Covid III

Morning. Just had my Covid & flu jabs. My chemist (lovely man) says that all people with CEV will have boosters every six months. Basically we are on an automatic list & not to worry x

[Lolabridge]

Well that's good news! Thanks.

[Hidden]

Apparently the vaccine ‘only lasts’ 6 months…

[medway-lady]

I've heard this it was yearly though. But that was a few months ago so has probably changed based on new information. I was told like an ordinary flu jab it'll need to be adjusted based on the latest strain.

[Neonkittie17]

It is good to know we will get a booster (fourth vaccine) regularly at 6 months, but my concern is for those severely immunosuppressed who are known not to have made any immune response or a very low one too the first two vaccines. As I said to my rheumy last week .. how can you boost zero antibodies? She agreed. Also we discussed that 6 months between the third primary dose for the immunocompromised and the booster (fourth dose) isn’t going to work to its optimum if you’ve not had the original desired response from the first two. Too long to wait for your fourth dose if you’re starting from square one again with your third vaccine as such. We are working on that. I feel and hope there will be revisions to bring the fourth closer to the third. Anyhow I can’t have my third vaccine until my B cells return. Glad all went well for yours. x

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

Yes. It must be ridiculously stressful for you. Hopefully there will be some progression in effectivity for those people with low/no response.

[Georgiab123]

Thank goodness it’s been as if iv done all myself

[MadBunny]

That's reassuring to know . Thank you.

[Mmrr]

Hmmm.... Rhetorical question....what if the vaccine has stopped meds working effectively?

Twice yearly boosters would not be possible?

[medway-lady in reply to Mmrr]

And that is a really good point. I'm getting to the point where I'm feeling that is it the inevitable just being postponed. And why not test everyone for immunity by vaccine , natural or acquired without having the virus symptoms. Nurses can't keep up the pressure of doing vaccines as other appointments are being delayed and they must be so exhausted. x

[Hidden in reply to Mmrr]

I was thinking that, if people have to halt their drug regimes they are going to be more susceptible to infection from Covid 😟.

[Lupusrelative]

It’s a little concerning all these shots and boosters. Had the 2 Moderna jabs, March and April. Booster shot October. Another in April 2022? Four shots in twelve months for COVID. Whereas it’s only one shot a year for flu. Present Covid vaccines obviously need more work and tweaking.

[bpeal1 in reply to Lupusrelative]

As I understand it in normal (ie not immune suppressed) people they expect each dose to last longer, similar to the childhood vaccines they give children (they give the first two a few weeks apart, and then a boosters at 4 years and 12 years), however it may end up being more like the flu one which is tweaked every year to reflect the strains they expect to be circulating .

The octave study is looking at how the vaccines work for immunosuppressed people and they are expected to report their next lot of data in the spring.

There’s still quite a lot of studies ongoing to work out what works best.

[Hidden in reply to bpeal1]

That’s good to know. Thank you.

[Sheila_G]

That sounds ok. I hope he is right.

[bpeal1]

I think ongoing boosters are likely but there’s definitely been no official decision on that yet. I think your pharmacist was making assumptions.

[Runrig01 in reply to bpeal1]

I agree, it does appear to be based on assumptions. The 6 monthly booster is not even set in stone yet, as it’s dependant on data from the Octave study, which they’ve said could be Feb/March. It will depend on whether the immunosuppressed in the study maintain efficacy following the 3rd dose. They have also said the study will continue after that to decide how often we will need a booster. It’s also worth noting not all CEV were entitled to the 3rd dose only those on immunosuppressants, and they will come under separate recommendations for those 12+ who have an underlying condition that puts them at risk, but they should have developed a good level of antibodies given they’re not on immunosuppressants.

[bpeal1 in reply to Runrig01]

And it’s not only immunosupressed CEV people who are eligible. I wasn’t classed as CEV but am classed as immunosuppressed due to Rituximab so was eligible for a third dose.

[Runrig01 in reply to bpeal1]

Agree completely, I only mentioned CEV as the OP commented on that sector. However you are correct many immunosuppressed didn't have to shield and are still entitled to the 3rd dose. There is also the misconception that all CEV were 70+ and in ill health. Many were young people working full time and supporting families, but due to health history like organ transplant or asthma controlled by meds were put in the shielding group.

[Salamanca21]

I was offered and had a third Covid jab.