The NHS is beginning the rollout of 'spring booster' COVID-19 vaccine doses today. This booster is being offered to:
* Over-75s.
* Residents of elderly care homes.
* People with suppressed/compromised immune systems.
The spring booster should be offered around 6 months (and not before 3 months) since the last dose of vaccine. This means many in the immunosuppressed group may not be eligible quite yet due to the delays in administering third primary doses and booster (fourth) doses.
Hi Spanielmadlady . Thank you for sharing this. I've seen similar reports elsewhere and it seems that there has been a failure to properly account for people who had three primary doses.
If you are immunosuppressed you should have this additional booster between 3-6 months after your most recent dose (the booster/4th dose in your case).
This means that you shouldn't book it at the moment.
They recommend that this 'spring booster' should be given around 6 months after the last dose. However, I've seen many people are getting invited anywhere between 3-6 months and therefore individuals are having to take some responsibility and choice about the most suitable time to have it.
Having had so many in a short space of time it is quite appealing to wait until later on the year but I will do whatever is advised by my team.cheers Paul
Is there any news on when those that are Clinically vulnerable that aren’t immunosuppressed who had their vaccines six months ago will get another booster, I feel as though people like myself are being left out and the autumn seems like a long time to wait especially with rising infections ?
Hi ExtremeDuvetDaze . No news about this yet, but the coalition of charities supporting at risk people has a meeting with the Vaccines Minister, Maggie Throup, next Monday and we have that on the agenda.
I had my 4rd primary at the end of November 21 and haven't been invited for a booster. Is this spring one my 4th booster or should I have already had it? Sorry for the question!
Hi soootired . I'm assuming there was a typo and you meant to say you had your third primary dose at the end of November?
If that is the case, you should have been invited for your booster by now. Unfortunately, many people eligible for three primary doses have been missed from automatic invitation for their booster.
I would recommend that you book a booster dose now. You may then be eligible for another booster around 6 months later to maintain your protection.
Thanks Paul. I booked a Spring booster last night online. I was offered an appointment 3 months after my last one. The good news is that it said you can show a hospital letter to prove you are immunosuppressed or bring a recent box of medication to prove. ( can’t remember the exact wording) This is good because those previously without a letter can show they are immunosuppressed by showing their medication.
I have only had 2 vaccines as had a recent, well since Christmas flare where my skin started to break down etc so have waited as I too get a post vaccine flare. Unsure what to do next. Any advice from anyone very gratefully received. I am still new to lupus and although I am a nurse when it's yourself it is more difficult to navigate something when every bit of your body is intent on destroying itself..Can anyone help??
Hi cakerbaker 🤗Welcome to the group 💐If you post this question yourself it will come up in the main thread and I'm sure that you'll get some helpful responses. We're generally a good bunch and you'll get more ideas how to move forward with the vaccines. Lots of people have had flares after their jabs too.🌈😽😽xx
Hi cakerbaker . Are you on any immunosuppressant medications? If you are, you will probably need to have a third primary dose and then a booster three months after that.
Hi Paul Thanks for the reply. No immunosuppressants just on prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine so far but it's really not settling. Having a bit of a flare and not had any help as my consultant has been sick. I have been trying to not increase my steroids until I see the consultant but knowing that another vaccine will trigger a bigger flare I am naturally worried. What do you think? Likelihood is I will need to up them if the vaccine makes this flare worse.
I had to give up my career and now have another job from home part time so worried about that.
Hi Paul. So I had my 3rd Covid jab after horrors with the first 2 I had to summon both the strength and nerve to have a 3rd. Side effects none to speak of. What a relief. Thanks for your help. I am on pred 5mg ATM and hydroxychloroquine 200mg with 400mg alternate days.
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Update on timeline for Spring 2023 COVID-19 boosters
