Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Third Primary Dose of vaccine

21 replies

CatAlice · 14/10/2021 13:45

I've received a text from the NHS which says they identify me as eligable for this due to being severely immunocompromised.
I had my second dose in April and had covid quite badly in August.
I didn't expect this because while I am immunocompromised I didn't think I was in the category for 3rd dose. Not that I'm complaing because I will take as many doses as they will give me to avoid going through covid again.

My question is this, the text says ask GP or consultant, not sure what their response will be. Was that how others got their 3rd dose? And what of the booster - will that be 6 months after the third dose?

OP posts:
nether · 14/10/2021 17:06

Yes, thus is a third primary, and you get your booster (which will be your fourth shot) in 6 months.

The admin around this has been absolutely appalling. I have a household member who clearly qualifies, and the invitation for it has only just arrived (announced 2/98, jabs meant to be booked by 11/09; further letter required to doctors, with deadline 11/10, still missed by many). We aren't remotely convinced that it'll be properly recorded as a third primary (apparently that still doesn't exist on the system) so expect to have to tangle with NHS bureaucracy again in 6 months. Ugh

Yes, ring your GP, and be very clear it is third primary (which they should assist you to book) not booster (which GPS generally don't do). If they can't/won't help, ask hospital team if they can fix it. If they give you the run around, contact CCG (who are probably sick of these enquiries - and it's just a shame so many have had to resort to them)

Sorry for sounding jaded - the admin for this has been a major 'fail' and its frustrating all round

KidneyNewName · 14/10/2021 17:09

Echo previous poster!!

I actually had mine at my hospital as I was phoned and told my consultant had requested it

I had to fight HARD with them to accept this was 3rd primary dose and not booster. I know I've read things to say they are the same thing but if so, why is the paperwork different and why were they so reluctant to give me a third rather than booster

Anyway, luckily I had my consultants letter to GP which I took to the hospital

It's been a nightmare to organise though despite being phoned!

TheVampiresWife · 14/10/2021 17:29

Watching with interest.

I've recently started immunosuppressant drugs for my RA and my rheumatologist sent my GP a letter asking to arrange my third vaccination. I clarified with him that he meant full dose, not booster. When I called my GP practice to arrange for a pneumonia jab I mentioned this and the receptionist insisted it would be a booster and they had 'nothing to do with all that'. I called 119 and they didn't seem to have a clue what I was on about, just told me to wait to be contacted for my booster. Rheumy appointment on Wednesday, he confirmed again that it's not a booster I need!

I've no idea who to ask next!

Original poster
CatAlice · 14/10/2021 17:33

That all sounds dubious. I bet there will be an issue getting a booster in 6 months if it's not recorded properly.

Did you all get a third dose the same as first two? I had shocking headaches after my 2nd. I was so relieved to be vaccinated I didn't pursue it but would rather avoid it again.

I was hospitalised with covid in August so if ever I was to have antibody protection it's now. In fact I had my AB levels checked and they are good. I was planning to try and delay my booster on the principle that I would be protected for longer. This has thrown me a bit.
I am seeing my specialist in a couple of weeks but I suspect he will know nothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
CatAlice · 14/10/2021 17:35

@TheVampiresWife I take drugs for RA and it's rheumatologist I'm seeing soon.

OP posts:
boon · 14/10/2021 17:44

They dont currently have a place on the system to list as third dose but can put a note on the system to say that it is. So when they have the system sorted it can be added. My mum and partner both had to have letters from their consultants to say the should have a third primary vaccine. There is a template online you can send to your consultant if it helps.

TheVampiresWife · 14/10/2021 17:45

[quote CatAlice]@TheVampiresWife I take drugs for RA and it's rheumatologist I'm seeing soon.[/quote]
Mine's just insisted my GP needs to sort it but my GP is having none of it! I've no clue what's going on and can't find any answers.

I'm on methotrexate and steroid injections, I first took mtx ten years ago and it was horrific, side effects wise. They've put me on the injections now and they're a bit better but the idea of the combined mtx/covid vaccine side effects is a frightening one! I've had covid twice (most recently in August) so my antibodies should be good for a while yet, fingers crossed.

I'm sorry you were so ill with it, are you fully recovered now?

Original poster
CatAlice · 14/10/2021 19:12

@TheVampiresWife Yes thanks I'm just about fully recovered. I take low dose steroids, Hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalazine. So not on the list of those requiring a 3rd dose. However my covid experience suggests otherwise.

OP posts:
PheasantsNest · 14/10/2021 20:03

Good luck getting it organised. It took me a month to get it sorted. Each organisation passing the buck. Eventually got it at a clinic miles away. It's still not recorded on my records.

NotMyCat · 14/10/2021 23:52

I've just had this text

Third Primary Dose of vaccine
Original poster
CatAlice · 15/10/2021 13:59

@NotMyCat Interesting. Did you get the original text saying you may be eligable? Has your consultant said or done anything?

OP posts:
NotMyCat · 15/10/2021 14:29

[quote CatAlice]**@NotMyCat* Interesting. Did you get the original text saying you may* be eligable? Has your consultant said or done anything?[/quote]
Literally nothing. I saw a message on the blood cancer website dated yesterday saying they were aware there was a mass amount of texts going out that day

Cookerhood · 15/10/2021 14:55

The third primary & the booster are exactly the same dose etc, just you'll be having another booster in 6 months. There's currently no way of recording it on the system other than in the notes section.

Original poster
CatAlice · 15/10/2021 14:58

I did find somewhere that the 3rd dose should be MRNA regardless of what the 1st two doses were. Unless good reason.

OP posts:
NotMyCat · 15/10/2021 15:05

@Cookerhood

The third primary & the booster are exactly the same dose etc, just you'll be having another booster in 6 months. There's currently no way of recording it on the system other than in the notes section.
Unless it's moderna. That's a full dose for a 3rd vaccine and half a dose for booster
Cookerhood · 15/10/2021 20:08

True. I haven't given any Moderna so had forgotten about that.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 15/10/2021 20:25

In terms of the dosage and vaccine given, the 3rd dose and booster are the same thing, however a 3rd dose is eligible a min 8 weeks after 2nd dose rather than the 6 months between 2nd and booster and is marked as 3rd dose rather than booster in order for an extra dose (booster) to be given in a further 6 months should it be necessary
It is very confusing I agree

Cookerhood · 15/10/2021 20:33

is marked as 3rd dose rather than booster
That's the problem, it's not possible to do that except in comments, or at least it wasn't a week ago.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 15/10/2021 20:36

@Cookerhood one would assume hope those highlighted for a 3rd dose would also be highlighted in 6 months time for a booster 4th dose

Cookerhood · 15/10/2021 20:45

Indeed @Wellbythebloodyhell one might hope so

FannyFifer · 15/10/2021 21:28

The Scottish system u can mark it as a 3rd dose or a booster.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread