Will you be taking a booster?

billyhead · 18-12-2021 10:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341498#Comment_118341498

Not sure tbh.

Lumen · 18-12-2021 10:34AM

If I had cancer and refused Treatment, would you be as outraged?

I'm not outraged. Your decisions don't affect me and your health doesn't concern me. I'm just curious about your reasoning.

The narrative changed to needing boosters, although the government clearly don't think they are even going to work, why else introduce restrictions for all, including those with boosters. Try see the wood from the trees. I'd rather take the very very low risk and die of covid than live this existence.

Can you explain what you mean by "live this existence" as it relates to your vaccine choice? How will your life change for the worse after you spend half an hour getting a jab?

Or is it something like a sense of regaining control, to refuse the invitation? To push back against authoritarianism?

is_that_so · 18-12-2021 10:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341371#Comment_118341371

Boosters were also touted as a way to get through this period and with these new restrictions now they are not. That's a public health message problem but it doesn't exactly encourage people, who are less enthusiastic, to queue up for boosters.

Furze99 · 18-12-2021 11:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341515#Comment_118341515

We crossed points so, but on your POV.. is it not safer now for an extensively vaccinated adult population to catch Covid?

Lumen · 18-12-2021 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341723#Comment_118341723

Safer than getting a booster? No.

Furze99 · 18-12-2021 11:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341743#Comment_118341743

Agreed, but the margins are finer. When this first blew up in early 2020, we were all very wary of the unknown and taking elaborate precautions. Things have changed and people can weigh up the relative risks now better for themselves. Isn't that what personal responsibility is about, rather than dictate by state?

Danzy · 18-12-2021 11:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341427#Comment_118341427

Your choice but it seems your feelings are deciding not evidence.

Loafing Oaf · 18-12-2021 11:51AM

Getting mine in a local pharmacy in about an hour

Danzy · 18-12-2021 11:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341580#Comment_118341580

What baffles people is that are people so adamant against being put on blood thinners, hooked up to oxygen.

Fine if you don't want a booster but give your word that you will not go to the Doctor or hospital if you get it.

That you'll own your decision and be responsible for your own life.

Not specifically directed at you is that so, so it isn't.

Wibbs · 18-12-2021 11:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341515#Comment_118341515

That's a different matter. Whether someone who has already had Covid now has sufficient antibodies to provide protection is a question that can presumably be answered by testing. It's not always true, because we know there are people who have got Covid twice, but it may be true in many cases.

The number who do get reinfected is tiny and again clustered heavily in the elderly. The Brits after looking at the figures in summer concluded out of nearly 4 million people with confirmed infections. This is equivalent to around 0.4% cases becoming reinfected. Tiny percentage. How many of the vaccinated have had breakthrough infections? I'd bet it's significantly more than 0.4%.

I am NOT suggesting contracting covid without the protection of a vaccine is clever as the vaccines clearly protected against serious illness and death, particularly in the most vulnerable demographics. However, if you're under 60, don't have underlying conditions(including being fat), if you have had covid in the last few months and triply so if you have been vaccinated on top, in my opinion a booster is hardly warranted and it's more about keeping the booster! booster! stuff in the public mind. I'm not seeing the science in it at all.

Danzy · 18-12-2021 11:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341813#Comment_118341813

Problem is that there are an awful lot of people between 40 and 60 who do have underlying conditions.

Diabetes, asthma, blood pressure, hemachromatisis, and on and on.

Lumen · 18-12-2021 12:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341767#Comment_118341767

It's quite difficult to have a conversation about the medical risk/benefits of a vaccine if people are going to drag in phrases like "dictate by state".

For instance, the state "dictates" that the minimum smoking age is 18. Does that have any bearing of the physiological effects of smoking for under 18s? No.

Wibbs · 18-12-2021 12:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341307#Comment_118341307

Just some thoughts using amateur basic segmentation, there is a large group, probably around 60% judging by lowest uptake in other countries that trust the experts, feel vulnerable, want to help others etc. that took vaccines gladly and will take boosters too. Great.

Then there is a group of sceptics that just don’t trust the vaccine and won’t take it without extreme coercion. In Ireland this is a small number because of the strong social contract, probably under 10% judging by success of first roll out.

