While the reasons for getting a medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccinations are extremely limited, below outlines the process through which someone can get an official exemption.
- The citizen calls the COVID-19 Covid Pass Service on 119 to request an exemption application form from COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines and testing.
- The 119 operative performs a non-medical pre-screening assessment and captures details about the citizen’s request, determines which GP/specialist clinician/midwife should review the exemption application, and any written communication accessibility preferences. The 119 operative will inform and explain to the citizen if they do not meet the pre-screening assessment criteria.
- An application form, pre-populated with information recorded by the 119 operative, will be posted to the citizen.
- On receipt of the application form, the citizen will add any relevant information/evidence required to support their application to the form and will send or otherwise deliver it to their GP/Specialist Clinician/midwife (the citizen is not required to make an appointment for this).
- The GP/Specialist Clinician/midwife will assess the application against the clinical guidance provided by DHSC, the citizen’s medical records, and any evidence/supporting information provided by the citizen.
- The GP/Specialist Clinician/midwife (or a colleague with delegated authority) will then record the outcome of the clinical assessment (i.e. exemption accepted or declined) on the Summary Care Record application (SCRa).
- Following this action, the citizen will automatically receive a notification by letter of the outcome of their application and, if their application was accepted, this will display on their NHS COVID Pass available in the NHS App or non-digital alternatives. There is no further action required from the clinician.
Reasons you could get a medical exemption
The possible reasons for exemptions are limited. Examples that might be reasons for a medical exemption are:
- people receiving end of life care where vaccination is not in the person’s best interests
- people with learning disabilities, autism or a combination of impairments which mean that vaccination and testing result in distress and who cannot be vaccinated through reasonable adjustments such as an accessible environment
- a person with severe allergies to all currently available vaccines
- those who have had an adverse reaction to the first dose (for example, myocarditis)
- Other medical conditions could also allow you to get a medical exemption.