COVID booster shots

@arpie I have heard that the efficacy doesn't wane as quickly with Astra Zeneca as it does with the Pfizer jab.  Not sure about Moderna though as that is relatively new to us here in Oz.  I wonder what the reasoning is that your Onc suggests a  different vaccine type for the booster shot? 

@arpie have you been able to book your booster at a pharmacy?  My oncologist wants me to have a booster Pfizer or Moderna, but apparently pharmacies are still unable to administer third doses at this stage - even though they have been ATAGI approved.

Hi @Julez1958, we are working on an update in the My Journey tool to be able to provide to our members which is in the final stages of being completed. I will also update the COVID-19 discussion when this information is available and in the meantime we are directing people to discuss with their GP in the regarding their questions/concerns. Thankyou for flagging.

Saw hubby’s (and my) Onc today. She definitely wants us both to have the booster .... and has said it will be even more effective if you get a DIFFERENT ONE for the booster.  So if you had AZ for the first two ... go Moderna or Pfizer for the booster. We will probably have Moderna for the booster as the chemists can do that in our area ... Pfizer is still being held for the youngies. 

Double check if you need a letter from the Onc .... or that the recommendation is at least put to your GP in your report  .... tho the chemist can access your Meds list via Medicare anyway and see what you are on. It would be Better for peace of mind tho, to have it in writing in case they turn you away!!

take care xx

I will be asking the question because im getting my second jab early. This Saturday  (Got so hard to organise the whole thing)    from what ive read the optimal with az is 12 weeks. And mine will only be 6 weeks.

I had the booster today! I saw the GP first, just to check I qualified or whether I should wait longer but she said 100% have it now, she had no doubts at all. 

She said it is really to bring us up to the level of antibodies other people (those without cancer/having treatment) would have got with two shots.

@jintie thank you for bringing this up,  I too am confused as to whether or not I should be having the booster.  I had my 2nd pfizer late May so would be due a booster if I fall into this group.

I finished what i call active treatment (chemo & rad)s in March 2020 and have been on Femara since then and am NED, although had a bit of a scare at annual mammogram (thankfully all good).

Would be good to know if I am considered severely immunocompromised as had not considered myself in this category.

Think I may contact my GP to find out what he thinks.  Hopefully this will be clarified soon.  In the meantime hope you are all staying safe.

I asked my GP and she has me booked in on  Monday for Pfizer! It has been 9 weeks since my second shot of Astra. I was stage 2 when I had the op in July and haven’t been scanned yet so don’t know if I’m NED.

I was doing radiation in between the first two AZ shots though so I was wondering if that might have reduced my response. 

Thanks for sharing this @jintie

I am on hormone therapy so was interested. I guess I should ask the oncologist about this but seems that I should get that booster. My second dose was July this year so according to that information I would be eligible now. Certainly better for me to have that shot rather than covid. 

Hi there
i read that and it was unclear to me whether the relevant para referring to being on hormonal therapy was for those who are NED ( no evidence of disease) or only those who are in it because they are stage 4 or if it is before their surgery .
I agree that you  would not normally think of someone who has finished all their treatment apart from hormonal therapy and is NED as severely immunocompromised.
But I will be checking with my medical team.
@Mez_BCNA , do you think the Cancer Council will put something out and then that can be added to the announcement post above about Covid 19 vaccination?