Sheffield asthma sufferers left confused after Government changes Covid vaccine priority

Sufferers of the condition will not be offered the jab ahead of their peers unless they are formally shielding, regularly take steroid tablets or have ever had an emergency hospital admission.

It comes despite previous guidance indicating those who used steroid inhalers would be eligible for priority vaccination, although it has since been judged they are not at increased risk of death.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the change followed independent advice that the immediate priority should be to “prevent deaths and protect health and care staff, with old age deemed the single biggest factor determining mortality”.

A DHSC spokesperson said: "This prioritisation captures almost all preventable deaths from Covid-19."

People with non-severe asthma are considered by the NHS to be at increased risk from Covid, but not at risk of dying from the virus.

Asthma has also been linked to an increased risk of ‘Long Covid’ - a series of symptoms that linger after the initial infection has cleared.

Some residents in Sheffield took to Twitter to share their views on the change.

Heather Burge said: I have had asthma for my whole life, it is under really good control and I only need blue inhalers when it is set off by illness. We are listed as clinically vulnerable - if I catch it would probably trigger mine - yet not vulnerable enough to be prioritised!? Makes no sense.”

Jane Arbury said: “What they've actually shown is no greater risk of "catching and then dying from" Covid. So we could be more at risk but we've been extra careful to avoid catching it in the first place so we're not showing up in the statistics.”

However, Paul Hopwood agreed with the change adding: “Free flu vaccine is to increase uptake in the asthmatics to avoid serious illness which is purely cost driven/related where as with COVID vaccine (that is limited in supply) it’s about prioritisation on who gets the free COVID vaccine first on an at risk scale. Makes sense to me.”

A parliamentary petition has now been set up calling for priority Covid vaccines for all asthmatics.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.