Ineffictiveness of Covid vaccines for the immunocompromised.

I received a text then a letter saying I should have a third dose. Rang my GP who told me to take my letter to the drop in centre. Went straightaway, they hadn’t at that stage heard of the third dose but 2 phone calls later I had my jab. Booster in 6 months.

Maw, I have been immunosuppressed for as long as I can remember and continued to work as a teacher, without really thinking about it. However, I didn't have to worry about Covid.

Before the first lockdown, I was advised to shield and the fear of death was instilled in me, because of two serious lung conditions and a failing heart.
Unfortunately, further medication during lockdown, has made me even more vulnerable than previously, for me the risk of death is very high.

Each case is different and we all have to decide for ourselves what is suitable for us. I have decided to have the best life I can in the circumstances, but I will not be putting myself at risk. I still have a lot of living to do.

Well, you can say what you like Olive, I will be ignoring your anti vaxx views.
I prefer to research and understand the science, rather than believe some unsubstantiated heresay. That is unless, you can provide medical and scientific evidence of your claims.

Does your daughter work in the NHS? If so, I hope I never meet her at a respiratory clinic.

Thanks for bringing this up again Marydoll as so many are still unaware that they need a third primary dose of the vaccine. I had to fight for mine two weeks ago but am so glad I did due to having AZ initially. I am hoping these new drugs for the immunosuppressed (should we need hospitalisation) will be available and will help. I discussed my vulnerability with my consultant a few weeks ago and he said that the people on the medication I'm on are not dropping like flies but I do feel that many are much younger and as we know the older generation are much more vulnerable. I'm now going to Google anti-body tests as I think we should all be given them. I'm also a big fan of the C-19 app and the information supplied.

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Further to that, Maw, in the time I’ve been with DH, I’ve had both ‘proper’ flu and swine flu, but he caught neither from me, despite being immune suppressed, which I always thought odd.

Thank you Maw, you’re right.
It’s hard to keep a sense of perspective, especially when everything is so confusing!

Marydoll

Summerlove the difference is in the management, not the formula. It is certainly not easy to find accurate information. For me, the most informative was the Zoewebinar on vaccines and the immunocompromised.

Yes I understand that.

That’s what I said

It those who had the AZ, who need a different vaccine. I would have been happier to have had three doses of Pfizer.

Had very heated discussion when I went for what my surgery receptionist insisted was my Booster! Couldnt have it as I was too early! Showed text & lady went to see her ‘Boss’ (her words) came back saying I was there for 3rd Primary not Booster! Ok but can I have the jab whatever it is please? Eventually got jabbed but told there was no difference it was all the same dose of Pfizer! Supposed to get a Booster in 6 months unless anything changes! Boosters are for those who did not have to Shield! Does anyone really know what is going on? Just hope that I am covered now as have enough problems without catching covid.

Looking back, ever since his transplant in 1997, DH was on immunosuppressants and naturally I was worried about infections of any sort as they could potentially rampage through him.
There were several admissions to hospital with biliary infection, but never, to my knowledge with anything he “caught” from anybody else. We were meticulous about hygiene , careful at all time and, to be fair, we didn’t have Covid to deal with.
But Avian Flu, Swine flu, Mexican flu (?) regular flu and all the rest were around at various times and he never succumbed to any despite commuting to London by train.
Just saying, yes it is a terrifying prospect but perhaps we should not see immunosuppression as a potential death sentence.

Regrettably if you are immunosuppressed you are very susceptible to everything the only remedy is to isolate to a greater or lesser degree.
Mum had RA, grandchildren were a no, no in winter when they had colds friend visiting had to be asked if they had colds. Others did shopping mostly, very restrictive.

NFK, it was interesting, but I was quite unsettled after it!

covid.joinzoe.com/post/vaccines-and-the-immunosuppressed

Oh, I think I'd put my name down for that webinar Marydoll but missed it. I wonder if I can still access it.

There's not much point in our asking our doctor what my DH had. They wouldn't respond. There's a shortage and a struggle to get enough vaccines delivered here, but the rate of take up is very high - and the infection rates comparatively low (could there be a link?!!) so I doubt he'd get another dose anyway.

We've both only had two initial vaccines and the six month spaced one. If the third dose is the same as a booster, then that's all he's had.

We continue to just take care.

