5th Booster

[Pekingese]

Hi all, I had my 4th booster end of January. I was wondering if we CLL folk are going to have a 5th booster? And is it 3 month after the last vaccine. Ros

[devonrr]

From what I read if it’s going to happen it’s between 3 and 6 months. Will see if NHS vaccination site will book me after 3 months but in no hurry as Summer is on its way and Covid usually less of a threat then.

[Pekingese in reply to devonrr]

Thank you, I’m from the Uk and it’s really bad we’re I live in Northumberland. We stillMask up when going shopping. Take care Ros

[mrsjsmith in reply to devonrr]

Yes it let me book after 3 months and I had mine this morning, mainly because I was in my hospital for a test and I thought I might as well get it out of the way and then the autumn one as soon as it is announced.I did have a letter from my consultant suggesting I had it.

I was amused that I had to speak to a doctor before they agreed ! I would have thought a letter headed Haematology might have given a clue to my immune system. So perhaps bring a recent letter just in case.

Colette

[devonrr in reply to mrsjsmith]

Planning for June as last in February. That will make me okay for my September Borneo holiday and the autumn flu etc jab season.Will book on line as before with a fib perhaps and go back to the centre by the beach that accepted me for my 4th jab with no GP letter but proof of disease.

Hey Ho human pincushion. Had my second Shingles jab yesterday!

[mrsjsmith in reply to devonrr]

Borneo is very brave ! Enjoy

Yes I decided to give Shingrex a miss as I have had enough jabs to last a lifetime.

[SofiaDeo in reply to mrsjsmith]

Please reconsider, and discuss your risk of shingles with your doc. Some people get really really awful pain, the blisters are an infection risk, and the potential for Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) is something to be minimized or avoided IMO. A couple more jabs?

I've been fortunate that so far, only my first go-round with shingles was incredibly painful. Lasted a few months. Later ones have been merely itchy. But I take valacyclovir and lysine supplement to minimize virus activity. I have a neighbor with CLL, still in W&W, who told me his PHN after getting shingles went on for months & months. He's mmm 20 years older. He didn't get a shingles shot.

[mrsjsmith in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you,

Currently I am on a prophylactic dose of Aciclovir. One of the findings of the FLAIR trial was an increase in incidents of shingles for patients on Ibrutinib so that’s when I started. I had a mild bout of shingles about 6 years ago but I put that down to stress.

I can always change my mind at a later date, but at the moment I have rather a lot of medical related appointments. Social events of the week sadly.

Colette

[kitchengardener2 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Had my two Shingrix jabs as was recommended. I also take Aciclovir and Co Trimoxazole.

[Edalv in reply to SofiaDeo]

Yes, I agree… I got my second shot in January… So, I am done with that… At one point I was more concerned with getting the shingles than covid. I know it doesn’t pause the same level of risk, but I don’t deal well with pain…

[kitchengardener2 in reply to devonrr]

You amused me with your pincushion comment, my CNS jokingly calls aka Mrs Pincushion!Like you I have had 4 covid jabs, 2 Shingrix, flu and pneumonia. I will have my 5th as soon as the 3 months are up and look to the Autumn one plus flu. We want to resume our Winter holidays as soon as we can. Enjoy Borneo, we loved the bit we saw on a cruise stop. Alice

[devonrr in reply to kitchengardener2]

Same jabs as you! Aren’t we lucky!!!! Vaccination nurse said that’s the last one for you. Reply; not until they think of something else. Off to Holland today to see the tulips. Hand sanitizer, bacterial wipes, face masks and a couple of LFT are in my bag. Life has to return; with care

[kitchengardener2 in reply to devonrr]

It has and we can only be careful. Enjoy the tulips. A trip we had planned and which was cancelled in 2020.

[Pekingese in reply to mrsjsmith]

Thank you 😊 hope you have no side effects. I have always had to go through my Hematologist even for my Shinrex vaccine. Best wishes Ros

[mrsjsmith in reply to Pekingese]

Thanks,

Last time I asked my consultant didn’t seem to be that keen on me having, but I will ask again.

Colette

[kitchengardener2 in reply to mrsjsmith]

Hi Colette, when I mentioned the number of vaccine jabs I was having, she said just take whatever you can and are offered.

[RZ8983DV]

I thought it was 6 months after the 4th one

[mrsjsmith in reply to RZ8983DV]

Three months now.

[Izzy123gym]

I am having 5th vaccination( 2nd booster) on Saturday, 9th, April exactly 91 days after the 4th; that is the minimum gap.

[kitchengardener2]

I spoke to my CNS and was told to go ahead and book the Spring booster which is being offered to immunosuppressed and over 75s. I had been offered a 4th by text message from my GP and was confused because I knew that had already had this one on 20th January. My CNS said to just go along after the 3 month period (so in my case after 20th April). Not to worry about the number and I would be given a booster. I logged on to the covid booking site just see what happened and I was offered an appointment for the 21st April. I haven't taken that one because I have a longish car journey the following day and didn't want to risk any possible side effects. I shall keep looking to see what other dates come up. Alice

[mrsjsmith in reply to kitchengardener2]

Alice I have a feeling my 3rd vaccine wasn’t registered. It’s been a bit hit and miss for all of us.