I'd agree with you, save for the "strong social contract" part as the reason. The Irish psyche/culture has long shown itself to be conformist, compliant, even servile to authority(and all too quick to turn on those that aren't) so the high uptake wasn't a surprise when compared to other cultures. In other cultures like the former Soviet bloc nations where authority is mistrusted and for good reasons uptake was significantly less. When I read recently that a large percentage of those in Irish ICU's were from "Eastern Europe" that wasn't a surprise either.

In practical terms compliance in a culture is good in times of pandemics. It's one reason why East Asian nations generally got a much better handle on this pox and earlier in the campaign too.

Wibbs · 18-12-2021 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341838#Comment_118341838

And they should get their boosters as an extra precaution. Same for those under 40 with the same underlying conditions. I never suggested otherwise. I am questioning the notion that someone who has been already vaccinated and caught covid who isn't in that group needs a booster. Indeed even for people in that group who got vaccinated and had covid in the last couple of months I am not seeing anything close to good science that suggests lining up for a booster is warranted.

Lumen · 18-12-2021 12:20PM

Maybe it's worth considering our responses to other public health advice.

I drink alcohol regularly. Medically speaking, there is no safe lower limit for alcohol. I would be healthier, all other things being equal, if I didn't drink alcohol. I also don't get as much exercise as I should, and could do with eating less sugar and more vegetables. All of these behaviours are counter to public health advice.

I choose not to follow all public health advice, because....reasons. I enjoy booze, sugar, and sitting on my arse. But I don't deny the science.

So I understand how someone can choose to avoid a booster, I entirely accept that it is their choice, and I'm self-aware to accept that there are things I do that are bad for me and that go against medical advice, but I also do not deny the science because it makes my choices look bad. I would also not try to persuade other people that being a boozy, lazy sugar fiend is a good idea.

I have not come across a single qualified medical opinion that boosters are not a good idea, and I'm quite happy sticking with that lazy appeal to authority.

DLink · 18-12-2021 12:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341806#Comment_118341806

I'm not going to bother with the booster, but I can guarantee you that if I do get sick with covid, or anything else for that matter, I'll be first in the door of the hospital.

Why?

Because I pay my taxes, the same as everyone else. I've paid for the health service, and by god I'm going to use it if I need it.

Jimi H · 18-12-2021 12:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341859#Comment_118341859

I’m in that group - early 40s and no underlying conditions. Second jab floored me and I’ve been considering whether or not to get the booster. Anyway, made my decision yesterday, contacted my GP and am booked in for Wednesday. Overall I’m happy that I’m getting it.

Wibbs · 18-12-2021 12:40PM

Well the science and advice going by the HSE today is if you've been vaccinated you wait at least 90 days/three months before you can get a booster, if you've contracted covid you must wait at least six months before getting a booster. So on the one hand protection from covid infection is not nearly as good as protection from a vaccine, yet on the other hand in black and white the same science and advice is suggesting it's twice as good. People who've been vaccinated and have had covid, essentially they've been boosted already regardless of the order of exposure, are also being told they must get a booster. That's a fair bit of contradictory advice and science going on.

BTW if your tipple is red wine and a moderate consumption of same going by the science you'll likely love longer and be more healthy than a teetotaller.

Wibbs · 18-12-2021 12:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341977#Comment_118341977

The "we'll exclude you if you get sick because you're not playing along" stuff is more along the lines of what I posted earlier: The Irish psyche/culture has long shown itself to be conformist, compliant, even servile to authority(and all too quick to turn on those that aren't). Just as a healthy society shouldn't judge itself by the wealth of its wealthy, but by how poor its poor are, it should also judge itself not by how it treats the conformists, but how it treats the non conformists. And since we live in a pretty healthy society all in, only the reactive would suggest declining healthcare for the non boosted/vaccinated. There is pretty much zero chance of you being denied healthcare should you ever need it. This is a good thing.

AllForIt · 18-12-2021 01:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341988#Comment_118341988

BTW if your tipple is red wine and a moderate consumption of same going by the science you'll likely love longer and be more healthy than a teetotaller.

I thought that was debunked some years ago...

found this: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191021-is-wine-good-for-you

Furze99 · 18-12-2021 01:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341841#Comment_118341841

Well it will be by dictate, if as An Taoiseach moots, that having a 'booster' will become a requirement for any future vaccine certificate. That is an effective dictate.

Furze99 · 18-12-2021 01:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341988#Comment_118341988

It's very questionable logic indeed and makes little sense. Reinforces the view that they're just making it up on the hoof as they go along. So what's next?

