Boosters

is_that_so

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118200720#Comment_118200720

Pretty much everyone who got J&J is 3 months+ so that recommendation is slightly useless given that there are up to 1m people ahead of them to be offered boosters.

Bellie1

So is there a sequence /plan to how the boosters are being rolled out? Alot of 50-60 year olds are 5 months after last dose or will be by end of month. Will they still let them wait until the 60-70 age group are done? Or is plan still being drawn up? Rang a few pharmacies yesterday but they're in the dark as to who can apply. They mentioned they might have booking online in a week or so and to keep am eye on it. On Weds ,it'll be 5 months from when got 2nd shot so am hoping can apply to pharmacy in early December. No access to MVC so hope that's an option

is_that_so

Post here talks about it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118200729/#Comment_118200729

Under 60s, save special groups will not be done until New Year at least.

Bellie1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118200875#Comment_118200875

Oh hadn't come across that. I don't understand why they're not ramping up MVCs and pharmacies, could be alot more done before Xmas? Whats the most vaccines they were doing a week ,at the peak during summer?

is_that_so

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118200900#Comment_118200900

They are ramping up and pharmacies seem to be coming on stream next week. It's still a lot of people to get through in the 60+ group. You can track the booster progress on the Geohub.

SusanC10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118200918#Comment_118200918

I hope that they start ramping up soon.

40-49 age group will be hitting 5 months towards the end of this month or early December and 6 months from mid/late December onwards.

A large percentage of this Group also have (mostly unvaccinated) kids in Primary Schools. The waning of the Vaccines plus the unmitigated spread in schools will start to effect this group soon.

is_that_so

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118201100#Comment_118201100

Even if NIAC approve, with the numbers ahead of them that is unlikely to happen any time within the next two months.

Strumms

I’m due to head to my GP late tomorrow for a consultation and to discuss tests results which are great as he sent said results by sms too but he wants to see me.. Is it worth my while chancing my arm for a booster if he’s any spare ? I was fully vaccinated on the second week of June... so am I in eligible territory or is it a case of the timeline is strictly adhered to ? I’m about 2 weeks away from the 6 months, thanks...ps.. not looking for medical advice just actual experiences as I’ll ask anyway ...thanks.

Wolf359f

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204183#Comment_118204183

It's only 5 months for a booster (provided you quality based on age 50+) or at risk etc...

So yes, chance your arm, nothing to loose by asking.

Strumms

Thanks yep I’ll just ask is the best as I think I fall in between the two tracks, cheers.

BailMeOut

For over 50's / 5+ months since 2nd shot do you have to wait for the text calling you for the booster or can you do a walk-in? I talked to someone this weekend who did a walk-in booter in Cork but HSE site specifically says that walk-in booters are not available.

Icantthinkof1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204415#Comment_118204415

Are they healthcare workers? City Hall are currently offering walk in boosters to healthcare staff

BailMeOut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204429#Comment_118204429

he is definitely not a health worker and he said City Hall was empty when he got there.

So for 50+ we just wait for the call-up via text?

Wibbs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118200106#Comment_118200106

What studies? The NIAC gave no citations that I could find.

And it raises questions over what studies to believe. Before pfizer came out with its booster programme J&J released their own peer reviewed studies which the CDC agreed with that "Current data for the eight months studied so far show that the single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generates a strong neutralizing antibody response that does not wane; rather, we observe an improvement over time. In addition, we observe a persistent and particularly robust, durable cellular immune response" Here's another take on same: These data are promising and reassuring," Barouch told CNN. Barouch has submitted his findings to the BioRxiv pre-print server."Data showed that T-cell responses -- including CD8+ T-cells that seek out and destroy infected cells -- persisted over the eight-month timeframe examined," and "A single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generated neutralizing antibodies against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, which increased over time, including against the increasingly prevalent and more transmissible Delta (B.1.617.2) variant, the partially neutralization-resistant Beta (B.1.351), the Gamma (P.1) variants and others, including the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Epsilon (B.1.429), Kappa (B.1.617.1) and D614G variants, as well as the original SARS-CoV-2 strain," and Earlier Thursday, J&J said a second or booster dose of its vaccine would not be necessary.

So studies across different countries and variants involving hundreds of thousands of subjects over an eight momth period that were apparently cast iron a few months ago are now upturned to the point where after six months the vacinnated may as well not be, and the same studies are to be ignored because boosters are in play now? Boosters that came along on the back of a drop in efficacy of Pfizer for the most part? Somebody's telling porkies, or are making it up as they go along in the face of an uptick in infections and hospitalisations even with one of the highest vaccinated percentage in the western world.

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204577#Comment_118204577

Have a look for Janssen in here

https://rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NIAC_Recommendations-on-booster-doses-of-COVID-19-vaccine-for-healthcare-workers16-59-years-with-underlying-conditions-and-all-those-50-59-years.pdf.pdf

Via

https://www.rcpi.ie/policy-and-advocacy/national-immunisation-advisory-committee/advice-on-covid-19-vaccinations-provided-by-niac-to-the-department-of-health/

I'm not taking a position on the advice, just trying to find where it is explained.

