Covid vaccines

[Hydrox]

What is the latest regarding Covid booster. I have had 6 vaccines and wondered if I should have another before they finish on the 12th of February. It says on NHS site they may offer a seasonal booster to eligible people later in the year

[Minu68]

same thought on my mind too. Hope someone on here has information on this too! Having had so many, I wonder if we’ll keep being offered it …

[Hydrox in reply to Minu68]

Not sure what to do, go now or wait for seasonal booster

[Swede]

Hi, I went to the vaccination centre yesterday, and I was told that the new vaccin will be rolled out 17 February 2023. We who need it will be called. Hope that is correct.

[Trocken in reply to Swede]

I was under the same impression, to date we can only have had a max of 6 and they’re planning on the roll out for the spring booster for those that need aka us mpn’ers!

[Hydrox in reply to Trocken]

Thanks for your info, on that basis I will wait until new spring vac is rolled out.

[Wyebird in reply to Swede]

thanks that’s good info

[Wyebird]

good question

[azaelea]

I’ve been wondering about this too. Will hopefully get an email from NHS when new vaccines are available. Thanks for bringing this up.

[Hydrox in reply to azaelea]

No problem, we need clarification.

[Exeter21]

Not sure on this as sounds like an awful lot of anti virus injections . Depends how vulnerable you are & amount of medication s. I had Covid Autumn so refused last booster & got through this Winter ok . I will not be having another & we are into Spring almost . It’s a decision for yourself I am afraid . 👍

[Lola367]

This is from the Blood Cancer UK website:

Spring and Autumn boosters in 2023

On 25 January 2023, the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) advised the UK government that:

people who are immunosuppressed (including people with blood cancer) should have a booster vaccine in Spring 2023

people who are immunosuppressed (including people with blood cancer), AND other people who are high risk, should have a booster vaccine in Autumn 2023

Following this advice, we expect the UK government and the NHS to roll out Spring and Autumn boosters in 2023. It's not possible to book one yet, but as soon as you can, we will update this web page with links for all four nations of the UK.

If you haven't had your Autumn booster from last year (offered since September 2022) please book yours now, as this will stop being given after 12th February 2023.

bloodcancer.org.uk/support-...

[Hydrox in reply to Lola367]

Excellent, thank you.

[Margaret2022]

I have had 2 and wont be having any more !! Just boosting my immune system

[Hydrox in reply to Margaret2022]

I wish I had your confidence, I will be getting my spring booster, its just like having the yearly flu jab now .

[Margaret2022 in reply to Hydrox]

I dont have that either, these tablets are enough stuff going into my body

[Phantasia]

So in the UK if you have an MPN you have had 6 shots so far?I am in Australia and so far I have only had 4 but will be eligible for a 5th from 20th Feb. That's the same schedule as the general population.

My haematologist told me under Australian guidelines an MPN is not considered an "active" cancer so I am not eligible for any additional boosters as I am not considered "severely" immunocompromised.

Interesting how this can vary from one country to another.

[Hydrox in reply to Phantasia]

I believe it depends what medication you are taking, hydroxycarbamide is a chemotherapy drug, therefore you are classed as being more at risk due to it being an immunosupressent.

[Phantasia in reply to Hydrox]

I was taking hydroxyurea when I asked my haematologist about it. I stopped taking it after I developed peripheral neuropathy. It was definitely the fact that my ET wasn't an "active" cancer and that is in the Australian guidelines.

Seems odd that different countries have varying eligibility criteria for vaccinations.

I think the UK has fewer vaccinations overall for the general population than Australia does.

[Hydrox in reply to Phantasia]

Not sure about that, the rest of my family have had 4 so far.

[Phantasia]

My sister lives in London and she's had 4 but she's over 50.

I read an article about there being no more boosters in the UK for those under 50 from 12 February.