Lupus and COVID-19 Vaccination - UPDATED 30/11/2021

[Paul_Howard]

Hi everyone,

We have updated our information and guidance about lupus and COVID-19 vaccination to reflect the new recommendations from the JCVI (announced 29/11/2021).

lupusuk.org.uk/covid19-vacc...

The most important changes are:

- Booster doses are now to be offered to all adults, administered a minimum of 3 months after completing the primary course.

- It has been confirmed that immunosuppressed patients will be offered a booster 3 months after their third dose.

- All children aged 12-15 will be offered a second dose 12 weeks after their first.

[Sams-harp]

Does that have to be the same as the first 2 doses because others have received mixed.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Sams-harp]

Hi Sams-harp . The recommendation is that third primary doses and booster doses should preferably be one of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna). This is regardless of which vaccine a person had for their first two primary doses. As a result, you may be offered a different vaccine for your third dose/booster than what you have first time. This has been shown to offer a good level of protection and is equally safe.

If you cannot have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines because of a contraindication, it can be arranged for the AstraZeneca vaccine to be offered for third and booster doses instead.

[Sams-harp in reply to Paul_Howard]

How do I know if I need a 3rd or a booster so confusing. Spoke with gp and said I’ve not received anything telling me to have a booster they said you won’t you just go to a walk in.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Sams-harp]

Hi Sams-harp . You will need a 3rd primary dose if you are on immunosuppressant treatment. If you have a look at the article in my original post, it has a section titled "Will I be offered a third primary vaccine dose?" which provides details about the eligibility criteria.

Unfortunately, the rollout of the 3rd primary doses has been conducted very poorly. As a result, most GPs seem to know very little about it. You might be better speaking to your consultant.

[Sams-harp in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you for your help Paul 😊

[Sams-harp]

I had my 2nd vaccine 7 months ago

[BonnyB]

Thank you. I felt so sorry for our lovely lot trying to get the 3rd vaccine, it's all been so confusing.

[Whippet_lady]

I saw this and other information yesterday. My 17 and 19 year old kids should be due for a booster within 3 months of their 2nd jabs now, if I've understood it correctly (which I may not have done, I never know if I'm looking at the most recent advice). The one at uni in England says she can't get it because she's not eligible according to their booking system and the one at home in Scotland isn't eligible yet according to the booking portal in Scotland. I think I must have misunderstood or the systems haven't been updated. I just know it will be a battle, whatever, so I'm not going there again. My 3 months is up mid January so I'll try theirs again then too and see how it goes.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Whippet_lady]

Hi Whippet_lady ,

As this change in recommendation was only announced on Monday, I think it will take a little bit longer to trickle through to NHS practice. They will be working through the priority groups to administer the booster vaccines now, so it may take a week or two to extend invitations to household contacts of immunosuppressed people. Keep an ear open to the news because they often announce how they are progressing through the groups and when people should expect an invitation.