UK - Covid Spring Booster 2023

[AndyT]

Just booked in for my spring booster later this month - very quick and easy to arrange it.

I think dates vary for other UK countries but in England bookings are open for anyone with reduced immunity via this link:

nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-1...

[MWxxxx]

Thank you - glad you managed to get your spring booster arranged. I noticed house hold contacts of immunosuppressed people no longer qualify for a booster. Bit disappointed as my partner works in a school so it was handy those around me also being vaccinated. Also very few appointments and venues available in my local area. Literally a choice of two dates and two small pharmacies within a 50 mile radius. Hopefully more will come on line soon as I cannot imagine they would be able to cope with numbers requiring a booster, even though it will be much less this time. I am also a bit concerned that a small pharmacy won't necessarily have the knowledge to understand mpns - I've been questioned heavily in the past at large vaccination centres, but at least there is always a clinical lead on hand who knows the vaccination rules inside out and has been able to support. I am not sure a small pharmacy will have that background. I had hoped it would be easy this time, but in my area it doesn't look too promising....

[AndyT in reply to MWxxxx]

Agreed about household contacts - my wife has been able to join me for the last two boosters but that doesn’t seem to be an option this time - I’ll query it when I go for mine and see if they might allow her.

I’m lucky to have plenty of choice of locations and times as I live in a city and have actively chosen small pharmacies for my last two boosters. Less waiting time, less contact with other people and a quick, friendly service. No questions about my eligibility either - I got the impression that if I had been accepted by the online booking system that was good enough for them!

[MWxxxx in reply to AndyT]

There was something on the blood cancer uk website about household contacts not being eligible for this round of boosters and there was no option on the online booking for them. You may get lucky and get a sympathetic vaccinator, so definitely worth checking on the day.

[Hat3]

My surgery just rang to book me in for one in May. Very efficient!

[HazeBlue]

had six over the last few years , not having anymore .

[AndyT in reply to HazeBlue]

Any particular reason?

When I did eventually get Covid recently for the first time, it was mild and I like to think that may in part have been due to a certain level of immunity from having had 6 vaccinations over the last 3 years.

I’ve had no side effects from any of the previous vaccinations, so am happy to have another one.

[HazeBlue in reply to AndyT]

I had Covid and had antiviral infusion . Just not keen to keep pumping vaccines into my system . Was a bit poorly after the sixth one . I’ll think about it .

[azaelea in reply to HazeBlue]

I’ve had 6 too and also a it dubious about another. This one apparently has the two latest Omicron strains as well. Haven’t received my NHS email yet, so will wait and see.