6th Covid Jab Update - Please Note

[Investigator1]

hi everybody, recently I posted about going for my 6th jab today and yes I have just had it. However those of you who are arranging this via the NHS website for yourselves please not to take something with you that proves either:

1/ A letter from your Doctor/Consultant that states you are Immunesupressed

Or

2/ Some form of evidence that proves the medication you are taking that proves the above.

I have never been asked for either the above before but this time I was and it was taken away to have it checked. Fortunately I had with me both. I was asked which number this was either 4 or 5 and when I said 6 they looked a little flummoxed and then asked me for the proof. Apparently the system the Vaccinators use only records 3 which is strange considering all my previous 5 are on my Covid record on the app.

It may well be different in other parts of the country and this was in Northallerton North Yorkshire but thought I should share this with you.

take care all. Nick.

[LMB2]

Thanks for the info Nick

[Main1234]

Thanks Nick for this information. Which vaccine did you receive this time if you don’t mind me asking .

[Investigator1 in reply to Main1234]

No worries Main1234 it was the Moderna. That’s 4 x Pfizer and 2 x Moderna up to now. Nice cocktail, I said that to the Vaccinator me being a bond fan, I said to him I’ll have it shaken not stirred……..straight over his head. Wasted. Never Mind.

[123-go in reply to Investigator1]

😂😂

[Main1234]

Sense of humour bypass I guess .

[EOLHPC]

Thanks again Nick! Yes, I learned to bring all this solid evidence at my 2nd COVID Vacc when the authorities were very awkward at first, even though I had all this evidence with me…since then each vacc centre has demanded this evidence when I’ve gone for my 3rd, 4th & 5th Vaccs. So I’m definitely brining all this evidence with me next week to the vacc centre when I go for my 6th vacc.

Also, each time I have insisted my vacc card be numbered clearly to show which of these sequential vaccines I’ve just had…the vacc centre people have always resisted this but I stand firm with a smile….instead they want to call each vacc a booster extra to my first vacc, & find this booster thing confusing…sets me up to loose track of how many vacc I’ve had. But I’m nearly 69 & my immune dysfunction was infant onset & my stubbornness has grown with age 😆 so I insist this sequential numbering on my vacc cards being annotated my way - even so the authorities seem happy cause they also get to annotate my card their way too…point being: all the annotations are with same pen & same handwriting

[Puttystuff]

Not even had 5th here yet

[Warralife]

Thanks for that. My eyes jumped out of their sockets when I saw Northallerton. I’m Northallerton born and bred!

[Investigator1 in reply to Warralife]

Eeeeh blimey virtually a neighbour. We are just up the road in Tunstall. My wife used to work at the renowned Department Store in the town.

[EGPAGuy]

Interesting and thanks for info..I have had 5 so far the last also being Moderna all the previous being Pfizer. All they asked for was my letter from nhs saying I should get. Re the 6th..nothing yet about that but Addenbrookes have given me a letter pretty quickly on mychart which I have just printed off and taken with me. I use a local chemist and haven't had to get involved with any NHS centres although my record shows all 5 jabs on the nhs app.

[Churg]

I am confused (easily done!) . I have had 4 vaccinations. Nowhere on the NHS app can I find mention of a fifth vaccination and I cannot book one on NHS app. I was told that after fourth jab (which was for the immunosuppressed and required proof) that the next one would be in the autumn. Can you enlighten me? It may be that . having had my first vaccine relatively late that I have just caught up. But I have never heard of it until your post!

[Investigator1 in reply to Churg]

The way I did it was If you go onto the NHS Booking Website and go onto the option that says boosters and spring boosters and then choose spring boosters and you should be ok from there.

[vivdunstan Volunteer in reply to Investigator1]

I had my Spring booster in May - my 5th. The 6th jab isn’t the Spring booster but the Autumn one. Which as I said I don’t think NHS England is booking for yet. I’m glad you got one but I think there is some confusion here.

[Investigator1 in reply to vivdunstan]

Hi Vivdunstan, I had my last booster in April, as I said I could have waited until Oct Nov for the Autumn booster but that was no good to me because it was too near my Rituximab. I tried the NHS Website and it booked me in. My records have now been updated and they show my last one (6) from yesterday. Nick.

[vivdunstan Volunteer in reply to Investigator1]

Ok glad it’s working for you re the Rituximab

[chrisj]

I didn't know there were 6 vaccinations available!

I've had 4 to date and knew there might be another one in the autumn/winter season this year along with the flu jab so I'm astounded to read you've had a 6th...

[Investigator1 in reply to chrisj]

Well chrisj I have had it! As I said my local pharmacist was doing them for the first time and asked me if I wanted another jab, she said providing a got a letter from my GP or Consultant they would do it. Knowing how long these things take I decided to try the NHS system and booked in straight away. Job done. When I went for my vaccination they didn’t ask how many I had received just proof of my treatment/Vulnerability. The letters I had with me relating to vulnerability were the Government letters that were issued last year, they asked me if I had anything to prove my treatment and I had a letter from my Consultant to my GP that stated my dosage of Rituximab.

[chrisj in reply to Investigator1]

I've always relied on my gp letting me know when the next one is due and the last bit of communication I got was when I asked about another and she said the 5th would probably be given with the flu jab later this year.

