Hi Marlene, Hope you're doing well over there.

I was going to put off a booster (3rd dose) completely because I'm so over it all plus my experiences with the first 2 were so bad. However, due to my serious underlying health issues and the fact I have to go visit doctors, pathologists and hospitals so often, I've had to make the decision to get it unfortunately.

I had such a difficult time having my first 2 vaccines that I feel very worried about it. There's some new variant racing around the town where I live and all the nurses are off mysteriously "sick" all the time because most of them have children and the poor kids have been just let run now that they're back in school. My daughter works in a health related field too so that's another level of anxiety too. I don't want to get her sick and visa versa.

So, my medical advice has been to get a different booster from the original 2 AstraZeneca (viral vector) that I had.

I looked up a lot of information and found out that the Moderna (mRNA) as the Booster given here in Australia is 1/2 the dose of the original first and second doses. However, the Pfizer (mRNA) is the full dose. Moderna seems to have more incidence of lymph node problems and I can do without that as I've had lymph nodes removed and don't want to deal with exacerbation of Lymphoedema. I already had enlarged lymph nodes with the first two but it was mild and went away quickly. What I don't want is for it to hang around.

I was holding out for Novavax (protein based) but it is only available at this time in Australia if the person had problems with the mRNA ones so isn't able to get that as the 3rd vaccine or booster. I've never had mRNA as I had AstraZeneca so I can't get the Novavax as booster.

Then came the information that the only type of vaccine my GP gives is Pfizer, so I'm really stuck with that due to my being somewhat at risk of side effects or allergic reaction so not able to have it in some drive through or pharmacy setting. Today I have to start a course of antihistamines. So I take that for 3 days prior to the booster and then for several days after and hopefully that'll keep my reaction to the thing reasonably calm.

Due to the absolutely criminal lack of information that is being made available all of a sudden regarding case numbers and tracking of positive cases, and the fact that we have headed down the herd immunity route, I have no choice and it makes me very unsettled. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place with knowing what to do for my own health. I can't help but get upset when I see the lack of social distancing and absolute lack of care that I come across even in the hospital, pathology and pharmacy settings. Lots and lots of covid positive people now wandering around these places and in shops.

Sorry for the long vent. I just am worried.
I hope your Mum's eye is better by now btw.
take care. Will update later in the week as to how it all goes.