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Original poster

Anyone else considering not having this booster?

317 replies

DarkNecessities · 31/10/2022 07:17

So 4th? one.

Just wondering really as I’m not sure how I feel about it. It seems like a lot to be pumping into my body in a short space of time.
I had Covid booster plus flu jab last year. DH didn’t have flu jab or a booster last time.
DS has never had any

OP posts:
PeloFondo · 31/10/2022 10:25

I had my flu and covid one on the same day (moderna)
Felt sick all night then was fine the next day except for a sore arm, immunocompromised

Giggorata · 31/10/2022 10:36

I will have another booster when and if another strain arises that I may need extra protection from, and the vaccine is focused on that.
At the moment, I am boosting my immune system as much as poss and taking extra vitamin D.
I will have my seasonally adjusted flu vaccine, as normal.

Mojoj · 31/10/2022 10:42

lannistunut · 31/10/2022 07:36

The risks from COVID are far greater to those offered the booster.

It's been offered to over 50's. Not all over 50's are a huge risk of getting ill with Covid. You can

Mojoj · 31/10/2022 10:46

Mojoj · 31/10/2022 10:42

It's been offered to over 50's. Not all over 50's are a huge risk of getting ill with Covid. You can

Show quote history

Can be over 50 and be in excellent health. You are at far greater risk of being seriously ill with Covid if you're obese and very unfit. IMO, public health messaging should be all about living your healthiest life, not relying on a vaccine which, quite frankly, is not that successful, considering you're still likely to catch Covid at some point.

sashh · 31/10/2022 10:47

Don't people understand that covid is mutating? That's why we need to keep getting the vax, in the same way as the flu vaccine protects against the strains of flu predicted to be circulating.

As for never having it, do you know? Did you check every day for the last couple of years?

After the first covid jab my carer and I had a day when we both felt lethargic and fluey, the same day for both of us, but we'd been vaccinated a week apart. I think we just got the same bug.

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03445-6

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 31/10/2022 10:48

For me it's a no-brainer for this winter. Our nearest A&E has been pretty much at crisis point the past few months. People in the waiting room for 8+ hours for nasty injuries and serious illnesses that absolutely needed to be seen in A&E. Hours waiting even just to be triaged.

I will take anything at all that will reduce my risk of needing to go there. It's a horrendous experience and when we add usual winter bugs, falls due to ice, Covid, the numbers needing A&E will rise and it's going to be an absolute shit show. It's so bad here that should I have the misfortune to need A&E care again I will travel out of county to another hospital if I possibly can.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/10/2022 10:49

As for never having it, do you know? Did you check every day for the last couple of years?

I haven't had it yet even though ds did. I've been on a trial since the first lock down and they test for anti bodies from the vaccine and natural ones.

PeloFondo · 31/10/2022 10:57

@Mojoj and also immunocompromised people - I'm definitely not over 50!
I can't control my immune system

lannistunut · 31/10/2022 11:19

Mojoj · 31/10/2022 10:46

Can be over 50 and be in excellent health. You are at far greater risk of being seriously ill with Covid if you're obese and very unfit. IMO, public health messaging should be all about living your healthiest life, not relying on a vaccine which, quite frankly, is not that successful, considering you're still likely to catch Covid at some point.

Show quote history

You can be over 50, in excellent health, and get very ill with COVID. The booster is not a replacement for living a healthy life and the public health info is, as far as it still exists under this shithead Tory government, clear that being healthy is a good idea.

Trustylion · 31/10/2022 11:22

Already had my 4th one and flu. I like going into winter prepared and with plenty of antibodies to fight either virus with. I can't afford to have a week off work and multiple weeks of feeling exhausted and sub par again.

Cuppasoupmonster · 31/10/2022 11:50

I will be, I’m 17 weeks pregnant and will book it for around the point of my 20 week scan I think. I just had the whooping cough jab and the other one (forget what for) which made me feel rough for a few days, so want a short break in between. It’s for the well-being of the baby though, not sure I would if I wasn’t pregnant.

hangryyhippo · 31/10/2022 12:03

TheNoonBell · 31/10/2022 10:11

Not been jabbed at all, had COVID early on and no trouble since despite taking no precautions what so ever.

Some of my jabbed friends are on their third infection! I don't know any unjabbed who had it more than once so it looks like something odd is going on.

