COVID jabs - higher risk?

[GreenBamboo]

Hi all,

I hope today is a good one for you.

Just a quick question; does your doctor class you as being higher risk when it comes to COVID vaccinations?

I have received my invite for my Spring COVID booster vaccination. This is under the Higher Risk category. I need to provide a letter from Dr's to say why I need it which will be near on impossible to obtain but I wondered what your experiences have been?

I am lucky enough to be going to an event where there will be thousands of people in a couple of weeks time and so thought best to be up to date with my jabs.!

[Remos]

Hi GreenBamboo,

I’m a bit confused by the question. I haven’t had my spring notification or vaccination yet. In the past I’ve received a notification by text. I’ve then just gone along to the centre and had the jab. I’ve never been asked for a Dr’s note. So two questions:-

1. If you’ve got the invitation why do you need a Dr’s note?

2. If you definitely do need a Dr’s note why would it be near impossible to get?

This is relevant and important to all of us so sorry if I’m missing something.

Remos

Sent from my iPad

[GreenBamboo in reply to Remos]

Hi Remos,

Thank you for responding.

I have received a text message inviting me to have a booster. This is six months after my last booster. So I have had the 1st, 2nd and first booster already.

From reading the NHS website this appears to be the Spring booster that was released for over 75s and under with low immunity.

I think that I have been invited because when the 1st vaccination was available originally, which was fairly close to be unwell with Enc, I consulted my doctor to see if it was appropriate to have an early vaccination (I didn't meet the age criteria and would have to wait months and was genuinely concerned at that time). He referred me to have it earlier than my age allowed at the time.

Now when I look to book through the NHS system it states that to have the booster you need to provide a letter as to why you need it. The only reason I say a letter will be impossible to get is the bank hols & getting an appt.

I have booked the vaccination anyway and will show the invite text & hope that is enough.

My question really is does having had Enc put us in the higher risk category or was my doctor being cautious in the earlier days of COVID or is it relative to when you were unwell originally?

Thanks

[kitnkaboodle in reply to GreenBamboo]

I think the risk category depends on the type of E, among other factors like age and co-morbidities. It would make sense to me that those with autoimmune encephalitis, especially if they are on immunosuppressants (or had them recently), would be considered high-risk.

But the question remains whether boosters are effective against the current variants of SARS-CoV-2. That seems unclear at best and misleading at worst. I got the first and second doses of Pfizer in March and April 2021, respectively, but I stopped there. I'm open to getting a booster once it's actually updated to combat the more recent variants.

Either way, good luck with the appointment, and I hope my two cents helped a bit.

Take care,

Kit

[GreenBamboo in reply to kitnkaboodle]

Thanks for your reply Kit.

I have my booster booked for Thursday as I can't bear the thought of getting COVID.

Take care

[Gandalf2]

Hi GB,I haven't had any vax nor have I suffered from Covid/Wuhan Flu. My Enc doctor said I have enough on my plate. If I went to a large venue I would just wear a mask and rely on my natural immunity which Fauci has recently said is a better protection than the vax. All very confusing ......

[GreenBamboo in reply to Gandalf2]

Hi Gandalf2,

Yes it has been so confusing all the way through with vaccination advice.

It is also easy to forget that there are people who cannot have the vaccine for various reasons which leaves them having to always wear a mask in public places or even terrified to go out leaving them housebound. I really feel for those in that position.

I will feel more comfortable in a large venue with lots of people having had the booster.

I have decided to have the booster, it feels the right decision for me but I totally appreciate that it is different for everyone.

Take care!

[Gandalf2 in reply to GreenBamboo]

I have decided to make my own oral vaccine using tea and biscuits - so far it seems to work. Thank you for everything in the Universe.

Donkey considers home insurance.

[GreenBamboo in reply to Gandalf2]

Ohhhh I am so happy, a baby donkey has appeared....all is good in the world x

[AliBBeerDrinkerSing in reply to GreenBamboo]

I think this is so right- it’s what the decision is for everyone!

[The_Bass]

Hey GreenBamboo ! As kitnkaboodle says: “if they are on immunosuppressants (or had them recently), would be considered high-risk” — as I’m still on prednisolone until September (just coming up to my one year anniversary for encephalitis!) and only six months on from my Rituximab treatment that resets the immune system (and takes many more months), I was labelled as immunosuppressed and therefore advised to have an extra Covid jab. Very current because had a jab last week! I was told to bring along the letter from my local specialist. Well, I was asked to bring it but they didn’t ask to see it when I arrived on the day.

