Booster vaccination

I am so lucky because my local pharmacy, 10 minutes walk away, gives flu jabs each year and this year added the booster vaccine. I did not have mine done at the same time in case I had a reaction but I am now sorted for a repeat performance in a year's time.

325,140 booster jabs were administered in the UK on Saturday alone. Considering that the race is still on to vaccinate the 12 to 15 year olds and those in older age groups who still, for whatever reason, haven’t had their first or second jab, I think this is a remarkable effort.

Our GP surgery was not involved in the earlier Covid jabs, nor the booster. We both had letters inviting us to book online or by phone for a community centre, a few miles away but easy to-reach and to park. It was very efficient. Unfortunately they are not doing the boosters there.
I was getting worried at not hearing anything, then I read online that it had to be at least 189 days after your second jab, and yesterday my letter of invitation arrived, bang on time.

I went online and there were lots of places to choose from, but most were 9-10 miles away, and I would need to drive through the city and out, which I don’t fancy. Then I found one at a college campus, in the country, an easy drive, plenty of parking. They are only doing weekend slots so there won’t be students around. Ideal.

It's alarming to see the variation in the provision of boosters. For a start, the NHS has a record of all our first and second doses and in my case, I had a NHS text to telling that the six months period was up and giving a selection of sites to go to - the closest about five miles away. However, a day or two later, I had a text from my own practice asking me to make an appointment at our Civic Hall which was much more convenient - in and out in ten minutes.

DH and I both received our letter with an appointment for booster/flu vaccination at the same local venue in Glasgow shortly before it being 6 months since our second vaccination.

LondonMzFitz

Marydoll

Hopefully this will clarify. Sorry I can't make it any clearer.

Now, I like to think I'm about as well informed as the next person but I went yesterday for my booster (booked via appointment text from my GP) and was told I was getting the third vaccine (also on meds that reduce my immune system). And informed my "booster" would be in 6 months time. I had no idea there was a third vaccine!

Glad to hear that you are sorted.

Just had my booster which was six months after my second vaccine.This was booked for me and carried out at a health center where my local surgery send all their patients, with exception to the flu booster, which is carried out at the surgery.

Marydoll

Hopefully this will clarify. Sorry I can't make it any clearer.

Now, I like to think I'm about as well informed as the next person but I went yesterday for my booster (booked via appointment text from my GP) and was told I was getting the third vaccine (also on meds that reduce my immune system). And informed my "booster" would be in 6 months time. I had no idea there was a third vaccine!

Pittcity

In North Essex you can go to the walk in pop ups with no appointment if you are eligible for your booster. I understand that there are queues!

Even though I had booked an appointment online, there was still a long queue at the centre - outside in the cold. We were joking that we’d all get pneumonia - I was glad of my nice warm coat!
My appt. was for 2.25, finally had the jab at just after 3. And we’d all booked appts. They must have been short of a ‘jabber’.

Baggs

Shinamae

I’ve had Covid twice, two vaccinations, and then my booster, no problems at all

Shinamae, may I ask if you were ill when you "had covid twice" or did you have positive test results but few or no symptoms? (I hope the latter).

If I hadn’t of had positive test results I would not of known that I had Covid…twice….

Maggiemaybe, I got the NHS text to book my booster - but found that no appointments were available anywhere. I tried every day for a week before, eventually, I was 'lucky' and able to book one. Yes, I moaned at all the TV reminders to 'get your booster' - and the leaflet though the door.

There wasn't any choice of venue or much choice of time, yet still I felt so lucky. I'm not surprised that people are frustrated by the system.

In North Essex you can go to the walk in pop ups with no appointment if you are eligible for your booster. I understand that there are queues!

BlueSky

Thanks Shinamae I guess there would have to be a certain interval between catching Covid and the booster?

i looked this up, as annoyingly i have had a chesty cold/cough just when i got the invitation to booster jab.
what i read on nhs website said to wait 28 days from first symptoms, before getting vaccination.

Shinamae

I’ve had Covid twice, two vaccinations, and then my booster, no problems at all

Shinamae, may I ask if you were ill when you "had covid twice" or did you have positive test results but few or no symptoms? (I hope the latter).

BlueSky

Thanks Shinamae I guess there would have to be a certain interval between catching Covid and the booster?

The last time I had Covid was mid February

I got a text from the NHS exactly 6 months after my 2nd vaccination, telling me I’m “now eligible for my booster vaccination”. I fall into the first priority group as a nurse working in elderly care. The residents in the home I work in all had their boosters the week before. I think they are rolling it out using the same priority groups as they did for the first vaccination.

SueDonim

What’s the difference between a third jab and a booster? Different names for the same thing or are they separate things.

My Dh has an appt for a flu jab where a booster CV ‘may be available’. I’ve heard nothing, though I had mine only one week after his.

What I was told is that currently they are the same. That might change in the future.

A third dose is for those who are immune Compromised and can be given before 6 months

A booster is after 6 months for the rest of us.

People receiving a third dose Will likely be offered a booster in 6 months time

Tanks for replies

Thanks Shinamae I guess there would have to be a certain interval between catching Covid and the booster?

I’ve had Covid twice, two vaccinations, and then my booster, no problems at all

Would anybody know what happens if you had Covid as well as the two jabs? I don’t seem to get any information on this.

I found this from a Zoe update today. Might be of interest to some.

Tim also talks about a new COVID strain emerging from the Delta variant.

Oh yes, Katek, that would explain why you had your letter so early and we haven't had ours yet. That makes sense, and I'm very glad for you that they could offer it to your DH at the same time! Isn't it nice when the system works with a bit of sensible thinking?

You can only book online if you are over 50 and have been invited. Unless of course you are a health worker. I think that it's probably best to wait s couple of weeks past the 6 month date before getting concerned.

That’s me done! Even better they checked DH’s eligibility and said he could have his done today as well. Now just sitting for our 15 minutes before heading home.