Covid Booster Eligibility

[AnxiousPete]

I am 65 with compensated cirrhosis. I have portal hypertension and grade 1/2 oesophagal varices with bloods mostly in range. I do have anaemia and low platelets but thankfully no ascites or HE (fingers crossed). Following a post on here a few days ago about cirrhosis and eligibility for a spring Covid 19 booster, I booked an appointment on-line but it seems I may have to cancel due to ineligibility. The NHS Covid vaccination guidance (Green Book, Chapter 14a page 25 Table 3) does list cirrhosis as an 'at risk' condition however this does not appear to qualify under the Spring 2024 guidance for under 75s (page 35) which requires you to be 'immunnosuppressed /immunocompromised', the conditions for which are listed in the same table. I am unable to find anywhere to confirm this and don't want to take an appointment and vaccine from someone who does meet the criteria. It does seem a little ambiguous but my reading of this is that not all of us with cirrhosis have a weakened immune system but if anyone knows more I would be happy to hear from them. Kind regards - these days a somewhat less AnxiousPete

[Frananncru]

Hi Pete,

I too have NASH/ compensated chirrosis , stage two varices , no acites , low platelets, type 2 diabetes which is well controlled.

During COVID I received a letter telling me that as I was at risk of requiring hospitalisation if I contracted COVID I was in the vulnerable group and was eligible for vaccination . Have continued to be advised about subsequent boosters including spring booster which I had 10 days ago .

I suggest you speak to your GP to discuss why you are not eligible…. You may of “slipped through the net “

[AnxiousPete in reply to Frananncru]

Thanks I will try to check today.

[AnxiousPete in reply to Frananncru]

You must have been lucky. I have had it confirmed that cirrhosis itself does not qualify for the current covid booster cycle. If under 75 you have to meet the immunocompromised criteria in the table I referred to which is in chapter 14a of the NHS Green book. I spoke to the pharmacist at the vaccination centre who said they had turned away three peoole this morning who were not eligible.

[Oscar21 in reply to AnxiousPete]

I would speak to one of the liver nurses at the hospital you attend. They will be able to confirm the correct procedure with the Hepatologist.

In my journey , I find that GPs, Pharmacists etc do not always have the knowledge and awareness of cirrhosis and the many affects it causes.

[AnxiousPete in reply to Oscar21]

Thanks - I understand that however the covid booster 2024 guidance is very specific and only immunosupression conditions are applied for under 75s and I dnot meet thise criteria.

[Yellowsydney]

I believe You would not have been able to book on the national booking system if your NHS number had not been flagged as being eligible

[AnxiousPete in reply to Yellowsydney]

Thanks but I don't think the systen is that sophisticated to screen in that way. The spring booster works on trust at the point of booking but asks for proof of immunosupression to be provided at the appointment.

[BritishLiverTrust11 Moderator]

Hello

Here is a link to our website which includes current information about eligibility criteria which you may find helpful:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/co...

Best wishes

[AnxiousPete in reply to BritishLiverTrust11]

Thank you - It has been confirmed that for this cycle of boosters just having cirrhosis does not meet the criteria.

[Frananncru]

hi Pete

I don’t know what to say …I was contact very early on in the pandemic by NHS that due to my pre-existing medical conditions if I was to was eligible for the vaccine and have accepted when I have received an email inviting me to book .

On a positive note , I hope that if you are not eligible for vaccination your condition may not be too far advanced.

Regards Fran

[AnxiousPete in reply to Frananncru]

Thanks - my liver is well compensated but the cirrhosis is irreversible. I was lucky to get an accidental diagnosis by a CT to investigate something else (which was negative) in January 2023 so I was able to make changes before any of the more serious symptoms and decompensation. Good luck with your journey

[Frananncru]

stay positive, make the neatly choices you can ,everyday should be the best day you can make it .

Regards

Fran

[AnxiousPete in reply to Frananncru]

I do

[Aotea2012]

Yes I went for a spring booster last year as I have cirrhosis…queued for ages only to be turned away as cirrhosis in itself doesn’t qualify you for needing one. In the autumn I got a text to tell me to get the autumn booster. It was linked to my NHS number. I suspect the same will happen this year.