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.

@Steelesauce

Mines booked for next week! I intend to take whatever is offered so I can continue to live my life.

Agreed.

I can’t understand why the government expects us to get all these jabs without giving us an understanding of the long term plan. I understand scientists have been reacting to a new situation, but there must be some idea of how long protection lasts and how often boosters will be required? Are we really going to need jabs every 6 months? They can say “Do your bit, protect the NHS, protect the vulnerable,” but surely there comes a point when they can’t just expect us to put whatever into our bodies whenever they say so.

What about this issue with periods? Why does that happen? What are the long term implications of that? I am not filled with confidence that scientist will be looking at this as it is a woman’s issue and there is already evidence in healthcare of a lack of research and even credibility given to the effects of drugs and illness on women.

It makes me angry that people who are hesitant about vaccines are being equated with covid deniers and mask refusers. Critical thinking about what you put in your body is not the same as ignoring science or advice.

I can’t understand why the government expects us to get all these jabs without giving us an understanding of the long term plan. I understand scientists have been reacting to a new situation, but there must be some idea of how long protection lasts and how often boosters will be required? Are we really going to need jabs every 6 months? They can say “Do your bit, protect the NHS, protect the vulnerable,” but surely there comes a point when they can’t just expect us to put whatever into our bodies whenever they say so.

I would be very annoyed if I was denied a vaccine or booster that on current evidence is the best course of action, just because we haven't yet worked out what the long-term strategy is.

Just took my mum for her booster. So she's had triple Pfizer now

@ClumpingBambooIsALie

I can’t understand why the government expects us to get all these jabs without giving us an understanding of the long term plan. I understand scientists have been reacting to a new situation, but there must be some idea of how long protection lasts and how often boosters will be required? Are we really going to need jabs every 6 months? They can say “Do your bit, protect the NHS, protect the vulnerable,” but surely there comes a point when they can’t just expect us to put whatever into our bodies whenever they say so.

I would be very annoyed if I was denied a vaccine or booster that on current evidence is the best course of action, just because we haven't yet worked out what the long-term strategy is.

So would I.

I’m not saying you should be denied it.

I’m saying that we should be given a proper vaccine schedule. I’m also saying that people who are uncomfortable about the fact that there is no schedule should not be looked down upon.

@Kendodd

In an aircraft emergency, they say don the mask yourself before helping others.

I've had both jabs, my mask is already on. The head of the WHO has described boosters as giving people with two lifejackets a third while others have none.

I get that argument but also my 2nd dose was over six months ago and not sure how much protection has dropped now? I’ve certainly read it’s less after six months. Plus I was reading an article that said there is enough vaccines now to provide them to third world countries……there may be a logistics/politics/payment issue stopping them being delivered but if the issue isn’t lack of vaccines then me declining a booster won’t help. 🤷‍♀️

I’m having my third tomorrow.

@HoneyItAlreadyDid

I’m not saying you should be denied it.

I’m saying that we should be given a proper vaccine schedule. I’m also saying that people who are uncomfortable about the fact that there is no schedule should not be looked down upon.

Of course it would be great if we could be given some info about how this is all going to pan out. However, I'd rather they knew that first before telling me. If they don't know yet, I'd rather be told so honestly and offered the current best prevention, rather than either be offered some soothing flannel to persuade me into accepting, or be told that we haven't worked out the full thing yet so we're not going to do anything.

Your refused booster will not be put on a plane to Africa.

If you would like to help the developed world, get your booster to reduce the risk of the UK creating yet another nasty variant now that BJ et all have decided to let it rip, and/or make a donation to Vaccinaid
www.vaccinaid.org/

Well just had mine and very pleased to have done so. Very smooth and well organised process. Despite the tragedy of the Government’s handling of most of the pandemic, the vaccine roll out is superlative - the NHS at its best.

borntobequiet

Well just had mine and very pleased to have done so. Very smooth and well organised process. Despite the tragedy of the Government’s handling of most of the pandemic, the vaccine roll out is superlative - the NHS at its best.“

Absolutely. Just thank providence that Johnson didn’t get his way and put the programme out to private tender.

