Are we to be offered 4th jab?

I too expect we will see an annual jab EV. I think we agree because the "universal" jab is a sort of holy grail so far - although I do remember Chris Whitty talking about one being available in the future.

I've not heard about the concern over Omicron getting more severe, I'm not sure that can happen? Pandemic diseases become endemic ( adjective ) and I think that's what's being predicted. Endemic, of course, doesn't mean mild.

Alegrias I think scientists are aiming for an annual jab as viruses mutate and therefore need the vaccines tweaking in keeping with a particular virus at the time.
A scientist was speaking this morning about Omicron being more severe in many people as it spreads. 2022 is not going to see an end as towards the end of this year, instead we'll see that an endemic will arise and continue into 2023.

There appears to be some concern for this Omicron.

My DS1, who is CEV, had his 4th jag last week. Like Franbern's SIL, he has had three primary vaccines and now the booster.

Viruses don't stop mutating just because time passes.

Look at the flu - different mutations every year.

Any once-only jab will be one that works for all variants, present and future. I don't believe that exists yet.

'My 'vulnerable' Son in Law is due a 4th Jab (would have had it a couple of weeks ago,, but was positive for Covid, so it is now delayed for a few weeks. However, it is this FOURTH jab which is his booster. His third one,- just for those who are extremely vulnerable - was a further dose of the two we have all had. Think this is the reason why some are getting their fourth jab.

I am pretty confident that this Covid jab will become as normal annually as the 'flu jab, and given probably at the same time each Autumn. Until they can be sure that this particular virus has stopped it mutations (as it probably will do in time), then there can be once only jab.

How would we know? If they did antibody tests, we would

Yes x 100, JillyJosie

Antibodies are only one part of the immune response. The cellular level ( T cells) is harder to assess but we all have some cellular response.

I am 84, had the three jabs, my GD who lives with me had Covid 2 weeks ago.
We were careful but not over the top with precautions. I didn’t succumb and hope and trust the jabs I had did the job.
I am happy to have a booster each Autumn with my flu jab but no way am I going every three months for a top up.
When I was very young we were told we all needed a peck of dirt to build up our immunity, I am working on the same principle, too much interference with natural immunity will be destroyed by constant jabs.

Hetty58, you’ve forgotten what experienced party planners they are. Credit where it’s due!

JillyJosie2, that sounds about right - as far as organising goes - for our present 'leaders'. They are just great at just announcing things though!

My friend has had the 4th Jab three months after the booster. I didn’t even know they were rolled out yet. So it was a surprise.
I’ve just done an antibody test I ordered it privately. Had three jabs plus covid late 2020. I’m positive for antibodies which is great but they can’t say if they are from the vaccines or covid.

One vaccine too many?

How would we know? If they did antibody tests, we would. We do know that some people who are vulnerable don't have any antibodies despite several vaccinations.

It is complete chaos out there for those who are vulnerable, especially the previously labelled extremely clinically vulnerable. We're talking about nearly 4 million people.

Here is an example from a support group of the kind of maze in which doctors and their patients are submerged, it's a post about priority PCR tests which are supposed to be available to people who may catch Covid and need a test and to commence treatment with anti-virals:

"Update on the priority PCR test drama.
For those who are meant to have received one but haven't.
So after conversations with my Gastroenterology Pharmacist who has confirmed that I am on their eligibility list for consideration of antiviral treatment if I tested positive, he started looking into whos responsibility it is to send out the priority (red box) tests.
Both he and I separately contacted the local CCG who have investigated and are stumped, they have escalated it to the CSU (Commisioning Support Unit), someone from the CSU rang yesterday saying they're also trying to find out where/who is sending these tests out, how to get one if missed, and how to get a replacement one if it's been used and why have 119 been signposted to everyone and not have any idea.
They have also drawn a blank and have now escalated to NHS England.
I'll keep updating as I hear more, but it shows how woefully this has been managed by the government."

DH having number 4 next week.

DH had his 4th jab here in Wales a fortnight ago. My neighbour who is also vulnerable hasn't heard about having her 4th.

I have a friend who has had a 4 th- she is clinically vulnerable. I agree let 's make sure the rest of the world is vaccinated before the rest of us ( well) people have a 4th.

JillyJosie2

4th jabs are being rolled out to the clinical vulnerable. When the GP did mine the other day, he gave an exasperated gesture and said 'no idea what we are going to be told next. Might be another in 3 months, might be that another vaccine will appear'.

It sounds as though there is an expectation that we will need yearly vaccinations, as with flu, but it depends what happens and whether another variant appears.

My Aunt has had a 4th jab due to clinical reasons.
She was telling me its the first time she's had any reaction to the vaccine. Makes you wonder if it's one too many?

Rosie51

I'd hope we'd be thinking more about getting the rest of the world vaccinated with a first and second dose before giving ourselves a fourth dose. The vaccination rates for Africa are tiny. While so many are still unvaccinated the possibility of new variants is great, and there's no guarantee all will be as 'mild' as omicron.

Many Africans don’t want the jab. It’s not that we in the West aren’t sharing. Didn’t you see the media reports of thousands of out of date vaccine on dumper trucks being tipped into landfill? I thought it was shocking. No good hand wringing I’m afraid.

4th jabs are being rolled out to the clinical vulnerable. When the GP did mine the other day, he gave an exasperated gesture and said 'no idea what we are going to be told next. Might be another in 3 months, might be that another vaccine will appear'.

It sounds as though there is an expectation that we will need yearly vaccinations, as with flu, but it depends what happens and whether another variant appears.

There is mention of it every now and again - I don't think minds have been made up yet.

One time I heard that they were only going to be offered to the most seriously vulnerable, but then somebody else only yesterday said that we'd have to have to be vaccinated every year.

I'd hope we'd be thinking more about getting the rest of the world vaccinated with a first and second dose before giving ourselves a fourth dose. The vaccination rates for Africa are tiny. While so many are still unvaccinated the possibility of new variants is great, and there's no guarantee all will be as 'mild' as omicron.

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/07/fourth-covid-jab-not-yet-needed-jcvi-says-as-booster-protecting-older-people

Same here - as immunity is now waning, I'm wondering too - yet there seems to be a great big silence about another booster!