Publication - Advice and guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding support and contacts
Details of shielding support for people to arrange for food and medicine deliveries, and other support services.
Highest risk group
Some specific groups of people are considered to be at the highest risk of severe illness if they become infected with coronavirus.
If you are in this group you will receive a letter from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or be contacted by your doctor. If you are in this group, you should stay safe by shielding at home.
We have put together advice for people with specific medical conditions, including for those who do not fall into the groups listed below.
The highest risk group includes the following people:
| Grouping | How would I know if I am in this group? |
|---|---|
| Solid organ transplant recipients |
This group includes people who have had a transplant of heart, lung, stomach or other part of intestine, liver and kidney. People will be in this group because they need to take medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. |
| People with specific cancers | This is made up of five sub-groups. They are:
|
| People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), severe bronchiectasis and pulmonary hypertension. |
People in this group include:
|
| People with rare diseases including all forms if interstitial lung disease/sarcoidosis and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell disease) | There are many conditions classed as a rare disease. Not everyone with a rare disease will be at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Your clinician will know if you should be in the highest risk group. They will make sure that you are added to the list. Once added you will receive a letter. |
|
People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection or who have had their spleens removed |
Immunosuppressive therapy may be used to keep a person from rejecting a bone marrow or organ transplant. It may also be used to treat conditions in which the immune system is overactive, such as autoimmune diseases and allergies. In some cases these treatments may put people at highest risk should they contract Covid-19 infection. The following situations put people shielding group:
Patients on a single Disease Modifying medications (DMARD) or Biologic such as Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Ciclosporin, Leflunomide plus others, would not automatically be in the shielding group if they are otherwise healthy. This should be discussed with the specialist or GP if you are not sure. |
| People who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired | If you are being followed up by a specialist heart clinic during your pregnancy. |
|
People who are receiving renal dialysis treatment |
People receiving and those starting renal dialysis. |
Thank you to the clinicians who are helping us identify the people who need to protect themselves by shielding at home. We are asking GPs and hospital clinicians to make sure that anyone who is at the highest risk is sent a letter. This might be someone who does not have one of the conditions listed above.
If you think you fall into one of these groups, and have not received a letter, please contact your GP or specialist.
Not everyone who has an annual flu vaccine for medical reasons will be contacted. However, they are asked to take steps to reduce their social interactions by following physical distancing (also known as social distancing). This will reduce their risk of being infected with coronavirus.
If you do not fall into one of these groups and cannot get support from friends and family, there are other ways to access support.