Anyone gambled with trying to bring second vaccine forward

[monkeypuzzeltree]

I'm not in any at risk group, I'm 43. Keen to bring second vaccine through but you have to cancel before finding out if there are sooner slots. I had AZ for first jab, second due late July.

Any views or tips I'm missing? Thanks all.

@Rainbowsandstorms

For those that are younger and have had AZ the overall efficiency of the vaccination is reduced when the gap between doses is less than 12 weeks. I can dig out the stats for anyone who would like to see them. So the benefit is that you’re fully vaccinated earlier but the downside is that the over all protection you receive is reduced. The risks v benefits will depend on individual circumstances but it’s worth being aware of.

@rainbowsandstorms Can you link to this info please? All I the reports I could find said that protection from AZ was stronger after 8 weeks compared to after 4 - not that it was stronger at specifically 12 weeks so would be interested in seeing this?

I hadn't been given a date for my 2nd so was going to wait until I was called but after reading a thread on here I went online and was offered an appointment tomorrow which will be a 7.5 weeks gap.

@DarceyDashwood

The stats are:

less than 6 weeks was 55.1 %
6 to 8 weeks was 59.7%
9 to 11 weeks was 72.3%
12 weeks plus was 80%

I’ll have a hunt for a link. I’ve just taken the figures from my notes when I spoke to someone at AZ earlier this week, as I’ve been looking at extending the gap between my first and second doses. This info is definitely out there in the public domain though and I know I’ve seen it elsewhere but don’t immediately have a link. If you google the AZ trials you should be able to locate it.

@DarceyDashwood

I’ve found a link for you www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00432-3/fulltext

The efficiency at 9 to 11 weeks is lower than I quoted above, apologies.

I’ve included two screenshots of the table you’re looking for, I can’t fit the whole chart on one. I hope that helps.

The risk to me of catching it now are higher than it will be in a few weeks time, when hopefully the Indian variant will be more under control. So well worth bringing it forward for me and many other people who now have to mix with the public more.

Wonder why the government initially set it at 11 weeks and have now reduced to 8, if 12 weeks is the magic number.

I have had Covid at New Year

One dose of AZ at beg March

Next one due at 12 weeks in about 10 days

I am inclined to leave it as it is tbh. I did a REACT antibody test at the weekend and I have IgG antibodies.

I am thinking I should be ok but this Indian variant is worrying me.

Would you leave it at 12 weeks if you were me? I live in NW in a high variant area

Absolutely @JulietBravo999 it definitely depends on individual circumstances I just thought I’d flag it up so people can weigh it up. That’s great news that you’ll have better protection a bit earlier.

@Rainbowsandstorms I can't work out what the tables are showing. What's the optimum gap please?

@Rainbowsandstorms that’s really interesting - something to consider! Thank you!

I’m 57 and have heard nothing at all about mine being brought forward.

@HJ40 sorry I couldn’t get the whole chart onto one screenshot. The optimum gap is 12 weeks plus though at present it’ll be beneficial for some people to have the increased protection of two vaccinations and a lower rate of efficiency. The chart shows that at 12 weeks plus the efficiency was an average of 81.3% and at 9 to 11 weeks it was an average of 63.7%. You need to look at the first column on the first photo which gives you the gap between doses and then the last column on the second photo which gives the average efficiency. Or if you click on the link you’ll be able to find the full table and a bit more info.

Hmm, I tried to bring mine forwards and it wouldn't let me. I'm in my early 40s and had the Pfizer vaccine. My 2nd appointment was booked exactly 11 weeks after my first and even choosing a different vaccination centre it just offered me the same date or later.

It’s hard to know which is the best option! Full protection at say 9 weeks or leaving it until 12 weeks but having the extra risk of a couple of extra weeks not being fully vaccinated!

I suppose in reality there wouldn’t be much in it and the difference must be minimal? 🤷‍♀️

I've changed mine. Thinking I shouldn't have now

Changed from 11th June to 31st May

Does it work if you didn't have AZ?

@DarceyDashwood

It’s hard to know which is the best option! Full protection at say 9 weeks or leaving it until 12 weeks but having the extra risk of a couple of extra weeks not being fully vaccinated!

I suppose in reality there wouldn’t be much in it and the difference must be minimal? 🤷‍♀️

I'm wondering the same thing. I've booked mine for 8 weeks (even though I'm 46) but I don't know whether I'd be better to wait!

Ooh I might change mine. Am worried as have an op 3 days later. Maybe I'll try and see if I can make it earlier ? I'm 46 so bit scared I'll end up without one fir ages tho

So I need to cancel and keep my fingers crossed ? Arg

Definitely works - got mine at 9 weeks gap now

I have changed mine, I am having it this weekend so I will be 11 weeks. If it wasn't for the Indian variant I would have left it at 12 weeks but I am over 50 and clinically vulnerable so I will follow the scientific advice.

I am happy with 11 weeks. I will feel more secure once fully vaccinated.

I’m 63 and leaving mine on June 8th. I haven’t been contacted to move it anyway

Yes I've just managed it. First one mine - I rang 119 and they can't see appointment availability before you cancel the original booking so they cancelled 4th June and then got me in a week earlier. (I could even have gone this Saturday but only 1 appointment and I'm having a mammogram at the same time.) But they did get me in a week earlier.
Then bit the bullet and did it online for my partner and got an appointment 3 weeks earlier same time and day as mine so good result.

Mine is scheduled for 11 weeks anyway so I'm tempted to leave it. I'm barely going out. One DC in nursery but he has been throughout. DH working from home. Tbh I don't see life changing much even when we are fully vaccinated. Can't yet get my head around the fact things could ever go back to how they were. Separate thread, I know, but just mulling over whether I try to get it earlier or not!

@Forgottenyeti it didn't for me. I had Pfizer and my original appointment is 11 weeks after my first. The only alternative appointments I could see were for the same date or later. I might do it anyway to move the location as there are more sites doing Pfizer now.