COVID-19: Guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable

Last week, the government released guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable, and committed to contacting them through the NHS.

People who use drugs or alcohol will not be included in this group by default. However, many of that group may have underlying health conditions which would qualify them, so it is important to check whether you – or your clients – fall into the group. Notably, the guidance extends to “People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.”

If you have a serious underlying health condition within the scope of the government guidance, and you have not been contacted by the NHS, please make sure you fill out this online form. You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else.

People with a serious underlying health condition are expected to ‘shield’ themselves for 12 weeks. Read further government guidance on shielding on how to nominate a contact to collect essential medicines on your behalf.

We are working with partners to better understand how people with drug and alcohol issues are affected by these categories, so as usual we welcome any suggestions.