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Original poster

4th Jab: when will enough be enough?

112 replies

Idontgiveaf324 · 23/12/2021 09:28

I just read in the paper that scientists are considering introducing a second booster, ie the fourth vaccine in less than a year. Obviously everyone is rushing to get their third booster at the moment but I was interested in finding out whether any of you have a ‘tipping point’ beyond which you will say no more? Or are people happy to just continue being vaccinated whenever the story changes as to what is actually needed to combat the virus? FYI I have had my first two jabs (which I was assured would protect me until I am now told that I am soon to be classed as ‘unvaccinated’). I wouldn’t describe myself as anti-vax but I feel there is a limit. So what is your tipping point? 4 jabs? 5? 6? Or unlimited?

OP posts:
PineConeWar · 23/12/2021 09:31

I've had my booster. I'd be happy with one a year, same as for the flu.

Original poster
Idontgiveaf324 · 23/12/2021 09:34

Fair enough but I have never had a flu jab as it’s always been a free choice or something for those who work in healthcare settings or those who are vulnerable. I’m happy for that to be the case with boosters - available for those who need them. But not something that the whole population is required to have. For one we don’t have the resources for that.

OP posts:
rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 23/12/2021 09:35

The thing is, situation changes as virus mutates, and no one wanted this to happen.

I really don't feel so pessimistic about vaccine situation at all. If we need it, we need it. But at the same time, we may not need it, if one booster is good enough. And they maybe able to make better vaccines that has more efficacy. Or they may develop better treatment.

OriginalM · 23/12/2021 09:35

If a regular booster jab is needed to prevent serious illness why wouldn't you get it?
People who say enough is enough and are not having it I'd be interested to know if they stop taking other medication they have regularly as they think enough is enough or the annual flu jab.

fluffi · 23/12/2021 09:36

Unlimited. If I need to get vaccinated every 6 or 3 months to stay safe and healthy then I'd happily do it.

TenThousandSpoons · 23/12/2021 09:38

Same as flu jab, we don’t say “enough is enough” and stop having it.

Original poster
Idontgiveaf324 · 23/12/2021 09:39

@OriginalM

If a regular booster jab is needed to prevent serious illness why wouldn't you get it? People who say enough is enough and are not having it I'd be interested to know if they stop taking other medication they have regularly as they think enough is enough or the annual flu jab.
I’ve never had the annual flu jab and no health professional has ever suggested to me that I should have it. I wouldn’t take regular medication to prevent a virus (apart from something like malaria if I went to a malaria region). The numbers of cases now suggests that transmission is not stopped by the vaccine at all - if anything the number of asymptomatic cases seems to have risen making transmission more likely because people don’t feel ill. So why can’t it just be something people can get if they want to rather than pushing the whole population to have it and negatively impacting those being treated for other conditions? We know that NHS can’t cope with constant vaccine drives.
OP posts:
Remmy123 · 23/12/2021 09:40

Flu jab has been around for years and we know it doesn't cause any long term issues. It's also not forced upon us.

I just don't fancy so many of these booster jabs personally!!

Bagadverts · 23/12/2021 09:42

Unlimited. I have been lucky with minimal side effects so maybe that would change my opinion if effects were worse. I have to take drugs every day for different medical issues. It is a pain organising the repeat prescription. I’m prepared to do that and same for booster.

DayKay · 23/12/2021 09:44

I don’t want any more boosters.
The next step should be about health. We all realised that underlying conditions made us more vulnerable to serious covid. Some are unfortunately unavoidable but we could address the poor health of general society. I’m not talking about fat shaming but being overweight is sometimes linked to poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies.
There was also research into lack of sleep and covid.
Stress levels need to be looked at too and if lockdown taught us anything, then everyone should have access to good outdoor spaces.

PineConeWar · 23/12/2021 09:47

I’ve never had the annual flu jab and no health professional has ever suggested to me that I should have it.
No one has ever suggested to me that I should have it but I have DC, no family nearby to help out and I can't afford to be out of action for 2 weeks. Especially when there is a vaccination available.

Original poster
Idontgiveaf324 · 23/12/2021 09:47

@Remmy123

Flu jab has been around for years and we know it doesn't cause any long term issues. It's also not forced upon us.

I just don't fancy so many of these booster jabs personally!!

Exactly. I don’t get the flu jab but many do if they want it. Totally optional and no stigma against those who don’t get it. I’ve never ever in the past come across anyone telling me that I am selfish/disgusting/a murderer if I don’t have a regular flu jab. Clearly the vaccine doesn’t create any semblance of herd immunity if we have 100k cases per day.
OP posts:
Toadsinholes · 23/12/2021 09:49

I would only have further boosters if it becomes a requirement to go on holiday - other than that I’m stopping now. I don’t feel at any risk health wise from covid & there’s only so much I’ll do to save the NHS or whatever we’re told it does.
Never had the flu jab - I didn’t realise it was even a thing for healthy adults (I thought it was just for old people) I’ve never had flu, or barely even get colds/coughs (maybe one every 5 years) so it would never have even occurred to me. Same with this.

