[Closed] Most recent Covid Vaccination

just had mine today so I think it's worth it; almost a year since my last top up.

I booked mine online with my NHS number, took about 30s.

I did not show anyone any proof of vaccination on a recent flight to/from Spain.

I had my fourth vaccination a few weeks ago; I'm not super-excited about getting long covid, and it also means I have an excuse to go to a nice coffee shop in Cambridge.

Voluntary, and a pretty good idea IMO. A friend of mine was about to get his booster last year, but got COVID instead a few days beforehand. He’s still suffering from long COVID even now - he’s recovered to the point where he’s almost fit as I am, but a few years ago he could easily ride my legs off.

I travelled to Tunisia in October. Vaccine passports for everyone were checked before passport control.

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to say how they've had no vaccinations and are perfectly fine....

I’ll get it eventually. Had first end of January 21 after having Covid Christmas Day 2020, second April 21 and third January 22 and Covid part 2 April 2022.
So I’ll book it in for January.
Been to Greece last year and it was only checked leaving Manchester and leaving Rhodes.
This year they didn’t bother, just stamped passport and off to get bags.

I wouldn't say no to a fourth shot... but I'm about 8 years too young to qualify for a second booster.

I know with ryan air for example, you can upload your vaccinated status to them, so I guess they don't need to scan your QR/barcode at airport security, unless it expires, I think the NHS QR code is valid for about 6 months.

Get it; who knows what viral 'delights' winter will bring?

Get it; who knows what viral ‘delights’ winter will bring?

I don't think I qualify.. I'm under 50, and not a high risk.

I went last Thursday.

I asked the guy on the door if they did walk-ins, he said they did, so i walked in.

They seemed very keen on shooting me up for flu, too, but i thought i'd do that next week, give me something to look forward to.

I did it on the basis that i'm not overly keen on being very ill, and i'm even less keen on being 'that guy', you know the one, the one who makes someone else so ill that they die.

Spent 6 months travelling round Europe and only got asked once (that was travelling through Dubai). Not one family member has had it yet (in my immediate fam).

Had mine, both flu and Covid. Something not to think about for another year.

Most recent bivalent jab is worthwhile IMHO, two main covid types in one. Had flu jab as well and you can have them together

Some useful stuff from Tired on the main thread about any booster being useful, not just the new bivalent ones. Worth reading it there rather then a copy and paste.

I'm 51 and had mine last week but it took the wife to give me a nudge to book it. I wasn't against the idea, I guess it just reflects the difference in my fear of it now, as I was there as fast as possible previously.

Talking to lots of people is part of my job and there seems to be a lot of folks not going to bother this time around.

Once again, I had no negative reaction at all to the jab 🙂

Had my covid booster a couple of weeks ago, no ill effects.
Flu jab on the other hand, had that and couldn't get out of bed the following day 🙁

Loads of people at work saying they're not going to get any more covid jabs.

In Scotland you can get your jag done at the local pharmacy without going for a morning out to the local centre.

Had mine with a flu jag about 4 weeks ago.
It possibly saved me from the horrible cough/fever that wiped out MrsSC and my boys (in bed with a fever for days each).

Had mine, although to be fair my wife booked it. There's still a lot of Covid around and immunity wears down. That said I think she's got it again at the moment, been pretty rough for a week, who knows what she would be like if she hadn't had the booster.

I’m sure someone will be along shortly to say how they’ve had no vaccinations and are perfectly fine….

Had this the other day at work, had no jabs and haven't had Covid, not having the jabs, not coherent reason why. Middle aged woman around 50, lots of others seem very 50 / 50 about a 4th jab.

Mind you I'm not particularly consistent either, happy to have the Covid ones but never had a flu jab, because CBA.

I have mine booked for Thursday. I have only just stopped coughing phlegm up from when I caught it in March.

My last jab was December-ish I think. Then caught full blown Covid in June. So on the basis the immunity seemed to last 6 months I'm probably still fairly safe.

Had this the other day at work, had no jabs and haven’t had Covid, not having the jabs, not coherent reason why. Middle aged woman around 50, lots of others seem very 50 / 50 about a 4th jab.

Must be nice for all these anti-vax/anti-maskers being able to rely on everyone else not transmitting it.

Been offered flu and COVID jabs at work, both times I had a stinking cold at the time so declined it (nurses advice too) will get them once free from the snot monster

Loads of people at work saying they’re not going to get any more covid jabs.

I had to listen to a discussion yesterday from some absolute moron saying he wasn't going to get any more Covid shots cos he wanted to keep his "natural immunity".

Had to refrain from hitting him with his own laptop.

I'm under 50 and not in a high risk group so I don't think I can book a Covid booster online can I? Or would a walk-in centre just do it regardless?

I've got my flu jab tomorrow, booked that via Boots online portal.

