Difference between 3rd primary dose and booster vaccine?

[lss253]

Is there a difference between the 3rd primary dose for people who are severely immunosuppressed and the normal booster dose for everyone else who is eligible? My daughter is eligible for 3rd primary dose due to Lupus medication. Our Doctors are telling me that this is exactly the same as the booster dose. Does anyone have any info? She is booked into to have it next week but I want to make sure she gets the right thing. Thank you all in advance.

[PMRpro]

No, I don't think so in terms of what you get in your arm. It is just so that younger people with immunosuppression are "brought forward" ahead of the dates they would get their boosters and now they know they are still not well protected, they will do it sooner than the 6 months it is for over 50s. I think too that she and co will get a 4th dose - their "booster". I think they have made a right pig's ear of the terminology - no-one really knows what is meant!

[TIMJB1 in reply to PMRpro]

I have just had my 3rd covid jab last week because i take methotrexate they say i wasn't given enough the first two jabs i had ,so i have already been for my 3rd jab and i will be called again for my booster jab early next year,its because I'm on immunosuppressant medication that i have had a 3rd jab, that's the reason why she is being called again its not a,booster it's a 3rd covid jab then you will probably be called again in the new year for you booster ,that's how my doctor amd consultant explained it to me ,hope this helps a little bit ,good luck.

[LoubieLou70]

Yes see latest guidance

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

gov.uk/government/publicati...

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lupusuk.org.uk/coronavirus/

[lss253 in reply to LoubieLou70]

Thank you. I know the 3rd primary dose can be had earlier but if our doctors are saying that it is the same as the booster vaccine, when she has it next week will she be having the right dose to be classed as a 3rd dose?

[Chris21]

Hi Iss253, there’s an awful lot of confusion over this, I had a similar conversation this morning on a transplant page. There was an article on bbc news this morning. My understanding is that the 3rd dose and booster are the same vaccine, the only difference is, if someone is very vulnerable they want to give an extra dose more quickly than the six months to help get the antibodies higher.

If anyone like myself , would be nearly at six months anyway from their second vaccine! The fourth booster will be sometime next year but by then it may have all changed again. Even the poor GPs and consultants are confused by it all, how they’re supposed to go through all their patients lists is beyond me. I hope every thing goes well for your daughter. 🙂

[lss253 in reply to Chris21]

Thank you. The more I have read today, the more I think they are the same. Going to go ahead and book the appointment without trying to get the docs to understand the difference, at least she will have had it then. If I need to do something else for the 4th booster dose then I will follow up in 6 months but as you say so much can change. Its still a crazy world!

[Cathyan in reply to lss253]

As others have said it’s the same vaccine and I was called for mine along with those getting it as a booster. By pure chance I had my GP give it at the flu/COVID vaccine clinic yesterday (so lovely to see her smiling face!) and I asked her if I would be getting the booster in 6 months and she said “that’s the current plan but goodness knows what the guidelines will be saying next year.” Personally I will pester the practice to remind them 6 months from now.

[Cathyan in reply to Cathyan]

BTW she did have a mask on but her face genuinely lit up when she saw who her first jab patient was. Really made my day!

[jani4063]

The pzier is the same but if offered moderna it is only a half dose and is not suitable , details on blood cancer uk site , the whole primary dose roll out has been a total farce and people are receiving booster doses before the most vulnerable who were meant to be prioritised, also information is very sketchy to say the least

[Hamptons]

No, when I went I was told mine was a third dose as there will be a fourth. It is part of a continuing plan to keep us topped up rather than bolstering a strong immune system.

[Renu]

I am really confused. I was told that the third primary dose for immuno-supressed people is not the same as the booster jab. However, my GP surgery is only offering the booster jab so I have no idea where to get the 3rd primary dose from. The vaccine line has not heard of the 3rd primary dose either. Chanpreet from Lupus UK said the 3rd primary dose is not the same as the booster dose. Sorry I can't be much help - I am just as confused as you!Renu xx