Hello, I am getting myself in a bind and worked up about the booster and would appreciate some experiences / advice. I had both previous vaccines and was unwell for a few days after each. A month after my second vaccine at the end of summer I tested positive. As early 30s, nothing underlying and double vacc I was shocked at how unwell I was with covid. I was off work for two months recovering and had to move back in with my parents for support and now have long covid.
I am a lone parent and had initially planned to get the booster over the holiday period when I travelled to my parents for Christmas. However I have been feeling unwell over the holidays(long covid but also tight chest and sore throat) and my DD has had a heavy head cold lasting longer than normal (negative LF) I stayed home for Christmas rather than travel when sick. It is a significant drive to my parents so today really is my last day where we could drive to my parents, they can watch my DD and I could get the booster hopefully late this afternoon at walk in if we get there on time and I would have tomorrow with support if I am not well and could drive back Tues morn. The alternative is I drive down next weekend on Friday evening afterwork, get boosted in Saturday and then drive home on Sunday evening hoping I am well enough to do so. I could get boosted after work someday this week time allowing before pick up but after my experiences for vaccine 1 & 2 I am worried about managing DD if I am unwell / work have made it clear that there is a significant staff shortage this week and really tried to deter anyone else from absence. I called the booster centre and said how I have been feeling and they have said it is ok to come in if not fully well to be boosted as long as you have a negative LF.
I am now so worried I will catch covid this week. I am a teacher so it is likely there will be students in school with a positive case at home. All our students have been told to lateral flow before uptake was low in school. Ventilation in our building is poor. There really is not much that can be done to keep safe.
So I want to know has anyone got boosted when feeling unwell - cold / sore throat / tight chest but negative LF? How was it?
How much protection does the booster add? I had my last vaccine last June and have had covid in August. Does having the booster today v next weekend make much difference?
I am sorry I sound like I am rambling. Thank you so much if you have even read this far. I feel very anxious about covid ,worse so since my experience with it. I have just generally got myself worked up today. I do want to get the booster asap but feel like I have now been waiting for 2/3 weeks hoping I will wake up feeling well and I just don’t feel 100% but now time is running out and work will be back.