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Covid

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Original poster

If you've had covid and 1st vaccine are you getting the second?

64 replies

Lampshade685 · 30/04/2021 20:55

I had Covid at Christmas and have had my first vaccine (no side effects). I'm debating whether to get the second dose - how many antibodies does one need? For context - I'm young, fit and healthy.
I'm more inclined to get the second jab but have some doubt. I understand me having the second covid jab gives protection to others too but for instance I've never had the flu jab. Interested to hear what others are doing and why.

OP posts:

Lindy2 · 30/04/2021 22:18

Yes of course I'll get my second jab. It's a 2 dose vaccine and I'm not a scientist so I don't intend to pretend that I know more about vaccine doses than qualified professionals.

I also had Covid in January and was quite ill so I may end up with more antibodies than I need. However, I'd definitely rather be over protected than under protected from this horrible illness.

DinosApple · 30/04/2021 22:18

I possibly had it last year - before you could easily get a test.

I had one AZ jab and felt crap for 5 days.
I had the second AZ jab a fortnight ago - and felt fine. A bit tired for a day or two.
I hope that helps those nervous about the second jab feel a bit better. I know it's anecdotal, but it might allay some worries. It was the same for my colleague too. A much better second dose.

CadburyCake · 30/04/2021 22:21

I actually think you don’t need it, medically speaking, and I think the likes of France have said that. I think nhs are insisting on two doses as a precaution and to avoid complicating the roll out.

But. If there’s going to be vaccine passports etc they’re going to require the full course of whatever the nhs recommend, so yes, although I’ve yet to have my first dose I will have both when offered. It’ll be a travel etc nightmare otherwise. An extra dose is not exactly a big deal.

OddBoots · 30/04/2021 22:23

@Lampshade685

Just to be clear I am pretty sure I'll have my second jab but in layman's terms - could having Covid in the first place followed by a jab give me similar antibodies to not having Covid and 2 jabs? Or is it because it is unknown whether I had antibodies from having Covid but will have them from the jab?

It could but it is too soon to know, I am sure studies are happening but the results aren't available and probably won't be available until after you are due for the second vaccination.

brittanyfairies · 30/04/2021 22:27

I'm in France and they aren't giving the 2nd vaccination if you've already had covid. I had covid in November and had my 1st and only vaccination in March.

CortisolandCaffeine · 30/04/2021 22:41

@rainbowthoughts

could having Covid in the first place followed by a jab give me similar antibodies to not having Covid and 2 jabs?

I imagine if this were the case not only would be r know about it but it would implemented countrywide.

There’s plenty of literature showing that this is actually the case. COVID plus one vaccine is as good as two vaccines. There’s been plenty of questions about if we could save doses this way but I imagine it’s too difficult to implement. Having said that, I’m in the same position and I’ve had the second. I want the maximum protection I can, in case of variants.

swashbucklecheer · 30/04/2021 22:42

Yes

Lindy2 · 30/04/2021 22:43

@brittanyfairies

I'm in France and they aren't giving the 2nd vaccination if you've already had covid. I had covid in November and had my 1st and only vaccination in March.

Do they have any medical evidence at all to back this approach though?

I'm not sure I'd be confident with this without some proper medical research actually being done. The French vaccine roll out hasn't really been that great so far has it. There's been a lot of non medical based statements and backtracking throughout.

CadburyCake · 30/04/2021 22:57

science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/04/29/science.abh1282

Here’s one. It makes intuitive sense.

It might also be complicated to make such recommendations in U.K. because a lot of the research is around Pfizer and things could of course look different for AZ.

Ontheboardwalk · 30/04/2021 22:59

Why wouldn’t you?

If we do actually need a Covid passport then why wouldn’t you get that 2nd stamp in it?

OrchidLass · 01/05/2021 07:47

@CortisolandCaffeine I had my second vaccine as my GP told me that they really weren't sure that that was indeed the case for everyone. According to her, it may be for some, but not all and that having the 2nd vaccination was definitely advisable.

TeenMinusTests · 01/05/2021 07:57

Why would you think you know better than the scientists?

Woodpecker22 · 01/05/2021 08:07

What have the side effects been like for those who have had their 2nd vaccine after having covid? I have my 2nd pfizer booked this week after having covid in December and am wondering about this. I will definitely be getting it though.

OrchidLass · 01/05/2021 08:25

@Woodpecker22 I had my second AZ last weekend and had almost no side effects. Just a bit 'woolly' for a couple of days. Very different to my experience of the first jab.

CaptainHammer · 01/05/2021 08:27

@Woodpecker22

My husband and I had covid end of last year. Had my second Pfizer jab 2 weeks ago. Sore arm for 2 days and I felt really tired the day after. Otherwise all good. My husband had his second one the week before me and he had a sore arm the next day but otherwise no side effects.

Lampshade865 · 01/05/2021 08:35

@TeenMinusTests I certainly don't think I know better than scientists - starting a discussion based on people's experiences does not mean I do... But clearly there are different rules for different countries etc and I wanted to know people's thoughts and reasons. As I already said I'm almost certainly going to get second vaccine but I am interested in other opinions.

I didn't have any effects from the first jab (apart from sore arm).

Chemenger · 01/05/2021 08:39

@Lampshade685

Ok ignore the flu jab comment. I am mostly leaning towards getting it just a friend has been planting seeds of doubt about if I actually need it seen as I've had Covid.

What are your friend’s qualifications for giving you advice? Compared to say, the medical profession in general who say you should get it?

Lampshade865 · 01/05/2021 08:43

@Chemenger I think just reading around the subject and different researches like the one above.
I suppose it's just too early to know and by having two jabs even with covid, is best with the evidence that we have so far.

LittleBearPad · 01/05/2021 08:45

What are your friend’s qualifications for giving you advice? Compared to say, the medical profession in general who say you should get it?

Well quite!

XiCi · 01/05/2021 08:58

Why would you think you know better than the scientists
Actually scientists have said that if you have had Covid and have a second shot it us a wasted vaccination. The advice in the US and the rest of Europe us that you only have one vaccination if you have had Covid. No idea why everyone is getting snarky with the OP because that has been widely reported for months and months now so is a pertinent question for those of us in the UK that have had covid.

XiCi · 01/05/2021 09:00

The above applies to Pfizer and Moderna not sure about AZ

Lampshade865 · 01/05/2021 09:01

@XiCi thank you - yes I was just thinking I must be the only one with these questions going from this thread! I had assumed others might have too.

XiCi · 01/05/2021 09:07

I've heard it discussed quite a lot Lampshade865 so not sure why people are confused. Maybe it's only if you have had Covid that it resonates. I had a first Pfizer jab a month after having Covid. Rest of Europe and US advice is to have one jab six months later and only one jab. Not sure why it's different here. I'm still considering whether to get the 2nd dose, especially as having covid for me wasn't even as bad as having a cold.

JuniperBeer · 01/05/2021 09:08

Are you or your friend a scientist or doctor OP? Because I’m not. And whilst I advocate being informed, if you have any doubts or questions, probably best to ask your GP for information that will reassure you.

Lampshade865 · 01/05/2021 09:10

@XiCi yes I was after people opinions particularly if they've had covid (I'm definitely not bashing scientists!) The same here - I've had worse colds than when I had Covid.

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