Pfizer Vax

[Pusph]

Is anyone else finding it impossible to get the Pfizer booster this year? We can't seem to get it in East Sussex, although a friend on Kent has just had Pfizer. All my jabs bar one so far have been Pfizer. I'm now being offered the Spikevax/Moderna one. Has anyone had any problems with this one at all please? I'm only asking along the lines of 'better the devil you know' really, I realise it possibly won't make any difference at all. Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Kendrew has been trying if I remember rightly - she has written about it.

[autumnlass]

Our surgery fortunately did Pfizer this year. I have felt a bit grotty following Moderna. However you can get Pfizer I believe if you are willing to pay for it privately at about £100!!! I think Dorset Lady though has some excellent advice about preparing for the vaccine with analgesics.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to autumnlass]

The day of the vaccine take paracetamol and for 24-48 hours afterwards.

[BethCH]

I would also like to know how I can get Pfizer jab. I live in East Kent and have tried all local pharmacies and contacted the vaccine line/GP etc. I am ‘happy’ to pay the £100 fee but nearest is Boots, an hour drive away. I have not had covid vaccine since 2021 - the booster which was Moderna. But I was quite poorly a week after this (like A&E poorly) so don’t want to risk it. I am very pro vaccines btw and this was my experience, most people have no problems.

[Koalajane]

I had the Spikevax last Wednesday. That evening strangely the bites I had the previous week that had gone down started itching again and came up. The next morning I had a mild headache and a few extra pains but this disappeared by the afternoon. So nothing too serious

[Kendrew]

Hi Pusph,

Yes, Pro is right. I've been trying to source it again after a failed attempt in the spring.

The NHS Covid helpline couldn't help me, neither could my GP practice or any pharmacies within a 15ml radius of my home, so I contacted my local MP, Priti Patel.

Her team contacted the 'Operations Manager for the Covid & Flu Vaccination Programme and as a result of that, I received an email from the Specialist Administrator for Complaints/Nursing & Quality' (Nikki Roberts)

I quote:-

" Assuming you are registered at a GP practice in Mid & South Essex, I can confirm that there is a clinical pathway established for patients who have had adverse reactions to covid vaccinations previously. Your GP practice has previously been provided with details of the referral pathway, however we will publicise it again to make sure all practices are aware of where they can refer a patient such as yourself."

"Your GP practice can provide you with a signed 'Patient Specific Direction' document authorising vaccination with Cominarty 30XBB 1.5 which you can present at a small number of Community Pharmacy sites across your area offering year round covid vaccinations for immuno-suppressed patients. Once you have received the signed PSD from your GP, I advise you to call the Community Pharmacy of your choice from the list of sites below to let them know you'd like to be vaccinated and we will ensure that the vaccine is available to support your vaccination."

A list of these pharmacies was provided for me.

Obviously, you would have to enquire with your own health authority, but they should have their own clinical pathway available in order for you to access an alternative vaccine.

Despite two face to face chats with the receptionists, two telephone calls, a face to face chat with the practice nurse and providing them with a photocopy of the appropriate emails...twice!!!... three weeks on I'm still no closer to anything

It's so frustrating, and really shouldn't be so difficult. The GP practice should know all this but yet again, I've done all the enquiring, all the necessary research and all the running around.

So, I hope that's been helpful butI do wish you better luck than I've had so far!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kendrew]

Complaint time - they are in the wrong and need a kick. They can sort themselves out if they wish - or you can go beyond them.

ombudsman.org.uk/sites/defa...

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks Pro. My last communication with them was on Fri so I'll give them till the end of today to respond but if I hear nothing by this evening, then tomorrow will be too late as I'll take the action as detailed in your message.

Thanks again.

[piglette]

I think one problem is that manufacturers in general are moving out of the Covid vaccine market. Pfizer have tried to improve things by offering the vaccine privately. Perhaps they make more money out of the private sector than the NHS??

[Pixix]

I wasn’t in the category to receive a jab in the Spring, so I paid £80 & had one privately. DorsetLady to,d me about Pharmadoctor. They have branches & are like a normal chemist. I had a choice of pfizer or Moderna when I booked. I drove to the chemist, he took me to a side room, I paid, jab done, & I five minutes I was on my way home. All very easy, online booking.