What is Coronavirus? Expand COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus that affects the lungs and airways. It is related to viruses that cause the common cold. Unlike the common cold, this virus is new, so nobody has immunity to it. For up to date information on Coronavirus and symptoms please click here Covid Aid is the UK’s national charity dedicated to supporting those significantly affected by Covid-19. For more details, click here.
General Guidance, Information and Support Expand Information and links to country specific general and specific advice for higher risk patients can be found on our website: General Guidance, Information and Support
Autumn 2023 Flu and Covid Vaccination Programme Expand Precautionary measure taken to protect those most vulnerable from illness during winter following the identification of Covid-19 variant BA.2.86. Vaccinations are now set to start on 11 September in England with adult care home residents and those most at risk to receive vaccines first. Autumn 2023 Flu & Covid Information
Evusheld Update Expand In March 2022, Evusheld was authorised for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This treatment is aimed at adults who are unlikely to mount an immune response from COVID-19 vaccination or for whom vaccination is not recommended Procurement of this drug has stalled and myaware has been involved in asking for clarification as to why this drug isn’t yet available. For updates please see our website
Treatment Information Expand For further information on NHS and UK devolved treatments, please visit our website for Treatment Information High Risk Individuals The NHS offers treatments to people with coronavirus (COVID-19) who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. The 4 treatments available are: Nirmatrelvir, ritonavir, remdesivir and molnupiravir which are antiviral medicines. Sotrovimab is an antibody medicine.
Advocacy Expand Myaware has taken the following steps to ensure that the needs and voices of our members are heard with regard to Coronavirus vaccinations: Myaware has written to the Ministers for Health in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as numerous local MPS to request a statement of intent with regard to plans to protect those who are immunocompromised against the effects of Coronavirus. Here you will find a template letter if you wish to write to your local MP regarding this subject. Please see attached reply from Maggie Throup MP in response to a letter sent to Caroline Ansell MP by a myaware trustee. Myaware has joined www.nationalvoices.org.uk the leading coalition of health and social care charities in England so that members needs are represented. Myaware is a long term member of the Neurological Alliance www.neural.org.uk The Neurological Alliance is a coalition of more than 80 organisations working together to transform outcomes for the millions of people in England with a neurological condition. They campaign for high quality care and support to meet the individual needs of every person with a neurological condition, at every stage of their life. Myaware recently received the following information from Neurological Alliance regarding their advocacy work on behalf of those who are immunosuppressed or compromised.
Working Safely During the Pandemic Expand For up to date information on safe working practices please visit the Health and Safety Executive website.
Impact of Pandemic on Neurological Services Expand National neurology and neuroscience leaders warn of a perfect storm for services for people with neurological conditions resulting from the pandemic. In April 2021 The National Neuroscience Advisory Group (NNAG), a group of healthcare professionals, and national and local policy and commissioning leads patient groups working together to improve the quality of care for people living with neurological conditions, produced a report which shows the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with neurological conditions and key services on which they rely. The report can be found here. Following on from this report, a petition has been prepared on the Neurological Alliance website: www.neural.org.uk (In conjunction with the MS Society) to Back the 1 in 6. (1 in 6 people are believed to have a neurological condition in the UK). There simply isn’t enough staff to cope with the number of patients. The aim is for a ‘taskforce’ to address these problems and create real change for everyone affected by a neurological condition. If you would like to add your name to the petition, and for more details, please click here.
Coronavirus Q&A 2021 Expand The myaware medical committee have recently put together an interview with Bethan Peach (chair of the myaware medical committee) covering all the frequently asked questions regarding Coronavirus and the vaccines. There is also a transcript of the interview to read. In April 2021, Bethan Peach (chair of the myaware medical committee) spoke to our support team covering frequently asked questions from our members. A video of the April 2021 interview is available via this link below: Watch the interview You can read a full transcript of the interview here. Q&A RE: Coronavirus Vaccines 19th October 2021 Please read our Q & A on Coronavirus Vaccines in full via the PDF: Updated Covid Q&A October 2021