Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[mikeprice]

I'm finding the qualifying details hard to track too. I don't qualify for either flu or covid vaccine purely on age. I've been invited to a flu jab, presumably as I am down as having asthma. What I read on the gov site for covid vaccine was if you take steroid tablets you qualify - well I use Fostair which is steroid but not tablet form. Using the online equivalent of the NHSapp, when I answered 'I think I might be vulnerable' (because I really don't know what the definition is) then it allows me to book! It certainly isn't clear!

 

A couple of years ago - pre COVID -I asked about the flu jab at the Pharmacy

They asked about steroids and I mentioned Fostair - they immediately agreed to do the jab so it does count for flu

 

COVID seems less clear on where the boundaries are - anyone tried asking at a GP surgery for the qualifications

 

I would still recommend asking at the Pharmacy and see if they will do it - best to try the one where you get your meds - I suppose!

[mikes]

Been doing the rounds here for past month and steadily increasing amongst staff. Whole departments being taken out one by one at the moment. I had it for the first time last month and still suffer from lack of energy afterwards.

 

Don't hear of it so much now amongst the kids.

 

I know the advice given is not very clear - but even if you have covid you can actually still go to work, it's only advised to stay at home. I was in my bed for several days and certainly couldn't go to work - and I very very rarely take any time off sick

 

Can't believe the advice is "Just go to work brah you'll be fine" I was very sick with it last time although not needing hospitalisation but my colleague's cousin caught it back in the big covid days and had the usual sickness. But this variant sent her to hospital for 2 days with breathing difficulties. I believe it's going around our school so I am trying to stay well out of everyone's way.

[mikeprice]

If someone catches it and gets long Covid and can;t work for an extended time

 

can they claim industrial injury due to this directive in the face of a known infectious disease with potential long term effects???

[Ditto]

If someone catches it and gets long Covid and can;t work for an extended time

 

can they claim industrial injury due to this directive in the face of a known infectious disease with potential long term effects???

 

That's a really good way at looking at it and as for the claim-ability - well I expect you'd need to be seriously up for a battle! At work, we just got an update to Staff Handbook and new Health and Safety booklet. When you read all the (excuse for the slang) namby-pamby lifting advice, working at heights, lone working, VDI advice, eye breaks adviceetc. etc., which can all be summarised by 'use your common sense' - but carry on going to work when carrying a disease which could seriously harm or kill others. In that light, it does look spectacularly daft!

[Ditto]

If someone catches it and gets long Covid and can;t work for an extended time

 

can they claim industrial injury due to this directive in the face of a known infectious disease with potential long term effects???

Oh, on the advice for covid vaccine, I dug a lot deeper and think I now understand the details. I can provide links if anyone is interested.

 

So, yes, if you use fostair etc. regularly it means you are recommended for free flu jab, but not for covid jab- well, unless you are under 16, where it is yes you do for covid. In practice, I think GPs are offering both if they want to (or maybe need to use up stock!). I am due in for flu jab next week, so I will ask and see what comes of it and provide an update.

[filteringtech]

I was invited to book for a flu jab. When I got there (a couple of weeks ago), I was asked if I was having both flu and Covid. I opted for just the Covid vax as I sometimes get a reaction from the flu jab, which I still want, but not at the same time, so I'm back again this week for flu. It all seems a bit random as to who gets what. Edited October 9, 2023 by filteringtech

[Ditto]

I was invited to book for a flu jab. When I got there (a couple of weeks ago), I was asked if I was having both flu and Covid. I opted for just the Covid vax as I sometimes get a reaction from the flu jab, which I still want, but not at the same time, so I'm back again this week for flu. It all seems a bit random as to who gets what.

Yes, my preference is 2 weeks apart, so will try similar.

[elsiegee40]

I haven’t been feeling right for about a week. This morning’s Covid test was positive. I have Covid for the first time ever.

 

Main symptom is pressure in my skull. I have been a bit achey, but not at the moment. I have a bit of a sore throat and a bit of a runny nose, but neither is particularly bad.

 

We were supposed to be going out for dinner with Daughter tonight to celebrate her 30th birthday. That’s been cancelled.

