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Original poster

A Moderna Booster

58 replies

ModernaLover · 08/11/2021 10:23

I am really hoping to get a Moderna shot rather than a Pfizer as my booster. Moderna's stats on breakthrough infections are way more impressive than Pfizer's and just not getting infected it my priority. (I am group 4 and have shielded pretty much throughout.) I'm in North Yorkshire (nr Scarborough). Anyone local know of any vaxx centres giving Moderna rather than Pfizer? Thanks

(I know it's a long shot but I thought I'd try it.)

OP posts:
Egghead68 · 08/11/2021 15:40

My mum got a Moderna booster. It was just what they had on the day.

Egghead68 · 08/11/2021 15:40

Are the stats really so different for moderna and Pfizer? I understood that they were very similar drugs

pianolessons1 · 08/11/2021 16:38

@Egghead68

Are the stats really so different for moderna and Pfizer? I understood that they were very similar drugs
There are no good stats for booster use and otherwise Pfizer and moderna are pretty similar
Pushkinia · 08/11/2021 16:47

My parents had Moderna as a booster in a small pharmacy in North East England. It’s definitely available.

BatShitBitchChops · 08/11/2021 17:08

My husband had his booster last week in Exeter and it was Moderna, he had 2x Pfizer before.

Egghead68 · 08/11/2021 17:12

That’s what I thought @pianolessons1.

The moderna booster is a half dose btw OP, whereas the Pfizer booster is a full dose.

Original poster
ModernaLover · 08/11/2021 17:16

@Egghead68

Are the stats really so different for moderna and Pfizer? I understood that they were very similar drugs
A few studies I've seen suggest similar efficacy in terms of preventing hospitalization and death, but that Moderna is better at preventing infection in the first place. See for example:

www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/moderna-vs-pfizer-is-there-a-best-mrna-vaccine-69229

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 08/11/2021 19:59

The half dose of Moderna is still a higher "dose" than the full Pfizer dose.

Egghead68 · 08/11/2021 21:18

Thank you. That is interesting although I guess it remains to be seen whether that is true of the booster.

Chikasan · 09/11/2021 09:19

Had my booster yesterday, and was surprised to be given Moderna. Glad to have had it, but feeling rough with the side effects overnight and this morning.

thewhatsit · 09/11/2021 11:08

My understanding is that when the NHS / Government / Media say “Pfizer” it is some kind of code meaning “Not Astra Zeneca”.

It’s funny, when I went for my jabs (not booster) they were Moderna and there were people looking concerned and asking for an alternative when they heard this even though Moderna is very similar to Pfizer and actually seems to be the one with the best Delta/ breakthrough stats.

Original poster
ModernaLover · 10/11/2021 13:05

@thewhatsit

My understanding is that when the NHS / Government / Media say “Pfizer” it is some kind of code meaning “Not Astra Zeneca”.

It’s funny, when I went for my jabs (not booster) they were Moderna and there were people looking concerned and asking for an alternative when they heard this even though Moderna is very similar to Pfizer and actually seems to be the one with the best Delta/ breakthrough stats.

Pfizer has had exemplary PR.
OP posts:
fizzypop100 · 10/11/2021 13:21

@Chikasan

Had my booster yesterday, and was surprised to be given Moderna. Glad to have had it, but feeling rough with the side effects overnight and this morning.
Same here. Felt rubbish yesterday but a good nights sleep and I'm fine today
Showchin2 · 10/11/2021 21:00

@Winnietherose

I had a Moderna booster at a walk in centre in Cheshire but that was because I cannot have Pfizer due to allergies.
Did you have any side effects from the Moderna, Winnie? I'm in a similar position but my doctor is being rather unhelpful and Moderna seems to have completely disappeared from my local area! Can't decide what to do for the best Sad
CreepySpider · 10/11/2021 21:03

I was booking mine earlier in the week and one of the venues had Moderna in the location title so maybe have a look and see if you can find similar, even if a bit of a drive.

Cactusali · 10/11/2021 21:37

Moderna here at 180 days.Delighted to get the booster.