Colette

[kitchengardener2 in reply to mrsjsmith]

Hi Colette, I think that too because the person who administered it couldn't understand what I wanted her to do, when I tried to explain about my vulnerability, just kept saying it would be on the system! Maybe that's why I am being called for a 4th vaccination?? Whatever, we know what we have had and when so if necessary we can provide details. Stay safe xxx 😘

[mrsjsmith in reply to kitchengardener2]

Exactly,

I have the cards and dates as a record.

Colette

[SERVrider]

I got a text yesterday inviting me to go for a booster (my 4th was on 13th Jan).

[223dogs]

Just had my 5th this morning , I had my 4th the at the end of December and decided not to wait longer as rates are very high at the moment and hopefully cases will drop as we spend more time outside. It also works timewise for a booster with flu booster in the autumn. Enjoy Borneo

[Pekingese in reply to 223dogs]

I have mine booked for 30 th of April , it’s really bad the numbers are soaring. Take care Ros 😊

[FeistyGirl]

Booked my 5th yesterday. NHS site automatically offers you the first available slot 91 days after your last dose. Also won’t let you actually book until it’s 61 days after your last dose. In addition it says if you are booking Spring Booster due to a condition that renders you as immune compromised then you must bring a letter showing your condition, or a letter from Dr saying you are and are eligible for Booster or proof of medication that shows you are IC. I’m also planning to take along a copy of the Blood Cancer UK article that states we are eligible and don’t have to wait 6 months between doses as I’ve read in another group about someone being turned away as the staff on vaccination site were adamant she had to have a 6 month interval between boosters.

[Pekingese in reply to FeistyGirl]

Thank you , I have just booked my 5th vaccine for April the 30 th 🤒

[ttomo]

I may be wrong but it seems that most of you writing about the 6th shot are in the U.K. Does anyone know what is being advised in the U.S.?

[mrsjsmith in reply to ttomo]

You are getting ahead of yourself. 5th just started in U.K. for over 75 and Clinically Vunerable.

Colette

[ttomo in reply to mrsjsmith]

Unfortunately, that was a type. I meant "5th shot".

[wizzard166]

I've only had three so far, because the first three didn't generate any antibody production. When I had a Covid scare (exposed but never turned positive) in December, as well as when I actually got Covid first week in February, I went for Monoclonal Antibody Infusions. I'm giving strong thought right now about getting the fourth shot.

On March 29th I had my six month visit with the CLL Specialist, and my blood work included an antibody test. Lo and behold I showed 10,000 as a number in that test. She said it could be from the Monoclonal infusions, but also could be my body responding to the Covid with the assistance of the infusions. She suggested I should go for my fourth shot, so I will soon.

A very recent study out of Israel (published two days ago) on the fourth shots show some success. The benefit is a good response by a three to one ratio over those who only had shots 1 and 2 or also a third. That three to one improvement ratio however lasted only about six to eight weeks, at which point the protective response leveled back down to the same as those who only had shots one and two. Still it worked well for almost two months. They also said that there is continuing good response with Monoclonal Antibody Infusions and the Anti Viral new drug. Another new article I saw yesterday says that Sotrovimab worked against the first Omicron, but is not doing well against the new Omicron variant. That same article mentioned another available Monoclonal Antibody Infusion that is working well against the newer Omicron Variant.

Basically it seems obvious that every few weeks there will be a new and newer variant, as long as the media considers it worthy of publication. The latest talk on Vaccines is that perhaps we will now go to a once a year shot, just like the Flu Vaccine. The fact is in my opinion that the only effective mechanism we will have, with this new way of life, is a combination of once a year vaccine plus Monoclonal infusions and the anti viral pill. I think our CLL group will now rely on this trio of attack as a select sub group of the regular population. I think the regular population will simply get the new variants and beat them with their own antibody systems. We CLL'rs will have to be much more vigilant and on top of the latest Monoclonal infusion as well as the pill (if we have access to it).

Carl

[Edalv in reply to wizzard166]

Carl, if you had covid in February that will increase your antibody protection. The immune system has multiple ways to build protection that are more effective than any vaccine. I would consider that event as added immunity. Check with your specialist to see when it’s safe for you to have another shot… I think I also had covid last December but I didn’t test positive. But my girlfriend did. So I was definitely exposed. Had some symptoms that lasted 3 days, didn’t take anything for it, I think my 3 previous shots gave me sufficient protection to fight it out. Now, I decided to wait to see how things evolve before getting another booster…

[DawnRedwood]

I wasn't aware there were 5 boosters!!! I'm hoping with summer coming things will calm down with COVID variants, etc. As I said........hoping!

[chirish]

Hey now, whats the deal anyway. Currently on Alcalab, I've proudly had my fourth shot a couple months ago and thought I'd be good for a while. Yes, if I can get another and the Doc's advise it, as they have been, I will gladly pull up my sleeve. I was thinking I'd be good for a while and then get one at summers end so I'd be good for winter. Is this going to be standard operating procedure, every few months or so? I know the vax's are harmless and only good but how many can we take?

[Pekingese in reply to chirish]

I’m not sure how many boosters we can have, hopefully the 5th vaccine will be the last till Autumn? CovidI hope they bring out a Covid vaccine that last a year like flu . Ros 😊