[Andrew_C]

I have Covid for the first time ever.

 

Groo... GWS!

[StevieM]

I haven’t been feeling right for about a week. This morning’s Covid test was positive. I have Covid for the first time ever.

 

Main symptom is pressure in my skull. I have been a bit achey, but not at the moment. I have a bit of a sore throat and a bit of a runny nose, but neither is particularly bad.

 

We were supposed to be going out for dinner with Daughter tonight to celebrate her 30th birthday. That’s been cancelled.

Well done for avoiding it for so long! Sorry to hear it's affected your celebration plans. Hope you recover quickly without any of the lasting effects.

 

On the topic of vaccines, I received a text from NHSvaccine, this morning, inviting me to 'book [my] seasonal COVID-19 vaccination' as '[my] NHS record suggests may be at increased risk due to a health condition or medical treatment.'

 

I'm over 50 but nowhere near 65, use beclomethasone and salbutamol for asthma, and take statins. There is also family history of heart health issues, which may be a contributing factor.

 

Last year's invite gave me the option of going to a walk-in, but it looks like I need to book an appointment, this time.

 

Ironically, opposite to other posts on this thread, the message said I 'may also be eligible for an NHS flu vaccine'.

Edited October 10, 2023 by StevieM

[Linfit]

It does seem a bit random. I was invited for a flu jab by my GP, which I had on Saturday, but told I was not eligible for Covid as I was not old enough (59).

 

Had a message from them on the NHS app last night - "We have identified you may be eligible for a seasonal Covid vaccination..... " and a link to the booking site.

 

Answered Yes to the "I think I may be vulnerable" question and got a booking at a local pharmacy for this afternoon, no follow up questions.

Fair enough, but I could have had both on Saturday - many of the people there were having both done.

 

Seems to me they are readily available if you don't qualify on the age criteria alone if you essentially "self certify" as requiring one.

 

Last year they just did both no issues.

[StevieM]

On the topic of vaccines, I received a text from NHSvaccine, this morning, inviting me to 'book [my] seasonal COVID-19 vaccination' as '[my] NHS record suggests may be at increased risk due to a health condition or medical treatment.'

 

Update on this:

 

I've just checked my email and there was an invite there, too. This included a link to 'a list of eligible health conditions and treatments' (Unfortunately, it just says, 'Sorry there is a problem with this part of the NHS website.') and told me that I can go to a walk-in clinic.

 

EDIT: The link worked when I tried again.

Edited October 10, 2023 by StevieM

[mikeprice]

I haven’t been feeling right for about a week. This morning’s Covid test was positive. I have Covid for the first time ever.

 

Main symptom is pressure in my skull. I have been a bit achey, but not at the moment. I have a bit of a sore throat and a bit of a runny nose, but neither is particularly bad.

 

We were supposed to be going out for dinner with Daughter tonight to celebrate her 30th birthday. That’s been cancelled.

 

Sending sympathy

 

I sort of assume I have had it at some point but not realised

I have tested for it many times but it has always been negative - might have had it and just thought it was hay fever or something

 

maybe just been lucky

 

anyway - hope you feel better soon

[elsiegee40]

I haven’t been feeling right for about a week. This morning’s Covid test was positive. I have Covid for the first time ever.

 

Main symptom is pressure in my skull. I have been a bit achey, but not at the moment. I have a bit of a sore throat and a bit of a runny nose, but neither is particularly bad.

 

We were supposed to be going out for dinner with Daughter tonight to celebrate her 30th birthday. That’s been cancelled.

 

The pressure in my skull reduced yesterday evening, but the skin on my scalp became very tender. It felt like my pillow was solid - very uncomfortable.

 

I did manage to sleep and this morning the tenderness has much reduced. The sore throat has gone and I still have a bit of a sniffle. I’m tired, but a decent night’s sleep would help immensely!

 

As illness goes, I have had worse.

[Ditto]

Oh, on the advice for covid vaccine, I dug a lot deeper and think I now understand the details. I can provide links if anyone is interested.