Frank Bullitt · 18-12-2021 01:13PM

I’ll absolutely get the booster, but I have a feeling man just won’t out of protest now. It is a shame really, the communications for the vaccine being what we need was handled very poorly, and this is where we have ended up now over it.

Many will question why, and who could blame them? It will be anti vaxx bliss when we are told you need your booster to get into anywhere.

Mr. teddywinkles · 18-12-2021 01:16PM

I dont know about the booster but the double dose vaccine gives fook all protection on the transmission end.

Got it in our house couple weeks back. Spread like wildfire and all double vaccinated.

Dont intend on getting booster until forced because if ya keep this up yall be taking booster 160 in ten years time.

We're not all old fogies turning up for a medical and injection every 2 months. Most of us are healthy people.

If it doesn't stop transmission what use is it if ya can fight it naturally.

I think the new restrictions being introduced should give us an indication that transmission rate is not in decline with 93% vaccinated.

Until they sort that there is no point what so ever if your healthy people taking anymore. I'm taking it to stop transmission to vulnerable groups.

If it's not doing that well then now.

Lumen · 18-12-2021 01:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118342096#Comment_118342096

How is this in any way relevant to the medical decision about whether to vaccinate by choice now?

Are you suggesting rejecting the booster as a form of protest, to sway the politics around covid certs?

storker · 18-12-2021 02:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118341988#Comment_118341988

@Wibbs "BTW if your tipple is red wine and a moderate consumption of same going by the science you'll likely love longer and be more healthy than a teetotaller."

Now that's my kind of medical advice. I think I'll crack open a (medicinal) bottle of Shiraz this evening. 😊 I have heard this before of course, something to do with tannins If I remember correctly, but it's always nice to hear it again...

"The Irish psyche/culture has long shown itself to be conformist, compliant, even servile to authority(and all too quick to turn on those that aren't). Just as a healthy society shouldn't judge itself by the wealth of its wealthy, but by how poor its poor are, it should also judge itself not by how it treats the conformists, but how it treats the non conformists. And since we live in a pretty healthy society all in, only the reactive would suggest declining healthcare for the non boosted/vaccinated."

I've heard this claim made many times, but I have the sneaking suspicion that it's often aimed at people because they don't agree with the person making it. I'd offer the state of litter in this country as just one example. I think it's more to the point that Irish people are more servile to their own wishes than they are to authority. Sometimes their wishes will align will align with the government's requirements, sometimes they won't. Of course, when government and majority are in alignment the "sheeple" accusation gets trotted out. Nothing new there. Also, as far as I can see the people dreaming up additional punishments for the un-vaccinated are merely a mirror image of the equally small but inversely loud anti-vax movement. It would be a mistake, I think, to see in them a meaningful trend.

(Jesus I fcuking hate the new editing tools)

Atlantic Dawn · 18-12-2021 02:13PM

Are all places giving the same brand booster? Will they give you whatever they have on the day or is there a check done to see what goes best according to what you previously had?

Prisoner6409 · 18-12-2021 02:17PM

"Will you be taking a booster", is the question, well why would you not.

I am sick to death of people that spout misinformation or plain lies to come up with reasond not to take the vaccination or booster when what they are doing is ensuring this virus will never go away. I have been doubled jabbed and boosted mainly to assist society to beat this virus and to save the lives of people less fortunate than me as I am normally a healthy person that Covid if I caught it would probably not be fatal. I also wear a mask when appropriate, that some people refuse to wear a mask if only to protect others is selfish in the extreme.

Danno · 18-12-2021 02:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118342377#Comment_118342377

Plenty of lies and misinformation were spouted about the effectiveness of the vaccines to get our society back to normal, yet here we are. But you won't see these accusations directed back at those who made them. Instead we have a doubling-down of "follow the science" which is the most bull$hit term conjured up.

Cluedo Monopoly · 18-12-2021 02:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118342360#Comment_118342360

Moderna (Spikevax half dose) is the product of choice at MVCs now. Only allowed for 30+.

Children will get Pfizer (1/3 dose).

Unvaccinated will get Pfizer primary doses.

Pfizer available in GPs and Pharmacies.

I think Pfizer will become the booster of choice longterm but only after they have used up the million+ doses of Moderna.

I personally would be reluctant to get a vaccine 'mix' so I will opt for a Pfizer booster, probably in a pharmacy. All my eggs in one basket so to speak.

Will you be taking a booster?

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