Icantthinkof1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204546#Comment_118204546

How old is he, perhaps he is immunocompromised? How did he know to go to City Hall, did he get a text?

Dempo1

Curious thing I learned yesterday. I've a close friend who is immune compromised due to a long term illness. She was contacted for a booster and duly attended. On arrival she was told due to her medical situation she would be getting a Top up as opposed to booster, she was told they don't tell people this as to avoid people not showing up. She got the 2 Pfizer previously.

I've been called to attend my GP in 2 weeks for my Booster (I'm also immune compromised). Obviously I'm delighted but now wondering is it a Top up or Booster.

I'm just curious has anyone heard of this Top up as opposed to Booster, is there actually a difference etc

Thanks

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204803#Comment_118204803

It's a technical distinction between someone who had sufficient immunity from two doses but that immunity has waned (booster) vs someone for whom the two doses did not trigger sufficient immunity (third dose, "top up").

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204830#Comment_118204830

Thank you, I was just a little surprised at learning this yesterday. But regardless I'm happy to be receiving a booster, top up etc.

Thanks again😊

keno-daytrader

Galway "mass vaccination centre" closed today!

Im glad the HSE and our Govt are taking this booster campaign seriously.

J and J people done in May now past 6 months with one jab, meanwhile NIAC now says J and J people should be boosted 3 months after 1st Jab and Galway MVC is closed on a Monday?

Paul Reid really earning that 8200 euros a week paycheck into his bank account.

Burty330

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204830#Comment_118204830

But its the exact same vaccine , no? Where did you pull this information from, did you read it somewhere?

Wibbs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118204728#Comment_118204728

Recipients of COVID-19 vaccine Janssen should receive an mRNA booster dose after an interval of three months. Oh and must be with the mRNA type, which is our only choice now in Ireland, mRNA vaccines that show real world drops in efficacy, hence Israel and Ireland(both majority Pfizer) are seeing upswings and panic even though both have very high vaccine uptakes. This goes against numerous studies of that vaccine by the makers and independents that were over much longer than three months and against the different variants. So were all those studies that we relied upon a few months ago magically bollocks now? And later in the same documnet they state: While antibody levels can decline over time, VE against hospitalisation and severe diseaseis sustained for at least six months in the general population. Which is it? And they admit: Most of the evidence regarding booster vaccination relates to the use of an mRNA vaccine. There are limited data on the use of adenoviral vector booster vaccines. So on the one hand they have limited data on the adenoviral vaccines and state that vaccination overall wards off hospitalisation for six months at least, on the other hand if you've had a J&J you're in trouble by three? Digging deeper into it they state that the risks of serous illness and death is sustained for at least six months, except in those with underlying conditions, cardiovascular being the biggie, there is some increase in illness/death in the 50-60 age group(but it's still only 1.8 per 100,000 for the vaccinated, ten times higher for the unvaccinated) , but as age goes up risks get higher as we've known for 18 months.

And some wonder why others are having questions about the ever contradictory missives from on high. Yet at the same time we have a "curfew" on a virus which is beyond retarded and we have schools open where the spread is as obvious as an obvious thing.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205562#Comment_118205562

Just in relation to the question I raised.

A person immune compromised and having had 2 dose Pfizer, called about Booster. Attended the centre for the Booster and told she's getting a Top up as opposed to Booster. I'm in exactly the same position albeit not for 2 weeks and will get Booster at GP surgery. I'm 54 buy immune compromised.

I guess my question was, why even mention its a top up as opposed to a Booster, indeed the staff told my friend they don't mention this on initial contact with Receipients. I just thought it was a very odd approach, I reiterate I'm happy either way but surely adding another layer of confusion, not very helpful.

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205626#Comment_118205626

It possibly makes a difference to the dosing intervals, although I agree the communication isn't great.

Burty330

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205643#Comment_118205643

I asked you a question. Where did you get this information on top ups... did you make it up because you wanted to sound smart?

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205651#Comment_118205651

Do you think rudeness is going to force me to do your research for you?

Burty330

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205672#Comment_118205672

Its the exact same vaccine , yes or no? And top us is just another name for booster. Its the same thing - a third jab.

Wibbs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205626#Comment_118205626

It's a little confused alright, but that's been a feature of this pox in many ways. From what I understand it and as Luman explained, a booster is an extra vaccination in someone with a normal immune system where the vaccines loses efficacy over time, or in response to new variants, a top up is for people who are immune compromised where the initial vaccination doesn't get the desired result so they need a "top up" to bring them in line with the rest.

Wolf359f

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205681#Comment_118205681

http://hse.ie/immuno

theres the information and reasoning behind it. It's called an additional dose as the dosing interval is 2 months, where a booster is 5 months. Before people get their knickers in a twist, in all likelihood people who received an additional jab (third shot) would be called back 5 months after it for their booster. Hence the talk of a 4th dose in Israel.

