4th Jab/booster for the immunosuppressed - MPN Voice

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4th Jab/booster for the immunosuppressed

Paul123456 profile image
44 Replies

Has anyone here been called up by their GP for their 4th jab?

My understanding is that anyone with Lymphocytes under 1 qualifies as immunosuppressed and latest advice extends this to anyone with a blood cancer.

There was a link to the official JCVI guidance re the Third Primary but I’ve not seen any printed advise relating to the 4th Booster jab?

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Paul123456 profile image
Paul123456
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44 Replies
Paul123456 profile image
Paul123456

This is the best link I can find?

gov.uk/government/publicati...

PhilReade profile image
PhilReade in reply to Paul123456

Have my 4 th jab 2moro 1.30 at my GP surgery my Haematolygist informed the surgery

gset profile image
gset in reply to Paul123456

I spoke to my surgery yesterday who said they were not Issuing invitations or letters for us to get 4th jab and referred me to 119 who say we need a GP or hospital letter to get the 4th jab. Then we can go to walk in centre. I then went back to surgery and they said write in to my GP which I have done- will see what happens. There appears to be confusion over who is doing what in my area.

Gaithersburg profile image
Gaithersburg in reply to Paul123456

Thanks for that link - it was helpful.

piggie50 profile image
piggie50

Hi Paul,

I haven’t been called but I e mailed my CCG, this was their response….

‘ Yes the third primary doses do show up on the app as a booster. Once you have your actual booster your vaccination record will show your first and second dose along with two boosters.

You will need to attend a walk-in clinic for your vaccination - so no appointment is needed. You should have received a letter either from your GP/Hospital or the NHS stating you are eligible for a third primary dose. You will need to take this letter with you as proof you are eligible for a forth dose which will be your booster dose.

If you can email us a week before your booster is due, we can send you a list of walk-in clinics available in your area.’

Hope this helps.

Judy

Turfbeg profile image
Turfbeg

Hi, there have been previous posts about this - I live in South Wales, UK and will have my 4th vaccination on January 12th. Not sure if it is meant to be considered a 4th jab or a booster! I have PV and take hydroxycarbamide and aspirin. Hope this helps.

mark382 profile image
mark382 in reply to Turfbeg

I live in North Wales. Be interested to see if the call up was for PV or hydroxycarbamide. I'm on aspirin and venesections.

Turfbeg profile image
Turfbeg in reply to mark382

My guess is hydroxycarbamide plus possibly my age - 69. I have no otherknown health issues.

mark382 profile image
mark382 in reply to Turfbeg

Thanks for reply. Looks as if it's medication for the 4th jab as a opposed to PV.

Paul123456 profile image
Paul123456

I’ve just spoken to my GP Surgery who say they can’t do anything since not been updated by the Govt. I said that JVCI guidance was issued on 29th November but they said nothing they can do until Govt updates them and allocates the vaccines. All a bit surreal, especially when I had an identical experience trying to get my third Primary.

mhos61 profile image
mhos61 in reply to Paul123456

Hi Paul.

My GPs surgery never seem to have the relevant NHS/ Government updates.

I would recommend that you contact the CCG that your GPs comes under with your concerns and supply any links to the NHS/Government guidelines to support your case. I had to go down this path to access the ‘Third Primary Dose Vaccine’. They were exceptionally helpful in instructing my GPs Practice, as I was getting nowhere.

I have just emailed my local CCG again with regards to the ‘Booster Dose,’ as for me the recommended 91 days (post third dose) is due on the 15th of January. Furthermore, I am travelling to London by train on the 17th of January, so potentially I’m at additional risk without the booster.

Good luck

mhos61 profile image
mhos61 in reply to mhos61

Crikey! I’ve had a response from the CCG. Sent email 4.45 pm replied 5.00pm. They are going to look into it for me...!

mhos61 profile image
mhos61 in reply to mhos61

Result!

Well, contacting the CCG has worked once again for me. They have liaised with my GPs Practice on my behalf. I now have an appointment for the 13 January for my booster vaccine, two days before the suggested 91 days.

