Covid booster winter 2024

[virtualreality]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone's had the latest Covid booster jab yet, and/or knows which variety's on offer this time around? Got my invitation this week. Seem to have had the worst side effects with Spikevax (last time) and its precursor Moderna, and wondering if it's the same again.

[bpeal1]

According to the gov.uk website both Phizer and Moderna will be used this Autumn. gov.uk/government/publicati...

Photo of gov.uk website

[virtualreality in reply to bpeal1]

Thank you so much!

[Dexter1414 in reply to bpeal1]

It’s spikevax my husband has had done today mine is on Saturday do I continue taking my methotrexate with having vaccine as pharmacy said it’s fine to continue as I did last time continue it but Google says different

[bpeal1 in reply to Dexter1414]

I can not advise on this. You’ll need to either contact your rheumatology team or make the decision for yourself.

There have been several research studies which have shown that if your RA is well controlled pausing methotrexate for a couple of weeks after vaccination allows your immune system to make a better response. However, (and this is a big however!) if pausing methotrexate will increase your chances of flaring it’s not worth taking the risk as a flare will reduce the effectiveness of vaccine a lot more than the methotrexate will.

[Runrig01]

the program doesn’t start till the 3rd of October, so don’t think anyone will have had. The JCVI state that Pfizer and Moderna will be used, but advise to accept what is offered at your centre.

[virtualreality in reply to Runrig01]

thank you, that's very helpful

[L-ttie in reply to Runrig01]

I’m hoping very much hoping that my surgery will be offered Pfizer since the only time I had the Moderna one in June 2022 it triggered a really big flare like response which lasted 3weeks,was difficult to bring under control and made me feel very unwell.The other vaccines I’ve had have only given me the standard feeling of being a bit unwell for a day or so.

I missed the spring booster this year because it was the Moderna one that was being offered and the doctor on looking at my records advised not to have it.Fortunately I haven’t had Covid over the summer but the new vaccine is tweaked to be more effective for the current variant strain which is definately around now so I’m just hoping that it’ll be the Pfizer one on offer at my surgery.

I phoned about 10 days ago and they hadn’t heard which one it would be so I’ll be giving them a call next week.

[virtualreality in reply to L-ttie]

That's a good idea, I might ask too. I'm kind of hoping the same thing you are fro similar reasons.

[L-ttie in reply to virtualreality]

Good luck and hoping it’s the one that you feel ok with.

[bpeal1 in reply to L-ttie]

if it’s any consolation I’ve had a mixture of Phizer and Modena over the last few years and I’ve responded differently to both types. I’ve flared after both Moderna and Phizer and I’ve also had no problems at all with both. I think it probably depends on what else is going on at the time not just which type of vaccine it is.

[Runrig01 in reply to bpeal1]

Same here, I’ve reacted to them, and suffered flares, then next time it’s been cortisol issues as I produce none, to deal with the stress on the body. That results in nausea, lightheaded, headache, low blood pressure etc. eases when I take more steroid, but reluctant to do that as then it potentially reduces effectiveness of the vaccine, can’t win 😂

[L-ttie in reply to bpeal1]

I agree…if only we knew what was going on at the time it would make deciding much easier,perhaps!

[PCStrawberry]

We received the updated vaccine on 9/6, three weeks ago. Zero issues beyond the typical "sore spot" for a day. It was our seventh vaccination for COVID-19. All Pfizer product. We did fully skip a dose of our biological to allow an autoimmune response, per typical protocol established by our rheumatologist. Best wishes.

[virtualreality in reply to PCStrawberry]

Thank you. I'm hoping it might be Pfizer this time here too.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to PCStrawberry]

Ours in the UK isn’t available (on the NHS) until 3 October, I believe. (Moderna and Pfizer via our National Health Service.) Glad you have had your booster. I believe you are in the USA.

[PCStrawberry in reply to Neonkittie17]

Our primary residence is in Florida, USA. Hopefully, you'll all be able to receive the vaccine quickly, easily and from a major manufacturer.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to PCStrawberry]

Thank you, Yes, I can get it no problem as I’m immunosuppressed.

[junik53]

Following on from previous question, can I ask people that are on MTX, do you miss the injection for the week of the covid booster?

[virtualreality in reply to junik53]

I've never been advised to miss a MTX dose when having covid boosters, but I think others have. Seems to depend on a) your team and b) the stability of your symptoms and/or other medical factors.

[bpeal1 in reply to junik53]

There is no ‘one size fits all’ advice on this. Many people are advised to stop methotrexate but it very much depends on how stable your disease activity is and how likely it is you will flare. Active disease will affect the vaccine more than methotrexate.

[Paula-C in reply to junik53]

Yes the advice now is to stop 2 weeks if your RA is stable.

Stopping mtx after covid vaccination

[junik53]

Many thanks for replying

[HGCCNM]

I received the Novavax COVID vaccine last week and had no side effects. I did take paracetamol beforehand. I’ve never had a mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna, just Jantzen or Novavax.)

I live in California, but the internet says Novavax will be available in the UK..

[Neonkittie17 in reply to HGCCNM]

Novovax is only available for private Covid boosters atm in the UK. Pfizer and Moderna used in our NHS. Novovax is used for private boosters as easier for them to store and less waste I was told by the phlebotomist at the private clinic. Our NHS doctors’ practice told us my husband didn’t qualify for an NHS booster at 65, so he went elsewhere and paid for a private one to then receive a text from our NHS doc a month later saying he did qualify. Anyhow, it’s done and next time he should get a NHS free one. He said Novovax gave him zero side effects.

[Dexter1414 in reply to HGCCNM]

Are you on arthritis medication did you continue to take even with covid vaccine

[Beachwalk]

ditto for Spikevax

[Dexter1414 in reply to Beachwalk]

What do you mean was yours ok the vaccine and did you continue to take your arthritis medication

[Paula-C]

My vaccination is booked for the 3rd of next month. I didn't have this year and last years spring booster, i thought cases go down spring and summer. I wasn't going to have the autumn one but common sense took over. I'm flying to America end of next month (10 hour flight) and the last part of the holiday is a 7 day cruise where viruses etc. seem to spread very quickly.

[bpeal1 in reply to Paula-C]

Unlike flu covid doesn’t seem to be seasonal (not yet anyway). Locally there was a big spike in cases this summer.