If currently unvaccinated, is there any point now if 3 jabs are needed to protect against Omicron?

[ToJabOrNotToJab]

Genuine question- as by the time triple jabbed we'd be a further 3 letters through the alphabet, surely?

Yes, may not be of much benefit in this wave, but would likely put you in a better position for future variants. And of course in the case of ongoing vaccine passports, travel etc

Well, Covid isn’t going away so why not? Even if the triple jab gives the maximum protection, single or double vaccination will almost certainly reduce your likelihood of dying.

The B and T cell responses are hugely important and even one jab gives you protection against serious illness/death.

Everyone reacts differently to vaccines so actually even just one could be beneficial and certainly better than being unvaccinated

I would never suggest it’s pointless to start now it could definitely offer a degree of protection even if small

I think it's not so much that the first two "don't work" it's just that at this point antibodies have declined and aren't enough to neutralised the virus (ie prevent infection in the first place). So if you have the first or second jab you will have a fresh batch of antibodies anyway. It will also protect you against severe infection & hospitalisation, so wealth worth it.

But you might not be exposed to it for another two weeks, at which point you’ll wish you’d done it now!

It’s always worth getting it OP!

Yes. Protecting against death is number one aim, and every dose helps with that. Preventing infection is a bonus - the booster is needed for that.

I'd say yes. Fingers crossed one newly administered vaccine will still give you some protection against Omicrom and don't forget we have Delta around as well. Also, looking forward, covid isn't going away in the short-term - chances are they'll be other variants (and none of us know how mild/severe they will be). The government have said they really don't want vaccine passports but if hospitals and businesses are struggling then that could well happen - if you want more in your life other than supermarkets, pharmacies and walks, then again it's well worth getting vaccinated so you can live your life and do it with some protection.

I’ve just had covid and got off quite lightly. But it still wiped me out for a week.
I’m double vaccinated and my doctor said it would be been MUCH worse without being immunised.
He’s seen people on their 30s die (otherwise fit and healthy). He has no agenda telling me that. He’s a doctor, I’m already vaccinated.

One of my sons is unvaccinated, says he'll never have the jabs. He never gets so much as a cold, is slim, healthy, doesn't smoke. He hasn't had a day off sick for 7 years. I truly hope he's right in not having the jabs.

@TheCreamCaker he isn’t right. Not even a little bit.

I got Covid in July, had to be on a ventilator for 2 weeks, during which time I also got Pneumonia (a common occurrence of being on a ventilator) and had a stroke. Now, I'm fully recovered from all of that, but I've been very lucky.

Glugglejug I'm not asking for any opinions. He's a grown man of 37, he'll do what he wants.

Yep, it will be months before you would be considered fully vaccinated, but it is still worth doing if that is what you want to do.

@TheCreamCaker but do you wish he would listen? He’s putting others in danger as he will spread it. People who are unvaccinated are also unlikely to test themselves or isolate if required. Sorry to hear what a dreadful time you had.

Definitely worth it. The first jab sets you up with the immune response and the second two help your immunity to last longer.

Well yes because Delta is still going round too isn’t it?!

Yes! Every vaccination gives you more protection.

@TheCreamCaker
Has he had an antibody test? He could have already had it asymptomatically.

The boosters are needed because the immunity from the vaccination doesn’t last long so yes it is worth starting the course.

TorringtonDean He's my son, so naturally I worry, but he's 37 and will do or not do whatever he likes.

kowari No, of course he hasn't. As I say, he's 37

It is always worth vaccinating whenever you can.

kowariNo, of course he hasn't. As I say, he's 37
OK, though not sure what his age has to do with it, I'm the same age and I've been tested for antibodies.

[quote TorringtonDean]@TheCreamCaker but do you wish he would listen? He’s putting others in danger as he will spread it. People who are unvaccinated are also unlikely to test themselves or isolate if required. Sorry to hear what a dreadful time you had.[/quote]
That's a very sweeping statement. I was at a venue last night where the unvaccinated had to test, but the vaccinated did not.

[quote TorringtonDean]@TheCreamCaker but do you wish he would listen? He’s putting others in danger as he will spread it. People who are unvaccinated are also unlikely to test themselves or isolate if required. Sorry to hear what a dreadful time you had.[/quote]
That post is a load of rubbish other than the last sentence. There is no evidence that unvaccinated people won't test or isolate and vaccinated people can spread covid too, albeit to a lesser extent.

The only really sensible thing is to test before going to large indoor events. But we need an easier and more accurate test.