What if I can't have Pfizer?

[Showchin2]

I feel devastated.

Been really careful throughout the pandemic - I'm 53, asthmatic and very fat (although losing weight)
Had two Pfizer jabs (last one in April) and was fully expecting to get my booster and 'get on with life' as the adverts say.

Unfortunately, I had a delayed allergic reaction to the second jab (slight lip swelling the following morning) and my doctor has told me categorically not to have a booster.

I asked for a second opinion, and spoke to another GP who announced that he himself is not having a booster as he feels protected enough just by being double jabbed!

Is anyone in a similar situation? I feel like I've been stranded up shit creek without a paddle
Will I have to distance myself until god knows when?
The UK government's plan just seems to be more and more Pfizer boosters! So fed up and scared of what the future will bring.

Any advice really welcome.

Thanks @MiniMaxi! Hope your mum's doing well after her booster.

*side effects, obviously

If it reassures you DH had AZ for his first 2 vaccines and Pfizer as his booster on Saturday when I had AZ, our response has been fairly similar and I’m one who generally really reacts whereas DH is less allergic

You are still very very very well protected from serious illness so don’t panic. As I understand the booster does reduce chances of getting it but the basic level of protection from serious illness is still very much there. There was a good article on this on the bbc yesterday I think

I also agree that you should go to vaccine centre as the doctor there will be more knowledgeable than a gp

That's interesting @Tomnooktoldmeto, and definitely reassuring. Thank you!

Thank you @FFSFFSFFS, yes, I think I saw that article - I presume that was what my GPs were trying to get across to me, but unfortunately the way it was put was more 'like it or lump it'. Bedside manner somewhat lacking, though I appreciate it's a very stressful time for GPs at the moment.

Hi @Showchin2 , I work in a mass vaccine centre and anyone who displayed allergic type reactions after a previous dose, we book them into a hospital clinic for subsequent doses, where there is a doctor and full resus facilities in case of anaphylaxis. You should be able to pop into one of the big centres and ask, we have a direct number to book people.

Thank you @vintagenurse. That is encouraging to know. I think that's the kind of response I was expecting from my GPs, which is why I was knocked for six when they categorically refused to help.

I had my 3rd Pfizer jab this morning. They were asking if you had a "serious" allergic reaction to previous ones.

I remember because it crossed my mind to wonder what "serious" means but yours doesn't seem serious?

You can pay for an antigen test which tests for the vaccine - I did this in the summer for reassurance. Was about £60

@Leftbutcameback

You can pay for an antigen test which tests for the vaccine - I did this in the summer for reassurance. Was about £60

An antigen test isn't going to tell her that. An antigen test shows if you have a current infection. Presumably you mean an antibody test?

You can get an antibody test through the Zoe app. I still had antibodies at the end of September after being vaccinated in February & April.

@Spiceup

I had my 3rd Pfizer jab this morning. They were asking if you had a "serious" allergic reaction to previous ones.

I remember because it crossed my mind to wonder what "serious" means but yours doesn't seem serious?

There's a question on the data entry screen asking if you've had an itchy rash after previous vaccination, so it's this sort of level that they want to know. I haven't had a single person say yes out of a couple of hundred

Thank you for replying @Spiceup.
I definitely agree that my reaction seemed pretty mild to me. I think the problem was that it was systemic (affecting a different part of my body) rather than a localised reaction.
To be honest, it seemed quite trivial at the time and I was surprised when the GP added it to my medical record, but I'm sure he knows more about this stuff than I do!

Thanks @Leftbutcameback and @Cookerhood. I might look into having an antibody test as two of my sons have actually had covid, and although they both self isolated as soon as they tested positive, we were living in the same house and sharing a bathroom - stressful times!
It would be a great relief if I did have some antibodies.

@Showchin2 this is the one I used, and good luck with your booster. I had my booster three weeks ago and got covid a week or so after. Grateful it's been mild

www.zoomdoc.com/product/covid19-vaccine-antibody-test/

@Leftbutcameback thank you! Glad to hear you didn't feel too ill with covid. Hope you're fully recovered now!

The surgery I work at was only told last week, by the CCG, what was happening for people like you, OP. This hasn't filtered down to all our GPs yet, as most don't work every day and when they are at work they are usually too busy to check emails! So don't be surprised that your GPs don't know what to do. I work at a vaccine centre as well as my practice, so I tend to be a lot more aware of what's going on with vaccinations and I only found out the week before.

There is one centre in our county doing AZ vaccines and we can send patients to them, if they have a GP letter to say why they need AZ. We can also refer to covid vaccine allergy clinic, as we have been able to from the beginning, so they can assess the severity of the reaction, decide which vaccine to use and give it under close, hospital based supervision.

Similar services should be available in your area. I'd try the practice manager as they will be on top of what's going on locally (they have to read their emails!) and will know what the surgery should be doing for you.

Thank you @RagzReturnsRebooted.
It's such a relief to know that there is some kind of provision for this problem!
I wish my GP had sent me to an allergy clinic back in April when I had the reaction - it would certainly have clarified the situation and saved a number of recent phone calls to and from my surgery.