Booster vaccination

Marydoll Rascal

Your page should look like this, Rascal

Double whammy. Got a call from my doctors offering me an appointment in two weeks which I accepted but then went to the walk in centre and have had one today. Must cancel the other one. Still quite quiet at the walk in centre. I don’t think many people know about it. Feeling very relieved tonight. Only blip was the lady sitting next to me taking her mask off in the 25 minute wait room but I just went and sat somewhere else! Good old NHS.

Forgot the screen shot! Duh!!!

As I am immunosuppressed I was given my third vaccine dose (not the booster) on 1st October. The vaccinator said that my third dose had to be the same as my primary vaccine which was Astra Zeneca so was given that one again. I have now received a letter from the NHS Fife saying that I was given the wrong third dose and the immunosuppressed should have been given the Pfizer one. They have apologised and said I will still have good protection. Hope so! Maybe if you are immunosuppressed check you are given the correct vaccine.

Rosie that's worrying for you. I wouldn't be too chuffed, I'm sure you will be fine.
Months ago I posted on here that I needed a third vaccine and I had read it should be different from the other two.
I was told by some posters there was no difference between a third vaccine and a booster and dismissed as over reacting.As I said previously, the immunocompromised have been let down in Scotland. Thank goodness most of us are on the ball, or we would be up sh.. creek without a paddle, if we left it to others.

Rosie, I meant to say, Thanks.

I would have thought that it would make more sense to have three AZ vaccines followed by a Pfizer one as a booster. Or, if it was proved that the AZ one wasn’t working then two doses of Pfizer would be better. Again this is why I think we should all still be wearing masks to protect those amongst us that are immunosuppressed, at least for the next few months.

The letter I had from Sajid Javid regarding the third primary vaccine for those still extremely vulnerable (I am immunocompromised) indicated that this should be a mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna. My first 2 doses were Astra Zeneca but my third (primary) was Pfizer, which is a mRNA vaccine, AZ is not.

However, I think I have been lucky and the advice I have seen is to take whatever is on offer.

I made no antibodies to Covid after the first 2 vaccinations, I can't think why I should have developed any antibodies after the 3rd either but will pay for a private antibody test in a week or so to check.

I am going out very little and only spend time with close family. I wish I could count on others to be more cautious but it seems that many think the pandemic is finished!

I tend to think that Professor Van-Tam (on BBC this morning) is right and next spring will be better. I hope so.

I read that if you had two AZ vaccines, it is more efficacious to have a different one for the third. However, I cannot remember where I found the article.
Maybee, why do you think all three should be the same? Have you evidence for it, I would be genually interested to read it. The more info I have the better.

Missedout, thank you for your informative post.

Marydoll There is more information about guidance in the following publication - (Page 20 is most relevant for immunocompromised).
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-the-green-book-chapter-14a

Brilliant, thanks.

you need to be six months and one week (190 days) past your second vac to be able to book on the national website. Its silly but you can't book for an appointment for after six months and one week before the six months and one week are up. GP's ARE sending invitattions to folk who had their first vacs via the national scheme, at least mine is. I could book before my six months were up but only for a dated after my six months are up

I just turned up at the walk in centre exactly six months (182 days) after my second vaccination.

Jaxjacky Marydoll
Oh yes. Thank You both! Think I have it right now.

I’m defeated in how to get my mum a booster. She was called to a centre 20 miles away for her booster, despite being housebound with no transport. She rang them to say she needed a home visit so they took all her details and said they’d alert her GP surgery.

She called the surgery after a couple of weeks and they not only had no knowledge of the info from the vaccine centre, they had no record of her even being registered with them. She’s been on their books for over thirty years!

Marydoll

I read that if you had two AZ vaccines, it is more efficacious to have a different one for the third. However, I cannot remember where I found the article.
Maybee, why do you think all three should be the same? Have you evidence for it, I would be genually interested to read it. The more info I have the better.

I’m just thinking out loud to be honest. My train of thought was that if two shots of the AZ vaccine hadn’t given enough of an immune response then another shot might make it kick in. Was thinking back to how, at the beginning they said it worked better with a half dose followed by a full dose but weren’t allowed to do that. Totally unscientific.

Sue, you must be at your wits end. That is shocking to hear of such incompetence.

Thanks for answering my question, Maybee. I'm like a sponge. I used to drive my doctors mad, because I always wanted to know Why?.

The pandemic soon put paid to that! I wasn't able to see anyone to ask!

Must apologise in that I didn’t read Missedouts post properly. How worrying. I didn’t realise you could pay to have an antibody test. Where do you have them done? I don’t think people who are immune suppressed should have to pay, they should be done routinely.

I received an NHS text within the 190 days, and I followed the link to make a booking. I had the choice of several places nearby and am having my booster jab on Friday at a site and time convenient to me.

I had the Pfizer jab first/second time around and it would appear that I'm getting the same again as I've been advised that I'll have to wait for 15 minutes after the jab before leaving the site. DH had the AZ jab 1 & 2 and the Pfizer jab for his booster. Don't know whether 3 of the same or a bit of a mix is better, but just blooming grateful to be getting it!

Marydoll

Thanks for answering my question, Maybee. I'm like a sponge. I used to drive my doctors mad, because I always wanted to know Why?.

The pandemic soon put paid to that! I wasn't able to see anyone to ask!

I used to work for my doctor and always had an interest in all the drugs etc that I dispensed. I wish I could chat with them about what’s happening now.

Maybee, I did ask my consultant about an antibody test and he confirmed that they were only done on the NHS in Scotland if your taking part in a trial. Nae luck there then!

YOU'RE, not your. Tut tut!

MayBee70, I used Testing for All www.testingforall.org/
for my last antibody test. It is important to select the right test - it is the Covid spike protein test that is required to check for antibodies. There are many companies offering this service. Ironically, a couple of weeks after paying £49.00 for my first test, I was tested as part of a trial - both tests showed that I hadn't produced any antibodies. Hence my interest in checking a few weeks after my 3rd primary dose of Pfizer.

I have my fingers crossed that I may have antibodies but am not hopeful.