UK NHS - Getting its act together?

[IWVC]

After a couple of attempts to get my local GP surgery to get me a 3rd primary jab, I gave up as they refused to acknowledge anything other than the 6 month booster. (despite the links to the various announcements and NHS Green book I sent them.) As result, I had to wait for 6 months after the second jab before I could even book a 3rd / booster. I had my 3rd dose last week, but this morning I had a text from the NHS saying "As you are at increased risk of complications from COVID-19, you are a priority to receive your COVID-19 booster vaccine. Visit ...or call 119 to book.." Does this mean that the system has finally caught up and are notifying those on the previous vulnerable list? Whatever the reason behind the text I now suspect that as I will ignore it (having managed to get a 3rd jab) my lack of response to the text will probably add to the statistics of those apparently avoiding a 3rd dose ....

Ian C

[devonrr]

I had the same priority text today even though jabbed last week.Went on to booking as curious and it tells you that you don’t need it or something like that.

So a list of those jabbed is related to the booking site BUT a list of those as a priority not linked to anything. What did I say about NHS and joined up writing!!!!

[IWVC in reply to devonrr]

It will be interesting to see if anyone who is still within the 6 month gap for "the booster" now gets a clear priority for the 3rd dose and has it labelled as a 3rd primary without having to ask.

[Dawson21 in reply to IWVC]

I too have now had the 3rd jab and have been told that I will have a booster too, but at what point? 6 months or 2 months after the 3rd. No one seems to know and my 3rd was just noted on a list of boosters in pencil as a 3rd rather than a booster. Who knows? Watch and wait?

[Pageboy]

The 3rd jab is the booster jab. There is no ‘3rd’ jab as I understand it. I also received my priority NHS notification a few days ago. It’s six months since my 2nd jab.

[Floxxy in reply to Pageboy]

The third primary jab is an additional jab for the immunosuppressed to bring them to the same position as the rest of the population after they have had two. We then need our booster 6 months afterwards. You can have the booster if offered and then have it recorded as a 3rd primary dose.

[G1llHa1n in reply to Floxxy]

Correct. I had my 3rd primary last week and will be due my booster in 6 months (or less if guidelines are revised again). Our local vaccines hub knew both what they were and how to record them correctly. Still much confusion about in general though.

[Safel]

I received an invite for my 3 primary jab. When you go for it be clear it is due to having a perceived weakened immune system. It will then be recorded as a "second second" I was told I will be invited back in 4 months for the booster.

Also be aware that if you are offered moderna this is given as 50% of the normal dosage when used as a booster. You need the full dosage for your 3rd jab

FYI I had my second jab in june

[Pageboy]

I have never been aware of this or, so far as I know, been informed of this. Not by my GP or by my CLL consultant or by the NHS. Personally, not a problem for me as I’d rather have fewer jabs than more. I will check the booster dosage when I go, however. Thanks.

[dougstalbans]

My experience has been of a shambles in the NHS which is usually not bad in my opinion. I was sent a message saying book online but I had a letter saying don't book online and don't call 119 so I spoke to the surgery who eventually gave me a time and date for 3rd jab. When I arrived I was sent away as NHS had not given instructions so they only had boosters. So I have to wait but a friend in the same position with watch and wait CLL was jabbed at the same place 30 minutes earlier He thinks the booster is the same as the 3rd dose but this thread says otherwise as did the NHS letter to me.

[IWVC in reply to dougstalbans]

There have been quite a number of other posts which seem to confirm that (in UK) the AZ and Pfizer doses for booster or 3rd primary are the same but the Moderna, which only has 1 primary dose is half strength for booster. It isn't that clear whether a full dose or half dose is needed for a 3rd primary (which would be a second primary if the first dose was full strength Moderna, if that makes sense)Ian C

[Suzie42]

I have just had 3rd primary and have been booked in for booster 8 weeks later in Dec. I had pfizer. Lots of discrepencies

[dougstalbans]

I chased up the surgery and they said they were still waiting for instructions but then said they would just check and suddenly I had an appointment that afternoon. It was Pfizer and it seems I was turned away wrongly the previous time and the booster is the same as the 3rd dose and I will qualify for further booster in a few months. Yet 2 people at the surgery had told me I had to wait for full 3rd dose which I didn't.