I suspect I know the answer to my question but the collective is usually very sensible
To date I have had 4 COVID jabs, the system is quite persistent in wanting me to have further boosters but I have basically been forgetting to book one. However we have a trip booked to Nepal in September which I am really looking forward to and my thought processes say that it probably is worth having a booster before going as I rather suspect that it would be somewhere that hasn’t got enormous coverage for the vaccination in its population so the risk of catching it (again) would be higher than normal. Currently I am taking myself down to 5.5mgs of prednisone so would anticipate being at 4/4.5mgs at the sped I have been going, which is ridiculously slowly (had to increase when I caught COVID to deal with the slight flare I got)
Any thoughts?
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Billiebobdog
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I think I would want one prior to going there, No doubt there is a government travel website in the UK but this is the Covid section from the Italian one (sorry about the stilted English, Google translate!)
"03.02.2023
NEPAL: COVID-19. UPDATE
The COVID-19 situation in Nepal is critical due to the limited number of adequate health facilities and slow progress in the country's immunization campaign. The consequence is that, even in periods in which the virus seems to have little diffusion, a sudden and rapid increase in cases is always possible (as has already happened several times), which involves a closure of the country, starting from international air connections. There have been cases of foreigners (including Italians) being stranded in Nepal for a few months.
Therefore, it is advisable to carefully evaluate the hypothesis of a trip to Nepal, including those for hiking/mountaineering purposes, because the situation is subject to very rapid changes, even without warning. Insurance that also covers the consequences of a COVID infection (including medical repatriation) is strongly recommended.
It is advisable to contact a travel agency for up-to-date information.
Starting from 10 March 2022, access to the country is subject to the presentation of the complete vaccination certificate against Covid-19. In the absence of the aforementioned document, travelers must present the negative result of a Covid test (RT-PCR, True NAAT, Gene Xpert) carried out within 72 hours before arrival.
The complete vaccination certificate against COVID-19 required by the Nepalese authorities covers two doses. The green pass issued on the basis of the certificate of recovery is not accepted.
The visa on arrival will only be issued to vaccinated travelers (upon presentation of the vaccination certificate) or those with the negativity certificate after having taken the Covid test. This also applies to those who have obtained a visa in Italy.
Travelers showing symptoms upon arrival may be placed in quarantine.
Requirements for leaving Nepal are subject to the entry regulations of the country of destination. It is recommended to consult the Airline Company for updated information in this regard.
For more information, see the Nepal Immigration website ( immigration.gov.np/ ).
It is recommended to follow the indications of the local authorities and to report one's presence in Nepal to the email address: kolkata.congenerale@esteri.it .
For information on local measures, including those in place in Kathmandu, see the Health Section of this Factsheet.
Lastly, there are recent cases of airlines that have refused boarding to travelers in possession of a passport with less than 6 months of validity."
There is quite a lot of travel between Italy and Nepal as my own region does a lot of charity work there because of Reinhold Messner of Himalayas fame and there are an awful lot of mountaineers here besides him! They don't say how long the vaccination certificate is valid though and I wouldn't consider that having had the first 2, 2 years ago, would count as protection.
My experience is that the NHS sent me an email and text asking me to book a Covid booster so I duly did although I am not over 75. When I got there they refused to give me one as the "rules" say for those on steroids you have to be on 20mg or over - I am on 1mg. In your position i would contact my GP to see if he/she can refer you for one in case you get refused like me ! Good luck and have a wonderful time.
I was under the impression that pred history might also be taken into consideration. Here in Italy you are not considered immunocompromised in the context of antiviral medication if you get Covid if under 20mg pred but the doctors interviewing candidates for jabs look at the entire history and medications and there has never been any question for me.
Yes definitely I'd try my GP. As I see it once you're going somewhere with a very different Covid scene the Covid shot is like a travel vaccine, like you might get a jab against yellow fever or something.
Similar happened to me, although I phoned the vaccination centre the day before; 1mg doesn’t qualify (I was told 10+ would ‘probably’). I mentioned having bronchiectasis and having two chest infections this year requiring antibiotics. That didn’t move them.
I. Then they're eejits - I had bronchiectasis following hospitalized pneumonia, think it healed on its own after about ten years. Lung scarring on CT.
2. cynical, me? I shouldn't expect it to move them. Not on the list on the clipboard and less cynically the people who do the jabs might not have had a whole lot in the way of medical/nursing training and can only go by the regulations.
I'm 71 and had no problem. Had msg from doctors saying as low ammune should have covid booster. Didn't even book appt. Went with hubby and showed steroid card and done there and then!!
It is tempting to see the system as a bit bonkers. I had the email/letter and was booked in at surgery for Pfizer as I was told Sanofi can not be given to under 75's. Typically surgery was sent only Sanofi and had to unbook loads of people from their clinic. Booked online at Boots - no issues whatsoever and got the Pfizer. I booked as immuno compromised and took letter and prescription but was not asked for either. I am going abroad in Nov and thought autumn booster could be more important. It seems you can have the next as long as it is at least 3 mths after the previous one
I’m 66 & was only able to get one for other medical conditions I have. I took the prescription for steroids & steroid boxes with me, but he said the latest Govt advice does not see people with our disease are immunocompromised or who are taking steroids, & until I mentioned the other medical conditions he was going to turn me away. I think if you are taking above 20mg of steroids it would be different! Not sure if you can Pay for one privately? Good luck.
I'm 72 and had an email asking me to book a booster as I'm "immunosuppressed". I booked and had the jab.
No one asked about the dose of steroids (luckily; I'm on 3.25mg!), just the fact that I'm on them was enough. (I took the repeat prescription with me but wasn't asked to show it.)
The clinic was quiet, and I think they were happy to have another customer!
It appears from the replies here it’s post code lottery, some get the jab, some don’t.
I suspect the unused vaccines will end up neutralised instead of in peoples arms.
I can’t get terribly excited about having or not the spring booster. I’ve had 4 jabs already and I have had Covid, Anyway there will be an autumn booster for my age group (71).
Very interesting to read about the difficulty some folks have in getting a simple COVID booster shot. As you are all probably aware in the US under that ass Trump, the initial response to COVID was an embarrassing disaster. Now, however, any adult can walk into any pharmacy, produce his "shot card" and get a booster shot. No need whatsoever to get one's doctor or anyone else involved.
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