I need a primary series but 8 weeks from now there will be none in stock. How important is it to stick to that "8 weeks then 6 months" recommendation? And what if they're different formulations?
[edit: I see there is another post about this on the front page of this sub but can anyone provide proof to back up their opinion? I know the universal opinion is "get a Novavax now, regardless." Or more in-depth info and proof on the topic of the "8 weeks then 6 months" spacing, please?]
By "none in stock" I'm referring to the period from around May to around September when, if I understand correctly, it's impossible to find SARS-COV-2 vaccines because that year's batch has expired. They only make one batch per year because of them wrongly treating it as a seasonal illness like flu, leaving a 3-4 month gap every year when you're left hanging.
My background: The only SARS-COV-2 vaccines I've had were two Pfizer doses in April and May 2021. I want to start getting regular boosters now. I always wear a respirator, rarely go in public around people, and have never been infected that I know of.
Novavax seems best so I prefer that. I've read many posts saying that you should get 2 doses spaced 8 weeks apart and then a 3rd dose 6 months after the 2nd. Will the efficacy be reduced if I find a dose now and then have to wait until September, 4 months from now, to get the second shot instead of the recommended 8 weeks?
Although I'm aware that some places still have some Novavax left despite it being May, I'm unsure whether it's possible to reliably find Novavax vaccines available near me (in WA State, US) in May cuz that's when stock starts running out. If I get my first Novavax in September and the second one in November, the third one would have to be in May because that's 6 months after Nov.
So, if I get my first Novavax now that won't work and if I get my first Novavax in September that won't necessarily work either. To be sure I can stick to the "8 weeks then 6 months" advice, I'd have to wait until February to get my first Novavax.
Also, does it matter much if my 2nd dose in the 3-dose priming series is the 2026-2027 formulation and my first dose is the 2025-2026 formulation? Or if my 3rd dose is a different formulation than my 2nd dose?
I'd appreciate anyone pointing me to resources, experts, online posts, or studies or something for learning more about the "8 weeks then 6 months" advice. So far, my knowledge on this comes from reading many internet posts. I've read a fair amount about Novavax on Twitter, etc, by various experts but I've never seen these two questions of mine addressed.
I suppose I should call around to places near me and check if there are any Novavax shots still available and if so then I can go ahead and get my first Novavax shot in September because if there still are some places with Novavax in stock now, in May, then I can safely assume there will be some available next May, too. Is that a safe enough assumption or does it not even matter? I suppose it wouldn't matter if I got the 3rd one in April instead of May but I'd like proof.
And to stay covered until then I could just get a mRNA shot. Would I need another two-shot mRNA series after all this time, you think?
What if I got one Novavax shot now, then another in Sept, and then did the "8 weeks then 6 months" thing?
Thanks if anyone knows or has an opinion.