Looking forward to receiving our booster invites by the end of October (husband) and November (myself).

I am looking forward to mine. As others have said, it's not a choice between you taking the jab or it going to the developing world.
A bit like when my mum used to urge me to finish a meal because I should 'think of all the starving people in Africa.'
I never had the courage to tell her to wrap the meal up and post it.

My logic is this. I have just had my booster,. This act will result in me being slightly less likely to catch Covid and less likely to be seriously ill if I do. This will save the government money, they might use some of this to facilitate vaccination in third world countries. Having my booster might do a little bit to help elsewhere. If I had said no to the booster the doctor who visited my place of work would have simply given it to someone lower down in the order to receive it, there is no way my refusal would have helped anyone in a third world country.

I'm very much looking forward to my Covid booster jab, when I'm offered it. I had the Pfizer before so assume that's what I'll get next time.

I was hoping to get the booster jab at the same time as my flu jab, which is soon, but there's no information on this yet - fingers crossed though. My mother will have hers as soon as it's offered - and I know will feel a little less anxious when she's had her booster jab. 🌹

@LuluJakey1

postingfortraffichere Oh well if it only prevents death it is just not worth having!

Gosh yes! If it only prevents death why did any of us bother?! 😂😂

I feel irrationally guilty about taking a booster because I am from India, which needs more vaccines in the rural areas ( though most in the cities seem to have got vaxxed). Irrational because I know full well that my booster won't be going there. Still feel bad though.

That said, if I am offered a booster, I will take it. DH is CV, so he will take it too. The prospect of taking regular vaccines does not bother me too much.

This is like the food wastage / starving people in Africa argument my Mum used throw at me when I wouldn't eat my peas at dinner as a kid.

Just because you refuse it and tell your MP, doesn't mean it will go to a poorer country. I think the message is great but if there is a clinical need for you to have a booster then you should. Refusal alone won't drive immediate allocation to another country.

I can't wait to get one either, have asked my work to get out on the list to have it asap.

@Kendodd

In an aircraft emergency, they say don the mask yourself before helping others.

I've had both jabs, my mask is already on. The head of the WHO has described boosters as giving people with two lifejackets a third while others have none.

OP, I don't think that analogy works particularly well, because the majority of Covid vaccines need 2 doses to give effective protection, so perhaps it is better to view the initial vaccination as a two part procedure, with the booster being the follow up procedure when protection wanes (so, the equivalent of replacing a damaged life jacket, rather than wearing multiple viable ones, if you want to stick to that analogy).

Also, the WHO have been pretty useless throughout the pandemic, they have been reactive rather than proactive. I think the WHO is a bit of a toothless tiger, IMO. I'll be happy to have my booster and I feel grateful that the UK has got such a great vaccination programme.

@HoneyItAlreadyDid mine seem to have stopped. At 48 im not sure whether its peri or the vaccine. I have no way of knowing so that i can make an informed choice over whether to have the second.

Why would you?

Yes we don’t know how regularly we will need boosters in the future as this is all new to everyone but if having them stops people from getting seriously ill and relieves pressure on health services, then so be it. It may end up being like the flu vaccine in which case annual vaccines / boosters will be recommended.

I wouldn’t stop a course of medication two thirds of the way through so I wouldn’t decline a booster. I’ve had mine already anyway and am very grateful that we are offered them.

Agree with @UrbanRambler

I can't wait for mine. I've already had the flu jab.

Why wouldn't I want something that's offered to me, if it's going to provide extra protection from an illness?

I think the WHO is a bit of a toothless tiger, IMO

I agree. But this is only because the governments that fund it won't give it any teeth.

I had me third o e this week, and will have a booster in 6 months. Personal choice really. On the grounds that you have no idea really how long immunity lasts, I'd think if you've had 2 you'd have the booster. By 6 months after that we'll be just over a year of vaccine roll out, so we should have some idea of the length of immunity. Seems poi tress, to me at least, to have had two and not have the booster. If they were going to be shipped abroad, I would understand more, but that won't happen unfortunately.