What COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Groups are People with PSC in?
Which COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Groups are People with PSC in?
People with PSC are in priority group 6 or higher
Updated 6 March 2021
If you've been told you are not in a priority group for the COVID-19 vaccine, and you have PSC, please get in touch so we can help.
Priority groups agreed nationally
Each UK nation is prioritising patients according to the guidance set out by the JCVI. It is explained in full here and set out in the table below.
Priority group 4
PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis) is a rare liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis. Most people with PSC are young and appear at low risk for COVID. However, if cirrhosis is present, such people are in the clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) group (priority group 4). (People with PSC may also be in group 4 because they have had a liver transplant or because of the medications they take. These people will have been advised to shield.)
Priority group 6
Even those without cirrhosis remain at increased risk under priority group 6 according to the recommendations of the JCVI, and the national guidance of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
NHS England confirmed to PSC Support on 27 January that “people with PSC will be called for the Covid vaccine (as they are for flu) in group 6. Unless they are also clinically extremely vulnerable, as decided by the Chief Medical Officer, in which case they will be called sooner (group 4).”
How we can help
If you have been told you are not in group 6...
If you have PSC and are advised that you are not in priority group 6 or higher, please get in touch with us so we can give you a letter to show your GP. This letter explains why you are in group 6 (or higher). Let us know if you are in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales so we can send you the right letter.
Special thanks to:
- Dr Andrew Yeoman (Wales)
- Dr Simon Rushbrook (England)
- Dr Mike Williamson (Scotland) and
- Dr Neil McDougall (Northern Ireland)
for their support in preparing the letters and for being national contacts for GP clinical enquires about the vaccines.
Priority group summary
| Priority Group |
Risk Group |
| 1 | Residents in a care home for older adults Staff working in care homes for older adults |
| 2 | All those 80 years of age and over Frontline health and social care workers |
| 3 | All those 75 years of age and over |
| 4 | All those 70 years of age and over Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals (not including pregnant women and those under 16 years of age) |
| 5 | All those 65 years of age and over |
| 6 | Adults aged 16 to 65 years in an 'at-risk' group This includes some people with chronic liver disease* and people with immunosuppression (due to disease or treatment)*Does chronic liver disease include PSC? Yes, NHS England confirmed to us 27 Jan 2021 that this includes PSC patients (unless they are in Group 4). |
| 7 | All those 60 years of age and over |
| 8 | All those 55 years of age and over |
| 9 | All those 50 years of age and over |
