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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not had the booster yet

102 replies

Worryinglyworried73 · 28/03/2022 13:16

Has anyone else not had the booster yet? I had a terrible reaction to moderna 2 - was ill for nearly 2 weeks and it really scared me. This was in august and it really put me off not having a booster. I also had covid and was very ill in March 2020 so the 2 things could be linked.

I feel like covid is circling me again though and I do really need to get boosted but I am, to be honest, really scared of getting it. I had some really horrible symptoms after the 2nd moderna- terrible brain fog, random pains, flu symptoms, racing pulse headaches etc -obviously much like having covid again.

Can anyone talk me down a bit? Aibu to feel scared or should I just crack on? Would I have any immunity left from covid & the first lot of jabs?

OP posts:
LtJudyHopps · 28/03/2022 15:20

Maybe book it at a centre that does Pfizer? I had Pfizer for my first two doses and was fine (felt a bit hungover with the second!)
I then had Moderna for my booster I was dreading it as everyone I’d heard of having it reacted badly! But I didn't have any reaction at all.

adriftabroad · 28/03/2022 15:34

@DressingPafe

Colddayinthesun has said word for word my view on this. I really can't add any more.
Me too, also my view.

Not having any and DD remains unvaccinated.

We've all had covid various times.

clarkkentsglasses · 28/03/2022 15:39

@teaspig

It won't necessarily be a different one *@RampantIvy* I've had 5 Pfizer now- 3 main and 2 boosters
Holy fuck! How many jabs?!
Cheesechips · 28/03/2022 15:43

@KosherDill

It's just a few days v potentially losing the rest of your life.
Bit dramatic? Covid is very mild for the majority.
CheshireChat · 28/03/2022 15:52

Me. I had Pfizer and was ill for 3 bloody weeks, my arm was sore for about 8 weeks and it trashed whatever was left of my immune system Confused so I was constantly ill between doses anyway.

I now have Covid again Hmm and I honestly can't bring myself to do anything else that may potentially make me feel ill as it's been dragging on for so long.

Narutocrazyfox · 28/03/2022 15:56

If you're otherwise healthy OP, I wouldn't bother.

oliviastwisted · 28/03/2022 16:01

I didn’t have the booster and I currently have covid.

I have always had every intention of getting a booster in time for next winter and even annually if necessary but I decided against 3 vaccines in 8 months with a new vaccine last year. 2 doses in one year was more than enough. The current strains of covid are comparatively mild I felt it was worth the risk.

oliviastwisted · 28/03/2022 16:02

My arm is still sore from 2nd dose of the vaccine by the way. It caused me tendonitis.

WyfOfBathe · 28/03/2022 16:07

If it helps, I had horrible side effects to my first jab, an achy arm from my second, and no side effects from my third. First two were Pfizer, booster one Moderna. Having a bad reaction one time doesn't necessarily mean you will the next time.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 28/03/2022 16:18

I had two Moderna jabs, and the Moderna booster. I currently have Covid and feel absolutely rotten, ten days in. I think because Covid is constantly changing that I probably wouldn't bother with a fourth jab if one was on offer. It just seems to be a lottery in terms of how you are with it, jabbed or not jabbed, but fewer people ending up seriously ill and in hospital.

Original poster
Worryinglyworried73 · 28/03/2022 16:20

Hmmm, some of the responses on here definitely make me think I might not bother. I mean- I’d like to go to France in the summer and as it stands, I would need a booster for that but it could change. My 14 year old DS hasn’t been jabbed as he had covid less than 3 months ago and literally had a 12 hour headache. DD 10 too young.

Lots of people I know seem to have had covid worse after having the booster.

It’s so bloody hard to know but I do feel like I don’t want to be jabbed all the time after my reaction to moderna 2

OP posts:
PhileasPhilby · 28/03/2022 16:24

I delayed for ages because it really felt unnecessary for me personally to have the booster. I had covid following 2 vaccinations & was fine (& I don’t really think it was different because of the vax - I just basically had flu).

In the end I got it because I want to be able to go on holiday abroad & at the moment not having it would be a barrier. It was actually fine but I do understand where you are coming from.

SagittariusDwarf · 28/03/2022 16:24

I haven't had the booster. I'll do it if/when I go to EU locations later this year, assuming they haven't dropped the requirement to have the booster if it's been more than 270 days since your second jab.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 28/03/2022 16:25

@Colddayinthesun

I had two AZ early last year. I Haven't had anymore and won't be unless something dramatically changes in the stats. No one I know has got off any lighter from being jabbed up to their eyeballs (compared to unjabbed friends and acquaintances) and too many have suffered lasting side effects from the jabs. For me, weighing it up, at the moment, I'll be declining any further vaccinations .
This is how I feel. I had the booster booked then was ill on the day and cancelled (well, didn't turn up because the site wouldn't let me cancel).

I've had the main two jabs and was horrendously ill after the second. I've also had Covid at least once and I feel that that is enough. I don't want to keep coshing my body with jab after jab - it's the equivalent of making someone go through the stress of an exam again and again to check they learned.

