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Original poster

Moving second dose forward

35 replies

mayflower21 · 16/06/2021 18:17

Hi all
I need to travel, not for leisure
Has anyone been able to move the vax forward? I don't mean forward to 8 weeks, but 3-4 weeks after the first?
Thank you

OP posts:
BumbleFlump · 16/06/2021 18:30

You can have a go by cancelling and rebooking, I moved mine forward by a few weeks this way.

MiaMc · 16/06/2021 19:49

I don’t even know anyone in their 40s who’s managed to bring their second dose forward to 8 weeks!
It seems the only way you can do it is to cancel and rebook but obviously there’s no guarantee you’ll get an appointment sooner.
Pretty shit to reduce the timeframe but not give any guidance on the practicalities of actually changing appointments.

CatsForLife · 16/06/2021 19:58

I know several people who have been turned away because they tried to get in earlier than they should. The medical advice is absolutely no shorter than 6 weeks between doses for AZ. Don’t know about the others. Over 40s can book at eight weeks here and they are doing drop ins for second doses but they won’t accept you an earlier than that.

zaffa · 16/06/2021 20:03

@CatsForLife

I know several people who have been turned away because they tried to get in earlier than they should. The medical advice is absolutely no shorter than 6 weeks between doses for AZ. Don’t know about the others. Over 40s can book at eight weeks here and they are doing drop ins for second doses but they won’t accept you an earlier than that.
Hi @CatsForLife - do you mean no earlier than six weeks or eight weeks? DH has his second toMorrow as he is over 40 and I'm tempted to go along and ask if I can have my second too (like a lot of ppl did with their first) but I only had mine six weeks ago so I'm not sure if it's a log. Enough gap.
CatsForLife · 16/06/2021 20:24

No earlier than six weeks is the official advice by AZ but the government are currently only offering a min of eight weeks. There is some research that shows having them too close together can limit effectiveness. Locally here, people have been turned away who don’t have a eight-week gap. But, might be worth a try if your DH is going anyway

zaffa · 16/06/2021 20:29

Thanks @CatsForLife - actually I'm a day short of six weeks so I beat not bother - I had heard of reduced effectiveness if too close together so I'll wait it out. Thanks!

Original poster
mayflower21 · 16/06/2021 20:29

Thank you all for replies.

That's exactly what I was wondering - if anyone had been turned away before the 8 week gap.

I thought the initial advice was 3 week gap? I can't be sure I read it ages ago. And then due to shortage then increased the gap (but obviously said it's because it's more effective with longer gap - my presumption, sorry)

OP posts:
zaffa · 16/06/2021 20:30

@mayflower21

Thank you all for replies.

That's exactly what I was wondering - if anyone had been turned away before the 8 week gap.

I thought the initial advice was 3 week gap? I can't be sure I read it ages ago. And then due to shortage then increased the gap (but obviously said it's because it's more effective with longer gap - my presumption, sorry)

I think it actually is more effective though - I think that came out in the trials. I can't recall what the most effective gap was though
TotorosCatBus · 16/06/2021 20:31

I am 43 and was going to have my second dose 9 weeks after the first but I was contacted on Tuesday by the GP saying that I could have my second jab on Saturday.

Cornishmumofone · 16/06/2021 20:35

I'm 43 and had my second (Pfizer) dose less than 8 weeks after the first.

lap90 · 16/06/2021 20:54

I thought someone on here posted that they had been offered their vax 4 weeks after their first.

A friend also got hers certainly under the 8 weeks and I remember asking how on earth she managed that and she claimed she just got a text from her GP.

nordica · 16/06/2021 20:55

There's been some pop up/walk-in vaccination clinics in my area recently and I noticed some of them were saying you could go and have your second dose if it's been at least 4 weeks since your first - so that could be an option for you but obviously down to chance if there are any near you.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 16/06/2021 20:57

I'm having my second tomorrow at just under 5 weeks since the first one. I had my first at a gp hub and they texted me earlier this week to make the appointment.

faithfulbird20 · 17/06/2021 05:10

We got. Text yesterday 4 weeks after first at a walk in centre. Had to book it online from the text and got it within the next hour so yes I can

Hairbrush123 · 17/06/2021 12:01

I changed my covid appointment by three weeks this morning. It now gives you the option to review what earlier options you have before cancelling your original second dose appointment. It wasn’t my nearest centre however it’s not really a problem as it’s only ten minutes away from me now.

Hairbrush123 · 17/06/2021 12:01

It’s now an eight week gap instead of eleven!

faithfulbird20 · 17/06/2021 19:50

Sorry I meant we received a text from our doctors to book the vaccination and it's only been 4 weeks! So yes u can.

Original poster
mayflower21 · 18/06/2021 04:39

Thank you all, it's very reassuring - I will now try to move it forward by as much as I can

OP posts:
TooManyPlatesInMotion · 18/06/2021 06:47

I am 41 and managed to bring mine forwards. Good luck sorting it out.

Boofay · 18/06/2021 06:51

Had second Pfizer jab 8 weeks 5 days after my first. Had it last week. In Wales though - different booking system.

Original poster
mayflower21 · 18/06/2021 12:50

@Hairbrush123

I changed my covid appointment by three weeks this morning. It now gives you the option to review what earlier options you have before cancelling your original second dose appointment. It wasn’t my nearest centre however it’s not really a problem as it’s only ten minutes away from me now.
Thanks very helpful tip that you can review it before cancellation. Did just that, although I need it even earlier than the available dates
OP posts:
3asAbird · 18/06/2021 12:54

Surely with pfizer 4 week or 6 week be fine as most counties 3 week gap with pfizer

jcftn · 19/06/2021 22:33

No texts for me but managed to her a second dose of Pfizer today (exactly 4 weeks from dose 1) by making appointment for the walk in centre at Stamford Bridge stadium in London. Some big walk in centres were requiring 8+ weeks for second dose so I looked for one that permitted second jab after 4 wIn and out in less than 40 mins despite the huge numbers there. Very impressive operation, so relieved to be done!

Original poster
mayflower21 · 20/06/2021 00:15

@jcftn

No texts for me but managed to her a second dose of Pfizer today (exactly 4 weeks from dose 1) by making appointment for the walk in centre at Stamford Bridge stadium in London. Some big walk in centres were requiring 8+ weeks for second dose so I looked for one that permitted second jab after 4 wIn and out in less than 40 mins despite the huge numbers there. Very impressive operation, so relieved to be done!
Thank you for sharing. I've learnt today some are allowing now 4 week gaps. But I've not been able to book one yet as there seem to be no slots for earlier dates. I wonder whether just showing up at the clinic without making and appointment and waiting would work?
OP posts:
jcftn · 20/06/2021 13:22

Mayflower, it would definitely have worked at Stamford Bridge. The event listing specifically said that there would be some jabs for walk-ins. Those with appointments (booked for a two hour slot - not a specific time) were prioritised but there was a separate queue for those without and they seemed to be letting people through periodically. This was a really big clinic though (6K doses available, all to be used in one day). Don't know if the same would be possible in a smaller clinic.