In the early days of covid I rang the surgery to find out about vaccinations and was reassured once they had supplies in they would let me know and they did and have done ever since. That all seems such a long time ago and here we are still needing to be vaccinated.

I've had problems with systemic Lupus (now stable), asthma which was my main concern and Sjogrens so am considered vulnerable as all the info from the government and the NHS pointed out. Bit of a shock when the first letters started coming...its been a long haul hasn't it and we're not done yet. Wishing you well Investigator 😊

[Investigator1 in reply to chrisj]

Hi again Chrisj. I know where your coming from exactly. When it got to the third dose my GP admin didn't really do much, I was left to my own devises because my Consultant was always so busy, she didn’t want to be bothered by me. In fact in the end she did arrange it. A long haul? Blimey you can say that again. I used to get really uptight about people not getting vaccinated and blatantly breaking the rules but I don’t anymore for 2 reasons, firstly although I was petrified when the restrictions were lifted I don’t notice it any more now. Secondly I realised after a year there are those that really care about others and those that don’t and sometimes to nullify the latter you have to do what’s best for yourself. You take care. Nick

[jani4063]

Hi Nick

Do you know if it was the new Moderna one that covers you for the omicron strain

[Investigator1 in reply to jani4063]

No it was just the standard Moderna booster. I was told if I would rather wait to have the Double booster then fine but unfortunately that would be too close to my Rituximab treatment so I took the initiative. I will probably have that one in Jan/Feb

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

Wearing my admin hat I’d like to warn people that the system is officially still booking for Spring boosters and earlier. Autumn booster booking in England starts next month. So while you may be able to book now and get a vaccine - which can be especially good if working around eg Rituximab - the official 6th jab / Autumn booster booking isn’t available yet. Details for that have now been announced by NHS England and I have created a separate information thread.

[chrisj in reply to vivdunstan]

Thank you Viv, good to know x

[Reboundman]

Currently have Covid picked up at Edinburgh Fringe last weekend (well worth it though). I’m on 5 jabs so far and seems to be working as just seems like a bad cold with added bonus that feel more tired than usual which is translating into 8+ hours of sleep per night which is an unexpected plus point. Keep safe everyone and keep positive (yet also negative 😀)

[Investigator1]

Hi Reboundman that’s quite fascinating, you having 5 jabs I am assuming your are immune deficient. Have you been offered any treatment, I was worried after testing positive, in fact really worried so I initiated treatment. I too got through it with slight symptoms but to this day I will never know if it was the vaccines, the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment or what’s left of my pathetic immune system.

[crissie45]

Why soo many 6?

[Investigator1]

Hi criisie45, here in the UK a large number of Clinically Extremely Vulnerable patients if they meet a specific criteria have received 4 or 5 jabs as they have been made one of the priority groups. The Autumn boosters here are an improved vaccine that contain 2 different antibodies and these are being administered shortly. For many CEV patients this will be their 5th or 6th jab depending on the timing of their previous doses. Because my Rituximab treatment is due in October / November I was advised to take the standard dose now because it fell mid way between my six monthly infusions, where delaying it to Sept or even October could be wiped out by the treatment. The UK government and NHS have made sure (although it’s been a bit hit and miss at times) that CEV patients have been able to have primary doses and then boosters approximately every 4 - 5 months apart. Hope this helps. Nick.

[2534]

Must be the word ‘hell’ that your system has picked up. Let me edit it and take it out. There’s helpful information in there!

[EGPAGuy]

Yeah I was asked for proof on my 5th. Waiting for a letter before I get my 6th

[Investigator1 in reply to EGPAGuy]

Hi EGPA Guy, I think as Zoe said the system is flawed hence the proof in some cases. But Hey! If it’s right for you. If anything gave me another 1% chance of getting through Covid I would take it!

[EGPAGuy in reply to Investigator1]

Totally agree...am having some issues as my biologic (Mepo) isn't classified as a immune suppressant and not on enough pred (weaned down to 5 daily). Have been advised that this may mean not entitled to the antivirals now if I get Covid. Anyone had similar advise?

[Investigator1 in reply to EGPAGuy]

Hi EPGAguy. I think there is a lot of confusion about this, I can only quote what I have been told so don’t shoot the messenger. When I caught Covid as you know it was dealt with very quickly and when the NHS said I was entitled to treatment and would issue a prescription to the hospital they didn’t say what it was and I didn’t ask. When I got there the following day, they got everything rigged up inserted the catheter and I casually asked “so what antiviral is it then? “and was told by the nurse “this isn’t an anti viral” “antivirals are given to those who have severe symptoms at home to keep them out of hospital or in hospital if admitted with Covid and they are mostly taken orally. What I had was a Monoclonal Antibody treatment called Sotrovimab. And so has a number of people that I know. It is designed to stop Covid entering the lungs and is given within the first 1-4 days of testing positive if symptoms are slight. Now if I understand it anyone classed as CEV will get the monoclonal antibody treatment if caught early and anybody with more severe symptoms or admitted to hospital will get the antivirals. A good starting point is to ask your GP “am I classed as CEV? Hope this helps.