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Original poster

Anyone thinking about skipping the latest booster?

421 replies

WoolyMammoth55 · 26/09/2023 12:11

I've had 3 jabs in total so far, and the last one made me REALLY poorly - couldn't get out of bed for a few days, crazy fever, hallucinating.

They didn't stop me getting Covid, which I've had 2 positive tests for since the first jab, and which was mild compared to how bad I was after the last booster!

I've been invited for the next booster and just can't see why I'd get it. I've had 3 jabs already so must have some protection, right? And since I keep getting it despite the jabs, I'm fairly likely to get it again in the next 6 months whether I do or don't get jabbed?

I can't see the upside.

I'm studying hard for a career change and have 2 little kids. If I had a reaction like last time I'd really struggle to keep all the balls in the air...

I'm being offered the booster because of my high BMI but don't have any co-morbidities, blood pressure good, not pre-diabetic, generally well.

Curious to know what others are thinking?

OP posts:
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11
IClaudine · 26/09/2023 13:33

I would urge anyone offered a shingles vaccine to take it up. My MiL and my grandfather both got shingles in their 70s and neither of them were ever the same afterwards

avemariiiaa · 26/09/2023 13:34

I would only get more if it was necessary to enable me to travel. The reactions I had were hideous.

I had three when they were originally offered. I only had them due to travel restrictions etc.

I have never been so unwell in all my life as I was after having each vaccine. My entire body ached, couldn't even lift my head without pain, my actual eyeballs hurt, I vomited every single sip of water back up, shivering, sweating, the works. This lasted for 2 days after each vaccine.

I have had covid twice, after having these vaccines, and wasn't as unwell as I was due to having the vaccines and made a full recovery each time.

I don't go for a the flu vaccine because it has made me unwell whenever I have had it previously (when pregnant and when I was a teenager).

The covid vaccine should be a choice just like the flu vaccine is. Offered to those most vulnerable, and available for anybody else who wishes to pay.

I don't have any strong feelings about it, it's supposedly provided much needed protection to some groups and helped to get the virus under some sort of control, but for me it just isn't worth the way it makes me feel.

Shadypaws23 · 26/09/2023 13:36

AutumnCrow · 26/09/2023 13:23

It'll be my 7th covid jab on Thursday, at a hopefully not packed out pharmacy. Flu jab last week. Didn't receive a reminder from the NHS/GP for either, despite being on immune suppressant treatment - I booked online. I rely on MN for updates these days!

Currently chasing round after my GP surgery to get the Shingrix (shingles) vaccine. It shouldn't be this hard for patients who DO want vaccines as per the Green Book. <sigh>

I think I'm past caring what other people do now, as long as they're honest with me about it when it's relevant. But I do wish there was more data for people like the OP in order to feel a bit more secure about their decisions (for themselves and those around them).

It was heaving, I went to a vaccine centre

Skipped the queue as you can (at this centre anyway) if you're immunocompromised so you don't have to wait. Got a lot of tutting over it but there's not many benefits to being immunocompromised so I'll take the queue jump!

plumtreebroke · 26/09/2023 13:38

gamerchick · 26/09/2023 13:21

There's a shingles vaccine? I'd have that like a shot, shingles looks like it properly sucks

Show quote history

I think the shingles jab is for over 70s, definitely one to get as soon as you can. I know a few people who've had shingles and it's really horrible at the time and some symptoms can linger for years.

whereaw · 26/09/2023 13:42

If the vaccine doesn't stop you getting covid but makes it milder surely you're more likely to pass it on to others without knowing?
I really love my family and so therefore I won't be having it. I'll bare the brunt for them. Grin but each to their own of course!

andonceagain · 26/09/2023 13:52

@gamerchick yes, NHS offers shingles vaccination to anyone aged 65+ or those aged 50+ if they have a weakened immune system.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/09/2023 13:53

I'm 50:50, not that I'm eligible unless work offer it.

I didn't feel unwell after the original COVID vaccines but I skipped a period after the first jab, then two periods after the other ones. This has never happened with the flu vaccine, or any other vaccination. I also developed shingles after the second one, as did a few other people I know, none of which was recorded.

On the other hand I never caught COVID and I'd rather not start now .

Tinysoxxx · 26/09/2023 13:53

I would have thought that if you get it milder when vaccinated, then the number of virus particles (you are passing on if you then got covid) which could make others get it is less?

We’ve just had the latest Pfizer one. Arms ached for 24 hours. Took 2 paracetamol straight away just in case of headaches. All 3 of us fine.

I would rather have it milder after looking at the long covid studies.

allthehops · 26/09/2023 13:55

Just been on a group holiday with mainly over 70's. They'd had their jabs start of sept, couple of weeks before we left. 7 of us got covid and I was the only one that was ill for a few days. The others all seemed to swat it away in 24-48 hours so yeah i'll have mine.

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/09/2023 13:55

The upside is that you won’t feel as rubbish as I currently do, hopefully. Fit as a fiddle, it’s laid me low.

Be thankful and have it. I don’t qualify this year, madly, despite living with a vulnerable person and being 59. So bloody short-sighted.

WellDuh · 26/09/2023 14:03

Parky04 · 26/09/2023 12:22

Only had the jabs to enable me to travel. I'm 3 and out.

