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. The entire population is therefore at risk of catching it. It is estimated that as many as 80% of people who catch the virus may experience relatively mild or no symptoms but are able to pass on the infection to others. People who do develop symptoms are at risk of passing it on to others for up around 7 days before symptoms emerge. The commonest symptoms are high fever, cough, or shortness of breath. People aged over 70, with long-term conditions or a weakened immune system are at risk of developing complications of the infection, including secondary lung infections or damaging excess activity of the immune system. Some patients with particular neurological conditions, who receive certain treatments for neurological conditions, or who also have other non- neurological conditions are at increased risk of complications of COVID-19.
Treatment Information Expand High Risk Individuals The NHS is offering new antibody and antiviral treatments to people with coronavirus (COVID-19) who are at highest risk of becoming seriously ill. Sotrovimab is an antibody treatment. Molnupiravir is an antiviral medicine. Immunodeficiency UK Update RE Treatments 10th Feb 2022 NHS Treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19) England Treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19) Wales (COVID-19) Scotland Coronavirus Treatments (COVID-19) Northern Ireland Treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19) PANORAMIC Trial COVID-19 oral antivirals will be evaluated through a new national study called PANORAMIC, run by the University of Oxford. The national study is open to individuals living anywhere in the UK who meet the following criteria: have tested positive for COVID-19 using a PCR test have COVID-19 symptoms that started within the last five days are aged 50 and over, or are aged 18 and over with a health condition that puts them at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid 19. The study will test whether these new oral antiviral treatments can help higher-risk people in the early stages of the coronavirus illness recover faster and therefore reduce the number of people admitted to hospital. 50% of patients will be randomised to receive an antiviral and 50% will receive the current standard of care so the study team can see any difference in the health of those who received the antiviral treatment compared to those who did not. All participants take part from their own homes, without needing to visit a clinic or hospital. The oral treatment will be delivered directly to their home by the trial team. All participants will still be able to access any health care that they would normally expect to receive. Those eligible can sign up for the trial at the study website. PANORAMIC Homepage — PANORAMIC (panoramictrial.org)
General Guidance, Information and Support Expand COVID 19 - Nation specific guidance England Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support Wales Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scotland Coronavirus in Scotland NI Coronavirus (COVID-19) COVID 19 - Guidance for those at higher risk England COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Scotland Wales Northern Ireland Association of British Neurologists COVID-19 Guidance and Advice - Association of British Neurologists (theabn.org) Myaware Medical Committee guidance All patients with myasthenia are advised to keep up to date with all Covid vaccinations as offered. Patients and close relatives should continue to utilise precautions such as wearing masks, social distancing and hand washing, particularly when in close proximity to people with an unknown vaccination status. Patients should promote open discussions about prevention of COVID-19 infection, including vaccination, among those with whom they live with, or people they socialise with, and encourage them to get vaccinated to keep everyone safe. If specific questions remain, patients should seek medical advice from their GP or treating neurologist to discuss in more detail their individual clinical situation and estimated risks. Support from Myaware If you have questions, contact our support team directly. Tel:01332 949161 or email [email protected] For specialist guidance on Benefits, Welfare, Education, Employment, Motoring and much more see our Benefits and Welfare advice page or contact Steve Bradshaw, myaware’s Benefits and Welfare Officer at [email protected] or on 01332 290219.
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.
Q&A RE Coronavirus Vaccines 19th October 2021 Expand Please read our Q & A on Coronavirus Vaccines in full via the PDF Updated Covid Q&A October 2021
Vaccine Booster information Expand On 5 and 19 August 2021 the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considered whether some individuals may benefit from a third vaccine dose as part of their primary schedule of COVID-19 vaccination (described henceforth in this document as ‘third primary dose’), you can read more on the Gov.uk website.
4th Booster Dose Expand Click on the link to find out more information from the NHS about the 4th booster dose 4th Booster Dose
Coronavirus Q&A April 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. This links to Bethan’s Zoom interview Watch the interview You can read a full transcript of the interview here.
Working Safely During the Pandemic Expand Current government advice on staying COVID safe in the workplace
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. 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, has today launched 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. NNAG Press Release