Couple shielding for years still face Covid risks

Gayle and Leslie Howard say they still wear masks when they leave the house

A West Sussex couple who are still shielding four years on from the first Covid lockdown said they feel they have been "left behind".

Gayle and Leslie Howard still wear masks when they leave the house to go shopping, saying that everyone else thinks they are a "bit weird".

Mrs Howard had a kidney transplant in 2018 but despite having a Covid vaccine and taking a drug for people with weakened immune systems, she has not got the extra layer of protection she wanted.

She said: "When people see me wearing a mask when I'm out, people walk straight at me like I'm not wearing it but there is a good reason why I am."

Gayle Howard said people who are shielding "deserve lives as much as everyone else"

Analysis

By Mark Norman, BBC South East Health Correspondent

The question is – should people with suppressed immune systems be worried?

The statistics would suggest that yes they should.

In 2022 just under 4% of the population were immunosuppressed.

However they accounted for 22% of COVID-19 hospitalisations and 24% of COVID-19 deaths that year.

One study suggests this group of patients are 16 times more likely to be hospitalised for COVID-19 than immunocompetent individuals.

'Risk with my life'

The couple used to attend music gigs but that is something they have now had to sacrifice.

Mrs Howard said: "Some people are suggesting that I do take the risk but taking the risk is taking the risk with my life."

"There is over a million people still affected by shielding following the pandemic, but we are suffering. We deserve lives as much as everyone else."

As well as being vaccinated, she takes the Evusheld drug, which contains two antibodies against Covid that boost protection for those whose immune systems do not respond well to vaccines.

Trials are currently underway on a second version of the Evushield, which is hoped it will be more effective.

The Department for Health said: "Throughout the pandemic, the government acted to save lives and livelihoods, preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed and delivered a world leading vaccine rollout, which protected millions.

"We have always said there are lessons to be learnt from the pandemic, and are committed to learning from the Covid-19 inquiry's findings."