Original poster
Idontgiveaf324 · 23/12/2021 09:50

@PineConeWar

I’ve never had the annual flu jab and no health professional has ever suggested to me that I should have it. No one has ever suggested to me that I should have it but I have DC, no family nearby to help out and I can't afford to be out of action for 2 weeks. Especially when there is a vaccination available.
Yes that’s fine and I’m not saying people shouldn’t have unlimited boosters if they want them! I’m saying that we shouldn’t force the entire population to get them. Flu kills and is highly contagious yet we don’t have a huge mandate every year to get every single person jabbed. I just think we need to let people decide for themselves.

I may have a booster in the future if I decide to but for the minute I am not.

OP posts:
picklespark · 23/12/2021 09:51

@Toadsinholes

I would only have further boosters if it becomes a requirement to go on holiday - other than that I’m stopping now. I don’t feel at any risk health wise from covid & there’s only so much I’ll do to save the NHS or whatever we’re told it does. Never had the flu jab - I didn’t realise it was even a thing for healthy adults (I thought it was just for old people) I’ve never had flu, or barely even get colds/coughs (maybe one every 5 years) so it would never have even occurred to me. Same with this.
If you’d had flu you’d get it. Even for young, healthy adults, flu can be incredibly debilitating. I’m young with no underlying conditions and was bedbound for 3 weeks and unwell for almost 3 months afterwards after having flu.

I really don’t understand why people don’t get safe, available vaccines against highly unpleasant illnesses.

trackand · 23/12/2021 09:54

No, I've been double jabbed but not happy to have a booster every 3-4 months. I'll have one yearly like three flu jab

trackand · 23/12/2021 09:55

@trackand

No, I've been double jabbed but not happy to have a booster every 3-4 months. I'll have one yearly like three flu jab

The flu jab not three.

Original poster
Idontgiveaf324 · 23/12/2021 09:56

I have had flu. It was really nasty and I was in bed for two full weeks. That was 10 years ago. It took a month to get back to full health after I had it. It was a horrible experience but it still never occurred to me to get jabbed every winter and that was the first and only time I have had it (so far). So I don't think it's true to say that you would definitely have the flu jab if you'd had flu.

OP posts:
RobinPenguins · 23/12/2021 10:00

If the evidence is solid behind a 4th (or 5th or more) jab and I’m advised to get it then I will. It’s my understanding there was an expectation the 3rd dose would provide more lasting protection? Like it should probably have been a 3 dose regime in the first place. But I don’t know if Omicron changed that. It does seem early days for Israel and Germany to be stating the need for 4th doses.

If it becomes akin to the flu vaccination then I wouldn’t be eligible on the nhs but may pay privately for it - as I do with the flu jab in normal times.

I haven’t had covid. I might feel differently if I had some natural immunity to go with the vaccinations.

Iheartmysmart · 23/12/2021 10:05

I’m currently sat on the sofa under a pile of blankets unable to stop shivering, with a horrific headache, joint pain and nausea which paracetamol and ibuprofen aren’t even touching after my booster yesterday. Had awful side effects from my first two jabs as well so I’m not having any more now.

roses2 · 23/12/2021 10:06

Flu jab is once a year. I think the point the OP is trying to make is this covid vaccine seems to be 4x per year- for too much for my liking. And covid is not serious for the vast majority. 99% of people survive. I'll be taking the vaccine for as long as it remaims mandatory eg to fly to other countries. As soon as I can stop I will.

AntennaReborn · 23/12/2021 10:07

I will have every booster I am eligible for, for as long as I live

Viruses mutate, vaccines improve. It's exactly like the anti-virus software on your computer, you need an up-to-date version!

Surmeslevres · 23/12/2021 10:08

I spoke to a senior doctor from a European country about this and she was completely open about the fact the intension is to have boosters every four or so months indefinitely.

mumsneedwine · 23/12/2021 10:09

Flu kills around 60,000 annually on the UK.

IncessantNameChanger · 23/12/2021 10:13

I have had covid so it changes my view point. I wont be having it more than once a year. I normally get my flu shot every other year. I'm a biologist. I just dont want to have three monthly vaccinations. Simple as that. I'm not anti vax or anything. I had my vaccinations, I'm booked for my booster while will be a 8 month gap. I just dont want to keep on having them four times a year.