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Covid spring booster

(122 Posts)
watermeadow Mon 08-May-23 18:58:27

I cancelled mine when it was officially declared that Covid is no longer an emergency. In future we live with it, as we do with flu and if new variants appear the existing vaccines won’t be any use.

PerkyPiggy Tue 09-May-23 08:32:06

I won't be having any more vaccines. I've had Covid three times and thankfully it was nothing more than a mild cold. I would rather allow my body to build up natural immunity.

harrigran Tue 09-May-23 09:19:48

We are only at this stage of managing covid because of the majority of us who have the vaccine, I have had my sixth.
Those that claim it is just like a cold have obviously not seen the effects of long covid. DS was hospitalised with cardiac symptoms and has limb pain, headaches and is permanently exhausted.

Liz46 Tue 09-May-23 11:21:10

I am having my booster next week as I am CEV with asthma and bronchiectasis. My BIL is 65 and was in hospital for a long time with covid and has permanent heart damage.

M0nica Tue 09-May-23 11:22:54

PerkyPiggy How does one build up a natural immunity to an ever changing virus? If you have found this out, you have made an enormous scientifc breakthrough that you really should share with the rest of the world.

The reason we need regular COVID vaccinations is for the same reason we have annual flu jabs. This winter's version of covid is different to last year's, just as this year's flu is different to last years and each year new vaccines have to be developed to fight them.

As I said, if you have found a way for us to build up an immunity to any ever changing virus, then you really should share it.

ExDancer Tue 09-May-23 11:42:04

DH missed his last booster - couldn't be bothered - and he caught covid and passed it on to me a week or so later. Its a blessing I only had a mild dose because he was very ill and at one point our GP was considering having him admitted to hospital.
I had to nurse him through it although feeling quite rough myself, he can remember very little about it but I can remember how exhausted I was, and how frightened.
So I am SCARED - if you have any sense you should be too!

Thorntrees Tue 09-May-23 12:26:33

Had my 7th two weeks ago,the new Sanofi one. No real side effects,arm soreness seemed to last a bit longer than before. Just wish hubby could have had it but he’s not quite old enough. Seems daft to vaccinate me as I’m CEV but not him when he could pass it on. Fortunately we have avoided it so far by being very careful and still wearing masks when in shops.

Stella14 Wed 10-May-23 11:49:25

watermeadow

I cancelled mine when it was officially declared that Covid is no longer an emergency. In future we live with it, as we do with flu and if new variants appear the existing vaccines won’t be any use.

Yes, but we (many of us) have our vaccine against Flu. That one gives protection longer than the Covid one. Also Covid can be much more dangerous than flu. My husband and I picked it up again and two months later, we are still having symptoms some days and our energy levels are low. I’m aware that we are amongst the lucky ones. The WHO said it no longer meets the criteria for a pandemic, not that it is any less dangerous. Personally, I think your decision is foolish.

Stelladimare Wed 10-May-23 11:51:55

Agree. ‘Am CEV not taking chances.

sazz1 Wed 10-May-23 11:57:34

I'm not having more. I had 3 and passed out unconscious after each one on 3rd or 4th day following each vaccine. Also injection like pain to both kidneys 1 hour after the first. Also uncontrolled shaking for 4 to 5 hours 2 days after first 2 vaccines which were AZ.
I think the risk of serious injury or death from falling or when driving is greater than the risk from covid. I could kill someone if I pass out driving my car. Never fainted in my life before or since so I know its from the vaccine. It doesn't suit everyone unfortunately.

sazz1 Wed 10-May-23 12:03:27

People need to know the vaccine does NOT prevent you from catching covid. I does NOT prevent you from passing it on to others if you catch covid. It supposedly makes the symptoms less serious.

ANMI52 Wed 10-May-23 12:03:37

I’ll be having a booster if offered, in the same way as I have my flu vaccination every year. So far this year I’ve had a pneumococcal and a shingles vaccination, I think we’re privileged to have the option of these vaccinations.

