Can I ask about vaccination?

[BustyCrustacean]

Hello,
I've been following a couple of threads regarding the lingering physical and emotional symptoms of covid.
I'm 9 weeks in and it's still hugely affecting mood, sleep and energy.
The first few weeks were pretty awful in terms of physical symptoms too- it's totally shocked me, how it's all been, and I can't face it again!!
I'm not entitled to a booster- no CEV- but I will pay for one.
How do I know I'm getting the right vaccine? Will it be against a new winter strain as opposed to the summer one I'm slowly coming out of?
Would I have immunity due to having it over summer or is the slate wiped every half year?
I'm pretty ignorant to all this as covid was not a problem for me the first time around (when I was vaccinated).
Thanks for any info.

I would imagine it's like the annual flu jab. They look at the most common strains circulating and put together a jab which is designed to protect against the ones you're most likely to be exposed to.

There is a new vaccine for this autumn but lots of new variants popping up all the time so no guarantees. This might be worth a read if you've had a recent infection:

https://thosenerdygirls.substack.com/p/how-long-after-infection-should-i-ed5

Sorry to hear you have been so poorly. It would be great if the new version of the Novovax vaccine is given approval in the UK, as it seems to have a broader coverage for variants, but no news yet. If you are in the US that’s an option though. Pfizer and Moderna have 24-25 versions out but tbh new variants pop up so fast that whatever vaccine you get may end up being of very limited use. Similarly protection from previous infections is less useful when a new variant comes along. Realistically unless you are prepared to seriously limit exposure to others, mask, etc, it’s not possible to avoid it for sure. But keep an eye on the news re the novavax authorisation. We really need a proper sterilising vaccine that targets something fundamental to the virus which doesn’t mutate, but that really is the holy grail!

I just looked at private vaccine options - seems to be Novovax at £49 or Pfizer at £90. Are either of them current enough?

I don't mind paying but not if it's pointless (or getting the most expensive for no reason).

Hi sorry I'm late back to my own thread- have a cold- definitely not covid though, thank god!
I'm reading through the very helpful replies- thank you so much for all the info.

The Pfizer should be the current 24-25 version, though it’s always worth checking they aren’t using up old stock! The novavax will be the previous version from the spring because the latest version hasn’t yet been approved for use. Always ask though, they should be open about what they are offering.