Same. No more for me.

FrizzledFrazzle · 26/09/2023 14:09

I will probably have it and the flu jab as I work with vulnerable people. But I'm not looking forward to it.

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 26/09/2023 14:12

As a nurse married to a CEV man I have just had my 5th covid vaccine and my flu jab, they always make me feel rough for a while, but it is worth it knowing I am doing all I can to protect my husband and patients.
Interestingly I have had covid once and my husband not at all.
It is of course, up to everyone whether they have the vaccine or not, what I can say, is that the elderly/frail/CEV patients coming into my hospital are nowhere near as unwell as they were in the first wave with, the majority surviving. That has got to be worth it.

IClaudine · 26/09/2023 14:16

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/09/2023 13:53

I'm 50:50, not that I'm eligible unless work offer it.

I didn't feel unwell after the original COVID vaccines but I skipped a period after the first jab, then two periods after the other ones. This has never happened with the flu vaccine, or any other vaccination. I also developed shingles after the second one, as did a few other people I know, none of which was recorded.

On the other hand I never caught COVID and I'd rather not start now .

Why wasn't it recorded @TheYearOfSmallThings ?

Parker231 · 26/09/2023 14:16

Twiglets1 · 26/09/2023 13:26

Unfortunately I don’t qualify as “only”57 and despite being eligible for a free flu jab which is on Saturday (due to having asthma) that doesn’t qualify me for a Covid booster.

I would pay to get one privately if I could.

I also wish I was eligible but don’t think it should be based on ability to pay.

EyesOnThePies · 26/09/2023 14:17

I’ve had the current booster.

No reaction this time or previously.

My thinking is that even if there is a reaction it is unlikely to be as severe as catching the virus.

And the fact that you didn’t get particularly I’ll when you had Covid is possibly precisely because you had the vaccine.

High BMI as a Covid risk factor was a key driver in me losing weight during lockdown, but I still take the boosters.

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 26/09/2023 14:22

mycoffeecup · 26/09/2023 12:46

Wish I'd been offered it - healthcare professionals aren't getting it. I'd take it like a shot. Covid is still around and it's still nasty.

What do you mean healthcare workers aren't getting it. I just had mine (NHS nurse ), booking stipulation is frontline worker. Have you tried to book? I got it through the NHS app. My trust doesn't appear to be offering it though.

Courgeon · 26/09/2023 14:22

No more COVID jabs for me, went along with it first time round to project more vulnerable people and set society free but they made me very ill and messed me up hormone wise so I won't be having another one.

mycoffeecup · 26/09/2023 14:25

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 26/09/2023 14:22

What do you mean healthcare workers aren't getting it. I just had mine (NHS nurse ), booking stipulation is frontline worker. Have you tried to book? I got it through the NHS app. My trust doesn't appear to be offering it though.

Show quote history

Not the current booster, unless you fit the criteria for other reasons.

YukoandHiro · 26/09/2023 14:27

In answer to your question: long Covid.

Can't risk it. Two young kids to care for and a busy job. Two mums I know got long Covid early in the pandemic and it's destroyed their lives and families. One was bed bound for almost a year.

I can't have that. I'll take a few days of fever instead.

mycoffeecup · 26/09/2023 14:28

mycoffeecup · 26/09/2023 14:25

Not the current booster, unless you fit the criteria for other reasons.

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Sorry you're right! They have changed the criteria since I last looked. Off to book.....

YukoandHiro · 26/09/2023 14:28

GarlicGrace · 26/09/2023 12:40

As with everything Covid-related, you can't get data on the effectiveness of a 5th vaccination because there isn't yet a large enough cohort to follow up.

This of course is true of the flu jab every year too, but nobody whittles on about that.

Twiglets1 · 26/09/2023 14:30

Parker231 · 26/09/2023 14:16

I also wish I was eligible but don’t think it should be based on ability to pay.

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No of course it shouldn't but nevertheless, I would pay for it if I could and in fact, I believe they will start offering it via private clinics at some point.

People go private for loads of other things not routinely available via the NHS and this will be another thing in the future imo.

Twiglets1 · 26/09/2023 14:31

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 26/09/2023 14:22

What do you mean healthcare workers aren't getting it. I just had mine (NHS nurse ), booking stipulation is frontline worker. Have you tried to book? I got it through the NHS app. My trust doesn't appear to be offering it though.

Show quote history

Yes healthcare workers are getting it and not just frontline either in reality. My husband has already had his and he is an NHS manager who is not front line. Every NHS worker in his Trust was offered it.

helford · 26/09/2023 14:39

megletthesecond · 26/09/2023 12:39

This booster is a tweaked version of what happens every year with the flu jab. I get a flu jab every autumn so I'll get a covid jab every autumn.
It depends how much help you have with your dc's if you are ill. I don't have help so take every jab offered.

Its not quite the same, this years flu jab has 4 different strains in it, all prevalent around the world atm and all heading to the northern hemisphere.

No one knows what strain of Covid will appear, its all very new.

Everyone i know both here and in France has easily fought of CV within a few days but those (unvaccinated) who have caught flu have been very ill, inc my own DC, i do not understand the Govts decision not to offer free flu jabs for the over 50s, especailly as the NHS is not coping.