The big C... Covid.

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 02:36

My Dad is just finishing chemo and dues to age and other health issues is just about as clinically vulnerable as he can get. I see loads of news articles about low uptake of 3rd and booster covid jabs but he's not been offered one yet. He's just been asked to contact his oncologist about it but still no sign of an actual appointment. Most drop ins don't permit 3rd or booster jabs and I'm not sure it would be safe for him to attend one anyway. Anyone else having this issue? I spoke to one of the PCUK nurses about it and she said they're not hearing any problems about it from other people with prostate cancer.

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 12:39

Hi Maria, it needs to be at least six months from the second jab. I'm not in the vulnerable group, but my jab was May so I'm not expecting a call until November.

My mom is over 90 I think her second jab was February, to the best of my knowledge she has not yet been called up for a booster.

Dave

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 13:19

That's actually a common misconception but a moot point anyway. My Dad is over 6 months from 2nd jab but the 3rd jab for severely immunocompromised should be given any time after 8 weeks. So he already qualifies on both fronts.

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 13:35

My dad is having his booster this Saturday, 6 months to the day after his 2nd jab. John is having his next week, also 6 months after 2nd jab

In our area, it is the GPs who organise the booster vaccines. The third vaccination for immunocompromised people is a different thing. Perhaps it will be quicker if you give up on the 3rd jab and push for an appointment under the the booster prigramme instead.

Edited by member 20 Oct 2021 at 13:42 | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 14:06

Hi Maria,

I've just checked https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-advice-on-third-dose-vaccination-for-severely-immunosuppressed

It says:

"The decision on the timing of the third dose should be made by their specialist. As a general guide, the third dose should usually be at least 8 weeks after the second dose but with flexibility to adjust the timing so that, where possible, immunosuppression is at a minimum when the vaccine dose is given."

It is possible that it is considered that having just finished Chemo his immune system would not at this moment respond to the booster dose. I have to say I find it hard to believe the doctors are coordinated enough to actually plan this on a patient by patient basis rather than just putting us on a conveyor belt.

Dave

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 14:10

My booster jab needed to be given within 5 days of my trial vaccine. The GP refused to do it because it would have been two days too early.

I have since had an email from the NHS inviting me to make an appointment.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 21:32

But he's being given neither and pushing on both fronts.

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 21:36

That's not it. The oncologist referred him to his GP, his GP to his oncologist about it but generally all over 50s ho aren't immunocompromised in my area aren't being asked to attend for a booster and should have been by now. There are drop in boosters in my area but not in my dad's. In fact they are saying they *must not* attend drop ins there.

My concern is why the hell nobody is giving him any info at all yet also we're getting ministers saying people aren't taking up boosters? Are other prostate cancer sufferers genuinely not finding the same? It seems like the norm in the Midlands let PCUK are saying literally nobody else apart from my dad is having an issue with this???? I can't believe it's just him?

User

Posted 20 Oct 2021 at 23:03

It doesn't seem to be a problem in our area

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 22 Oct 2021 at 09:14

It is starting to get attention in the main stream media, that the booster rollout is confused. Minister saying you can book a jab online, NHS saying you have to await a letter. Apparently the first vaccine program was centrally managed whereas the booster program has been delegated to local primary care trusts. So look forward to some disconnected government.

Dave

User

Posted 22 Oct 2021 at 14:07

I just phoned my local chemist (as you can never get through to the GP, who have been ‘closed’ for eighteen months), who said ‘yes just pop in any afternoon for your booster’.

So I took my 87 year-old disabled father-in-law, but they sent him packing as he was five days too early from his last jab six months ago. Her Loveliness had a friend who was rejected for being a day too early!

Now the government are considering boosters after five months, and we have appointments with the doctor next month, which are two days too early!

Plague Panic Paranoia. The whole thing has been a fiasco from start to finish (not just yet though).

Cheers, John.

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