Covid booster/ third primary dose query

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Hi All,

My brother has been advised by oncologist to get covid booster before he starts on folfiri and panitumubab which will be in the next 2-3 weeks. He has also had a flu jab yesterday in preparation.

He is not due his covid booster till next month and his GP said they can’t vaccinate him without a referral from oncologist. The oncologist registrar that we had telephone appointment with also seemed unsure whether he needed a third primary dose or a booster. Anyone able to advise? and is there an easier way to get this done? It seems like an awful lot of faff on.
I have contacted his specialist nurse who said she will e mail the oncologist, that was Monday. Am I being too impatient?

lizzieannie over 3 years ago

Hey Lozberry, it does sound like a bit of a faff. I'm not sure if my response will help or not but I've not heard anything from anyone about a covid booster. Like your brother mine is 'due' towards end of November. I already started on chemo 4 weeks ago though (CAPOX). I'll check this out when I'm getting my next chemo infusion, which is planned for Friday. Hope someone else can give a clearer response.

Barbel over 3 years ago in reply to lizzieannie

Morning, my husband is on Capox and has just finished his 5th round. We both received a text message to book our booster. We both have it booked for 31st October. Fingers crossed for everyone x

Lozberry over 3 years ago

I have spoken to the Macmillan helpline, he doesn’t have a blood cancer, nor was he severely immunocompromised when he had the first 2 jabs,so he doesn’t need third primary dose. There is no easy way to get a booster it seems. There needs to be evidence that he is eligible for it so I think he needs a letter from the oncologist. What a right faff on this is turning out to be. He lives very near a local pharmacy that does boosters, I might go in and have a word with them. If they vaccines left at the end of sessions, they won’t want it to go to waste, so I might be lucky. If not we will have to wait for a letter from the oncologist.
it seems like a massive issue that shouldn’t be, I’m sure the oncologist has better things to do than sorting out red tape like this.

ive has an update from colorectal nurse, apparently not even papal dispensation will get you a covid booster before your cohort is eligible. Nothing anyone can do. I am irritated about this to say the least. Oh well it’s not all bad today, he’s got his line in and starts his treatment next Wednesday. He is happy about that, and so am I.