Difference between third vaccine and booster

[Alfiesmith]

Just what is the difference between these jabs. I know someone who went for his third injection and his wife was with him and asked if she could have her booster there and then and was given her jan and was told that they were both the same and no difference. Can anyone enlighten me please

[Hidden]

A third, primary dose of vaccine is only for those that we now know from immunity studies potentially may not have mounted an adequate response from the initial two doses to protect them from serious illness and death. It’s mostly people who are significantly immunocompromised either by the nature of their condition, or as is the case for those eligible in the RD community, by the specific medications they take. For some people, that extra dose is essential because we now know they simply won’t have sufficient immunity from the first two; as testing everyone who could be unprotected is time consuming and expensive, it’s easier to blanket cover the whole cohort, and to do so as soon as possible, regardless of when their second dose was. By comparison, the booster is exactly the same vaccine, but is only intended to top up existing protection that naturally will start to wane with time, which is why it’s being given at least 6 months after someone’s had a second dose. The people in this group will (should!) have achieved full protection from the initial two jabs, but they want to make sure the protection is maintained, particularly through the winter period where pressure on the NHS is always high and services struggle to cope. Those currently eligible for a booster once 6 months has passed include anyone over 50, anyone considered CEV (that isn’t in the third primary jab group), healthcare professionals and care workers, and those that live with or provide care for an immunocompromised individual.

Those receiving a third dose will also get a booster no sooner than 6 months after it, so effectively will receive 4 vaccines.

[Pam-51 in reply to Hidden]

Hello,Just to clarify something. A 3rd Primary dose can be given anytime 8 weeks after the second dose. Then a booster six months after that.

Best wishes Pam

[Madmusiclover]

Agree with replies here. The NRAS Facebook live with Octave study folks confirmed this. Same drugs and dose. But only available to various groups if immunosuppressed folks to bring us up to same protection level as normal folks.

[Potatos]

I believe the booster dose for Moderna is a half dose whereas the third dose is a full dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Madmusiclover in reply to Potatos]

Useful thanks. Hoping for Pfizer. Not heard anything yet though. Today is my 6 month date so could have booster anyway..

[vonniesims in reply to Madmusiclover]

The on line booking service seems to be working now

[Madmusiclover in reply to vonniesims]

For 3 jabs?

[vonniesims in reply to Madmusiclover]

Definitely for 3rd

[Madmusiclover in reply to vonniesims]

Is it booked as a third jab when you book it or as a booster?

[vonniesims in reply to Madmusiclover]

They are calling it a booster .When I went for it my card says boosterThis is what is confusing everyone, . We will be called again in another 6 months for a booster, but this one is the third and should be called that I think. Good luck with it

[Madmusiclover in reply to vonniesims]

OK. I can't book anyway. My 6 month date was yesterday. My rheumatologist said they were writing to GPs to explain situation. I go away tomorrow. If I've not heard anything by the time I get back I'll try again. Thanks. Glad you have had yours. I don't think we are confused - but rheumy said it was dropped on them with no system in place. 🙄

[Sarahg62]

I got my invitation for my 3rd jab/ booster exactly 6 months and 1 week on from my 2nd jab. Getting it done tomorrow. Hope it doesn’t set my Uveitis off again 🤞

[cropredy]

Morning Alfie,I had my third jab yesterday then in six months time I have to have the booster. I believe that the only difference is that non immune suppressed folk have two jabs then the booster but folk like us (Immune suppressed) have to have three jabs then a booster. Hope this helps, enjoy your day.

Ray.

[arvine in reply to cropredy]

curious, my rheumy says I am not in the category of immune compromised, and is not willing to give me a letter, referral for 3 rd vaccine, because I have been on very low dose 5 mgs pred, still concerns me, Im 74 yrs old, and my GP< is an antivaxxer! so he wants nothing to do with the vaccine , and would not refer me, not sure what to do

[cropredy in reply to cropredy]

Hi arvine,I ask my rheumatology nurse and she said that due to the fact I inject Enbrel I have to have a third jab then a booster in six months time. The question is do you inject Enbrel? I am the same age as you as well 74yrs young.

[bienassis]

It's been very confusing for a lot of people - even medics - but the "booster", that is the 3rd vaccine, is exactly the same as the first two.

I had the pfizer 3rd vaccine and wondered about this - and got no help from the hospital - but it turned out that, as explained by Pharmacy2U who were giving the jabs, the confusion comes from the name "booster". Some people, those with allergies, may well get the lower moderna dose, but the rest of us including those on biologics, without allergies, get the same primary dose as the first two.

[Poshcards]

They are same jab, its just for us clinically extremely vulnerable souls we have to have a booster in 6 months time, those who had a booster don't , i asked my gp who gave me the 3rd jab xx