Happy patient 😃

piggie50 profile image
piggie50

My GP surgery have been useless all the way through. I’ve given up with them now and look after my self! If they just listened to what I was saying it would help, but no.I’m going to go to a walk in centre this week for my 4th jab.

Eadaoin profile image
Eadaoin in reply to piggie50

I rang 119 and was told (she was obviously reading it out) that I must have a letter from my GP or Hospital to get a 4th jab. This was after I had contacted the national booking system online where as soon as I put in my NHS number it had stated that I could not book on there - hence my call to 119. Best wishes for your effort.

mhos61 profile image
mhos61

This is interesting!

rcplondon.ac.uk/news/update...

Eadaoin profile image
Eadaoin

I contacted my Haematology Clinic asking if I would be receiving a text from the hospital advising me to book an appointment for my 4th jab. (I had been texted about the 3rd Primary one). They did not know the answer but emailed the Hospital’s Covid vaccination office on my behalf and I was immediately sent an appointment. I know I am extremely lucky having such helpful and supportive MPN clinicians and I very much hope that everyone on here who is waiting for a booster manages it as easily.

Paul123456 profile image
Paul123456

This is the JVCI letter, dated early December, that my Surgery has not received!

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

JojoWonder profile image
JojoWonder

Hello, I have mine booked in for Friday. I was routine messaged for it. I live near Cardiff.

mark382 profile image
mark382 in reply to JojoWonder

Can I ask if you are on any medication as so far I've had invites for 2 primary jabs and a booster. Booster was going to to be Madurna, but I pointed out MPN Voice and Blood Cancer UK saying should be Pfizer as Madurna is half dose. Didn't take letter, but they took my word for it and gave me Pfizer. I live in North Wales and 4th jab isn't due for a while, so may get letter. Just trying to see their criteria for 4th jab.

JojoWonder profile image
JojoWonder in reply to mark382

Yes, I’m inject Pegasys once a week and of course aspirin.

mark382 profile image
mark382 in reply to JojoWonder

Thanks for reply. Looking more like medication is the trigger for 4th jab as opposed to PV.

scousesbird profile image
scousesbird

Hi Paul123456, my husband had his 3rd full dose at Guys in September. His covid record was showing that he had had 2 doses plus the booster which was incorrect. He spoke to someone at our GP surgery who said that the NHS covid recording system wasn't allowing for a 3rd full dose to be recorded so his 3rd was put down as a booster. Anyway, the lady sorted it out and put him in for the booster session they were doing that week. So yes, he has had 4 lots now.

Anniepops112 profile image
Anniepops112

I had a letter from the haematology dept last week but it still says I’ll need a letter from my GP. I’m not eligible for another week or so with 91 days from my 3rd vaccine. I may just take the letter from the haematologist to the local walk in centre and see how I get on.

Trocken profile image
Trocken

I had my 4th vaccine on the 27th Dec before the letter was sent as the 91 days between the 3rd and 4th was on 24th Dec. I was desperate as my daughter tested positive on boxing day! I took my haemotologists last clinic letter (they had very kindly written that I needed the 3rd vaccine and any subsequent boosters. The pharmacist at the clinic was more than happy to approve it with this information, I was the first to have the 4th vaccine and they were concerned as to how it would be recorded. It’s already on my NHS and the 3 rd dose which up until later week was down as a booster, so it’s all corrected itself! 🥳 my advise would be without the letter go to a walk in and take a copy of the CEV letter, clinic letter stating your MPN diagnosis and the letter from blood cancer stating that MPN’s is a cancer xx

AlyW profile image
AlyW

I spoke with my GP yesterday who didn’t seem to be aware that I should have a 4th jab. He told me that all 3rd jabs are recorded as boosters but has booked me in for my next booster (4th jab) at the end of January . He asked me to bring my letter from my consultant- it seems that we still have to be pro-active.

jointpain profile image
jointpain

Hi Paul, you said "My understanding is that anyone with Lymphocytes under 1 qualifies as immunosuppressed and latest advice extends this to anyone with a blood cancer." Could you say where you got this information from?

Paul123456 profile image
Paul123456 in reply to jointpain

This was the original JCVI advice dated end September, from memory 29th September.