Had my 4th COVID vaccination about three weeks ago. Rather glad I did because yesterday I heard a person I'd been in close contact with last week for three days has come down with COVID. I on the other hand feel fine and tested negative yesterday. Honestly if you qualify why not get it? Laziness isnt an excuse.

Had to delay mine 'cos I got Covid at the beginning of October but due on Friday this week. Exactly the same thing happened last year. Got Covid in October and had to delay the booster. Mrs Scape had hers the week before I tested positive (she's "frontline" as she volunteers at an advice centre/food bank) and managed to avoid it despite being in the same house as me.

I sing in a choir with a lot of older guys, so I don't want to be 'that person' either.

I had decided not to have another one. Especially as I’m too young to be offered one anyway. Now thinking of ‘taking one for the team’ as I’ve been invited away for Christmas and will be around lots of people. Is that logic sound? And can I even get one?

Had mine a couple of weeks ago. Regarding travel, while it here are no restrictions at the moment it might only take a spike for travel restrictions ie proof of vaccine to be put back in place. If you are fully up to date ie this years booster at least you are covered plus I don’t really fancy getting it again.

Mrs Boblo and I have had both the '4th protocol' and the flu jab. I managed to bring Covid back from the filthy Highlands in the summer and that Braveheart flavour was nasty.

Anything we can do to reduce the chances of a repeat performance is a good thing in my book.

I'd jump at the chance of getting my fourth - wife is in the critical risk cat and has had hers but even though I'm same house hold, because I'm under 50 I don't qualify.

Can't see a reason not to get one.

Booked in for mine tomorrow avo.
They want to give me a flu jab at the same time, might pass the flu one.
Not sure I want two jabs at the same time and have never had a flu jab before.

OP Please get this. If not for yourself, for others.
It's free and there are still people in other countries who have to wait and these people are often elderly and with underlying health issues.

I feel lucky to be offered this booster and will continue to take another in the future if/when offered.

I'm 42, if they extend offer to under 50s I'll get one.

I’ve had mine and had to upload my NHS vaccine passport (with readable QR code) to the BA website to be cleared to travel to the US. I originally sent them an image of the four cards in my wallet but that didn’t pass muster.

I wanted a booster before I went to a large meeting. The previous meeting in London saw a lot of covid infections. I don’t think I had to have the fourth booster to travel (I’m old enough to qualify here) but thought it wise.

I asked the guy on the door if they did walk-ins, he said they did, so i walked in.

My wife's boss did this yesterday.

My wife was booked in yesterday lunch and her boss said she'd forgot to book hers so popped down to the vaccination centre and they just let her in.

I had my booster last night too - it was a LOT quieter than this time last year so I'm guessing there's a slacker attitude to it this winter.

Even if you aren't eligible it still may be worth walking up and asking. Better for them that the jab goes in an arm than in the bin.

I wonder, though, if it is worth bothering with. Does anyone know if international travel is still affected by vaccination ‘passports’? I know that when I headed to Paris in June, I had to show it, but that when I went to Belgium a month later, no one even asked.

I haven't come across anywhere yet that has asked for evidence of a seasonal booster for entry; so first dose, second dose + booster still seems to be accepted as "fully vaccinated" for most countries.

The diligence in checking evidence of vaccination status on arrival seems to vary wildly in those countries where it's still meant to be mandatory.

Something i'll add, i took the SO for her booster at the weekend (she qualifies via employment). They asked did i want a booster as well, i am a few years too young and not in any qualifying category, i wasn't the only random who was offered. So there might be some discretion and some places might offer walkins if you ask.

As for checks, they weren't asking anyone for details of why they qualified whilst i was there.

Had mine 2 weeks ago and went for both jabs at the same time. I felt a bit rough the following day, but I felt rough after my first Covid jab, so I don't think having the two at the same time made any noticeable difference.

I actively wanted both together to save the bother of having two visits and having a sore arm twice, and because there is no reason not to - and the pharmacist who did it said that's what he recommends.

@thisisnotaspoon the June infection that you had would more than likely have been the earlier Omicron variant. One thing that is well established about that particular one is that it does not provoke a good immune build up in humans, so is not worthy of comparison with a booster. In other words, you do not build effective immunity from that infection cycle.
Get that booster folks. If not for you, then to help reduce the opportunities for you to pass it on to others, who might be worse affected.
Plus, I'm still seeing lots of athletes suffering from variations of post covid hangover and long covid, both of which are less likely and/or unpleasant if you're boostered.
Where I am in Scotland, we're receiving a bivalent vaccine for covid, with a dose each of Delta & Omicron.
The flu jag is quadrivalent, so 4 options covered.

The same science argument holds now as it did last year, it is better for society as a whole if you get the booster so you are less likely to be a vector and less likely to have problems if you caught it that need medical attention. It has always been 'voluntary' and I hope everyone who is eligible will keep getting the boosters.

