Local COVID jabs

[Sue]

Does anyone know what kind of COVID vaccine is currently being used locally?

I've just had a jab, but I didn't realise till I got home that I hadn't been told what it was,  and I had forgotten to ask.

This was at the pharmacy at Tessa Jowell.

Last time I had a jab was at the  pharmacy opposite Nunhead Green, and they gave me a leaflet to take away with all the information.

Edited April 22 by Sue

[Penguin68]

I got no information either from the pharmacy in Forest Hill Road

[Sue]

5 minutes ago, Penguin68 said:

I got no information either from the pharmacy in Forest Hill Road

It's a bit odd, isn't it?

Apparently it could be either Pfizer or Moderna, and I've had both in the past, but I'd just like to know which it was this time.

I guess my GP should know, if I wait a few days for the info to trickle through.

But as I still kept getting reminders to have it long after I'd booked it, I don't have much faith in a joined up system.

[Nigello]

The doctor or pharmacist giving jabs at the chemist’s at the end of Half Moon Lane was v unhelpful and even hostile when I asked about the jab and any possible side effects, last time around. I told him I thought his attitude stank and didn’t appreciate being treated like dumb cattle! 
In future, just ask and don’t be put off, especially when the administrator of the jab ought to give you all details as a matter of course anyway. 

Edited April 22 by Nigello

[jazzer]

Last year Krystals were not using Pfizer, if you wanted it that had to be paid for, think it was £100. 

52 minutes ago, Sue said:

Does anyone know what kind of COVID vaccine is currently being used locally?

I've just had a jab, but I didn't realise till I got home that I hadn't been told what it was,  and I had forgotten to ask.

This was at the pharmacy at Tessa Jowell.

Last time I had a jab was at the  pharmacy opposite Nunhead Green, and they gave me a leaflet to take away with all the information.

they should have given you some documentation saying which brand it was.

[Penguin68]

I've just checked on my NHS app, it shows that I've had the vaccine but doesn't record which it was. But then, it didn't last autumn and I was then given the record of what I'd had. Presumably this is a cost saving measure. I never get details of what flu vaccine I get or who made it. 

[Jenijenjen]

I had the covid vaccination at TJ a couple of weeks ago or so and checking the card they gave me it says Spikevax which is Moderna. 

Edit: just seen you had your jab in the pharmacy whereas I had mine in the first floor premises arranged by ECPS. I have heard/read that all vaccinations are Moderna this time round.

Edited April 22 by Jenijenjen

[ianr]

The sticker I was given at Kristal in December said Pfizer/Cominarty.  I see it now comes in ten-packs of preloaded syringes, and though initially stored ultra-cold, can now be delivered and stored for up to ten weeks at 2-8 degrees C, and then kept at 8-25 degrees for no more than twelve hours.

 

Edited April 22 by ianr
Amendments made (apart from this one) while unaware of any further posts.

[Sue]

1 hour ago, Nigello said:

The doctor or pharmacist giving jabs at the chemist’s at the end of Half Moon Lane was v unhelpful and even hostile when I asked about the jab and any possible side effects, last time around. I told him I thought his attitude stank and didn’t appreciate being treated like dumb cattle! 
In future, just ask and don’t be put off, especially when the administrator of the jab ought to give you all details as a matter of course anyway. 

I would have asked, but I forgot!

12 minutes ago, ianr said:

The sticker I was given at Kristal in December said Pfizer/Cominarty.  I see it now comes in ten-packs of preloaded syringes, and though initially stored ultra-cold, can be delivered and stored for up to ten weeks at 2-8 degrees C, and then kept at 8-25 degrees for no more than twelve hours.

Sue, I've not checked just now, but I suspect you'll find your vaccine details in your online NHS records.

 

Just checked, and not only is today's jab not on there, which perhaps isn't surprising, but nor is last year's 😮

[ctovey]

Sue

If you have PATIENT ACCESS, it shows under 'medications'.  Mine was SPIKEVAX, which is Moderna, although I had mine in Lewisham

[Sue]

On 22/04/2025 at 17:32, ctovey said:

Sue

If you have PATIENT ACCESS, it shows under 'medications'.  Mine was SPIKEVAX, which is Moderna, although I had mine in Lewisham

Thanks, I'll try again! 

Nope. Nothing. There is just a flu vaccine, on an "unknown date", and Pfizer from 2023

ETA 24/4: Thanks for this info, it is now showing on there as Spikevax/Moderna 

Edited April 24 by Sue

[Cathann]

Hi Sue, did you have a notification from your GP surgery telling you about the latest COVID vaccinations? I know from previous posts that we are both at the same surgery but I haven’t heard anything.  As I have a lung condition I’m keen to have a booster jab whenever it is offered!

