Covid booster this afternoon... I want the moderna new one... Any advice

[omega4ever]

I've been sent appt for this afternoon covid booster. I've had three pfizers in past and know the centre I'm booked at does both but unsure how tgey sort this out... Stock or set days. I really don't want another Pfizer... I've had three and also had covid in June this year... Can I request a modena? Any advice? Anyone work in vaccines? I don't see the point of another Pfizer when the moderna is tweaked to protect against omicron.

My DD and I were the only 2 members of our family to have the Moderna booster and we were the only 2 members of our family not to catch Covid when it went through our household and several others.

Despite it making me feel quite poorly afterwards, I hope I am offered it again.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, although when the OP asked for advice I’m not sure that’s what she had in mind?

Yeah agree with pp, feeling ill with this is an immune response, I still have neuro symptoms from Covid 6 months later. Get the bloody vaccine.

short term response I mean

That’s really weird as I thought that the guidelines were that over-65s attending for their autumn booster (ie had three doses already) should have the new Moderna. Maybe there is a supply issue, I know they don’t have an unlimited order of Moderna but didn’t expect them to start running out quite so soon!

and the many people saying the vaccines made them really unwell was?

THe guidelines are that the autumn booster should be the Moderna bivalent. Many of the larger centres are also doing vaccinations for children (who get a reduced dose of Pfizer) and under 18 boosters - which are still Pfizer.

I had mine at weekend. Presumably Moderna but I didn't ask. Flu at the same time. Two sore arms for 48 hours, felt grotty the day after the jab - was warned by the doctor that some tiredness/soreness was to be expected and is just an immune response. Following day felt fine.

Oddly I read a different emphasis in your post compared to the posters who had already had previous vaccines and were merely reporting on their experiences with this one, but I’m sure that was entirely unjustified on my part?

I had Astra Zeneca twice and then a booster of Modena - absolutely no side effects at all. I am hoping for modena again when I have my next booster on Monday, although I think its all a bit awash as to whether you react to it or not.

I had Covid once, no symptoms, caught by chance as tested before going to office. I put this down to being vaccinated and pure luck of the draw.

@MrsFezziwig

It's everyone over 50 and most people under it seems too here, I got an invite last week and I'm not 50 quite yet. It's only moderna here due to facilities but not sure which one

I don't think it was a supply issue - I didn't actually have an appointment (I was at the GP for another issue and saw they were doing vaccines). I asked and they said I could have one as they'd received extra doses.

Weird!

This is the most useful post on the thread, thank you.

I had pfizer for my first 2 jabs and ended up having a severe uti the next day after both. This has put me off having a booster jab, has anyone else had this with pfizer or any other types?

Correlation doesn't equal causation. Otherwise all the mothers who said their child regressed in speech and seemed to have severe brain damage right after vaccines would have a point.

I had Moderna booster on Monday. Felt like I'd been hit by a bus yesterday with terrible aching all over but feeling a bit better today.

I felt fluey after the AZ jab, fine after Pfizer.

I'm in my 60s.

Depends where you are - we're predominantly using the Moderna Spikevax bivalent for boosters, but have also started running some Pfizer bivalent sessions too (literally since Monday). Highly doubtful you'll be able to request which one you have as each session usually just uses one type of vaccine - and you can't chop and change at a moment's notice due to the supply chain and storage processes.

Your best bet if you attend your appointment and it's not the one you want is to ask if they're running any Moderna Spikevax bivalent sessions shortly and whether they will be accepting walk-ins (or try the national booking system and hope it gives you the option of an appointment on the date of the session).

Had the over-65 autumn booster this morning - was given the Moderna bivalent.

Had expected side effects the following day with AZ1, AZ2, and Pfizer and I expect I shall feel the same, tomorrow, with this new Moderna bivalent (sore arm, chilly, headachy, coming down with flu feeling) but expect to be feeling better by Friday.

There is also a Pfizer bivalent has been recently approved:

www.gov.uk/government/news/pfizerbiontech-bivalent-covid-19-booster-approved-by-uk-medicines-regulator

Press release

Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 booster approved by UK medicines regulator

The adapted COVID-19 vaccine targets both the original virus and the Omicron variant

From: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Published
3 September 2022

A second, “bivalent” vaccine has today been approved as a booster by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

The updated booster vaccine made by Pfizer/BioNTech, targeting two coronavirus variants, has been approved for use in individuals aged 12 years and above. This decision has been endorsed by the Commission on Human Medicines, after a careful review of the evidence.

In each dose of the booster vaccine, ‘Comirnaty bivalent Original/Omicron’, half of the vaccine (15 micrograms) targets the original virus strain and the other half (15 micrograms) targets Omicron (BA.1) etc.

Don't do it, not worth the side effects.

I had very mild side effects. Sore arm and felt sick overnight
It was well worth it for me as I'm CEV

I had the Covid and flu ones last Saturday, both injections in the same arm. Tender arm for 24 hrs but no other symptoms at all. I'm in my 70s.

You’re absolutely right but considering I’d never had a uti before it seems too much of a coincidence.

Mine was booked for today and I decided if I wasn't offered the Moderna I would decline and re-book somewhere else. Unfortunately I had to cancel as I have covid.
I am CEV, immunosuppressed and eligible for antivirals, was very ill with covid last year. I've had 5 vaccine so far and zero reactions until the May booster which wiped me out. I was actually pleased because I hoped it meant my immune system was working. Seems to be true as I feel rough but nothing like the sinister scary illness of last year.

The first was AZ and felt rough for a day.
Second was AZ, minimal effect
Third was Pfizer, felt spaced out for a few days.
Saturday was Moderna. I lost Sunday totally and am still not quite right.

I’ll accept it as much the lesser of two evils.