Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Should I get the booster? Talk to me!

81 replies

M1RR0R · 30/12/2021 09:02

I’m so conflicted so I could do with some (calm not scaremongering) advice. I know how hysterical some people can be so I’m prepared Grin

• 28
• No health conditions but a bit fat
• 2 moderna jabs
• Covid positive on 11th November
• Slight snuffly nose with covid

I haven’t had the booster yet & I just don’t want it! I don’t want the side effects & because I’ve not long had covid I feel it’s unnecessary. DH is trying to talk me into it but I just can’t see any reason why it would benefit me or my family. Best case scenario is a sore arm but my second moderna floored me!

I’d be happy to get the booster next winter and I get the flu jab every year (I even pay) but I’m viewing having covid as my ‘booster’ this winter. What would you do? Thoughts?

OP posts:
GreenWhiteViolet · 30/12/2021 09:07

In your situation, I wouldn't. The reason for getting the booster is that the protection from the original vaccines lowers over time and you have fewer antibodies. Having Covid has just given you a fresh batch of antibodies - no booster necessary.

Rosamond35 · 30/12/2021 09:15

As I understand it, a previous infection with another variant doesn't offer you protection from Omicron - I think one of the distinguishing features of the outbreak in Africa is how its reinfecting people who have already had Covid. Probably one of the reasons it's spreading so quickly here as well. And no underlying health conditions doesn't guarentee infection won't be severe, just makes it less likely.

Get your reasons for not wanting it,but think on balance it would still be sensible thing to do. And I say that as someone who absolutely hates getting injections and is currently suffering aftereffects of the Moderna booster I had yesterday!

ItWillBeDone · 30/12/2021 09:19

The booster will give more immunity. I'd definitely have it. (And I did after having Covid in Oct.)

MerryChristmas21 · 30/12/2021 09:23

What GreenWhiteViolet said, plus a lot of people in your age group have found out about underlying conditions they didn't know they had & some possibly 'got them' after they previously had covid.

I have a couple of underlying issues, one of them almost certainly due to a previous virus when I was 22, looking at my medical history it fits in with various things, but wasn't picked up until it got more serious in my 40's. & I developed the more usual symptoms.

I think you'd be mad not to have the booster, it gives you more protection against Omicron, which could be much worse than a side effect of a vaccine. You might not get any anyway, with a different jab.

Yamaya · 30/12/2021 09:25

I probably wouldn't to be honest. You've had 2 jabs, and covid. I know having delta doesn't stop you getting omicron but I think it's becoming more established knowledge that omicron is milder. You're young, healthy, jabbed, and had a rougher version and been fine with it. Maybe in another 6 months get the booster.

ReceptionTA · 30/12/2021 09:43

There doesn't seem to be any data available on how much protection two doses any infection of Delta gives against Omicron. I wanted to know because I had Covid at the beginning of November. Initially I thought I'd leave it 12 weeks before getting the booster, but several of my colleagues have had a Covid over Christmas, so I feel I will be walking back into a room of germs in January. I decided to get the booster this week. My thinking is I will have some protection from my last infection, to keep me going until the booster is offering me as much protection as it will, and take me though until March - after that the weather will improve, the park will have passed etc.

If I worked from home and didn't socialise much I would have been much less inclined to have the booster. Part of my concern was side effects, but apart from a bit of an ache in the top of my arm if I poke it, it's all good.

LookslovelyinSpringtime · 30/12/2021 09:53

I wouldn’t.

Blubells · 30/12/2021 09:55

I wouldn't

shouldistop · 30/12/2021 09:55

I'm getting mine today because I want to be able to travel and go to large events.

RachC2021 · 30/12/2021 09:57

I’d get the booster and would try to get Pfizer. Mixing vaccines will increase the range of protection you have a bit as they all work slightly differently.

HairyScaryMonster · 30/12/2021 09:59

I didn't really get any side effects, sore arm and a bit of a headache. Was expecting to be floored like before but wasn't. It'll protect others if you get it, as you will be less likely to pass it on and I'm sure in due course 3 will be needed for entering certain venues.