Twopence Wed 10-May-23 12:09:04

Boosters booked for the 20th. Both of us will be having them. DH is increasingly affected by his pulmonary fibrosis and the last thing he needs is covid.

Cycorax Wed 10-May-23 12:15:29

I had mine a few weeks ago. COVID is now with us and I would prefer not to get it. I also have the flu vaccine. Neither gave me any problems, apart from a rather sore arm. Flu and COVID are more serious for the elderly. The NHS needs to keep us out of hospital and not using what are rather scarce medical resources.

Newgran59 Wed 10-May-23 12:19:03

A very interesting discussion. I am immunosuppressed so have had the latest booster. I did consider skipping it, but after having covid last year and not feeling great with it, decided to keep to the programme.
I would strongly recommend anyone with co-morbidities to get their vaccine, the risk of more serious illness makes it the best choice.

leeds22 Wed 10-May-23 12:21:46

Had my 5th last Saturday. Felt sick and head achy on Sunday afternoon but fine again on Monday. DH had no side effects. I have a close friend who is immuno-suppressed so feel the need to protect myself fully for her sake alone.

cc Wed 10-May-23 12:23:15

My husband has heart failure and would be at risk if he got Covid so we both take any vaccinations that we are offered. He has a terrible cough this week (no, not Covid) and I'm worried about him already.

Nannan2 Wed 10-May-23 12:26:10

I believe i had it 'unofficially' when it was'nt even a 'thing' xmas 2019-(been to italy)i was very ill- so as theres also a brand new version on the fast-rise if i can have one i probably will-as will my 2 sons one of whom was added to sheilding list previously- we all have medical problems so is a potential lifesaver for us.

Soniah Wed 10-May-23 12:26:38

I have flu jabs yearly so why would I not have the covid one

DamaskRose Wed 10-May-23 12:26:45

I’m too young but will have a booster when offered. I had covid last year and was extremely unwell for four months, DH was so unwell that a 999 call was necessary …. And it’s still out there.

Blinko Wed 10-May-23 12:26:51

Presumably those who choose to have no more Covid boosters also do not take the Flu jab when it's offered? Same principle applies, I'd have thought.

Foxyferret Wed 10-May-23 12:30:44

My mother aged 97 caught covid while in hospital after a fall. She had had no covid jabs at all and we all thought she would surely die from it. One week later she had a negative test result, we were all amazed. She managed to beat covid but sadly passed away on 16 March 1 month after coming home from hospital. Her death certificate said frailty and old age.

Sofa Wed 10-May-23 12:33:08

I’m over 75 and had my booster vaccine last week. Covid is still very much with us and I think those who have decided not to have any more boosters are short sighted. Of course we can still get the virus but our chances of becoming seriously ill are significantly reduced.

Katcoffee Wed 10-May-23 12:45:47

I had all the boosters that were offered but the last two made me feel so awful I was wondering whether I ought not to bother next time. However I caught covid 6 days after my last booster and had long covid for 12 weeks during which I had a chest X-ray, Ct scan and echocardiogram. I never want covid ever again but I’m concerned about the side effects of the boosters as well.

Whitenancy Wed 10-May-23 12:52:28

At 80 and 87, and in light of the sad state of the NHS, I believe it is a responsible act to stay out of the hospital system if possible. I have had covid, and fortunately haven't so far had any ill effects from the vaccine. We had a French one this time. I know that the NHS is doing everything it can to keep us out of the system, and it is wrong not to co-operate under these circumstances.

Milest0ne Wed 10-May-23 13:03:18

We had our booster last month. We might need to have confirmation to visit certain countries. We have any immunisations offered.
I know of several friends who have had covid this year. All caught it and showed symptoms at the end of a holiday. None were very ill, just off colour, like having a heavy cold. I think the best idea is to wear a mask in the airport and on planes.