I’ve had Covid twice, once just before I was due to leave hospital - delaying my exit! - and the second time early this year. Both times I had no symptoms at all – I only knew I had it because I had to do Covid tests at hospital, as they tested everyone everyday, and tested myself again at home because I was due to see people. It certainly shows how Covid can spread so easily when so many people don’t know they’re carrying it because they have no symptoms at all.

[GreenBamboo in reply to The_Bass]

Hi The Bass,

You have been so lucky with your experience of COVID (maybe not so lucky to get it twice!!!)

It just shows though that COVID is felt differently by each person and it seems to be the luck of the draw as to how bad you suffer from it.

In all honesty I think that there is every possibility that I have had it but we weren't testing at that stage and so don't know 100%

Anyway, jab booked for Thursday and I just hope they don't ask for a Dr's letter as I don't have that!

Take care!

[The_Bass in reply to GreenBamboo]

Unlucky but lucky has been my catchphrase ever since my encephalitis! Things could always be worse …

Best of luck for the jab. As I say, I didn’t need my doctor’s letter.

[Paula-38]

Hi GreenBamboo,

I think both Remos and kitnkaboodle have just took the words out my mouth so I agree with them both 100%.

For your knowledge I had a form of viral/infectious encephalitis the day after my 1st birthday well over 40 years ago not autoimmune.

I had the Astra Zenica the first two times, then my first booster was Pfizer last December, and they were all home visits because I'm housebound with profound Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - OCD, so I'm just awaiting my next text like everyone else.

Paula-38

[GreenBamboo in reply to Paula-38]

Hi Paula-38,

I am pleased to have received my invite,

I have had a mix of vax types as well so who knows what's coming this time around !!!

Take care!

[AliBBeerDrinkerSing in reply to Paula-38]

I had the same doses as you Paula- nice to have a mix!

[alpappy]

Yes we are all higher risk but last booster made me foggy with memory loss I have decided no more

[GreenBamboo in reply to alpappy]

Hi Alpapoy,

I am sorry you were rough after your last booster. I have had varying reactions but mire localised to the injection site.

I hope this time around it will be the same!

Take care !

[Remos]

Hi GreenBamboo,

I should also add for info that I tested positive for COVID a few weeks ago. Symptoms were:-

- Very sore throat.

- Dry cough.

- Breathlessness.

The sore throat and cough lasted about 5 days. The breathlessness lasted a further 3 weeks (scary).

I was then hit by a severe headache followed by a wave of fatigue (which is still with me).

All-in-all a very unpleasant experience. One which I feel has set me back on my journey.

Take care all.

Remos

[GreenBamboo in reply to Remos]

Hi Remos,

So pleased you are feeling better.

For me, the experience of having Enc and the fear of being seriously unwell ever again has cemented my belief that the vaccinations are the right way for me to manage the COVID risk ( although I appreciate that this is not the correct decision for others).

I have my booster vaccination booked for Thursday afternoon and I an just hoping that I only have a mild reaction, if any.

The thought of having an illness where breathing is restricted is too much for me to contemplate!

Take care!

[AliBBeerDrinkerSing in reply to GreenBamboo]

I agree- right decision forme after e

[MasterBaker]

Hi, I'm classed as being at high risk from covid, but then I do have addisons disease, which is an autoimmune condition. I had my fifth COVID injection of Saturday

[Paula-38 in reply to MasterBaker]

That's good then MasterBaker.

I have been awaiting my fourth one but apparently I'm not entitled to the spring booster according to the NHS website but I'm like the average person, no wonder I haven't had a text off them. I just have to wait and see who is going to be eligible for the autumn booster then.

[AliBBeerDrinkerSing in reply to Paula-38]

I got a text the week before last inviting me, but I was unable to go. Need to find a drop in now!

[Heavychunky1]

Good afternoon. Hope you well. Weirdly my doctor pushed me to get all the covid ones and issued a letter saying i was at a risk catagory . This albeit was soon after discharge from hospital

[AliBBeerDrinkerSing]

I had my 4th on Saturday- which they debated giving me as I’d actually had Covid not that long ago.. it made me feel terrible for about 24 hours 😭