Even though Covid-19 hasn't gone away, many people have been returning to normal or near normal life. However, while official statistics indicate that levels of Covid infection are still fairly low this reflects the fact that very little testing is being carried out. There are new variants of the virus still appearing, hospital admissions remain a cause for concern, and other indicators of Covid in the community confirm that Covid is still causing problems.
So, as we have been regularly pointing out on ME Association social media, people still need to take sensible precautions to reduce the risk of catching Covid and should seriously consider having a Covid Autumn booster.
NHS UK website information on all aspects of the autumn Covid booster – including how to book an appointment, different vaccines, common side effects
Vaccine Eligibility
This is the list of people who are automatically eligible for an autumn booster this year:
- Residents in care homes for older adults.
- All adults aged 65 years and over.
- People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the Covid-19 chapter of the UKHSA Green Book on Immunisation.
ME/CFS Eligibility Information
If you are under the age of 65 and have ME/CFS you will need to be considered as being in a ‘clinical risk group’ as defined by the Covid Chapter of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Green Book.
Table 3 (page 23) and Table 4 (page 25) refer to people with a ‘chronic neurological disease’ being eligible (adults and young people).
While this list doesn’t specifically mention ME/CFS, it does include Multiple Sclerosis and states that the list of examples is ‘not exhaustive’ and can include ‘related or similar conditions.’
As ME/CFS is classified as a neurological disease by the World Health Organisation (which is accepted by the NHS) and can cause a similar level of disability to Multiple Sclerosis it should therefore qualify. In addition, the statement in para 2 on page 20 says:
The examples in tables 3 and 4 are not exhaustive, and, within these broad groups, the prescriber may need to apply clinical judgment to take into account the risk of COVID-19 exacerbating any underlying disease that a patient may have, as well as the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 itself.
As there is extensive evidence of a Covid-19 infection causing an exacerbation or relapse of ME/CFS, we believe that people with ME/CFS should therefore be able to have an Autumn Booster if they want to have one, especially if they are severely or very severely affected and potentially at greater risk.
We have produced a template letter for use when speaking with a GP if you aren’t called for a Booster vaccine automatically and decide to try and have one.
Should I have a Covid Booster?
Before deciding if you want a Covid Booster it's important to take note of the pros and cons of having this vaccine:
On the positive side, it is likely to produce a significant degree of protection against catching Covid-19 over the coming 6 to 12 months (especially if you have had all the previous Covid vaccines). We know that people with ME/CFS who catch Covid are (as with any other infection) at increased risk of having an exacerbation or relapse of their ME/CFS especially if they are severely or very severely affected.
On the other hand, we know that a small but significant number of people with ME/CFS have experienced an adverse reaction to a Covid vaccine – sometimes severe and persistent. In this situation deciding to go ahead and have another vaccination is obviously going to be a difficult decision to make.
On a personal basis I have had 4 Covid vaccinations without any problems. I had the Pfizer Autumn Booster two years ago which was followed by a fairly severe adverse reaction – a red swollen leg that was the result of a vasculitis – and a prolonged period of relapse.
Dr Charles Shepherd, Honorary Medical Adviser to the ME Association
Having had 4 vaccinations without any problem I still decided to go ahead in 2023 and have an autumn booster but not with the Pfizer vaccine. This was given at the special hospital vaccination clinic and without any further adverse reaction.
It is apparent from the large amount of feedback that we receive on Covid-19 vaccinations that adverse reactions are very mixed and unpredictable, and that no clear yes/no recommendation can be made in regard to ME/CFS. Therefore, the decision is very much a personal decision based on the what we know”
One further option is to purchase a Covid Booster from a pharmacy – just as you would if you wanted to pay for a Flu vaccine. However, this is quite costly. Boots charges £98.95p
Whatever decision you make it's also important to also keep to all the usual ways of reducing the risk of catching Covid by:
- Handwashing frequently.
- Avoiding contact with people who have infective symptoms.
- Avoiding crowded or badly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Wearing a mask in places where you are in close contact with other people.
Feedback
As always, please let us know if you have had any problems obtaining an Autumn Covid Booster and if you do have one whether you have had any adverse reactions. Please email: feedback@meassociation.org.uk and title your email ‘Autumn 2024 Covid Booster’.
We will again be creating an ME Association website survey, so that you can share your decisions and experiences of the Covid Booster.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
Information provided by The ME Association should not be construed as medical advice. Don't assume any new or worsened symptoms are simply the result of having ME/CFS or Long Covid. We recommend that any information you deem relevant is discussed with your NHS GP as soon as possible. It is important that you seek personalised medical advice from the GP who is in charge of your care and who knows you well.
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