For travel, it is the case that most popular leisure destinations no longer require vaccination status but as said, that can change. Canada only removed it's requirements last month. The USA requires non-residents to be fully vaccinated; that currently means the initial 1- or 2-jab course of a WHO approved vaccine which the OP has. It may be that changes to requiring a booster or it may lapse. There are places outside 'typical' leisure routes that still have some covid measures, different levels of testing depending on your vaccination, etc. like China, India, Japan, Kenya.

Another here that's had the Covid and Flu boosters (55 yrs old). No reason not to, it's free and I'd rather reduce the chances of being ill.

That first post applies exactly to me.

I really need to get both before seeing my folks at Christmas.

I had to cancel mine a few weeks ago, because I had COVID. I called and they were great, rescheduled it for 4 weeks later. Given the option, I'd prefer to get a vaccine that might stop me getting seriously ill..

Back to the OP, you say you forgot to go for your appointment, and now are to lazy to call to rebook (your words). doesn't come over too well...

Just had my 4th as i'm 47 but deemed a carer for daughter ... flew to Spain 4 months ago and they checked "COVID passport", flew to Slovakia last month and no checks at all.

I believe that like the flu jab, it will seek to give a boost against the most common strains at that time, so i think it is definitely worth doing.

I wouldn't hesitate to have another but at 41 it's not going to happen at the minute!

41 and no vulnerable issues here. There is a pop-up clinic round the corner from my house which seems to be empty most of the time so I walked in on the off chance but they said no. I get the need for rules but I can't imagine making it though all xmas socialising without catching covid so seems a shame really.

I wouldn’t hesitate to have another but at 41 it’s not going to happen at the minute!

As I said above - if there's a centre near you just walk in - they can only say no. The one one in my town certainly wasn't busy.

Had mine at the first opportunity along with a flu jab. Seems crazy not to tbh.

Had 4th 2 weeks ago spent next 2 days off work shivering and sweating been ok with all other’s happy days 😁

Recently realised I never even got a first booster, I was following guidance to wait until contacted but was never contacted.

Bit annoying that there are now loads of walk-in centres in the surrounding towns but none in mine, so it's a 10+ mile round trip in work hours.

@the-muffin-man thanks but there isn't one nearby unfortunately!

Covid arrived the week before my appointment. Rescheduled for December, along with the flu jag. Never had a flu jag before, but this year I will take it.

Had mine, and the flu shot, and almost immediately people around me seemed to be catching it again.

Not sure why you wouldn't if it's avaliable.

Just had the invite, but he he, just caught covid. It's not been too bad but it's settled on my chest ATM and there is no thought of going near the bikes, struggling walking the stairs. No lethargy etc, but feeling rough as I hit day 7 of positive. I'll go in the new year as I'll have to wait 4 weeks and that puts me too close to Christmas !

I’m sure someone will be along shortly to say how they’ve had no vaccinations and are perfectly fine….

Would hate to disappoint except I see no reason to crow that you have or haven't been stabbed. Why the announcements folks?

I have no problem getting one; I’m asking primarily because I’m too lazy to call the NHS and book another time slot.

Do it online then. It takes seconds.

I did not show anyone any proof of vaccination on a recent flight to/from Spain.

I had mine yesterday, I didn't receive any proof of vaccination. Should I have?

Would hate to disappoint except I see no reason to crow that you have or haven’t been stabbed. Why the announcements folks?

Makes more sense than jumping onto a thread to complain about people discussing it, n'est-ce pas?

I had mine yesterday, I didn’t receive any proof of vaccination. Should I have?

I got given a little card again with vaccine type, date and my details.

Would hate to disappoint except I see no reason to crow that you have or haven’t been stabbed. Why the announcements folks?

In my case it's at least partly self interest. I've had a booster because I'm in a vulnerable group but in any case would have thought it a good idea. I believe the vaccines are useful and other people having them suppresses prevalence of COVID generally which is a good thing for me (and others) so I'm pretty keen to encourage others to take them up if they're able and willing.

Not sure why you wouldn’t if it’s avaliable.

I rolled a die once and didn't react badly to the AZ, my mum (who has the closest immune system to mine) has gout that appeared after her Pfizer... and after being told was unconnected had the 2nd one and more/worse gout. Before her vaccine she was trotting up mountains on a regular basis.. now she has marble sized lumps and can't even put a pair of shoes on.

They don't do the Pfizer anymore and the point of vaccinations is to protect others it doesn't matter to me if I get Covid again or not so I have come to the conclusion if "they" (Government/NHS/???) wanted people to get vaccinated they wouldn't be refusing to give a vaccine I'd be happy to take.

I won't be getting a Pfizer so I won't be getting any boosters.

