Covid vaccine

[Pippapot]

I have just been invited for my Spring Covid booster (uk). I have already had Covid twice this year. January was the first time I'd caught it and received antivirals. 3 weeks ago I had Covid again and threw it off fairly quickly. My question is, surely my antibodies will be good and do I actually need a booster?

[Plate]

I would never get another Covid vaccine ever. Still too many unknowns and coverups and was not even effective.

[EPguy]

I do think the Covid vax is helpful, esp the first 3 are well worth getting. But there is also debate on the value getting the same type vax repeatedly. For example the flu vax is changed every year while our Covid boosters have changed only once.

But the "experts" do not value infection as much they should. One reason is the immunity from infection is less predictable that that from the vax. But in your situation with 2X infections by the latest current variant(s) I would skip the Covid vax that has only older variants(my opinion)

Vaxes are not risk free as seen in y recent posts, my trouble was from the flu vax; I likely won't be getting that one again any time soon, it is not that effective and the risk is repeated every year.

Can you still get an anti body test in UK? Could be worth checking. These are not readily available in the US.

[Plate in reply to EPguy]

Thank you for your input.

[Jenny_F]

I think you have to weigh up the effects Covid has had on you, the risks that anti-virals can present vs the risk that another jab will impact you in any way. With the government not bothering to give us information on variants and how many people with complications are hospitalised its a difficult choice. I also remember it not being a permanent fix, in other words our immunity wanes within months, which is why we are being offered it so often regardless of variant updates. Age is also a factor as in the rare chances that you have a reaction to the vaccine (one in a million) it seems to be mainly an issue in younger people. My discomfort comes from the companies that profit from the vaccine. I feel there was a smear campaign against Astra Zeneca engineered by the pharmas that are doing it for a profit. I would be far more comfortable having the AZ vaccine as I don't trust the others.

[SomersetMark]

The vaccines have been updated - below is the info on Vaccines in use this spring by the NHS.

I’m booked for number vax no 7 on 19 Apr 😀.

You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer, Moderna or Sanofi and approved in the UK. These vaccines have been updated since the original vaccines and target different COVID-19 variants. For a very small number of people another vaccine product may be advised by your doctor.

These updated vaccines boost protection well, and give slightly higher levels of antibody against the more recent strains of COVID-19 (Omicron) than the vaccines you would have received previously.

As we cannot predict which variants of COVID-19 will be circulating this spring and summer, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has concluded that all of these vaccines can be used and that no one should delay vaccination to receive a different vaccine.

The Sanofi vaccine contains an adjuvant (a chemical used to improve the immune response to the virus). This vaccine will only be offered to older people, who may respond less well to vaccines. The adjuvant in the COVID-19 vaccine is similar to the one used in the flu vaccine which is routinely given to over 65 year olds. The NHS website has more information about vaccines and their ingredients.

[mhos61 in reply to SomersetMark]

That’s helpful!

[mhos61]

Firstly, I am pro vaccine, however, I do understand your plight. I would also be thinking like you. I think it’s just standard to send out invitations to the ‘vulnerable’ without consideration of possible recent infection.

You would think there would be some professional guidance to help you make an informed decision. Discussion with a health professional would be ideal in these situations.

[SomersetMark]

For me, I suppose, like with any medication, I have to trust the judgement and advice of my medical team and organisations such as MPN Voice and Blood Cancer UK. I’d discuss any specific health concerns with the appropriate clinician.

If it helps, the NHS guidance is published below and also a link to a great resource by the British society of immunology about COVID 19 Vaccinations (in language I can understand 😂). It’s just been updated and answers the original question on page 17 FAQ. -

I’m surprised the NHS info link isn’t mentioned on the vaccine invite (that would be useful) -

gov.uk/government/publicati...

nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/...

immunology.org/sites/defaul...

[dabs121]

Many thanks for including these links, I had never read the immunology one, which is very well written and informative.

[Hopetohelp]

I am in a similar situation as you. Got covid last month for first time but was only a mild cold. Just received my vaccine invite. I am going to wait about 4 months before I have the vaccine. Trying to spread it out as don’t want to overload the body

[Blackroc]

Hi Pippapot. I’m in Ireland. We’re told not to get the vaccine within 4 months of having had the virus.

[cata]

Hello, may I know how many times you have been vaccinated against Covid? thank you

[Pippapot in reply to cata]

Hi cata, I've had 5. The last one was the Autumn/winter booster.

[GK40]

I've had 5 and no more for me