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Original poster

Booster

29 replies

UnicornsReal · 21/01/2022 10:51

I had two vaccines in May. I haven’t had the booster as I just don’t want more vaccines less than a year on. Neither do I want a different type of vaccine to the originals. OH was really I’ll after his booster.
I have two holidays booked abroad this year. I am happy to have a PCR in order to travel, but am unsure what the regulations are now and whether that will be acceptable.
I just don’t know what to do. If I have the booster closer to the time of travel, will that count? I have phoned the helpline but spoke to someone clueless.
It’s all such a minefield. My concern is if I have the booster now, they’ll probably be insisting we have yet another one by the time we travel anyway.

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 21/01/2022 10:58

There's no way of knowing what the regulations will be by the time you travel, so you either get the booster or risk it later on.
I am a vaccinator & the number of people we have coming in asking for us to do 2nd or booster vaccinations early as they have suddnely realised that they need them for a holiday is unbelievable. We have to turn them away of course.
Why do you want the same as your previous vaccines? If you had Pfizer it's more than likely you will get that anyway. You probably get better immunity from having a mixture.

CA0932017 · 21/01/2022 11:02

I don't really have the answer to your question, sorry.

But I had 2 x Astra Zeneca in Feb and May. Had moderna for my booster recently. I was fine.

Dp had 2 x Pfizer in May & August. He had moderna for booster and fine.

Neither of us had any side effects after the booster. Dp had no side effects after any jabs. I was a bit ill after my second dose.

Regulations are changing all the time though. So I don't have the answer really!

CraftyGin · 21/01/2022 11:03

Just get the booster ASAP.

MissAmbrosia · 21/01/2022 11:04

It depends on which countries will still ask for people to be vaccinated. Having the booster is part of being fully vaccinated. So for example in France anyone over 18 will need their booster in order to go into restaurants etc. It's hard to say how the rules will change.

Cookerhood · 21/01/2022 11:07

Oh, and you are likely to need 2 clear weeks after your booster if it is needed for vaccine proof, although I'm just guessing.
Most people don't get bad side effects after their booster so the fact that your OH did doesn't mean you will.
In our house:

  1. AZ (bad side effects), AZ (diito), Pfizer (nothing)
  2. AZ (nothing), AZ (nothing), Pfizer (nothing)
  3. Pfizer (nausea & vomiting), Pfizer (noting), Pfizer (nothing)
  4. Pfizer (nothing), Pfizer (nothin), Pfizer (nothing) x2
5 AZ (side effects), Moderna (side effects), Moderna (sore arm)
Original poster
UnicornsReal · 21/01/2022 11:22

@Cookerhood

There's no way of knowing what the regulations will be by the time you travel, so you either get the booster or risk it later on. I am a vaccinator & the number of people we have coming in asking for us to do 2nd or booster vaccinations early as they have suddnely realised that they need them for a holiday is unbelievable. We have to turn them away of course. Why do you want the same as your previous vaccines? If you had Pfizer it's more than likely you will get that anyway. You probably get better immunity from having a mixture.
What evidence is there of better immunity with difference vaccines though?
OP posts:
Nerdygirl · 21/01/2022 12:56

Exactly @UnicornsReal . I would like to see the evidence

I am not getting boosted, I had covid less than 2 months after second vaccine and CDC
Coming out saying natural immunity is really good (who would have thought!!)

And Sajid admitting covid stats are inflated!!

LIZS · 21/01/2022 13:01

At some point in near future "fully vaccinated" will apply to those boosted not just double dosed.

s1h2o3na · 21/01/2022 14:15

it depends on which country you're going to....most of europe will require you to have the booster jab within a certain time frame after your second dose for the forseeable future...they are going to move towards a unified approach/rules within the schengen zone as at the moment the timescales differ between countries. if you are travelling this spring/summer you are probably better off getting a booster.

cherryonthecakes · 21/01/2022 14:30

You need to check your travel destination's rules and keep an eye on any changes there. Did you have Astra Zeneca first time ? In which case you're not going get it as a booster unless there's a medical reason you can't have the other two.

Giveaschitt · 21/01/2022 14:32

What evidence is there of better immunity with different vaccines though?

Takes a 5 second google to find plenty of that evidence - here's the first one that came up, but there's plenty more studies: www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/mixing-pfizer-astraz-covid-19-shots-with-moderna-gives-better-immune-response-uk-2021-12-06/

LilyPond2 · 21/01/2022 17:29

OP, different countries have different rules. I would suggest a decent starting point would be to google Foreign Office Travel Advice for the countries you plan to visit, though obviously you need to bear in mind that countries may change their rules at short notice.

Original poster
UnicornsReal · 21/01/2022 19:58

Yes I’ve done that but no mention of Covid passports or proof of vaccination. (Greece). I think it might have been out of date.
Just heard in the radio we are going to need her more boosters in the Autumn. It’s a farce.

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 21/01/2022 21:00

Going into Greece in the summer we had to have proof of vaccination. No tests beforehand but thenrisk of random tests on arrival followed by 10 days in a quarantine hotel.
Anything could happen in the next few months.

Cookerhood · 21/01/2022 21:04

Actually it looks as though a negative test will do for entry into Greece. However you do have to show proof of vaccination to go to restaurants & public places (museums, theatres etc). They were quite strict when we were there. Again, all of this could change.

Original poster
UnicornsReal · 22/01/2022 09:19

Due to go to France as well. They are draconian at the moment.
I’d rather wait until closer to the time before having to have the booster as it will probably be invalid again soon anyway.

OP posts:
BeMoreGoldfish · 22/01/2022 09:23

@Nerdygirl of course natural immunity is good if you’re lucky enough to get Covid and not get that sick. It’s no big surprise. Doesn’t mean getting the vaccine isn’t a good idea, and actually the best immunity is a combination of vaccine and natural immunity.

BeMoreGoldfish · 22/01/2022 09:24

Boosters are highly unlikely to be invalid soon as we’re heading into spring. The danger time is the winter.

Dogsandbabies · 22/01/2022 09:25

@UnicornsReal

Yes I’ve done that but no mention of Covid passports or proof of vaccination. (Greece). I think it might have been out of date. Just heard in the radio we are going to need her more boosters in the Autumn. It’s a farce.
In Greece you have to show a covid pass to go anywhere. So unless your plan is to stay at the hotel either postpone your trip or get boosted.
Dogsandbabies · 22/01/2022 09:26

Greece also requires a negative private lateral flow or PCR within a certain timeframe before arrival.

Thievesoil · 22/01/2022 10:51

Croatia?

Ronaldo2004 · 22/01/2022 11:54

My periods are still messed up from the first vaccine so not having anymore until a doctor takes me seriously and investigates.

flipflop76 · 22/01/2022 12:00

I hate the way some people say 'just get the booster'. I'm still having side effects from my second jab 6 months ago and I'm really struggling but I feel like some sort of deviant for not having a booster. I wish I was one of the people who was 'absolutely fine'.

flipflop76 · 22/01/2022 12:02

It also saddens me that I may not be able to travel freely ever again if I don't keep having boosters. I can try for medical exemption but I don't know whether I can prove it or if it would be granted.

Youcansaythatagainandagain · 22/01/2022 13:37

@LIZS

At some point in near future "fully vaccinated" will apply to those boosted not just double dosed.
That is the case in many countries tried in Europe. However how long does the booster last? I have read studies where it wanes after five/six weeks. I can’t get my head around a 3rd booster equating to bring fully vaxed when we already know they lose protection after a certain timeframe. Presumably we will need another in the Winter and presumably without the Wi ter vaccine we won’t be fully vaccinated either?