3rd Covid vaccine and booster in UK are not the same.

[Roltuba]

Posting this again as there still seems to be confusion.

In England at least, vulnerable people are getting a Third primary dose now as well as a Booster. The third primary dose is not the booster, even if your GP surgery may call it that. I had my my 3rd primary dose a couple of weeks ago, though when the surgery booked me they called it a booster. Those of use who have PMR and who have been on Prednisolone for several years and who, like me are still on 10mg or more are regarded as Immunosuppressed. This is why I have had a 3rd dose, though it was only 5 months since my 2nd jab. The Dr. who did me said this is a new development in the Covid strategy. It's not surprising that there is confusion about terminology., there hasn't been much comment on this in the media, but surely if GPs have read what they should, they would know. I will be eligible for a Booster in 6 months as well, but the 3rd jab should be seen as a continuation of the original protection given by jabs one and 2, hence the correct title being 3rd Primary dose. It has been decided to give a different type for 3rd primary and Boosters - Pfizer when my first 2 were Astra Zenica.

Here's a link to the relevant Government advice. Our situations are covered mostly in Advice para 3.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

It was also mentioned that my being on sulfasalazine was a factor, though this govt. info says otherwise.

I hope this helps.

[pal-o-mine]

So, are the 3rd Primary dose and the booster two different things - or if you get the 3rd Primary you don't need the booster for another 6 months. I'm finding it all very confusing. I haven't been offered either yet - so still waiting for GP to get in touch and still shielding with the family as we're all vulnerable.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pal-o-mine]

Does this thread help?

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Please see my response - the third I think

[pal-o-mine in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro, that explains it perfectly. I appreciate you taking the time to answer me

[Koalajane]

I think it is those who are clinically extremely vulnerable who are getting the third dose. I am considered vulnerable but not CEV as my dose is lower than 10mg. I have had PMR for over 4 years

[Roltuba in reply to Koalajane]

I'm 8 years PMR, now on 10mg. The various criteria for 3rd dose are explained in the link in my post.

[Viv54]

How strange i was and am now back up to 10mgs of Pred , i had a letter from the Government saying i was no longer at risk ! very confusing .

[Suffererc]

I am only on 4.5 Pred. I had my 3rd primary vaccine yesterday. My surgery now consider me immunosuppressed?

[CricketMonkey in reply to Suffererc]

What were you on at the time of your previous doses? I’m also wondering if there’s an unwritten further consideration of the overall time on steroids?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to CricketMonkey]

What appears to be significant is being on 7.5mg pred in the 2 to 3 months before the jab.

[CricketMonkey in reply to PMRpro]

Ah … that might be it: at 8 when I had the first dose … which was 11 weeks before the second (and had been averaging a shade under 7.5 for the three months before the first) … so I feel less guilty about “queue-jumping” now (although a booster would have been due only 3 weeks later, so not much in it!)

[Suffererc in reply to CricketMonkey]

5.5 or 5. All to the good tho, jumped the que a bit 😊