ABN statement 20 September 2021
The Government's COVID-19 guidance continues to change. On 16 September a booster programme was commenced offering a booster immunisation at least 6 months following a second primary immunisation.
Those who are eligible include:
• those living in residential care homes for older adults
• all adults aged 50 years or over
• frontline health and social care workers
• all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them
at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers
• adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.
Hospital hubs have started vaccinating frontline health and care workers
as well as identifying other eligible patients for their booster vaccine immediately, with GP-led local vaccination services to follow in the coming days.
Full vaccination rollout will begin from next week, as more vaccination centres and community pharmacy-led sites come online following final checks, giving people further protection from the virus ahead of winter.
People do not need
to contact the NHS to arrange their booster vaccine, the NHS will be in touch when they become eligible for the jab with around 4.5 million people in priority groups eligible for a booster over the coming weeks.
On 1st September guidance was issued on a third primary covid-19 vaccine dose for people who are immunosuppressed, which the ABN published on this website (link).
Over time, we have learned that some of the medications that were thought to increase the risk from COVID-19 do not pose a risk to patients. A new Q-COVID risk assessment tool will be available very soon which may change guidance. The
ABN COVID-19 hopes to update its guidance very soon.
Jon Sussman, Hon. Secretary, Association of British Neurologists
20 September 2021
ABN Guidance on third primary covid-19 vaccine dose for people who are immunosuppressed ABN Guidance - 10 September 2021
Summary
People with weakened immune systems who have received two COVD-19 jabs may not respond fully and may not be sufficiently protected against infection. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has therefore recommended
a third vaccine dose for people who are immunosuppressed as a result of receiving certain treatments or having particular conditions. This is relevant to neurology patients, some of whom take steroids or immunosuppressive drugs, or
have immune conditions that affect the nervous system.
This is not a booster or top-up jab to correct the mild reduction in immunity that may occur more than 6 months following a second dose of a COVID-19 jab in people with a normal immune system. Specialists in collaboration with
general practitioners will identify patients who need a third primary dose of vaccine and the optimal timing.
Guidance may be updated and a joint statement is expected from the Royal College of Physicians by mid-September on identifying people who are severely immunosuppressed and should be offered a third vaccine dose.
More detail here
Jon Sussman, Hon. Secretary Association of British Neurologists
10 September 2021
ABN Guidance on COVID-19 for people with neurological conditions, their doctors and carers
We now know that the risk of complicated COVID-19 infection is increased in certain groups, including older age, obesity, male gender, BAME ethnicity, diabetes and cardiorespiratory disease. These risk factors are found in many neurology patients. It
was originally thought that immunosuppressive treatments and conditions with reduced immune function were a major risk for complications of covid but this doesn't seem to be the case in mildly affected individuals. Risk scores such
a QCovid have been developed but they don't provide a measure of risk for the very many neurological conditions, and don't take account of the severity of conditions or associated frailty.
In co-operation with the Royal College of Physicians, and the Chief Medical Officer's team, the ABN has produced guidance on the risks from a variety of conditions and treatments. The document, (which can be found on the
COVID-19 Response page) can be used to identify those at high, medium or low risk of complications from COVID-19 infection.
The ABN advice and guidance will be updated
as new information becomes available.
Update 23 February 2021: Following the rollout of vaccination for COVID-19, the groups who are 'clinically extremely vulnerable' has been increased by 1.7 million people. This reflects better understanding of
the risk factors for a more severe course of COVID-19. This information is available in the media and ABN guidance will be updated shortly to reflect these changes.
Jon Sussman, Hon. Secretary Association of British Neurologists
13 January 2021