Laurraine · 11/11/2021 01:37

Hi there modernalover, I am in exactly the same boat as you. I have been consistently sheilding since March 2020 and also live in Scarborough. I have been seaching everywhere in Scarborough to find out where the moderna booster is being given, but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I have made so many enquiries but nobody seems to know where I can get it. I previously had the Astra zenica vaccines because unfortunately I cannot have the Pfizer jabs for personal medical reasons. If you find out where it is being given out locally, please can you let me know and I will let you know if I find out anything, too!

SpinachIsAGatewayDrug · 11/11/2021 07:11

@pianolessons1

Don't waste your time. Boosters are Pfizer unless medical reason not to.
My mum's booster was Moderna. When the nurse found out she didn't have a spleen so should have had a third dose, she topped it up with another half side of Moderna. Everyone at the centre for boosters that day were being given Moderna.

I had third full dose at same time which was Pfizer.

Newchallenge · 11/11/2021 07:14

Vaccination centre in Reading has both Pfizer and Moderna. I appreciate it's not very close to you though OP!

Cookerhood · 11/11/2021 09:04

@laurraine have you looked at the government website. You can search on where is offering Moderna. That's how I got mine.
Mind you, the Moderna is very similar to Pfizer, so if you genuinely can't have one, you probably can't have the other.

Laurraine · 11/11/2021 15:12

@ModernaLover
I have some very good news for you! After much searching I have found out that there is 'one' place in Scarborough, which is offering the Moderna as well as Pfizer. It is being administered at the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, whch is in Stepney Drive, Scarborough. The only thing is when I phoned 119 to ask if it was for the Moderna vaccine only or did it include the Moderna booster (1/2 dose) they were not able to tell me, but suggested that I should still make an appointment to go there anyway as they may carry both. I did a very random thing just now and phoned the Church Minister to see if he had any idea himself if they are administering the M-booster as well as the M-vaccine and he said 'Yes, they are doing both!' .....So my advice to you is to book an appointment for it at the Church via the NHS website or call 119 and they will book it for you.
I hope this news brightens your day!

  • From another 'sheilder' (me!)
Laurraine · 11/11/2021 15:22

@Cookerhood
Thank you Cookerhood for your response. Unfortunately there are only two boosters available. I previously had the Astrazeneca vaccines, but as you know Astrazeneca are not providing any boosters so this leaves an extremely limited option.

Original poster
ModernaLover · 11/11/2021 16:22

[quote Laurraine]@ModernaLover
I have some very good news for you! After much searching I have found out that there is 'one' place in Scarborough, which is offering the Moderna as well as Pfizer. It is being administered at the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, whch is in Stepney Drive, Scarborough. The only thing is when I phoned 119 to ask if it was for the Moderna vaccine only or did it include the Moderna booster (1/2 dose) they were not able to tell me, but suggested that I should still make an appointment to go there anyway as they may carry both. I did a very random thing just now and phoned the Church Minister to see if he had any idea himself if they are administering the M-booster as well as the M-vaccine and he said 'Yes, they are doing both!' .....So my advice to you is to book an appointment for it at the Church via the NHS website or call 119 and they will book it for you.
I hope this news brightens your day!

  • From another 'sheilder' (me!)[/quote] That's great, Laurraine, that you have found a site in Scarborough! You are getting your booster nearer to home than I did, as I drove to York for mine (the Pharmacy indicated by a kind pp on p. 1).

It does knock you out a bit, but it's all in a good cause! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
ModernaLover · 11/11/2021 16:25

(I think it's worth phoning ahead just to check they definitely have Moderna that day. I was able to get mine earlier than advertised but I can imagine the opposite could occur too as supplies seem a bit erratic.)

OP posts:
StCharlotte · 11/11/2021 16:29

@Mindymomo

My DH had his booster last week and was told on entering it would be Pfizer and that if anyone wanted Moderna that they were doing them this week. We are in Surrey.
Ooh I'm having mine in Surrey tomorrow - I wonder which one I'll get. There are so few surprises left in life Grin
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