Asked to get Pfizer second shot after 4 weeks - Is it too soon?

[Reearry]

Hi...I received a notification from NHS to book for the second shot of Pfizer vaccine. However it's just been 4 weeks from the first shot. Is it too soon to have the second shot? I came across this article which found that in a Birmingham study delaying the second dose to 12 weeks led to an antibody response that was three-and-half times larger than when vaccine doses were kept to the standard recommendation of three weeks apart. However, three week intervals between the doses, generated a higher peak T-cell response compared to the delayed dosing strategy and scientists believe T-Cells may be a marker for long-term immunity.

Wondering... Is there an ideal gap between both the Pfizer doses? Should I go ahead and book the second dose or wait for a few more weeks? I want to go ahead and book it but my DP feels it's very soon and is asking me research more and not book in haste

www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/05/14/study-finds-12-week-gap-between-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-dose-generates-35-times-higher-antibody-response/amp/

The advice in the UK is not clear but I saw this on CDC:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/second-shot.html

I am not an expert but personally I am planning to get it in 3 weeks.

What region of the country are you in, as your risk of catching covid matters too?
Most countries have stuck with a 3 week schedule, the mRNA vaccines build immunity quickly. The main research for AZ showed 12 weeks was significantly better than 6 weeks, but not a huge difference between 8 and 12 weeks. If that's similar with Pfizer then 8 weeks could be a good compromise. That works if you're in a low risk area, but personally I'm not so I'd go for it now and plan to get a booster next year, just because there is such a huge difference in protection between one and two doses.

I think you have to weigh up your risk. Where do you live? (High pr low rate at present). What your job is? Do you have any factors making you more at risk? Etc,

By the way, that Pfizer study was quite small and with much older people, who seem to build immunity more slowly. It gives information that 12 weeks at least can be good for some, but it isn't be any means conclusive that It would make such big difference for younger ages. More details on it are here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2021/05/covid-pfizer-vaccination-interval-antibody-response.aspx

I live in London, WFH and in mid 30's, no health issues. Relatively low risk so wondering if it makes sense to delay it by a month. I would rather just get it over with but DP who has also received the notification feels it's too early and we should wait. Has there been any studies on the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccines based on the gap between both the doses? I came across articles for AZ but not Pfizer

Thanks MRex ... Looking at the article now

Four weeks is optimal, and the norm in many countries. Pfizer themselves recommend that the gap between doses should be no more than six weeks.

The gap was always recommended to be small. We only lengthened it to get more people their first jab.

I'm the same. Under 40s in London and received the text this morning to book 5 weeks after first vaccination. Given that the first vax is only about 30% effective against the Delta variant - I snapped up the offer!

Here in Ireland everyone gets the second dose of Pfizer after four weeks. It's the manufacturer's recommendation. The UK made a decision to go against that in order to get more first doses out.

I was invited to book first dose Pfizer last month which I did but no second appointment booked/ offered so just logged on to book my 2nd dose. The test centre I had first dose no longer showing so booked another. Does the system know which of the vaccines you had first time so will only offer centres which would have in my case Pfizer for my 2nd? Or is it not that sophisticated? Could I turn up and they only have Astra? Thanks!
Bookmark

@DollyParton2 Yes it's linked to your NHS number so the system will know that you had Pfizer and will only offer you venues with that vaccination for your second appointment.

@DollyParton2

I was invited to book first dose Pfizer last month which I did but no second appointment booked/ offered so just logged on to book my 2nd dose. The test centre I had first dose no longer showing so booked another. Does the system know which of the vaccines you had first time so will only offer centres which would have in my case Pfizer for my 2nd? Or is it not that sophisticated? Could I turn up and they only have Astra? Thanks! Bookmark

Yes it does, don't worry. It will book you into somewhere expecting Pfizer, in the unlikely event they don't have Pfizer on the day they'll need to ask you to rebook, but that seems to happen very very rarely.

Thank you all for your thoughts. With the first vaccine being only 30% effective against the Delta variant and booster shots most likely available next year, makes sense to just go ahead ... Have booked the second shot!

Thanks so much MRex

I’m getting mine on Saturday 5 weeks after the first.. quicker everyone is double vaccinated the better!

No way. I did mine after three weeks (standard in the US).

Both dds were lucky enough to get left over Pfizer at a local vaccination centre a few weeks ago. They were not given second appointments but asked to ‘call in’ after 5 weeks to hopefully get their second jab. I’m hoping that works

I’m in ROI, gap is 4 weeks here

I'm in NZ and the gap is three weeks here.