How long will protection from the booster jab last?

[DevilWaresPrada]

Just that really.
Will we need a booster every six months?

I had my booster jab this evening, moderna after 2 astrazenica the nurse said that mixing them gives a better result.
Very slight ache in my arm.

I love how you ask this like people are supposed to know!

@doorornottodoor
Well excuse me for asking a perfectly reasonable question.
I hoped that based on the experience of other countries like Israel that are ahead of us and based on previous vaccines that experts might have an idea how this would play out.

@MissHavershamReturns

I’ve got covid at the moment, had my second jab only 4 months ago. I’m not convinced a third booster will be the end of it

Similar story here. Had second jab in June and caught Covid three months later, in September.

I’ve also been told that I’d need a booster in 6 months after my ‘third jab’ (immunosuppressed) so we shall see. Was told that they’d make a note on my records but that I should also note down the 6 month date and enquire if I hadn’t been notified!

We don’t know yet.

In years to come, there may be new vaccines developed which give better/longer-lasting protection. Or, this may be it.

Personally I do t think going for a jab once a year (which I do anyway for flu) or even once every six months, is that big of a problem. When the alternative is potentially becoming seriously ill.

Personally I do t think going for a jab once a year (which I do anyway for flu) or even once every six months, is that big of a problem. When the alternative is potentially becoming seriously ill.

For me it's a nightmare and I can't do it. I might just be able to manage once a year but if it's 6 monthly I'll be permanently stressed and feel as though I'm living from one vaccine to the next.

@independent98

Israel is on their fourth booster after 6 months

How???

6 months ago was May and I don’t believe they had even started their booster programme then?

@PinkSparklyPussyCat I’m sorry to hear that - do you have a needle phobia? There should be better support for that.

I used to dislike needles (not the same as a phobia), but managed to talk myself into becoming a blood donor at 18, because it was a good thing to do. Just as well, because I went on to develop diabetes, so blood tests and injections are part of life now.

I do @PuzzledObserver, strangely enough only for hypodermic needles. Tattoos and piercings don't bother me - stupid irrational phobia!

I mentioned my phobia to my GP and he laughed and called me a big baby. Another GP wanted me to go for an over 40s check and I started hyperventilating in the surgery so she tore up the paperwork.

I've always had a strong dislike of needles but it turned into a full blown phobia when I had a blood gases test in hospital. I really regret not asking for help at the time but I was pretty ill and just wanted to get better. The sad thing is I had an amazing GP at the time who would have helped if she could.

Personally I do t think going for a jab once a year (which I do anyway for flu) or even once every six months, is that big of a problem. When the alternative is potentially becoming seriously ill.

Well, if you feel comfortable doing that, that’s fine. Most people will not become seriously ill and feel comfortable taking their chances with the virus so would not feel happy having to take a booster every 6-12 months purely to keep their job or be able to go out for a meal.

I'm sorry to hear that @PinkSparklyPussyCat
I fortunately don't not have any phobias which relate to healthcare but I wish people wouldn't dismiss or laugh at phobias!
I am claustrophobic and can't go in lifts etc. So I can understand how you feel because if someone said to me I had to get in a small box to have the vaccine it would fill me with terror. I dread I ever have to have sn MRI scan
Can you go and seek help with this now? It looks like covid is sticking around now and we're probably going to need boosters, at least for the next few years. You may be unable to travel without one for several years. But t there's also other conditions you can develop that need regular injections. I have family member who recently has had to start having B12 injections.
There's successful therapy for phobias. Even hypnotherapy. And if they ever bring in the need to get in a small box for any needle related treatment I'll need to join the queue

I'm currently stuck in bed, off work because of the bloody booster!!

I've worked all the way through covid, come into close contact with the virus multiple times and the only time I've been unwell during the pandemic is the 3 times I've been jabbed!

I'm seriously considering not bothering with any further boosters. They make me so ill

@PinkSparklyPussyCat have you explored the idea of some kind of sedative or other drug to get you through an injection? I say this because a covid vaccine may be the least of your worries if you are ever unlucky enough to have a major health problem. These things happen as you get older.

@Cornettoninja There are a huge number of vaccines given multiple times to very small children. My DC just missed the menengitis ACWY vaccine. When it first came out it was given to pre-uni age group, every year there were 18 year olds die of menengitis in their first few weeks of uni. I paid for mine to have it privately.

I fervently hope they come up with a better vaccine that prevents infection and transmission. This time last year we were on the brink of having a vaccine and I thought that would be the end of the covid epidemic. While I am grateful that it reduces deaths and hospitalisations in most people ( I was hospitalised as immunosuppressed) it's not what we hoped for.

I think getting covid will give more protection and I think we all will get it eventually. Vaccines should help us recover without serious illness.

@crosbystillsandmash

I'm currently stuck in bed, off work because of the bloody booster!!

I've worked all the way through covid, come into close contact with the virus multiple times and the only time I've been unwell during the pandemic is the 3 times I've been jabbed!

I'm seriously considering not bothering with any further boosters. They make me so ill

And still people think they should be forced on people. I've booked my booster today but completely understand why you would not want to bother again!

We Are Not All The Same.

The Booster dose gives efficacy around 94%. It's amazingly effective at preventing transmission and illness so protects both yourself and others.

The first person had their booster dose 8mths ago now (so the oldest data we have on it). Their antibodies levels are still off the charts meaning their has been no waning of protection. Obviously early days but looking good so far.

The first person had their booster dose 8mths ago now (so the oldest data we have on it). Their antibodies levels are still off the charts meaning their has been no waning of protection

That’s the kind of stuff I like to hear. Do you follow any site in particular for data like this?

it's not what we hoped for

This is true, but in fairness the developers of the vaccines have all been fairly cautious since the off in what they hope vs what they could reasonably except to achieve. Even without a completely 100% effective vaccine, we’ve come a very long way since this time last year. It’s all been progress in the right direction and, touch wood, it should continue that way.