and coping

 

[Aladdin]

I've had a blood test for antibodies too Sugar Kane - I have NO antibodies despite 3 vaccines - not reassuring! I hope your work are sorting things out safely for you

My vaccines haven't worked due to recent treatment for follicular lymphoma. It takes at least 6 months after last treatment for my immune system to begin to work again

So I'm wondering how vulnerable people are feeling now that rates are so high and restrictions (in England at least) being so minimal. ?

To me it seems such risky time for people with dodgy immunity. I know there are treatments now, and there is a plan in place for vulnerable people to access them quickly if tested +ve. But for some reason that doesn't give me confidence to live life like my vaccinated/protected friends and family do. Of course it's great news that Omicron is (possibly) very well tolerated by people with good levels of immunity - but when will it be ok for people for us? When I hear "this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated" and the stats of numbers in ICU, I feel a little bit terrified - because essentially I am unvaccinated. I feel like people like me have been forgotten in the general narrative from the gov and the media

I'd be grateful to hear how other vulnerable people are feeling and coping

I feel very much like you do.

I dont feel safe at all. I'm not in the UK . I'm in Ireland and we have a massive proportion of the adult population vaccinated and boosted but I have been told that I am still extremely vulnerable despite booster. Our covid infection numbers are very high at the moment. 350 ICU beds in the entire country. And 100 already taken up woth covid patients.
Those numbers will rise in the next few weeks.

I dont go anywhere. I shop online for food. The pharmacist kindly delivers my meds. I dont feel comfortable even opening the door to the postman.

And I will continue like this until things change substantially in terms of my personal risk.
I'm now on even higher doses of immunosuppression drugs and added steroids after a recent flare. So I do feel unsafe. And vulnerable.

 

[hash tag]

Slightly off to a tangent, totally out of the blue, I received a PCR test through the post just a day or two ago. It was sent to me as I am CEV and I should use this to see if I were positive and if so, if any ohe new treatments would help me.

 

[hattie]

I feel very much like you do.

I dont feel safe at all. I'm not in the UK . I'm in Ireland and we have a massive proportion of the adult population vaccinated and boosted but I have been told that I am still extremely vulnerable despite booster. Our covid infection numbers are very high at the moment. 350 ICU beds in the entire country. And 100 already taken up woth covid patients.
Those numbers will rise in the next few weeks.

I dont go anywhere. I shop online for food. The pharmacist kindly delivers my meds. I dont feel comfortable even opening the door to the postman.

And I will continue like this until things change substantially in terms of my personal risk.
I'm now on even higher doses of immunosuppression drugs and added steroids after a recent flare. So I do feel unsafe. And vulnerable.

Thanks for replying - it's really helpful to hear how you feel. I've been feeling a bit like a fish swimming off in a completely different direction to all the other fish!
I'm lucky that I don't have to work at the moment (sickness benefits). But I worry for the CEV people who have no choice but to go into workplaces. I don't know what the score is in Ireland, but once shielding finished here CEV had no right to work from home if their emlpoyer refused

 

[Aladdin]

Thanks for replying - it's really helpful to hear how you feel. I've been feeling a bit like a fish swimming off in a completely different direction to all the other fish!
I'm lucky that I don't have to work at the moment (sickness benefits). But I worry for the CEV people who have no choice but to go into workplaces. I don't know what the score is in Ireland, but once shielding finished here CEV had no right to work from home if their emlpoyer refused

I'm in a funny position. We decided to stay with our parents who are in their 80s. As they were / are vulnerable and my sister had a stroke last year so we are all pretty much vulnerable. Some more so than others.
We just have cocooned.
Occ health signed me off as extremely vulnerable and my employer has let me work from home as they are allowed get substitute for me paid by the government.
I am very much hoping that this will continue as I am not ready / in a position to retire since things changed with my sister.

I am just hoping that the virus will settle down to a sort of common cold that is not dangerous...but I've known for years that even a bad cold could potentislly land me in hospital with pneumonia.

So....I guess it'll be more of the same for me for the next year and possibly beyond.

