3rd Primary Dose - Covid 19 Vaccinations

[Roltuba]

I thought I'd post a new comment to help clear up any confusion.

A third primary dose is not a booster, even if your GP surgery may call it that. I've just come back from having my 3rd primary dose, though when the surgery booked me they called it a booster. Those of use who have PMR and who have been on Prednisolone for several years and who, like me are still on 10mg or more are regarded as Immunosuppressed. This is why I have been done today, though it's only 5 months since my 2nd jab. The Dr. who did me said this is a new development in the Covid strategy. It's not surprising that there is confusion about terminology. I haven't seen any comment on this in the media. I will be eligible for a Booster in 6 months but today's jab should be seen as a continuation of the original protection given by jabs one and 2, hence the correct title being 3rd Primary dose. I've had no explanation as to why this was Pfizer when my first 2 were Astra Zenica.

Here's a link to the relevant Government advice. Our situations are covered mostly in paragraph 3.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

It was also mentioned that my being on sulfasalazine was a factor, though this govt. info says otherwise.

I hope this helps.

[123-go]

Hi. I read somewhere that the JCVI considers the Pfizer vaccine as a third primary dose to be more effective after two AZ vaccinations. No idea why. Someone here will know.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

This is from JCVI publication 1 Sept regarding trials of 3rd vaccine -

“ Emerging evidence suggests that both antibody and cellular immune responses to the primary course are enhanced with heterologous schedules, and therefore a third primary dose with a different vaccine format may be beneficial “

The whole transcript is here - gov.uk/government/publicati...

It was posted on here at the time, but please don’t ask me to explain the rationale - not medically trained.

[123-go in reply to DorsetLady]

I won't ask then 😀. It may well be that I read your post. I need to reorganise myself. Thank you for re-posting.x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

Ask by all means, but not me guv, I don’t have the brains to compute! 🤨 But someone will!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

The explanation from the Beeb in my link is not bad - for them!!! And in peoplespeak ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Yep….thanks.

[123-go in reply to DorsetLady]

Me neither. Sometimes my brain objects to analysing or even thinking😏. Have just got in after a half-hour walk; I'm surprised I still know where I live.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

Your brain might not, but your feet obviously do! 😳

[Thelmarina in reply to 123-go]

😅. You continue triumphant 👍🏻

[PMRpro Ambassador]

bbc.com/news/health-57636356

Back in June it was established in a study that mixing the AZ and the Pfizer vaccines gave a good response and

"The trial results also hint that people who have already received two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine could have a stronger immune response if they were given a different jab as a booster if recommended in the autumn."

It wasn't done in the UK I don't think but the messing about with the ages they wanted to use the AZ vaccine for in Europe gave them the opportunity to collect this sort of data.

[Chewy21]

I wonder what the rule is now if you have covid though. I am due a third but have come down with symptoms of covid, I had a positive lateral flow test and so did my husband who's been feeling rough and coughing all week. Doing a proper test today but I don't know where it will leave me regarding the third vaccine. I have been asked to do two antibody tests if my test is positive so that might be helpful.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Chewy21]

You have to wait for a month after recovery I think, at least for ordinary jabs - but having Covid is much the same effect as having a jab so they may delay it further . But your future immunity should be boosted with the infection.

[Chewy21 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, yes I was thinking the same. I was asked to do two antibody tests if my pcr test is positive.

[Heron82]

A third primary dose is a bit of an oxymoron. It is really a prime dose. With vaccines you typically prime the immune system and then boost it for long term immunity. With this virus seems there is a need to prime, prime, prime and then boost for long term immunity. Ot who knows maybe keep priming.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Heron82]

I think they just have the terminology all mixed up - the second dose was termed a booster originally but turned out to be like some other vaccines that need two shots to establish primary immunity. Now some are extending the term to a third vaccine for immunosuppressed patients. The J&J vaccine was supposed to be a one-shot vaccine but in real life has turned out to be far better with a second jab. However you look at it - they perform even better with multiple shots giving IRO 90% or more effect, which is unbelievable compared with the % success of most other vaccines.

[Heron82 in reply to PMRpro]

It certainly is fantastic efficacy, the only other vaccine to better this is GSK's Shingrix vaccine for shingles.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Heron82]

And it is a different sort too isn't it?

[Heron82 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes it is a recombinant vaccine using the VZV glycoprotein E produced in chinese hamster ovary cells and given with an adjuvant to enhance the immune response. Much better immunity and safer than the previous shingles vaccine.

[Teekay2]

I have just been contacted and booked for 3rd jab next tuesday. I am on TCZ but no idea whether this has been taken into account or am I just on a list. "where possible, the third primary dose should be delayed until 2 weeks after the period of immunosuppression, in addition to the time period for clearance of the therapeutic agent" and what it means for me. I shall try to contact Rheumatology for advice. Already feeling nervous about having to coming off TCZ for 4 weeks for an operation. I wanted to get the 3rd jab in before I go for the op.