COVID vaccinations! Have you gotten yours?

[Grey Fox]

I've only heard British people talk about that kind of tests, I actually have no idea what they entail. A quick online search only shows British sites talking about them.

Over here it's only PCR or antigens.

Yes only ever Brits. They are just rapid test, which I guess is also the antigens test.

I've only ever did 2 PCR tests and those were ~10 days ago. The minor symptoms of covid are something I have almost everyday. Unless I have a fever or lose smell/taste, I see no point of using a rapid test.

[The Larch]

Lateral flow is antigen

Ah, ok, so it's a matter of terminology then.

[DGuller]

Whenever I hear of lateral flow here, I can't help but picture a stream of urine going sideways.

[Syt]

You can do free gargle PCR tests here. The results take up to 24 hours to arrive, so that's a bit of a bummer.

[HisMajestyBOB]

Just got my booster. Went with Pfizer for the 3rd, actually changed from my planned Moderna at the last minute (they had both and gave me the choice).

90 minutes later and I feel fine!

Same here, except I got the Moderna (got Pfizer for the first two). So far so good!
Also got my flu shot, though probably too late since I'm pretty sure I got the flu back in September.

Update: I got all of the side effects last night. Fever, chills, nausea, muscle and join pain, headache, tiredness and unable to sleep. Ugh. 

[Sheilbh]

You can do free gargle PCR tests here. The results take up to 24 hours to arrive, so that's a bit of a bummer.

After 18 months what I wouldn't give for a gargle test

Yeah here it's the lateral flow tests which are the less accurate (but still good) rapid tests. You can get free boxes of seven tests from loads of places - government website, pharmacies, libraries, GP surgeries etc. They're just the day to day do at home and get a result at home tests. So I'd always do them for a few days before going out to something earlier in the year. When offices re-opened I did them probably every 2-3 days. I think if you've got kids in school you need to do the whole household every day etc.

Then there's the PCR which is also free but either at the walk-in/drive-by testing stands or delivered. It's similar you get the result in 24 hours. I think NHS and care home staff get PCRed very regularly, but otherwise it's really if you had a positive lateral flow, have symptoms or have been in contact with someone with covid (although this is all just declaring stuff on a website so...).

[mongers]

You can do free gargle PCR tests here. The results take up to 24 hours to arrive, so that's a bit of a bummer.

After 18 months what I wouldn't give for a gargle test

Yeah here it's the lateral flow tests which are the less accurate (but still good) rapid tests. You can get free boxes of seven tests from loads of places - government website, pharmacies, libraries, GP surgeries etc. They're just the day to day do at home and get a result at home tests. So I'd always do them for a few days before going out to something earlier in the year. When offices re-opened I did them probably every 2-3 days. I think if you've got kids in school you need to do the whole household every day etc.

Then there's the PCR which is also free but either at the walk-in/drive-by testing stands or delivered. It's similar you get the result in 24 hours. I think NHS and care home staff get PCRed very regularly, but otherwise it's really if you had a positive lateral flow, have symptoms or have been in contact with someone with covid (although this is all just declaring stuff on a website so...).

Thanks Shelf, I never knew that, I'll get a couple in for Xmas visiting. 

[Grey Fox]

You can do free gargle PCR tests here. The results take up to 24 hours to arrive, so that's a bit of a bummer.

After 18 months what I wouldn't give for a gargle test

It's cool but it can be so long to fill up 5ml of gargle. My kids take upwards of 20mins.

[The Larch]

Over here PCR test are the standard, antigen tests have only recently been made available, and I don't think you can do any of them at home, you have to go either to a clinic or a pharmacy to get one done.

It's funny how in some countries testing is almost everywhere and easily available and in others it's still a much more regimented affair.

[Josephus]

The father of my sister-in-law is in the ICU. He already had his booster 

He's in his 70s. Fingers crossed.

Sorry to hear that..... Hope he recovers soon.

FWIW, I mentioned a while ago, my brother, who is 50, was in ICU with COVID a while back. He has made a pretty good recovery. He still requires supplemental oxygen now and then but he's far better than we thought he'd be by Christmas.

Good to hear, Jos. what an excellent Xmas 'present' for the family to have, as I guess you guys were pretty worried at one stage.

Yes. The initial diagnosis was pretty grim.

[Grey Fox]

Over here PCR test are the standard, antigen tests have only recently been made available, and I don't think you can do any of them at home, you have to go either to a clinic or a pharmacy to get one done.

It's funny how in some countries testing is almost everywhere and easily available and in others it's still a much more regimented affair.

Yeah, that's the Quebec experience too. Rapid test started being distributed at large...yesterday. And the current recommendation is to only use it when having symptoms.

[Admiral Yi]

Day after booster, arm is sore but that's it.

[crazy canuck]

I got the text telling me to make my booster appointment - getting it at 12:10 today.

[Eddie Teach]

Whenever I hear of lateral flow here, I can't help but picture a stream of urine going sideways.

You know it's ok to sit down.

[Admiral Yi]

No it's not.

I thought of mucous flowing from one side of your face to the other.