[NewWave]

I had mine in Lewisham it was Moderna.

It seems thats the most widely used one now I only know because I prefer Pfizer moderna gives me a sore arm (I think they call it 'Covid Arm') every time but it appears to get Moderna you have to pay for it or try and find a pharmacy that has it.

[Sue]

1 hour ago, Cathann said:

Hi Sue, did you have a notification from your GP surgery telling you about the latest COVID vaccinations? I know from previous posts that we are both at the same surgery but I haven’t heard anything.  As I have a lung condition I’m keen to have a booster jab whenever it is offered!

Sorry, I can't remember, I've been inundated with texts inviting me to have this jab, and I made the appointment ages ago.

But I get them because I'm ancient, not because of any serious medical condition.

Maybe contact the surgery and ask?

13 minutes ago, NewWave said:

I had mine in Lewisham it was Moderna.

It seems thats the most widely used one now I only know because I prefer Pfizer moderna gives me a sore arm (I think they call it 'Covid Arm') every time but it appears to get Moderna you have to pay for it or try and find a pharmacy that has it.

Yes, I  got a sore arm with Moderna last year.

I suspect it was Moderna I had this morning, so I've got the sore arm to look forward to. Hooray.

I think it's Pfizer that you may now have to pay for?

Edited April 22 by Sue

[Cathann]

Yes, I’ll do that thanks.  I’ve also had these texts previously - and I’m ancient too! 

[Sue]

Posting this here rather than starting another COVID  thread, as there are already two, but admin please move if it's inappropriate.

I've never had a bad reaction previously except a sore arm, but I've woken up feeling headachy and achy  and quite unwell.

I've had to cancel two appointments,  and my dentist receptionist said this reaction can happen even if you have been ok before, and it  can take three days to go away.

Wondering what other people's experiences have been. Obviously it's possible I've got something unrelated to the jab, but it seems a strange coincidence if so.

[Jenijenjen]

I had no reaction this time apart from a sore arm at injection point

Edited April 23 by Jenijenjen

[ianr]

I've always thought, though without seeking any supporting information, that any mildish transient side effects were at least confirmation of the immune system's being able to detect incomers, and without going out of control -- so generally to be welcomed.   (That doesn't  btw mean that I take their absence to be a bad sign.)

[NewWave]

@Sue Yes-I meant its Pfizer you have to pay for.

the Chesmist I had administer the vaccination this time had no pfizer available but last year I had my vaccination near work in central london and when I enquired about if I could have Pfizer I was told not on the NHS but I could have it privately for £100.

 

[ianr]

See page 37 (re vaccine to be used - Pfizer or Moderna) of Ch.14a of  the compendious NHS Green Book on Immunisation.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d8a1979dc953ac3bfe9382/GreenBook-chapter-14a-COVID-19-17_3_25.pdf

And from page 32:

"Spring 2025 The committee has recommended that those eligible for COVID-19 vaccination are:

● adults aged 75 years and over

● residents in a care home for older adults

● individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosupressed (as defined in the "immunosuppression" row of table 3 and table 4)"

Edited April 23 by ianr
Refinement

[Sue]

10 hours ago, ianr said:

See page 37 (re vaccine to be used - Pfizer or Moderna) of Ch.14a of  the compendious NHS Green Book on Immunisation.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d8a1979dc953ac3bfe9382/GreenBook-chapter-14a-COVID-19-17_3_25.pdf

And from page 32:

"Spring 2025 The committee has recommended that those eligible for COVID-19 vaccination are:

● adults aged 75 years and over

● residents in a care home for older adults

● individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosupressed (as defined in the "immunosuppression" row of table 3 and table 4)"

Thanks ianr. That's an interesting book!

I see it says side effects are more common after the second dose of Moderna (page 13).

I would have booked my jab for another week if I'd known. Kicking myself now.

I wonder why this sort of thing isn't more widely publicised. I suppose partly for cost reasons and partly because they don't want to put people off having the jab.

 

[ctovey]

I made the mistake last Autumn of having my Covid booster and Flu jab in the same arm at the same time.  The pharmacist said it would be ok!  During the night I felt really sick and got up and sat on the side of the bed. Next thing I knew, I was waking up on the floor.  Frightened the life out of my husband!  Took him a couple of hours to get me off of the floor and back into bed.  Spent the next couple of days in bed recovering.

I won't be making that mistake again!