4th covid booster

Hi all... I've just been advised by my surgery that I am due 4th covid booster and have booked appointment next Tuesday. Have had no reactions to previous doses so not overly concerned about having it but just wondering whether it's definitely needed? Has anyone had theirs yet? The relaxation of the covid rules today will make it much more difficult for us to avoid contracting the disease so my feelings are that vaccination is key to avoiding serious illness despite not knowing what the long-term effects of so many vaccinations will be.

[CarolMcl]

Hi, I had mine at the end of December. My feelings are the exact same as yours so I had no hesitation in taking it.

[Hidden in reply to CarolMcl]

Thanks Carol for the reply... I think it is the best option but doubts sometimes creep in 👍😁

[CarolMcl in reply to Hidden]

That's only natural and no doubt they'll continue to creep in

[EOLHPC]

👍 had a 4th dose last Saturday evening: Pfizer like my 3rd primary dose. 1st & 2nd doses were Astra Zeneca. No probs after any of them…possibly because I can’t mount a response to vaccines due to what my immunology team calls my Antibody Deficiency Disease (panhypogammaglobulinaemia)…but I’m advised to get vaccinated anyway cause miracles can happen ❣️Coco

[Hidden in reply to EOLHPC]

Thanks for the reply... You've put my mind at ease knowing others are playing it safe too is great 👍😀

[Tkt3699]

We in USA, haven'tbeen advised to take 4th booster. I assume it's coming.

[Lizard28]

I’ve had three Astra V jabs, my booster was Pfizer, I had no reaction with first three but bit of a reaction with booster, it only lasted a day, I think it was worth it.

[Smudge4465]

Morning, I’m in the UK and had a 4th dose yesterday. Pfizer like my 3rd primary dose. 1st & 2nd doses were Astra Zeneca. No major problems previously and I’m feeling fine this morning. Best wishes with yr 4th vaccination.

[Hidden in reply to Smudge4465]

Thank you 👍😁

[Mollymaid]

Haven’t heard anything .. probably another postcode lottery for a fourth? I have to say though paying devils advocate - how long can we go on having boosters? Science is looking at a booster for the omicron variant and that will be for everyone.

Maybe science will eventually come up with one that is yearly, like the flu jab. But even better a one off like the shingles given at age 70.

[Hidden in reply to Mollymaid]

Yes I agree, not sure how long they can keep the vaccination programme going or how often... a one off would be amazing but as its a virus like flu which keeps changing will probably have to be annually 👍😁

[Hamptons]

Had mine Monday and I had biggest reaction yet. Shows immunity dwindles as this has been the biggest gap between vaccines. Very glad I had it despite the breathlessness etc.

[Hidden in reply to Hamptons]

Hope you feel better soon xx

[Trixie01]

I’ve just had to tell my GP that I’m overdue for my 4th as yet again they weren’t aware, so they are booking me in as the online system won’t allow me to. My problem is that my specialist won’t do my next rituximab infusion until I’ve had it so I have no choice, although much the same as everyone else I see it as the only way to try and protect myself going forwards.

[Simbob in reply to Trixie01]

Hi Trixie01

I actually got told this before I initially strated my infusions and I was quite angry because surely they don't have the right to refuse treatment? However, again I didn't take it further because as you have said saw it as an important factor in protecting myself moving forward! Hope you manage to get it sorted and carry on your treatments!

😊

[AgedCrone in reply to Simbob]

If you mean prior to a Rituximab infusion…..the vaccine would quite likely not give you any protection very close to having the vaccination.I’m quite stable, so I chose to go ahead with my infusion & rheumy says to have the 4th booster in 5/6 months…but that is for me- other rheumies could give differing scales.

[Simbob in reply to AgedCrone]

Apologies but don't quite understand what you're trying say AgedCrone? My infusion was belimumab but I was told by a consultant that I can't go ahead with my infusions without the vaccine. My point was my choice was to go ahead with the vaccine, but in other circumstances I still advocate for what ever people's choices are. To have the vaccine or not have the vaccine people should have accessable treatment.

[AgedCrone in reply to Simbob]

I’ve just re-read what I wrote…it should have read “the vaccine would quite likely not give you protection very close to having the infusion.”I was obviously not thinking straight!

But that refers to Rtx…that is why on Rtx you have to wait anything from three months after an infusion to get a vaccination.

It’s the same with the Infuenza vaccine.

[Simbob in reply to AgedCrone]

Got ya! Gosh that is a lengthy wait good to know that you were able to go ahead with your infusions 🙏

[AgedCrone in reply to Simbob]

I chose to have the Rtx infusion rather than have the Covid 4th vaccination…I will have that around May/June…if it is still thought necessary then….I just hope three vaccinations will now still be enough to travel abroad.As you will have gathered ….I confuse myself with the timings!

