How do you feel about the prospect of annual boosters?

[Bonifacethethird]

Just curious really. I know that the flu vaccine is given annually, but when news of the vaccines came out, I think a lot of people would've been imagining it to be a one (well one two dose program) and you're done type of vaccine?

Topical because Chris Hopson (boss of NHS Providers) was on TalkRadio yesterday saying annual boosters will likely be needed for the next five to ten years:

mobile.twitter.com/talkRADIO/status/1406887551634444288

www.fiercebiotech.com/research/covid-flu-combo-vaccine-from-novavax-sparks-immune-response-to-both-viruses-animals

They’re already working on a combined jab.

Thinking about the logistics. Small pharmacies do flu jabs.
Lots of workplaces give out flu jabs. Hospitals have roving vaccinators going round staff in all areas, some schools get a nurse in to do all staff. Add in a covid booster to this.

To those who didn't realise there were potential side effects to flu vaccine. There is a very rare and nasty condition called guillaine barre syndrome which can be triggered by flu vaccines. A friend got it with devastating consequences but it doesn't stop me going for mine.

I'm expecting it to be necessary.

Seems like it would make sense to combine it with the flu jab - and just give that to everyone at the same time.

I imagine most of the cost of giving the flu jab comes with staffing / having a room available / logistics, so the additional cost of doing a flu jab at the same time is likely to be minimal.

You can't have a covid vaccination within so many days of having had a flu vaccine.

@Comefromaway

You can't have a covid vaccination within so many days of having had a flu vaccine.

Not for any good reason though. It’s been like that so you can differentiate side effects from the different vaccines. There’s provision in the current guidance to give them together set out if it means someone is going to not be able to have a covid vaccine in a timely manner.

Depends. If I have to have them to go on holiday I will. If I can go away without a vaccination, I won’t bother.

I’m fine with it. We get flu vaccine every year as DP and I both had flu once when DD was a baby and trying to parent when we were both that ill was horrendous

@Curlygirl06 Isthe plan to give them a winter booster? Or will it be a rolling schedule like it is now? Genuinely interested.

We don’t know yet (or at least, I haven’t seen any publicity about) how long immunity from vaccination lasts. So while I expect there will be a range of contingency plans in place, they probably haven’t decided yet.

Remember it’s just over a year since the first trial participants had their jabs. If their immunity is still robust, and remains till the end of this year, there is no obvious need to offer younger adults a booster after a year.

The discussion about a potential Autumn booster campaign a while ago seemed to be focussing on older adults and those who are CEV, i.e. those who have a poorer response to vaccines generally. For some of those, a third jab could make the difference between a mild case and a serious/fatal one.. Whereas younger adults were less likely to get seriously ill in the first place, and are much more likely to still have good immunity from the 2 jabs they’ve had.

[quote PuzzledObserver]**@Curlygirl06* Isthe plan to give them a winter booster? Or will it be a rolling schedule like it is now? Genuinely interested.*

We don’t know yet (or at least, I haven’t seen any publicity about) how long immunity from vaccination lasts. So while I expect there will be a range of contingency plans in place, they probably haven’t decided yet.

Remember it’s just over a year since the first trial participants had their jabs. If their immunity is still robust, and remains till the end of this year, there is no obvious need to offer younger adults a booster after a year.

The discussion about a potential Autumn booster campaign a while ago seemed to be focussing on older adults and those who are CEV, i.e. those who have a poorer response to vaccines generally. For some of those, a third jab could make the difference between a mild case and a serious/fatal one.. Whereas younger adults were less likely to get seriously ill in the first place, and are much more likely to still have good immunity from the 2 jabs they’ve had.[/quote]
Thank you, I'd not heard anything either so thought I might have missed it.

No way am I having any more. I very reluctantly has this first one because work is saying that otherwise they will test us twice a week and we'll have to keep wearing masks in the office. But I felt awful after my jab and there's no way I'm putting up with that every year. If work try to make me, I'll look for a new place to work.

Fr0thandBubble

No way am I having any more. I very reluctantly has this first one because work is saying that otherwise they will test us twice a week and we'll have to keep wearing masks in the office. But I felt awful after my jab and there's no way I'm putting up with that every year. If work try to make me, I'll look for a new place to work“

Why? Did it make you ill?

My work gives everyone the flu vaccination for free and uptake is pretty high (going by the appointment system) so I assume they will do the same for covid

Don’t have any issue with getting boosters

I would be fine with that. I’m a teacher and our local authority organises flu vaccination clinics in school every year. This is really convenient and the uptake is high. I hope they do the same with Covid boosters if they are needed.

Happy to have a booster. As a secondary school teacher I would want it tbh. Would pay for it if need be.

Flu jab and coronavirus jab has to be atleast 7 days apart

@RainbowANDThunder

Flu jab and coronavirus jab has to be atleast 7 days apart

Atm? The study is to see if logistical efficiency can happen

With the challenges of immunising large numbers of people against COVID-19 and the need to continue the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination schedule, it would be preferable if we could give people both their COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine at the same appointment. This would mean receiving two vaccines on the same day, one in each arm. It would also mean fewer appointments for those who need both vaccines and would reduce the burden on the NHS.

Therefore, the purpose of the ComFluCOV study is to see what side effects, such as fever and tiredness, people get when they are given their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the currently recommended flu vaccine. We will also look at people’s immune responses to both vaccines when given together.

@RainbowANDThunder

Flu jab and coronavirus jab has to be atleast 7 days apart

Not for a good reason. It’s mainly about side effects. They will be able to change that for boosters. GPs are allowed to give both now, it’s just not the routine procedure.