 

[hattie]

Slightly off to a tangent, totally out of the blue, I received a PCR test through the post just a day or two ago. It was sent to me as I am CEV and I should use this to see if I were positive and if so, if any ohe new treatments would help me.

Hiya hash tag - long time no see! Yeah I've got a PCR thro the post too - the quick access to treatment if needed seems remarkably well organised! I'm very grateful that there are good treatments - still don't feel like I want to catch covid and test them out... . Maybe I'll gain confidence as the long cold winter wears on and on...

 

[Sue]

I'm not CEV but am immunosuppressed and whatever the next category down is. I've had the three primary jabs but won't be eligible for the booster for another couple of weeks.

I've no idea what my antibodies or whatever are like but I do live in a part of London with really high Covid rates so am pretty much staying at home. (I went out for a walk with a couple of friends yesterday but we'd all LFTed so...)

I think my friends think I'm being overly cautious because as far as they're concerned, I've had the booster. I've given up trying to explain that I haven't and have no idea how protected or otherwise I am. Meh.

 

[hattie]

I'm in a funny position. We decided to stay with our parents who are in their 80s. As they were / are vulnerable and my sister had a stroke last year so we are all pretty much vulnerable. Some more so than others.
We just have cocooned.
Occ health signed me off as extremely vulnerable and my employer has let me work from home as they are allowed get substitute for me paid by the government.
I am very much hoping that this will continue as I am not ready / in a position to retire since things changed with my sister.

I am just hoping that the virus will settle down to a sort of common cold that is not dangerous...but I've known for years that even a bad cold could potentislly land me in hospital with pneumonia.

So....I guess it'll be more of the same for me for the next year and possibly beyond.

Cocooned is such a nice word - I hope you all get on OK! It sounds like things have settled into a workable situation - long may it last ....or preferably soon may covid become irrelevant!

 

[hattie]

I think my friends think I'm being overly cautious because as far as they're concerned, I've had the booster. I've given up trying to explain that I haven't and have no idea how protected or otherwise I am. Meh.

Exactly the same for me!! I imagine my friends think i'm just being overly anxious, or that I think I'm some kind of special snowflake! They probably don't think that. But it's an extra bit of mental stress that weighs me down. Again - it's helpful to hear other people have similar thoughts to me x

 

[hattie]

Cocooned is such a nice word - I hope you all get on OK! It sounds like things have settled into a workable situation - long may it last ....or preferably soon may covid become irrelevant!

That sounds like I think it's all easy for you - which is not what I think at all! x

 

[cupid_stunt]

It's not just down to antibodies, but T-cells too, which seems to get over looked a lot by the media, probably because it's more complex and research takes longer into how well the T-cell response copes after the waning of antibodies.

There's some positive early research, showing T-cell response in those with two doses of Pfizer remained 70%-80% effective against a severe outcome, covered in this article -

“Our research studied T-cells,” Burgers said. “Antibodies are always a good starting point for trying to see if a vaccine works because what the antibodies do is block the pathogen getting into the cell in the first place. When it breaches the defences and cells become infected, that’s when T-cells come in and clear infected cells so they don’t keep replicating and become viral factories. They nip it in the bud.”

The issue of T-cell response to Omicron has been a missing part of the puzzle since the variant first emerged, amid evidence it was not only more infectious but able to avoid antibody responses acquired from vaccination. So far we have been looking at samples from people who have had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine,” said Burgers. “Unlike antibodies in sera, we look at cells themselves which is why assays and data are slower to come out, because it is more specialised and challenging.”

T-cells in Pfizer Covid jab recipients stay robust against severe illness

Research in South Africa raises hopes that similar responses may be present with other vaccines

www.theguardian.com

 

[Aladdin]

Exactly the same for me!! I imagine my friends think i'm just being overly anxious, or that I think I'm some kind of special snowflake! They probably don't think that. But it's an extra bit of mental stress that weighs me down. Again - it's helpful to hear other people have similar thoughts to me x

This...
I have work colleagues whom I know for years who are on some meds but not enough to put them in the extremely vulnerable group who absolutely think I am not as vulnerable as I am.
They keep asking me to meet up for a coffee like I'm on a holiday or a break.
I've stopped replying to them

 

[Aladdin]

That sounds like I think it's all easy for you - which is not what I think at all! x

That's ok. I didnt think that was what you meant...
x

 

[Artaxerxes]

Slightly off to a tangent, totally out of the blue, I received a PCR test through the post just a day or two ago. It was sent to me as I am CEV and I should use this to see if I were positive and if so, if any ohe new treatments would help me.