Aside from anything else, the article by Danny Altman in today's Graun referenced jabs' effectiveness waning after relatively short periods of time. Even if I'd had the jab back in December, the effect would have significantly worn off by now.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 28/03/2022 16:30

On a slightly different point, evidence and research usually compares outcomes and reactions between the totally unvaccinated (i.e. zero jabs) to triple vaccinated. I haven't been able to find any research into the difference between double and triple vaccinated in terms of severity and outcomes for those who don't have an underlying health condition.

I don't think for one moment that I know more than doctors/immunologists/virologists but I would like to be able to read research for myself and make an informed choice.

ChloeHel · 28/03/2022 16:32

@RampantIvy

The booster is a different drug to the first two. So it won't be Moderna this time.
Pfizer and Moderna have the same mechanism of action and are both mRNA vaccinations so no, not different. The only one that is different is the AZ.
Natfemale · 28/03/2022 16:34

This reply has been deleted

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ChloeHel · 28/03/2022 16:36

@Xpologog

You’ll get a different vaccine for the booster. I had a reaction ( not severe but noticeable) for first two, no reaction at all to booster. Vaccination clinics are accepting walk ins and you can discuss your concerns with the vaccinator. Yes, side effects can be horrible but the illness can be so much worse.
You do realise the person administering the vaccine won’t know enough to help OP make an informed decision? OP is better off doing their own research.
NrlySp · 28/03/2022 16:38

In August I had my Second moderna like you @Worryinglyworried73 I was unwell. The usual shivers that evening but then terrible headaches for three weeks afterwards. I haven’t had the booster.
We all got Covid in Jan. It’s not the illest we have ever been. I’ve been more unwell.

NrlySp · 28/03/2022 16:41

Also i was referred to a neurologist for the headaches (they were bad and ibuprofen/paracetamol didn’t really help) I’m
not in the Uk so it was quick.
She couldn’t find any reason for the headaches.
Based on my vaccination experience and my Covid experience my preference is not to be vaccinated for it again. Only if I have to travel and there is no way to avoid it

ajandjjmum · 28/03/2022 16:49

@RampantIvy

The booster is a different drug to the first two. So it won't be Moderna this time.
It could be Moderna - both Pfizer and Moderna are being used as boosters.

OP - why not go to your local vaccination centre, and see if you can have a Pfizer booster. We mainly use Pfizer, but even on occasions when we are offering Moderna, we keep some Pfizer available for those who need it.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 28/03/2022 16:50

I haven't had the booster. I had the 2 doses, after the first I felt absolutely terrible for days. After the second I had severe pain in my arm from the jab site down to my elbow for 3 months. Caught covid and it was no worse than a bad cold. I'll take my chances with covid thanks.

BlibBlabBlob · 28/03/2022 17:17

AZ April and July 2021, COVID infection October 2021. Keep vaguely planning to get boostered but I've had repeated exposure since January and keep feeling a bit 'Covidy' if that makes sense, but never actually testing positive. I'm taking this as a sign that my immunity levels are pretty high and keep fighting off actual illness as a result. Plus each time I come into contact with COVID, I presumably get a little natural boost in the same way that adults get chickenpox immunity boosts from being around infected children.

I doubt the booster would do me any serious harm but I have a strong gut feeling that it'll make me pretty ill for a short time. I don't have time to deliberately make myself ill right now.

Some people say that a jab gives you more immunity to COVID than natural infection and recovery. I say that's bullshit, why on earth would that be the case?

I have hybrid immunity i.e. jabs plus natural infection. THAT gives you the best immunity, from what I've read.

Also, for those saying 'better ill for a few days from the jab than DEAD from COVID', why on earth would somebody who has had two jabs, and had COVID itself, and survived all three suddenly be killed by a second COVID infection? All the evidence points to subsequent infections being milder. Stop the scaremongering, please.

ChloeHel · 28/03/2022 17:20

@BlibBlabBlob

AZ April and July 2021, COVID infection October 2021. Keep vaguely planning to get boostered but I've had repeated exposure since January and keep feeling a bit 'Covidy' if that makes sense, but never actually testing positive. I'm taking this as a sign that my immunity levels are pretty high and keep fighting off actual illness as a result. Plus each time I come into contact with COVID, I presumably get a little natural boost in the same way that adults get chickenpox immunity boosts from being around infected children.

I doubt the booster would do me any serious harm but I have a strong gut feeling that it'll make me pretty ill for a short time. I don't have time to deliberately make myself ill right now.

Some people say that a jab gives you more immunity to COVID than natural infection and recovery. I say that's bullshit, why on earth would that be the case?

I have hybrid immunity i.e. jabs plus natural infection. THAT gives you the best immunity, from what I've read.

Also, for those saying 'better ill for a few days from the jab than DEAD from COVID', why on earth would somebody who has had two jabs, and had COVID itself, and survived all three suddenly be killed by a second COVID infection? All the evidence points to subsequent infections being milder. Stop the scaremongering, please.

Well put 👏🏻
flipflop76 · 28/03/2022 17:24

I haven't had a booster as I'm suffering long term issues from the first two and still haven't recovered. I'm having investigations but I've possibly developed an autoimmune condition (symptoms came on within hours of my second jab). I've never been the same since sadly.