 

So, yes, if you use fostair etc. regularly it means you are recommended for free flu jab, but not for covid jab- well, unless you are under 16, where it is yes you do for covid. In practice, I think GPs are offering both if they want to (or maybe need to use up stock!). I am due in for flu jab next week, so I will ask and see what comes of it and provide an update.

As promised, an update following flu jab administered by a paramedic at local GP. When I asked about covid booster jab, they said yes, I could have it. I suggested I wait a week or two to rest the immune system (no science behind this!) but again they were happy and I could book it at GP or elsewhere. When I discussed the qualifying requirements, the view seemed to be if you want it you can have it. When I mentioned my understanding of qualifying criteria, I got the feeling I knew the details more than them. Bottom line seems to be, within reason, if you regard yourself as borderline qualifying, then they are very happy for you to go ahead. In truth, this is really about asthma, covid risks and the covid vaccine. Unlike flu, there is data showing you are not at greater risk from covid if you have controlled asthma - potentially the opposite, but it's a much more detailed conversation than I will go in to here!

[southhamster]

Interesting article which suggests that having covid and flu jabs together is beneficial. Being a Ancient One, I was offered both last month so had them at the same time. Usual 2 days of feeling a bit rubbish but no worse than the COVID booster on its own. Glad to know I am brimming over with antibodies!

[southhamster]

Interesting article which suggests that having covid and flu jabs together is beneficial. Being a Ancient One, I was offered both last month so had them at the same time. Usual 2 days of feeling a bit rubbish but no worse than the COVID booster on its own. Glad to know I am brimming over with antibodies!

Duh, here's the link

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/15/covid-flu-vaccine-same-time-study?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

[StevieM]

Interesting article which suggests that having covid and flu jabs together is beneficial. Being a Ancient One, I was offered both last month so had them at the same time. Usual 2 days of feeling a bit rubbish but no worse than the COVID booster on its own. Glad to know I am brimming over with antibodies!

I had both COVID and flu together last year... then caught COVID a few days later before the anti-bodies had fully got to work.

 

I'm due both again, but have had neither yet as I was ill at the time of my appointment.

[Andrew_C]

This isn't a criticism of current, or recent, govts, but ALL OF THEM THAT ALLOWED THIS!!

 

Vallance is being asked about how he was required to provide scientific advise to key decision makers.

 

He said earlier that only 10% of the civil servants hired as part of the government's graduate intake programme had a science, maths or engineering degree, with 90% coming from a humanities and social science background.

[mavhc]

People with maths/science/engineering degrees can get real jobs, you'd have to pay them way more to attract them to government jobs where your boss is some random person 10000 people voted for in a random area of the country, and 6 months later you get a new boss who also knows nothing

[LeMarchand]

6 months later you get a new boss who also knows nothing

 

Sounds familiar...

[6Foot2]

... 6 months later you get a new boss who also knows nothing

 

Sounds familiar...

 

It's not just bosses! Before my time as school network manager began, I was interviewed by an eighteen-year-old for a scientifically based role with Merck Sharp & Dohme.

 

She didn't understand the question that had been written for her, and she didn't understand my replies.

 

After a long wait (> 6 months) I was informed that I hadn't succeeded in the interview. To this day, I have no idea how they were able to make that assessment.

 

 

Back on topic...

[Ditto]

So in just a few days, the government coronavirus dashboard will be decommissioned. For someone with a passion for data and it's interpretation, it's been and interesting and at times disturbing journey. But things, as always, move on.

 

For those that wish to keep an eye on the data, a new dashboard targeted at a broader range of respiratory diseases is available and will continue to cover coronavirus.

 

https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/

[BOOT]

Shame it doesn't also cover Bacterial Pneumonia. Seems to be spreading rapidly where I live.

[mikeprice]

Seems like Whooping Cough is on the rise as well

 

I've had that and measles

 

hasn't done me any harm (other opinions are available!)

 

NOTE - but they clearly can do - not trivialising them - they can be damn dangerous - but worth looking out for WHooping Cough if you see any kids that might have it

not all parents are aware of these things as they are not a common as they used to be!