It defined ‘Severely’ as Lymphocytes under 1 but this was later extended to all blood cancers incl MPNs. My Lymphocytes are under 0.5 so I was focused on this!

jointpain profile image
jointpain in reply to Paul123456

Thank you Paul, my wife has Myelofibrosis, and though her white cell count is over 30 her lymphocytes are less than 1. Interestingly my own white cell count is on the lower than normal side and lymphocytes are below 1 yet I have never been asked in for a 3rd full dose vaccination, just had the booster. I may ask about it with my GP whoever it is this week!

Fizzydog profile image
Fizzydog

Hi I’ve had 3 vaccinations so far, my first two were AstraZeneca my third full dose was Pfizer. I was extremely ill after the Pfizer vaccination I had to be signed off work for two weeks!! I was totally fine before having it. It made me feel like I’d been hit by a bus! I was wiped out & couldn’t get warm shaking non stop & being sick. It was a horrible experience. My arm I had it in two month later is still painful. Due to this I’m really scared about having the booster which is due next month. I’ve got my telephone appointment with my haematologist next Wednesday to ask him what I should do! Claire

MWxxxx profile image
MWxxxx

There is some really good clear advice and information on Blood Cancer UK regarding 3rd and 4th doses and how to get them and who qualifies, although the general advice is to go to a walk in 3 months after your 3rd with the letter you had for your 3rd primary dose. This should be enough. I have managed to get my 4th at my GP surgery next Tues!!!!!! After pestering them to death all over Xmas I finally had a call yesterday. They told me that because they have no prearranged vaccine clinics coming up they are prepared to let me have one of the supply they have for housebound people if I can go to the surgery next week. It's two days before my 3 months are up, so I would have had to wait until the following weekend and try and find a walk in clinic then.

MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie

While I was at the surgery yesterday to collect some meds, I asked about getting my fourth booster and was told they weren't rolling them out at the moment and I'd have to get a letter from my haematologist for the surgery to arrange a jab! Do they think you stop being vulnerable after the third/booster?

Barbara140 profile image
Barbara140

Had my 4th, via GP this morning

Paul123456 profile image
Paul123456

I went to a walk in centre this morning and got my booster with no problem. All I needed was a letter from my Consultant addressed to my GP saying I had had my 3rd Primary three months ago and now needed a booster.

I was concerned that my NHS App had recorded my 3rd jab as a booster since this has caused enormous confusion at my local GP surgery, despite them having arranged it as a 3rd Primary!

I can’t be critical since they are clearly under unprecedented levels of stress without me banging on their door.

Maisie10 profile image
Maisie10

Hello. Could you please advise me what CCG is. I have PV on hydroxy and have had the 3 doses still waiting to hear about the 4th. I thought I could contact CCG but not sure who this is. Thank you

piggie50 profile image
piggie50 in reply to Maisie10

It’s the clinical commissioning group for the NHS.Mine is Devon, you would need to find your local one.

Maisie10 profile image
Maisie10

Thank you. I will take a look. I’m in Kent x

DC1916 profile image
DC1916 in reply to Maisie10

A list of the CCG in England can be found at the address below. england.nhs.uk/ccg-details/

DC1916 profile image
DC1916 in reply to Maisie10

Kent and Medway CCG link

kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/

Jynx93 profile image
Jynx93

I have my 4th jab on the 12th after a call from GP’s

Maisie10 profile image
Maisie10

Thank you very much

Gaithersburg profile image
Gaithersburg

I have my 4th vaccine booked for Tuesday. However my haematologist and GP didn't know whether I should have one and kept asking each other so I asked Guys & St Thomas's who booked me the appointment. It is more than 91 days since my 3rd so I am happy with this. I don't know why everything is such a battle still but hey ho! Happy New Year to all.

AndyT profile image
AndyT

I had set myself a reminder to start chasing as today is the day I become eligible for my fourth dose but they beat me to it - booked in tomorrow lunchtime..!

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NCB1983 profile image
NCB1983

I got my 4th vaccination appointment through today as a letter (strange as all the others have been via text message) and it said that "all people who were given a third dose of the primary course of vaccination should receive a booster within 3 months"

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