Every re-infection cycle gives the virus another opportunity to mutate into a nastier form.
It may happen tomorrow, it may never happen. But every vaccination reduces the virus' ability to multiply.

They don’t do the Pfizer anymore

I had Pfizer yesterday and my booster last Dec was Pfizer too.

Yep pfizered yesterday.

I also had Pfizer yesterday.

I had mine yesterday, I didn’t receive any proof of vaccination. Should I have?

I got given a little card again with vaccine type, date and my details.

I didn't get given anything but it's on my NHS app this morning - date, medicine, dose and batch number.

I had my 5th jab last Saturday... Pfizer for the first time. No reaction at all.

my mum (who has the closest immune system to mine) has gout that appeared after her Pfizer…

https://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations

and after being told was unconnected had the 2nd one and more/worse gout.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9239705/

"COVID-19 vaccination, mainly ChAd vaccination, slightly increases the risk of gout flares on the second day after vaccination."

It's likely that the booster caused a gout flare-up. It's surely not even possible that the vaccine caused it in the first place? Is it?

I've lost count of how many Mrs Efg & I have had.

I didn’t get given anything but it’s on my NHS app this morning – date, medicine, dose and batch number.

Same here.

My BIL still hasn't been vaccinated. He says It's because he doesn't think there's been enough research/testing & that the tories are getting rich from it. I've told him the tories are going to get rich regardless of whether or not he gets jabbed.

I turned 50 this year so had mine last Friday and it was pretty busy which was good to see. No reactions at all to Pfizer. They didn’t have flu vaccines though so I will have to sort that next week

I did it on the basis that i’m not overly keen on being very ill, and i’m even less keen on being ‘that guy’, you know the one, the one who makes someone else so ill that they die.

^^basically this^^

We also have MIL living with us who has other health issues too and anything that reduces her risk of exposure through the rest of the family is a benefit. Both me and the missus are under 50 but if you live with or care for someone vulnerable they'll happily shoot you up it seems...

I won’t be getting a Pfizer so I won’t be getting any boosters.

get the Moderna bivalent instead.

They don’t do the Pfizer anymore

They definitely do. Gout is caused by uric build up, I really can’t see how a vaccine would cause it.

I think that was a typo, he meant Moderna / something else.

My BIL still hasn’t been vaccinated. He says It’s because he doesn’t think there’s been enough research/testing

We've been vaccinating successfully since the 1700s. How much research and testing does he want?

I'm 49 (with no under-lying health conditions) so don't currently qualify for the 3rd booster, which is a bit annoying as staying with family over Christmas and their kids have all had Covid at least once. This is the first year I've bothered to get my flu jab though.

Although some suggest just asking at a walk-in clinic, has anyone actually done that successfully? Seems doubtful it's an option given on the government web-site it states:

If you are eligible for a third or fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, please bring proof of eligibility with you. This could be a text message, email or letter from consultant or GP inviting you for a third/fourth dose, or a letter from your GP or consultant about your health condition

But every vaccination reduces the virus’ ability to multiply.

actually this isnt entirely true. The vaccine induced immunity from serious infection. When approved it was effective against any symptomatic infection (which is how vaccines are normally approved). But the virus is a slippery thing so changes its coat. The more people who are vaccinated, the more pressure is out on the virus to change coat. Fortunately, it’s not changed so much that we have no protection. But the vaccines are clearly not now providing sterile protection from infection.

To be honest I don’t think it really matters. Protection from serious morbidity is what you want. You’d have that from all the childhood covid infections you didn’t get (because it was new in 2020).

We went to the nearest walk in. There was no wait.

I'm just about to take my borked immune system off for jab number 6. Had a blood test yesterday which was negative for Covid anti-bodies 🙁

Double post.

Even for those eligible I think the advance booking thing can be a bit of a barrier. You're tied to a specific slot and sometimes life / work has other plans.

I found it much easier to just see where my nearest walk in centre is and then just pop in on my way somewhere else. The place was pretty empty. I was jabbed in under 2mins.

They don’t do the Pfizer anymore

Do ur own reesirch

Double wacked this morning - only a dafty would not if offered imo. But there are plenty of dafties knocking around.....

50, so qualify automatically. But they set up shop in the school I work in to do covid and flu jabs for the morning. Staff under 50 that turned up for their flu jab got offered covid too while they were there, so I'm assuming it's not in short supply.

Much advice about having paracetamol and ibuprofen at the ready for tonight and tomorrow morning....so my morning ride in tomorrow might get sacked off.

They don’t do the Pfizer anymore

Yep - mix of Pfizer and Moderna for the autumn booster.

I've now had all three - AZ, Pfizer x2 and Moderna.

got mine booked for a few weeks time. Just went on the utterly fabulous Scottish portal and booked it with no issues at all