Individuals living with lupus, diabetes and sickle cell are among those who can now get their jab.
People with underlying health conditions such as lupus, diabetes and sickle cell are now being invited to get their Covid-19 vaccine. Throughout the pandemic, charities such as Lupus UK, African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) and Diabetes UK have been providing clinically vulnerable individuals with advice on how to manage their conditions amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Knowing the increased risks people in this group face and confident in the protection the vaccine provides, these frontline health charities have now written an open letter calling on those with underlying health conditions, their carers and people with learning disabilities to come forward and get vaccinated.
Sickle Cell Society is one of the 22 charities working together to encourage the people they support to get the jab.
People with sickle cell are very prone to catching infections so it is vital they do all they can to protect themselves from falling ill from coronavirus.
Iyamide Thomas, NHS Engagement Lead, Sickle Cell Society, said: “People with sickle cell have been on the shielding list and we encourage them to take the vaccine.
She added: “The vaccine will help because if they get Covid the chances are they could have complications from it. Apart from sickle cell, some have other underlying health conditions so it would be a double whammy.”
More than half of those in this cohort have already received their first dose of the vaccine. Laurel Brumant-Palmer, who has sickle cell, is among them.
At first she was adamant she wouldn’t be getting the jab.
“I was quite frank and said, ‘I’m not having it because it’s fairly new,’” the 57-year-old said.
But after she thoughtfully considered how vulnerable she was to becoming seriously unwell if she contracted Covid-19, Brumant-Palmer decided to get the vaccine.
“I had lost people quite close to me, and I thought I’m not having my family watch me like that. It wouldn’t be fair. It was a selfless decision – I had to think about what was best for the people around me and my daughter,” Brumant-Palmer said.
Adetutu Emmanuel, who has lupus, was also initially cautious about getting the vaccine. She spent time discussing the matter with healthcare professionals she trusted, including her doctor and her specialist, which helped her realise it made sense to get the jab.
“Having that approval from my specialists who’ve known me since I’ve been diagnosed was a bit more reassuring because obviously they know my medical history,” she said.
An event at her church, Jesus House, which she says debunked a lot of myths surrounding the vaccine, was also instrumental in making her comfortable with her decision.
The protection the vaccine offers has given Emmanuel reassurance.
She said “I didn’t want to run the risk of potentially having a lupus flare, having to go into hospital and not having been vaccinated.
“I’d much rather know that I have some level of protection.”
Her advice for others who still have reservations about getting the vaccine is to ask qualified health professionals questions and not rely on information circulating on social media.
GPs around the country are contacting their patients with long term health conditions to invite them to receive the vaccine. But anyone who is eligible and has not heard from their doctor can book their vaccination appointment using the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.
For more information on the Covid-19 vaccine, visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccine
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