Same, was a bit if a shock to open it. Had to try and work out where it came from because the explanation was tiny.

Use it when/if you get symptoms. Especially given they are short on them.

 

[Sue]

Same, was a bit if a shock to open it. Had to try and work out where it came from because the explanation was tiny.

Use it when/if you get symptoms. Especially given they are short on them.

This might be of help/interest.

'Patients in the highest COVID-19 risk group who receive a positive PCR test and have symptom onset in the previous seven days will be able to directly access new treatments.​

Eligible patients will be informed by letter or email if they have a condition that may make them eligible to receive these treatments directly, should they test positive. Patients are advised to contact their consultant or GP if they haven't received a letter and believe themselves to be eligible. GPs and consultants are asked to make an assessment on their eligibility, and, if eligibility is determined, to issue them with a copy of the letter.​

​

These patients will receive a PCR test to keep at home to support rapid testing so treatments can be given as soon as possible after symptoms begin. If an eligible patient becomes COVID-19 positive, they'll be contacted by a clinician from one of the new COVID-19 Medicines Delivery Units (CMDU) by telephone to discuss treatment options.​

​

Following a clinical assessment by a clinician from a CMDU, casirivimab and imdevimab (Ronapreve) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio) may be offered.'​

COVID-19 guidance | British Society for Rheumatology

BSR guidance on rheumatology treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

www.rheumatology.org.uk

 

[nogojones]

This might be of help/interest.

'Patients in the highest COVID-19 risk group who receive a positive PCR test and have symptom onset in the previous seven days will be able to directly access new treatments.​

Eligible patients will be informed by letter or email if they have a condition that may make them eligible to receive these treatments directly, should they test positive. Patients are advised to contact their consultant or GP if they haven't received a letter and believe themselves to be eligible. GPs and consultants are asked to make an assessment on their eligibility, and, if eligibility is determined, to issue them with a copy of the letter.​

​

These patients will receive a PCR test to keep at home to support rapid testing so treatments can be given as soon as possible after symptoms begin. If an eligible patient becomes COVID-19 positive, they'll be contacted by a clinician from one of the new COVID-19 Medicines Delivery Units (CMDU) by telephone to discuss treatment options.​

​

Following a clinical assessment by a clinician from a CMDU, casirivimab and imdevimab (Ronapreve) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio) may be offered.'​

COVID-19 guidance | British Society for Rheumatology

BSR guidance on rheumatology treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

www.rheumatology.org.uk

Do you know if this is just NHS England as I've heard nothing at all about this in Wales?

 

[Sue]

Do you know if this is just NHS England as I've heard nothing at all about this in Wales?

I've no idea. As I said, I'm not in the CEV group. The thing i quoted is actually meant for medical staff. Would the NHS Wales or whatever website have that info?

 

[nogojones]

I've no idea. As I said, I'm not in the CEV group. The thing i quoted is actually meant for medical staff. Would the NHS Wales or whatever website have that info?

Yeah. It's a year out of date and still thinks shielding is in place.

 

[bellaozzydog]

I’ve had sino-pharm-Astra Zeneca-Pfizer

Key thing for my confidence in the level of cover is that all jabs were given in massive gaps (due to geography and nhs admin difficulties) in my immune suppressing drugs

My understanding is my drugs stop the efficacy of vaccinations, so not being on the meds at time of jabs, should, I assume, mean I get full effective cover

I’m lucky to have worked in virtually corona proof environments with 14 day quarantine and multiple negative PCR test prior to entering work zone

I just moved into my own flat rather than shared house and I’ve not stopped wearing a mask when out and about

Overall not feeling to worried about it

 

[hash tag]

I am in touch with someone in NI who, like me, has follicular lymphoma (similar age). He said he is waiting for his forth jab.

