5th Dose for Us?

[Jenny_F]

I noticed the 4th Covid vaccine dose has become official but I think a 5th dose is being mentioned for people with MPNs. Does anyone know what the duration should be between doses? I had my 4th dose in Jan so assuming if its 3 months I will need another in May but should it be 6 months which will take me to July?

[sweetpea19]

I’ve just read a news article that says it will be 6 months after our last booster I had my fourth in January too so assume I will be contacted around late June / July ,

[HazeBlue in reply to sweetpea19]

No it’s 3mths

[DJK12]

It's worth looking at this:

bloodcancer.org.uk/news/why...

The Scottish NHS Inform site also has this:

"The spring booster dose will usually be offered around 6 months since your last dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Some people may be invited sooner than this (at least 3 months since their last dose) to help protect them against any increase in coronavirus infections.

NHS Scotland will contact you to arrange your appointment at the right time for you."

[MWxxxx]

This is a really timely question. I am in exactly the same position and assumed we had to wait until July. This does mean of course that our 6th will be at the end of next winter, so we will be out of sync with the rest of the population, having our maximum protection in the summer. However, i started to read some interesting points being raised on blood cancer uk where people were booking their 5th vaccine 3 months after their 4th. The BBC news reported last night that over 75s and vulnerable people would get their boosters in the spring 6 months after their last OR BEFORE, IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE. No idea who actually deems it appropriate? I cannot imagine my GP surgery or Haematology Team having a clue. So I have gone onto the booking system and it has let me book an appointment for April! I have no idea whether I would be turned away when I get there but feel more comfortable having something booked until we get more concrete information - I can always cancel it if it is wrong. I want to make sure I get the vaccines I am due but equally a little wary of having too many or a vaccine when I shouldn't. So I shall keep watching the information coming out and decide nearer the time whether I should go in April.

[Lola367]

From Blood Cancer UK - see link in DJK12's post above.

"As long as it's been 3 months since your first booster, it's best to have your second booster as soon as you are able to. This aims to boost your immunity now, while infections are increasing and ahead of a possible summer wave. Waiting longer to have your second booster puts you more at risk of catching covid between now and then.

If you need help explaining this to anyone who says you must wait a full 6 months from your first booster, the Green Book (the government's main guidance for vaccinations for the UK) states (on page 28) "Immunosuppressed individuals... may have received the booster (fourth) dose more recently. These latter individuals and other eligible people who received their last vaccine more recently should also be offered the booster during the spring campaign providing there is at least three months from the previous dose. This will ensure they have additional protection against a potential summer wave."

[MWxxxx in reply to Lola367]

Brilliant. Thank you. I have been looking for some clear guidance on this. That's really helpful.

[Lola367 in reply to MWxxxx]

If you're in England you can book the next one on the NHS website, have just booked mine in for April.

[HazeBlue]

Yes 3mths although Nhs gov website says 61 days

[Jenny_F]

Ifs not letting me book yet so I will try again in April but thanks for the info all!

[azaelea]

Hello Jenny, all this is so confusing, isn’t it! It looks like we should have our 5 th one 3 months after the 4 th which I think most of us was January or February. On reading the link to Blood Cancer UK which DJK12 posted ( thanks DJK by the way) they cause so much confusion by calling the vaccines ‘booster’ when as far as I’m aware I have had 4 full doses of Pfizer. I had my 4 th on 14 th February after a struggle . Should have been beginning of January. Wonder if the NHS will get in touch with us, probably be left to our own devices again! Regards, Fran