Delaying booster

[OneMorePieceofCheese]

I am double jabbed (AZ) and unfortunately also got Covid back in November. A fairly standard dose of it - no major complications, smell and taste still impaired but returning. Brain fog too which is gradually improving (or perhaps I'm acclimatising)!

I have been invited for my booster (last jab was July).

I'm wondering about delaying for a few months, thinking my natural immunity is likely to be pretty high at the moment and if I delay until - say - March, I will then be on course to have a (fourth?!) booster six months after that, in autumn, just as it's all likely kicking off again ahead of next winter.

But I haven't read much about the science of natural immunity so thought I would ask for your opinions / knowledge.

Given you had AZ which seems to be almost entirely ineffective against omicron if beyond six months, I'd suggest you go for your booster immediately regardless of natural infection. I had two AZ and got my Pfizer booster three weeks ago just before it all exploded. I am extremely happy I did!

Just follow the official guidance.

Not everyone gets antibodies after covid infection.

covid.joinzoe.com/post/covid-infection-antibodies-protection

Get an antibody test.

@MarbleQueen

Get an antibody test.

Rather than getting a booster? Why?

If you'd had 2x Pfizer I'd agree with you, but as 2x AZ is useless against Omicron I would say get your booster!

@MarbleQueen

Get an antibody test.

Are these widely available?

Yes if you're prepared to pay privately, but seriously, you're much better off getting your booster.

Rather than getting a booster? Why?

Why do you think? Some people don’t need a booster.

Everybody needs a booster against omicron!

@MarbleQueen

Rather than getting a booster? Why?

Why do you think? Some people don’t need a booster.

Getting an antibody test is more painful than getting a booster.

I don’t get why anyone wouldn’t just get the booster.

Get the booster. A lot of the articles I read says AZ is not effective on omicron.

JFDI

News today is that natural immunity offers very little against omicron.
Get your booster. Surely you don't want to go through it all again?

@YukoandHiro

News today is that natural immunity offers very little against omicron. Get your booster. Surely you don't want to go through it all again?

Have you got a source for that please? It sounds like the info I'm looking for.

Just to add the advice is to wait 28days after having covid before you get a booster.

How do they know so quickly though that booster protects against omicron ( genuine question)
Hasn’t got that the same things in it as the previous vaccines??

@Crapoldwardrobe

How do they know so quickly though that booster protects against omicron ( genuine question) Hasn’t got that the same things in it as the previous vaccines??

The clue is in the name.

I also had 2xAZ followed by infection in early Nov, 2 weeks before my booster was due. Initially I was planning to delay the booster to the New Year but kept agonising over whether this was the best thing. With the new variant being more transmissible and the fact that I'd be 2 months post infection by early Jan, I decided to just book the booster. Getting it next week.

They haven't yet adapted the booster to be more effective for omicron. It's just a case of "more doses reduce risk".

I still think it will reduce my risk more if I wait until March and then I'll be better covered for summer and also due a subsequent booster when I would normally have a flu shot.