Covid booster: hi looking for some information... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Covid booster

Main1234 profile image
13 Replies

hi looking for some information/ advice please.

3 months ago I paid for a private Covid vaccine and received the Novavax . I was not in the age group for a free vaccine and paid to protect my partner who has vasculitis. The clinic rang me today and offered me a booster as it was 3 months since I received the vaccine.

has anyone else been contacted or know any further information regarding boosters.

Thank you

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Main1234
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13 Replies
piglette profile image
piglette

The Novavax vaccine actually consists of two separate vaccines received around four months apart. If you have never had any Covid vaccine before you should have three vaccines, but I assume this is not your first time?

Main1234 profile image
Main1234 in reply to piglette

Thank you that’s really helpful. Do you know if I would also get the booster via the NHS in the Autumn.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Main1234

Not sure that been decided yet-this is part of a letter from NHS England to GP surgeries etc -

Dear colleagues,

Preparations for an Autumn/Winter 2024/25 flu and COVID-19 seasonal campaign

Thank you to those of you currently taking part in the Spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign. We are starting to put in place arrangements for the COVID-19 and flu campaigns for this coming Autumn.

Although we have not yet received JCVI advice on what will be required of a possible COVID-19 vaccination programme beyond 31 August 2024, we ask providers to plan on a similar basis to last Autumn, though acknowledging JCVI’s steer in February that the Autumn 2024 campaign may be smaller than the autumn 2023 campaign. Eligible cohorts will be confirmed in due course, following the Government’s consideration of JCVI advice.

We will agree that precise start date for the COVID-19 and flu campaigns in due course. However, providers should work on the basis that the COVID-19 and adult flu programmes will commence in early October. This maximises the opportunity for co-administration while also reflecting JCVI advice that the flu vaccine’s effectiveness can wane over time.

Further detail about supply and training will be provided ahead of the campaign.

Once information has been published, someone will post about it on here.

For anyone interested full document here-

england.nhs.uk/long-read/pr...

Main1234 profile image
Main1234 in reply to DorsetLady

Thank you

piglette profile image
piglette

Was this meant for me?

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to piglette

Oops, no. I'll redo!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

Was this your first covid vaccination? If you are having what is known as the primary series I think you should have received the second dose already. In any case you can accept a second dose now, as the minimum time between doses for those using Novavax as a booster is two months. This is according to the FDA.

fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biol...

Main1234 profile image
Main1234 in reply to HeronNS

Thank you .. no I have been vaccinated since they were brought in and have all that’s been offered. I would be due a “routine booster” in the Autumn as I am 71 years old.

this was my first Novavax and I was concerned that I was offered another so close from my last. I am fit and well I had it to protect my partner that has vasculitis.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Main1234

My understanding is that the Novavax immunity actually retains its strength longer than the mRNA vaccines do, so I suspect the offer of the next vaccine at this time simply reflects the suggestion that you *can* have another vaccine after X months. If it were being offered on the NHS you probably would be expected to wait for the requisite time. Here I can, with some inconvenience, access Novavax, covered by public insurance, but have to wait six months between vaccinations, same as with mRNA versions. Younger adults appear to be limited to an annual vaccine now, and encouraged to wait for an updated one even if it means an even longer gap, no matter which vaccine they choose.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to wait for the next updated version of a vaccine, rather than having another vaccine right now which may make you ineligible for any autumn updated version. Worth discussing with pharmacist perhaps?

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Main1234

Further to this, I had previously had mix of Pfizer and Moderna, so my Novavax this spring was my first Novavax. At no time has it been suggested that I would therefore need another Novavax within a couple of months. For a Novavax "primary series" for someone who has NOT been vaccinated previously against covid, they say three weeks after the first.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to Main1234

Sorry, I don't mean to spam you, but thought this might be of interest. Previously Health Canada has erred on the side of caution, not actually recommending Novavax, although approving it for use. This appears to have changed, they have put it on the same footing as recommended Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

canada.ca/en/public-health/...

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Just been doing some reading. The recommended timing for the Novavax booster is 4-6 months after the first vaccination - so that seems a bit soon to me but it probably doesn't matter. The Novavax vaccine works differently to the other ones so it is possible you DO need the booster to get optimum cover since the vaccines aren't interchangeable - can't think of a better word for what I mean - in that the Novavax is starting from scratch, it isn't boosting your mRNA vaccinations.

yalemedicine.org/news/updat...

Main1234 profile image
Main1234 in reply to PMRpro

Thants really interesting thank you, I knew this site would come up with the answer.

Think I will make an appointment after 4 months as Covid figures are really high here at the moment. Thank you again much appreciated

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