Am I considered vulnerable?
Most patients who recieve a flu vaccination are considered vulnerable. The government has given specific advice to those who have underlying conditions or are over 70. Evidence in other countries has shown that if you fall into any of these categories you are more at risk from serious complications if you catch Corona Virus. If anyone in your household shows signs of the disease, you must in the first instance remove yourself from the home to stay elsewhere. If this is not possible segregate yourself as much as you can, using separate bedrooms, bathrooms and thoroughly wash all shared items.
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.
YOU MUST STILL ATTEND FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AS ADVISED
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 (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
- being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
- those who are pregnant
Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
These include
- people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
- people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
- people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
- people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)
As a practice we have made changes to the way we deliver our services so that when you need to attend the practice for regular care from us, you are not put at risk. This Please ensure that you follow our advice when you attend the practice.
Make sure reception have your up to date mobile number as we can text you when we are ready to see you for your appoinment. You could wait in your car outside the practice to ensure you are not mixing with others in the waiting room. This is just one of the tools we may use. Over the next week we will endeavour to ensure that you receive information about changes to our services. Please keep checking our website for information.