 

[hash tag]

All my South coast rellis have or have C19. At least 3 current people at work and a few more from a small team in the past few months. A few friends also tested +. I have admistered personal care at least twice to someone who was +. I live close to the centre of town, a virus hotspot. Admittedly I have been careful yet not lived the life of a monk. I am CEV and have a reduced immune system. I live in a home of 2 and both us us very fortunately have and are testing negative. I just heard my daughter who I recently spent a few days with has just tested positive. I guess this is tempting fate

 

[elbows]

The BBC bothered to do an article:

Covid-19: 'We'll be second-class citizens if self-isolation rules go'

People with conditions that mean the vaccine does not work fear the removal of self-isolation rules.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[elbows]

And the Guardian:

Shielders say lifting of England’s Plan B restrictions ‘complete nightmare’

Among the 3.7 million clinically extremely vulnerable people in England, the removal of Covid restrictions has raised concerns

www.theguardian.com

‘More people will die’: fears for clinically vulnerable as England axes plan B

Coronavirus pandemic’s finishing line has not yet come clearly into focus for millions of people

www.theguardian.com

 

[nogojones]

This might be of help/interest.

'Patients in the highest COVID-19 risk group who receive a positive PCR test and have symptom onset in the previous seven days will be able to directly access new treatments.​

Eligible patients will be informed by letter or email if they have a condition that may make them eligible to receive these treatments directly, should they test positive. Patients are advised to contact their consultant or GP if they haven't received a letter and believe themselves to be eligible. GPs and consultants are asked to make an assessment on their eligibility, and, if eligibility is determined, to issue them with a copy of the letter.​

​

These patients will receive a PCR test to keep at home to support rapid testing so treatments can be given as soon as possible after symptoms begin. If an eligible patient becomes COVID-19 positive, they'll be contacted by a clinician from one of the new COVID-19 Medicines Delivery Units (CMDU) by telephone to discuss treatment options.​

​

Following a clinical assessment by a clinician from a CMDU, casirivimab and imdevimab (Ronapreve) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio) may be offered.'​

COVID-19 guidance | British Society for Rheumatology

BSR guidance on rheumatology treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

www.rheumatology.org.uk

So, I gave my GP a bell as I tested + and fall in this group to see what the score is regards anti-virals. They just called back 20 hrs later and said I'll receive a letter in the post that I'll need to respond to to access these. Given it's the weekend, they're relying on the post and the need for anti-virals to be taken ASAP, they may as well just have given me a fuck off tablet.

 

[elbows]

So, I gave my GP a bell as I tested + and fall in this group to see what the score is regards anti-virals. They just called back 20 hrs later and said I'll receive a letter in the post that I'll need to respond to to access these. Given it's the weekend, they're relying on the post and the need for anti-virals to be taken ASAP, they may as well just have given me a fuck off tablet.

You may be able to save some time by going straight to this website instead:

Homepage — PANORAMIC

www.panoramictrial.org

 

[nogojones]

You may be able to save some time by going straight to this website instead:

Homepage — PANORAMIC

www.panoramictrial.org

Cheers.

eta... It looks like I'm currently not eligible as so far I seem to be asymptomatic.

 

[elbows]

Some people in England who are at high risk from Covid say they have been left out of plans to give vulnerable patients quick access to treatments.

Priority test kits were supposed to be sent to people with immune conditions to ensure they could get antiviral drugs within five days of symptoms.

But cancer support groups report they have been flooded with calls from people who have not received them.

Covid-19: Vulnerable people miss out on vital priority tests

England's system for rapid access to antiviral drugs is not working, some high-risk patients say.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[hash tag]

It is important to report a positive test online. Since testing positive a few days ago, I've had a few texts and phone calls from the NHS. After going though my health and medication, thoroughly, twice, they couriered me out some anti virals later that night. They are supposed to reduce my chance of hospitalisation or death by about 90%. It needs to be done quickly and the drugs are not without side effects.