Will you be taking a booster?

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.

Then there is a group of around 30% that are not strongly motivated in either direction. First time out there was a form of social contract where by and large this group were happy to take the vaccine to protect the vulnerable on the understanding that then life could return to normal. And for many they believed this was the end game. This delivered a 90+% vaccination rate.

A marketing expert would probably tell you this 30% is your key group to encourage to get boosters if you believe that’s the priority. But the attraction of boosters is lower this time out as they offer less personal upside to this group. For example, you need a negative test as well as a vaccine passport to re enter the state. Makes it a much higher hurdle to leave Ireland for more than a day or two. Now we add new limits on socialisation for vaccinated people, closing earlier and likely expiry of vaccine pass in a few months.

I know there’s many other factors at play but I think for many of the 30% the calculations will be different this time and it will take much longer to get to overall boosted numbers much above 75 or 80%.

Yes high risk, originally in cohort 4 and received my 1st dose in March 2021. 2 vaccines reduce my risk of severe disease by a huge percentage. Yes I have spoken to my GP, who has been my GP for almost 25 years, I have a great rapport and make a very good argument for my reasoning which couldn't be disputed. Except that I may get some Nabs from a booster that may stop the initial infection. 2 vaccines still are efficient for priming the immune system training it how to deal with an infection. Sars-CoV2 is not novel to a vaccinated person's immune system. On a side note, I've been around lots of covid+ people in the last 3 months, helping mind children while parents are sick etc And no infection. I'd take a guess that my Nabs are fine, but if not my memory t cells and memory b cells will do their job. I am in no different position now than a few weeks ago, before boosters were recommended. 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.

Should a tweaked vaccine specifically targeting a current strain be released, then I will get that. If we go to needing a shot every September for the variant in circulation ahead of the winter wave then I will get that just as I get the flu shot.

I won't take another vaccine for a variant that's no longer around, while my Immune system is primed perfectly already.

Would you put on jeans you used to wear aged 16 or would you accept that they no longer fit?

Edit*

If I had cancer and refused Treatment, would you be as outraged? Would you tell me it made no sense. Would you tell me that Chemo could seriously reduce my likely hood of death.

Cancer is not contagious but treatment only helps the person receiving it just as vaccines for covid is to protect the individual.

Not sure tbh.

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.

Safer than getting a booster? No.

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.

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.

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.

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.