Lubeyboobyalt · 30/12/2021 09:59

I would, but as you had covid fairly recently I'd maybe leave it til feb/march

I just had mine. No side effects. (2 x AZ and booster was pfizer)

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/12/2021 10:01

You speak as though “side effects” are inevitable. They certainly aren’t.
12 in our immediate family, all ages, just a couple of slightly sore arms for a day or two much like ‘flu jab.
Have your booster.

Movinghouseatlast · 30/12/2021 10:04

As you have had two vaccines already I don't understand why you wouldn't? Every person boosted lessens the likelihood of someone vulnerable getting it.

Delatron · 30/12/2021 10:06

Depends whether you want to travel or not.

I feel the same. I’ve just had Covid and would prefer to wait to have the booster (and use all the antibodies I have). When my antibodies wane then that seems a better time for me to have the booster. However I am going to Austria soon and they require you to be triple vaccinated.

MyGreenTutu · 30/12/2021 10:08

Covid in November almost certainly means a dose of Delta. This does not necessarily give you much protection against Omicron. I know a few people who had Delta this autumn and are now positive again with Omicron. It depends whether you can be bothered with the idea of another 10 days isolating, and whether you want to minimise the risk of that.
Another factor that some countries are likely to start considering 3 doses as a vaccination course, so potentially you're not "fully vaccinated for travel" unless you've had the three. It may also become part of the U.K. covid passport requirement.

Tulipomania · 30/12/2021 10:09

I had zero side effects from my booster, other than a slightly sore arm.

Ask your doctor, not Mumsnet, about the immunity from your recent bout of Covid and make a properly informed decision.

TheElusivePotato · 30/12/2021 10:10

I was looking at a travel insurance policy this morning and it said you were only covered for Covid related claims if you had taken all vaccinations offered to you, including the booster! (Other than medical exemptions).

PizzasPlease · 30/12/2021 10:10

I gratefully took the booster.
I'd rather be armed with all available protection ( even if I felt crap for a couple of days- I didn't) thank you.
Omicron might be mild for the vast majority but I'd rather not take my chances if there's something out there available that can help protect me. There's no guarantee I'd be one of the ones who has it mildly or that my loved ones would be.

tldr · 30/12/2021 10:12

I had no side effects whatsoever from booster (well, sore arm) but was floored by my first two.

Kshhuxnxk · 30/12/2021 10:13

I took mine even though I was in two minds however that's me now. I wont be getting any more..

LyndaLaHughes · 30/12/2021 10:16

Your previous infection will not offer protection against omicron I'm afraid so yes you absolutely do need the booster.

lorca · 30/12/2021 10:22

Your previous infection will not offer protection against omicron I'm afraid so yes you absolutely do need the booster. - does the booster stop you getting Omicron? (No)
Does it stop you spreading Omicron? (No)

Why would you get a booster that doesn't stop you getting what is widely reported as a very mild virus?

Are we all so afraid of getting ill? Even mildly? Hmm

lololololollll · 30/12/2021 10:31

@Movinghouseatlast

As you have had two vaccines already I don't understand why you wouldn't? Every person boosted lessens the likelihood of someone vulnerable getting it.
My thoughts too, like how can one more be a negative thing if the first two were not
LyndaLaHughes · 30/12/2021 10:33

@lorca

Your previous infection will not offer protection against omicron I'm afraid so yes you absolutely do need the booster. - does the booster stop you getting Omicron? (No) Does it stop you spreading Omicron? (No)

Why would you get a booster that doesn't stop you getting what is widely reported as a very mild virus?

Are we all so afraid of getting ill? Even mildly? Hmm

Sorry but yes it does stop some people getting omicron or symptomatic infection and in those who catch it symptoms are mild thanks to boosters. My friend lost her TA colleague in her 40s with no underlying conditions who has left behind two young children last week. Look at the rise in hospitalisations of children. A booster offers further protection- all the data categorically shows that.