Your anecdotes aren't bourne out by population-level data though.

Your choice whether to have a booster or not, I don't know anyone eligible who has turned it down though.

BenCoopersSupportWren · 31/10/2022 12:27

sashh · 31/10/2022 10:47

Don't people understand that covid is mutating? That's why we need to keep getting the vax, in the same way as the flu vaccine protects against the strains of flu predicted to be circulating.

As for never having it, do you know? Did you check every day for the last couple of years?

After the first covid jab my carer and I had a day when we both felt lethargic and fluey, the same day for both of us, but we'd been vaccinated a week apart. I think we just got the same bug.

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03445-6

Yes, and it's following the typical successful virus behaviour of mutating to become less severe overall. Viruses that kill off their hosts too quickly don't survive.

The speed with which the virus mutates is an argument against vaccination, not for it, when it has been acknowledged that the vaccine available at any given time may not be effective against the most dominant strain at that time.

The flu vaccine is based on predictions from virologists as to which strain is most likely to be prevalent in a given year, as it's not possible to protect against all strains. It's always a 'best guess' scenario. Most years they guess right but occasionally they don't and then we have a bad flu year.

TheNoonBell · 31/10/2022 12:36

hangryyhippo · 31/10/2022 12:03

Your anecdotes aren't bourne out by population-level data though.

Your choice whether to have a booster or not, I don't know anyone eligible who has turned it down though.

Show quote history

It only seems to be the oldies getting it around here (70+) most people below that have given up getting boosted.

The general non pensioner view has changed a lot in the last month or two. It was still pretty pro jab in the summer, now more "can't be arsed" now.

AutumnsCrow · 31/10/2022 12:47

PeloFondo · 31/10/2022 10:57

@Mojoj and also immunocompromised people - I'm definitely not over 50!
I can't control my immune system

Mine's been haywire since puberty.

Autoimmune conditions, and now immune-suppressant biologic jabs. I'm aware that I'm effectively being experimented on. I'm already in a research programme to see what patients like me eventually die of. The data will be very valuable one day.

PeloFondo · 31/10/2022 12:47

@AutumnsCrow same
I have autoimmune neutropenia
Hidradenitis supprativa
Hashimotos
And I'm on Xolair for urticaria

AutumnsCrow · 31/10/2022 12:50

@PeloFondo Bummer.

BuzzyBusyBee · 31/10/2022 12:53

I considered not going as I am TTC and had heard it can mess up ovulation/cycle times. Then realised if I am lucky enough to fall pregnant this winter then I would rather have had the booster before having to make the decision about whether there may be any risk to the baby so went ahead and got it!

Jaxhog · 31/10/2022 12:56

Had jab No 4 a couple of weeks ago. 93 yr old Mum just had jab No 5. No side effects, no problem. She also had Covid before the last jab and wasn't too poorly. Not sure she'd still be around if she wasn't jabbed up.

We were both sick after the flu jab though - still worth it!

BarrelOfOtters · 31/10/2022 12:57

Just had covid for first time, not been avoiding it…just haven’t had it. It was awful. Floored me for 2 weeks and I’m still knackered. I will have my booster as soon as I can.

already had flu jab.

I figure that my body needs all the help it can get.

TheyreOnlyNoodlesMichael · 31/10/2022 13:07

I won't be having another booster no.

hampsteadmum · 31/10/2022 13:29

I had my 4th yesterday. Didn't think twice! The vaccine is meant to prevent serious illness and death. I had covid in June, in a mild form, and I firmly believe the non severity was due to immunisation.

On the other hand I got a terrible flu earlier in the month, before I was offered my flu jab. It felt worse than covid. Vaccines help! (I also intend to have a flu jab in a few of weeks).

Original poster
DarkNecessities · 31/10/2022 15:57

Again. Thanks for replies.

Mixed responses but it does seem that many people are thinking the same as me.

OP posts:
Redup · 31/10/2022 15:59

I had mine as soon as I could. I realise it may not stop you from catching it but it will minimise the illness and possibly save my life.

Zippedydoo123 · 31/10/2022 16:17

I had the booster. Just felt tired and a bit of a headache for 2 days that was all.

I never take the flu jab as I only caught the flu twice in my life.

Never knowingly had covid either.