[Simbob]

Hello

I have not heard anything about my 4th jab yet.. wondering when everyone had their 3rd? As I thought it was due 6 months after so I was expecting to hear around March time. However, with the restrictions lifting I wouldn't say no to it being sooner , although I think we all feel quite similar in the fact we are unsure of long term effects but the risk of contracting it and fear of getting seriously ill do definitely outweigh it! Hope it all goes well for you ☺️.

[Hidden in reply to Simbob]

My last one was end of Septeber so around four months ago tomorrow... dot know where the times gone! 🎉👍🤔😲

[Prunes in reply to Simbob]

Your booster should be a minimum of three months after your third jab.

[Treetop33]

I've not been contacted about a 4th dose, though now all restrictions are lifted I was thinking of approaching the docs. I don't think they automatically have me on their lists, though I'm classified as a CEV person.

[Hidden in reply to Treetop33]

Worth phoning them to check it out or your consultant xx

[AgedCrone]

I shouldn’t worry about that….I had every vaccination you need to travel to anywhere in the world every year for 20+ years & I’m still standing…..and If you check……the % of people who have any long term after effects from any of the Covid Vaccines is tiny.

[Lily25]

Hi Wunderkind, I'm exactly in the same position. I've received a letter saying I should have a 4th jab, three months after my booster jab, but not sure if its necessary.

[Hidden in reply to Lily25]

My hubby says it's my decision... I think having it is probably the best option whilst we can still get protection 👍

[Simbob]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Unfortunately as much as I eat well, get fresh air.... Get in sunshine (which is a trigger for my lupus).. and have lots of hugs.. (potentially giving me lots of germs). I still get ill. I'll leave it at that.

[Khakha12 in reply to Simbob]

Apologies if I offended you( by hugs I meant from family members who are healthy for sure & sunshine didn't mean going out there without protection & limited time). Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Khakha12]

No not offended, we all have difficult choices to depending on our circumstances... we have to keep ourselves as safe as we can in whichever way we choose and as long as we are supported by those around us then that's a bonus. Luckily I work in an NHS surgery and we are remaining vigilant - hand washing and gel along with masks are the best defences against picking up the virus. Supermarket trips are infrequent with protection and I choose not to go out near large gatherings... so far this has kept me and my family covid free. I hope all of us can remain well this year 🙏 🤞👍😁

[Suvi8901]

I’m personally never ever relaxed about SHIELDING from covid no matter what unscientific officials or others say. Vaccines offer variable protection but never100% so shielding strictly will always be necessary.

Do I continually want to be bolstered/boostered? No….

A huge yes to mask wearing eg FFP3 quality, proper hand washing, social distancing and disinfection.👏👍

Now the UK official guidelines tell us to forget masks 😷.

This is dangerous advice.

[Odosmum in reply to Suvi8901]

The mask directive is purely English and is not UK wide. Wales and Scotland have the mask mandate in force and I think NI does too.

[Potatoheat]

Had mine Thursday. Was advised by rheumatology nurse to have it because of azathioprine. Also told by Dr giving vax that if I test positive anytime I will be contacted to have antivirals. No side effects apart from headache for a while.

[Hidden in reply to Potatoheat]

Thanks for your reply... the lead gp at the surgery where I work has advised that I should definitely have it for the extra protection, all very rassuring👍😁

[Potatoheat in reply to Hidden]

Good luck 😄

[Poshcards]

still waiting on mine x

[Hidden in reply to Poshcards]

If you are due, give your surgery a call to see if they've got you on their list... xx

[Poshcards in reply to Hidden]

Knowing my doctors they haven't x

[Hidden in reply to Poshcards]

Definitely ring them xx

[Suvi8901]

Does the omicron variant of Covid-19 hide away from our antibodies and is never destroyed by them? So why do we need so many boosters? We know that the research is showing that omicron causes long covid symptoms particularly breathlessness but the “experts” say most omicron infected only show mild symptoms? Surely breathlessness is never mild but very debilitating?

[Hidden in reply to Suvi8901]

Exactly why I'm getting booster... saw my mother in law pass away from the effects of a chronic lung condition, it's not pleasant seeing someone suffer with breathlessness xx

[Suvi8901 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response but you haven’t answered my first question? Is there an answer?Xx

ps I’m committed to forever shielding because vaccines and boosters can never totally protect.

[Hidden in reply to Suvi8901]

I don't think the scientists/experts know or have all the answers... annual boosters as with the flu vaccines are likely to be one way forward.