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Original poster

Third jab - why?

17 replies

Scarby9 · 09/11/2021 20:48

A family member (60, designated CEV in Covid and shielded) went for their booster jab today, only to be told that it was a third jab and they would have their booster on 6 months. All good.

But another family member, nearly 90, had their booster a few weeks ago. No suggestion of a third vaccine. They have the same condition as the younger family member, but other health conditions as well. Also designated CEV in Covid times and shielded.

I know eligibility for the third vaccination is to do with immuno responses, but does anyone know what might be the reason one is having 3 + booster, and the other 2 + booster?

OP posts:
nether · 09/11/2021 20:55

Because of severe immune suppression.

The 500,000 most severely immune suppressed people (nitnall,the CEV, also completely unrelated to age) receive a third primary dose (programme was meant to begin in Sept, before booster, but the admin was utterly fucked up and they began at about the same time). If you had a third primary, then yes, your booster will be your fourth jab and will fall due six months after the full primary course.

Original poster
Scarby9 · 09/11/2021 20:59

Thank you, @nether
But our confusion is that both people have the same immune suppression (same condition, same medication) although the older person has additional illnesses too. Only the younger one has been given a third jab.

OP posts:
nether · 09/11/2021 21:00

Guidance on who gets it here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/third-primary-covid-19-vaccine-dose-for-people-who-are-immunosuppressed-jcvi-advice/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation-jcvi-advice-on-third-primary-dose-vaccination

The terminology around thus has also been dreadful. It is possible that the second relatives third jab was indeed a third primary but just not called that on the day (you would not believe the number of people whomshouid have known better who were getting it wrong)

The only way to check is for the 90 year old to ask GP - if they can get through the gatekeepers, many GPs currently saying they don't do any jab admin, even though they are meant to do this one

PeachesPumpkin · 09/11/2021 21:01

No one here can say without seeing the medical records of these two people.

Original poster
Scarby9 · 09/11/2021 21:04

We are not telling the nearly 90 year old as they would worry so much, whereas they are currently very pleased to have had their booster exactly when it was promised.

OP posts:
RachC2021 · 09/11/2021 21:50

Tbh I’d not worry about it until February. Then see if they actually are doing boosters at six months for those who had a third primary dose. (They haven’t confirmed it yet, just said it is likely.) Hopefully by that time the computers will have been sorted out so that they can actually log third primary doses and then call in those needing the booster…

BeyondShrinks · 12/11/2021 10:43

I'd guess (but it's a guess!) that the 90 year old has received the wrong jab, or been given the right one and the wrong info (ie been given a third jab and assumed it is the booster?). Both are entirely possible - I was told I had an appt for my "booster", then it was only after reading about the 500,000 getting a third jab here that I realised I was supposed to have a third full jab. When I got to my appt, they were ready to give me a booster til I queried it, at which point they disappeared into the laptop for five mins then said "oh yeah, it does say here you are getting the third jab". Point is, if I hadn't queried it, I could well have had the wrong one.

BeyondShrinks · 12/11/2021 10:44

Another thought, when did they decide that a third full jab was being offered? Is it possible that the 90 year old - being at the higher age range - was given it before that decision was made?

RachC2021 · 12/11/2021 11:26

@BeyondShrinks

Another thought, when did they decide that a third full jab was being offered? Is it possible that the 90 year old - being at the higher age range - was given it before that decision was made?
Third primary doses were announced two weeks before the boosters were announced.
BeyondShrinks · 12/11/2021 11:35

Ah, that rules that out then 😄

DavidDevantsSpiritWife · 12/11/2021 18:26

I was supposed to get a third primary dose but absolutely nobody was able to arrange it and I was passed from pillar to post with no luck.

I've just been invited for a booster which I've booked, because it's better than nothing.

AntiMaskersAreTwats · 12/11/2021 18:30

The booster and the third primary dose are exactly the same. Just get it and then argue that you need a booster over the next 6 months.

nether · 12/11/2021 18:31

@AntiMaskersAreTwats

The booster and the third primary dose are exactly the same. Just get it and then argue that you need a booster over the next 6 months.
They are the same only if you have Pfizer.

If it is Moderna, the third primary is a full jab, but for booster it is half.

Donatella · 12/11/2021 18:35

They are exactly the same jab, same dose, everything. Just a different name and a possible different pathway in future in terms of further boosters. So you didn't nearly get the wrong thing, the person giving it to you just didn't realise why they were giving it.

AbsentmindedWoman · 12/11/2021 18:53

@Donatella

They are exactly the same jab, same dose, everything. Just a different name and a possible different pathway in future in terms of further boosters. So you didn't nearly get the wrong thing, the person giving it to you just didn't realise why they were giving it.
The Moderna booster is a half dose. So it depends on which vaccine.
Original poster
Scarby9 · 13/11/2021 23:19

Well, the nearly 90 year old has had 3 Pfizers, so may get called for another in 6 months time, I suppose.

OP posts:
Tomnooktoldmeto · 13/11/2021 23:38

I had the same question asked today when having my booster, they couldn’t decide if it was my 3rd or a booster due to my condition

All 3 of mine have been AZ as I can’t have Pfizer

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