Anyone Refussing a Booster?

[Kendodd]

I don't feel comfortable having a third while so many people in the developing world haven't even had one dose. I think I'll refuse and let my MP know why.
This is no criticism of people who chose to have a booster BTW. I'm in good health in my 50s, if I was older or vulnerable I very much doubt I'd still refuse the booster.

I’m not going to be offered a booster yet, but if it comes down to my age group I won’t be accepting it. I’ve already had two injections I didn’t really want for the greater good so I’ve done my bit and had my turn, now we need to give our vaccines to people that need them instead of giving them to children and the already vaccinated.

AFAIK the booster is a different type of formulation to the original vaccination, so it's not as if sending your booster elsewhere would do anyone any good. That said, of course, other governments have paid for the vaccine to be made, and aren't getting them while the pharma companies make boosters for the already-vaccinated, so I know what you mean. Similar ethical dilemma for vaccinating kids really - a lot of vaccines going on trying to save the lives of people who for the most part, don't want a vaccine. Seems like getting some decent coverage in poorer countries would be a better use of the stuff....

Your refusal won't pass it to those in developing countries though.

Agree about refusing doesn't mean it will go to a developing country. Saw Gordon Brown on tv this morning saying he wants the vaccines which are going to expire sent to Africa. Which is a great idea if they are going to have the infrastructure and planning in place to get them into arms before they expire. Not great if the roll out plan isn't there

I felt so ill after my second dose I'm reluctant to have a third. I live in a high density area where, despite lax mask wearing and vax take-up, the numbers are fairly low and stable. I'm fairly healthy and had covid in March 2020.

@Hotchox

AFAIK the booster is a different type of formulation to the original vaccination, so it's not as if sending your booster elsewhere would do anyone any good. That said, of course, other governments have paid for the vaccine to be made, and aren't getting them while the pharma companies make boosters for the already-vaccinated, so I know what you mean. Similar ethical dilemma for vaccinating kids really - a lot of vaccines going on trying to save the lives of people who for the most part, don't want a vaccine. Seems like getting some decent coverage in poorer countries would be a better use of the stuff....

It's not different, most people will be getting the exact same dose of Pfizer that was used for first and second doses. It hasn't been reformulated for the variants or anything like that, or changed because it's a "booster".

I read something last week (sorry don't have the link) which said that there's enough Pfizer here to do the boosters - sadly if you don't take up the booster, I doubt it's going to go anywhere else. I suspect people in younger groups will be included in the months to come for a third booster, and even younger ones for a first or second dose and it'll go there.

I don't qualify for one (just too young), but some countries are making them compulsory (Croatia and Austria) so if you want to go overseas you may need one.

And of course if we have the lovely vaccine passports imposed (in England) it may not be sufficient to be "fully" vaccinated anymore.

I can't wait to get one.

I'm personally a bit concerned that have a different one is pointless, will it even help with immunity? I would rather they send the vaccines overseas for my age group but realistically this won't happen

You're assuming your jab will go somewhere useful and won't just be part of the expected stock loss. That's not a bet I'd make.

I'll be having mine as soon as it's offered, as will Dd.
Refusing won't help anyone, and if we catch it we'll potentially need a whole lot of NHS resources given we've both been hospitalised many times with brittle asthma before Covid.

AFAIK the booster is a different type of formulation to the original vaccination

It definitely isn’t a different formulation.

For the Pfizer vaccine, which will make up the vast majority of the boosters, the likelihood of the stock being sent to developing nations is very small, because of its fragility. It’s more likely to expire and be thrown away.

It's the "don't eat your broccoli, we can send it to a starving child in Africa" argument. Doesn't take account of all the complex, world-scale reasons that people around the world aren't getting fair access to vaccines. Shipping a soggy lump of rotting tenderstem halfway around the world is about as much help as refusing your booster.

Your booster won't go abroad if you don't have it though. Maybe get involved with a charity that helps with overseas vaccinations what will your mp do ?

Yes I'll probably get a booster if I'm offered.

I’m a bit worried. Had AZ. Then it came about on the news about blood clots! Obviously rare, but at the time they didn’t know so they shouldn’t be administering vaccines when they don’t know everything about them.

Booster will be a different one pz maybe? Is it ok for a body to have 3 jabs, 2 different brands, all within 7 months?

I don’t know, I feel uneasy about it.

You encounter thousands of microbes every day of your life — you're constantly dealing with an onslaught of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Not sure if and when I’ll be offered one as I had Covid recently as well as double jabbed.

I’ll have it if offered.

Groan. No-one in a developing country is going to gain from your refusal to get your booster jag. I am so over all the armchair experts who think they know better than the actual medical and scientific experts whose actual job it is to advise on vaccination and how best to manage a pandemic and public health. Unless you have a medical reason not to, please just go and get your jag. You can still campaign for rich countries like ours to support the vaccination of populations in poorer countries.

I'm personally a bit concerned that have a different one is pointless, will it even help with immunity?

Yes! There's good evidence for AZ followed by a Pfizer/moderna booster being beneficial. Complementary mechanisms as I understand it.

There's no benefit to anyone else in refusing the booster.

No, I won't be having it.

Because you making yourself vulnerable to covid again creates a vaccine for a person in Africa? Yes, that makes sense OP.
I will have my booster.

No I won't be having the booster. I've had the first 2 jabs and that's it, will there be a booster for the booster? My Aunt and family in Israel have been told to expect their 4th jab soon.

No thank you!

I have a flu jab every year. NBD.