The gap between vaccine doses

[Butterflyinglow]

What do you think are the chances that they’ll start to close the gap between doses for the younger cohorts, now that the vulnerable groups are mostly double vaxxed?

Seems like it would make sense, particularly with the pressure that’s now building - trying to outrun this Indian variant whilst still being determined to open up on June 21st. Having both doses now seems more important than ever. Couldn’t they move the window back to 3 weeks again soon?

Or are there logistical reasons why they couldn’t?

Today a local gp was offering second az to anyone 30+ with a 4 week gap. I dithered (for a short time - I only had an hour or so to make a decision!) before deciding that local case rates (not a hotspot but definitely at the higher end of the scale and going up) made it worth doing now rather than waiting. I'm at 5.5 weeks.

For those saying we have vaccinated the JCVI 9 priority groups, they are 48% of the U.K. population.

We've vaccinated 42.7% of the U.K. population.

@PrincessNutNuts

For those saying we have vaccinated the JCVI 9 priority groups, they are 48% of the U.K. population.

We've vaccinated 42.7% of the U.K. population.

Roughly 5% declined vaccines due to illness or preference, you can see that in the stats. As already explained to you, some from groups 6-9 have decided to wait until 10 or 12 weeks instead of 8 because they aren't in high risk areas and believe from research they may get more antibodies that way. I simply don't believe people are unable to get a second vaccine at all, it doesn't sound likely.

@looptheloopinahulahoop

"That isn't true - those groups will have had both vaccines by now"

It must depend on where you are. There are 60+ just getting their 2nd vaccine here now, most 50+ I know are still waiting.

I got three texts since the beginning of the week inviting me to get my second vaccine. I am not in groups 1-9. I had my first dose of AZ 7 weeks ago.

I will probably stick to the 10 weeks interval between the two doses. It is my personal decision based on my assessment of risk and trade offs between speed and vaccine efficacy.

So who are they giving second doses to @MRex?

I just looked, and only about 70% of 50-59s are fully vaxxed.

That's a lot of people defying the official advice to get second vaccinated as soon as you can to maximise your protection and choosing to let their first jab cook longer instead. (Which I would have thought was quite a niche position.)

I was happy to wait the full 12 weeks for the greater immunity but given all the talk about delaying unlocking on 21 Jun have brought it forward as I think that's going to be linked to the percentage of people who are double vacc-ed. Although have just had to reschedule it as I got pinged by the app and have to self isolate, so I'll end up with a 10 week gap.

Have had no issues cancelling and rebooking (AZ).

It doesn't matter what you think is "niche" @PrincessNutNuts. You've had plenty in this thread alone tell you the same who are actually in those groups. Look around other threads, loads of people are discussing what's best and those conversations are happening everywhere based on people's individual circumstances.

Wait a minute… Is the official advice now to have the second jab significantly earlier than 12 weeks?

I saw something about not delaying the second dose and not exceeding the 12 weeks, but on the other hand when I click the booking link on the invitation to book text I was sent I get a message saying to book 12 weeks after my first jab.

Which am I supposed to do

It doesn't matter what the "official advice" is, the scientific data suggests greater efficacy for AZ at 12 weeks. That's why I'm waiting.
Others may make a different decision based on their health, where they live, the vaccine they had and the type of activities they do/people they see indoors .
The risk to me waiting is very low

With the country about to be hitting the "100,000 detected cases a week" again within the fortnight, the recent confirmation from PHE that you need a second dose for a decent level of protection, and the three weeks afterwards to wait for the full effect - I'm not sure I'd wait.

I'd get my second before the end of July if I could.

It's just not plausible that my relations are the only 50s people in the country we're keeping waiting for second jabs while we jab 18 year olds at rugby stadiums.

With 30% of 50-59s still not second jabbed, and Delta cases rising, there must be others.

It varies regionally as well. I'm in a London borough where only 35% of adults are double jabbed, and only 60% of the 55-59 age group have had their first dose.

They've just opened lots of pop up vaccination centres for walk-in appointments to try to get as many people as possible vaccinated. A bit too late if everything opens up on the 21st though... If I could have my 2nd dose sooner here I definitely would.

I cancelled my 2nd dose today which I was due to have on 3 July and was able to rebook it for 13 June which wll be exactly 8wks+1 day since first dose. I am a bit worried that they might turn me away but hopefully not. I'm mid-40s with no health concerns/priority reasons for being vaccinated. However my DC attend school in a high risk area for the variant and would rather have the 2nd dose sooner (AZ).