Booster vaccines, eligibility and travel bookings

[Must...Fly!]

Nothing booked apart from flights, but booked to go to Europe for a holiday on March 2.

Had my second Pfizer dose back in mid June. Just booked a Moderna booster at a local pharmac_ for second week of February which should hopefully mean I have good extra protection for 8-12 weeks. Flights back from Europe scheduled for March 28.

Unless I get Omicron first

 

[jakeseven7]

Just to make it clear to anyone who didn't read the article - they are turning away people who want travel tests for four hours (11am-3pm) at two testing sites. It's not a blanket ban on PCR traveler tests throughout the ACT.

Plus you can just say you are symptomatic anyway and still go ...

 

[Port Power]

Nothing booked apart from flights, but booked to go to Europe for a holiday on March 2.

Had my second Pfizer dose back in mid June. Just booked a Moderna booster at a local pharmac_ for second week of February which should hopefully mean I have good extra protection for 8-12 weeks. Flights back from Europe scheduled for March 28.

Unless I get Omicron first

May I ask why you are leaving the booster until 8 months rather then the six months recommmended? (I know it is too late now for you, like myself, to have done 4 months as per the UK studies.). From my reading, your immunity will be better boosted now rather than waiting another two months when they are “weaker”. (Or did I miss reading something age related?)

 

[drron]

May I ask why you are leaving the booster until 8 months rather then the six months recommmended? (I know it is too late now for you, like myself, to have done 4 months as per the UK studies.). From my reading, your immunity will be better boosted now rather than waiting another two months when they are “weaker”. (Or did I miss reading something age related?)

Your antibody levels will fall from the level at 4 - 5 months but some small studies suggest the longer interval between the second and third shots the greater the boost in those levels.
So in @Must...Fly! 's case being a younger fellow the risk of Omicron is really just mild disease so better to have higher levels before travel to reduce the risk of travel interruptions due to a positive test.

 

[Must...Fly!]

So in @Must...Fly! 's case being a younger fellow the risk of Omicron is really just mild disease so better to have higher levels before travel to reduce the risk of travel interruptions due to a positive test.

Indeed this is pretty much my approach, very low risk of any serious illness so best to time it to minimise the chances of pesky positive tests while travelling, assuming the trip goes ahead.

 

[justinbrett]

I confirmed with Terry White today they are applying 7 days leeway with boosters

 

[ethernet]

It is interesting to hear soft denials that nobody expected peak demand at Xmas/NYE. Combined with a bitter Workplace court battle in Victoria to suppress - facts. Cooperation indeed. Educator John Campbell has revealed the Omicrom R Number, and how Denmark and Canada are faring (elimination strategy is dead, mild breakthroughs aplenty). After the NYE parties, I predict RAT test supplies in Australia - will be tested.

I am sure we will hear more garbage how the Omicron wave, and forced furlough of medical staff was completely unexpected, when they could have being given booster shots a week ago, or today.

Right now, an orderly published priority scheme for PCR test lines is needed (previously covid line marshals/ nurses were applying unwritten rules) - so that the unvaccinated / very elderly / people with iso sms contact messages waste less time in queues. Lets put herd intelligence before herd immunity.

 

[justinbrett]

Just had my booster today at Terry White, at 3 months and 26 days.

I’m flying to LAX in 4 days and told them that and no further questions asked, no problems at all. Already on AIR so I’ve updated my international vax certificate.

When I went to cancel another booking at a different branch in case I was turned away today, I notice they now have a notice:

It has been more than 5 calendar months since your second dose and not one day before. If you attend your appointment earlier, you will be turned away until you are eligible.

For example second COVID-19 vaccine completed on the 15th of July, eligible to receive your booster from (and not before) the 15th of December.

I am currently in Queensland so perhaps the competition for boosters is not like down south so they are not enforcing that. When I verbally asked at TW Pacific Fair they said they’d give 7 days leeway.

 

[mviy]

I just had my booster in London. Easy, went to a walk in clinic, took my daughter, while I waited in the queue she enquired. She said I was living here with her for 3 months (slight exaggeration - 6 weeks), we were then told to go straight to the manager to ask if is was acceptable. From there we were sent straight through, this allowed us to jump the queue. Having my granddaughter there with us, in her pram helped and we were both jabbed quite quickly. All up it took about 50 minutes. I had Pfzier and was given a card with the details to show back in Aus. I will be following up with a call in 48 hours to NHS to enquire if I can receive more offical documentation of having had booster.

How did you go with getting more official documentation?

I had a booster the day before flying home so didn't bother to go and register at a GP practice to try to get more official documentation.

 

[Port Power]

How did you go with getting more official documentation?

I had a booster the day before flying home so didn't bother to go and register at a GP practice to try to get more official documentation.

The GP practice doesn’t supply any official documentation. Wherever you have the booster done, it is entered into your Medicare vaccination history. You then log in and print out your international certificate. Mine was available the day after my booster.

Edit: Oops, you were asking how to obtain in the UK. You want something more official than the card.

 

[mviy]

Yes, the UK. I got my Pfizer booster after my COVID test in the evening before an early start to go to the airport for QF10.

I think I will probably just get a second booster in Australia in about a few months or so. I might travel in the middle of the year and would like a high level of protection then.

 

[Millie]

The GP practice doesn’t supply any official documentation. Wherever you have the booster done, it is entered into your Medicare vaccination history. You then log in and print out your international certificate. Mine was available the day after my booster.

Edit: Oops, you were asking how to obtain in the UK. You want something more official than the card.

Yes, I was hoping to get something more official here in London before I leave. I called NHS, unfortunately they told me they do not write letters, so the card I have is the only proof. I will not be getting another booster. If it is not good enough - one would have to ask - why would I fake the booster, given I am fully vaccinated? Time will tell I suppose.

 

[mviy]

Yes, I was hoping to get something more official here in London before I leave. I called NHS, unfortunately they told me they do not write letters, so the card I have is the only proof. I will not be getting another booster. If it is not good enough - one would have to ask - why would I fake the booster, given I am fully vaccinated? Time will tell I suppose.

I don’t mind getting another booster, just preferably not straightaway. I would like to wait at least a few months after my first booster before having another.

I’ll be interested to hear how you get on trying to get your UK booster registered on the AIR.

I have no regrets about getting boosted in the UK. I should have a high level of immunity during the peak of the omicron wave here whereas back here even now I’d still be weeks away from eligibility for a booster.

Another booster before hopefully travelling overseas mid-year would be nice.

 

[Quickstatus]

I’ll be interested to hear how you get on trying to get your UK booster registered on the AIR.

It’s an easy process (in theory)

1) Get the Jab whatever the Jab is for (not just Covid)
2) get documentation
- must include batch number,
- date of vaccinations,
- must be Australian approved Jab
- include country of vaccination
- must be translated to English

3) arrive back in Australia

4) see Vax provider here in Aus - basically your GP

5) your Gp will enter data into AIR

 

[drron]

Looking at the Moderna share chart you can see why they need a booster.

 

[mviy]

And they need to hope that a better vaccine that takes away their market share isn’t developed.