Burty330

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205709#Comment_118205709

Yes , the point im getting at is that by the very definition of a vaccine these medical substances don't qualify. They are something else entirely , and they are proven to be totally ineffective in stopping transmission , which was the purpose of them all along

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205721#Comment_118205721

Where did you get this definition of vaccines? Did you make it up because you wanted to sound stupid?

Wolf359f

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205721#Comment_118205721

The purpose was to reduce deaths and serious illness. The UK found out early on that an added bonus was they severely reduced transmission. That was with wild and alpha though. All changed with delta though.

In response to your original post:

Yes , the point im getting at is that by the very definition of a vaccine these medical substances don't qualify. They are something else entirely , and they are proven to be totally ineffective in stopping transmission , which was the purpose of them all along

Wolf359f

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205626#Comment_118205626

I got a third jab and the text specifically called it an additional dose with a link to the hse to explain it. As I was only 4 months post 2nd dose, I could have ignored it, thinking I was being called too early for a booster.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205698#Comment_118205698

Thanks 😏

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205752#Comment_118205752

Personally I just got a call from my GP's surgery on Friday, all that was mentioned was booster in 2 weeks , my original Vacinnes were also done by GP . I was just raising what was told to a close friend , re top up as opposed to booster. Hopefully I've not come across as questioning validity of boosters which I absolutely support and am glad to be receiving 😏

Wolf359f

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205790#Comment_118205790

Ah there's definitely confusion around the difference between an additional jab and a booster.

Even Pfizer and Israel were at odds, Israel wanted to call it a booster but Pfizer insisted it be a third jab (this was before the mass booster rollout, was more to protect the ~50% fully vaccinated in ICU who were immune compromised there)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205721#Comment_118205721

What definition of a vaccine are you referring to?

Covid vaccines were designed to reduce risk of serious illness/death, was it ever claimed they were to provide immunity to infection or prevent transmission? Where did you read that?

BanditLuke

Received a text over the weekend with booster appointment for this week but im only 4 months since my second jab. Anyone know the procedure i don't want to waste my time going if it's going to be no use.

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205972#Comment_118205972

I assume it's the requirement for more than two doses which is unprecedented amongst vaccines. Apart from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hib, polio, hep B, pneumococcal disease, men C, and possibly some others I've missed.

Whocanibe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206004#Comment_118206004

I thought I was five months between, when I checked I was only four months. I'm immunocompromised so that was the reason. It was called an extra dose, not a booster, so unless you have underlying conditions, I think it should be five months. I've seen people say on here they were turned away because it wasn't 5 months since last dose.

astrofool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118205721#Comment_118205721

Wow, really gone off the deep end here.

What are these "medical substances" you speak of? Are they safe?

What is reducing the R rate in Ireland from about 6 (suspected Delta R0 based on studies) to around 1? Is it that the restrictions are working or is it the vaccines? Or combination of both?

I also have to ask why do you keep asking questions to other people which have simple answers that can be looked up quickly? Are you JAQ'ing or really don't know the answers?

BanditLuke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206074#Comment_118206074

Hi thanks for that. No underlying conditions maybe i'll leave it for a few weeks and get it. Thanks

is_that_so

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206041#Comment_118206041

The concern for some is that it's not even a year before a booster is required. Even flu' is an annual vaccine.

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206413#Comment_118206413

All of the ones I listed have a dosing gap of less than 12 months. And we are vaccinating babies, is_that_so. BABIES! Won't someone think of the children!

is_that_so

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206429#Comment_118206429

Then you should have said babies. Tetanus, like some of the others, can be given at any age and it's not a 12 month dose in adults!

nccccc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206413#Comment_118206413

Because we all got vaccinated for the most part right before a new variant emerged that partially escaped immunity from a country with minimal vaccination.

People keep questioning why we are getting vaccinated again as if this was completely unexpected. The flu mutates annually so we only get a flu vaccine annually. Covid is mutating constantly so long as unvaccinated or partially vaccinated populations continue to be a breeding ground for more dangerous variants. If everyone in the country and the places we travel to/from gets their vaccines and stop the opportunity for mutations then we won't have to keep repeating this cycle of getting boosters. The more people question this as if it's something completely unexpected, the more we will have under/partially vaccinated people continuing the variant cycle.

Whocanibe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206389#Comment_118206389

If you ring the HSE, you may get more useful information.

_Whimsical_

Anyone who has gotten the booster been told how long it takes for you to gain protection that you can rely on?

is_that_so

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118206494#Comment_118206494

That's going to happen anyway as COVID stats show younger groups and the healthy are at far less risk. The booster is mainly aimed at those most at risk. 70% will be a good return from it but that will rapidly fall to flu' jab levels if we are looking at Booster 2 next year.

leahyl

My friends dad is 77 with underlying conditions and still hasn't been called by GP to get booster. He's nearly 8 months since 2nd jab at this stage. Was saying he should definitely ring the GP. Then saw an article today saying City Hall are open for walk in boosters today until 4pm for over 60's.