Summerlove the difference is in the management, not the formula. It is certainly not easy to find accurate information. For me, the most informative was the Zoewebinar on vaccines and the immunocompromised.

Marydoll

There have been a few discussions recently, where some posters insisted that there was no such thing as a Third Primary Vaccine for those who are immunosuppressed, it was just the same as a booster. It isn't.

I have just read an article in the Sunday papers, which reported that a number of immunosuppressed patients in England and Wales are seriously ill in hospital with Covid, because their GP had no knowledge of the requirement to get a third primary dose, nor the urgency of needing one, rather than a booster.
Some patients were found to have had little resistance to Covid, despite having had two vaccinations. In other words, for them the vaccine was ineffective.
As someone, who is immunocompromised, I was horrified to read this.

The confusion with 3rd dose vs booster I think comes from the fact that they are currently exactly the same formula.

Hopefully in the future a booster will be upgraded.

I’m sad to hear that many GPs didn’t know the difference. A pretty poor education campaign

It surely would have saved a lot of confusion if the third primary vaccine was always referred to as that, and never called the booster.

I was quite shocked to learn from knowledgeable posters on various threads that many medics appear unaware of the need for those with a compromised immune system to have a third primary, plus a booster a few weeks after, so a total of four vaccines.

Having said that we all know that generally speaking, the vaccination programme has gone brilliantly well for most people, but that’s not much comfort for those who are most vulnerable and who have spent many frustrating weeks trying to access their much needed third primary dose.

Lizzie, I have now had three primary vaccines. and manage my risks, the best way I can.
No-one comes into my home, ( no-one has been in for twenty months) except my triple jabbed children, who are classed as my carers and they keep their distance. No hugs, no kisses and they all do lateral flow tests, before visiting.
The info I posted was given to me three days before the first lockdown and the week of my daughter's cancelled wedding),

My rheumatologist has now advised me to get out now, but to be very careful. It's a matter of balancing mental and emotional wellbeing and physical health. To that end, my postponed hospital treatments are now starting up again.
However, I will not be socialising anytime soon and my Christmas food deliveries are thankfully booked.

Basically I have had enough of splendid isolation!

An interesting thread. M DH is immunocompromised and was called in just under the six months for his 'booster'. With the first and second jabs we went together so he asked why I wasn't included and could I be added as it makes life easier, and was told no. These injections were just for immunosuppressed and they would catch up with me. We thought at the time it was because they were short of supplies (they are) but I now wonder if it was a different strength? We both still had Pfizer again.

When we had the first and second doses we were given a card stating the time and date and what we had. I got one again saying I'd had a booster, he was told it was on his records so he didn't need one. I'm wondering if our doctors have decided that saying the vulnerable shielders need a third dose may be too scary for the poor dears to accept!

Marydoll

Thanks for the info, that sounds really promising. You are not derailing the thread.

However, many of us have been told Covid will kill us if we get it, so the most important thing is not to catch it in the first place.
I was told it would be a waste of time to go to hospital and a DNR would be put on my file. That is brutal!

That is quite scary. I imagine you are mainly staying at home and not seeing friends and family, as that would be risky? Are you able to have shopping delivered, rather than having to go shopping?

Thanks Fanny, I've kept that info from my husband and children. That's not a burden I want them to carry.
I just need to keep myself safe, but frankly I have had enough of it all!

That is absolutely awful Mary
Can’t give you enough

Kathryn I’ve started a thread about antibody tests, as I’m absolutely clueless about them, you might get some clarification there.

FannyCornforth

millymouge

MerylStreep it was the 3rd vaccination I was referring to. Tend to refer to it as a booster. We were called for it quite unexpectedly

Milly it isnt the same thing.
Unless I’ve misunderstood and you are immune suppressed.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you and your husband immunocompromised. That must be very worrying for you both, millymouge? That's amazing that you both got a third Primary, without having to fight for it, like many of us.

Thanks for the info, that sounds really promising. You are not derailing the thread.

However, many of us have been told Covid will kill us if we get it, so the most important thing is not to catch it in the first place.
I was told it would be a waste of time to go to hospital and a DNR would be put on my file. That is brutal!

3nanny6 I assume that that’s an antiviral. It’s extremely good to know that it’s available. Hopefully it can help save many people’s lives, God willing.
Many people don’t realise what a terrifying thing Covid still is for many people