The Lounge Covid Vaccination Discussion Thread

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Unfortunately I am being recalled back into the workplace - at least a couple of days a week - so I decided to get boosted now before I have to share air with people I haven't been around.

Advantage of being a head honcho - I get to not make my people go back to the office.

[DiapDealer]

I'm a little miffed that getting another J&J booster doesn't seem to be an option for me. They haven't pulled J&J's EUA--and in fact anyone who hasn't yet been vaccinated can choose to be vaccinated with J&J. Yet the only option for me (two doses of J&J) is Moderna or Pfizer (unless I'm interpreting everything incorrectly). Don't get me wrong: I have nothing against the mRNA vaccines. I'll probably get a Moderna booster. I Just can't get my head around why the J&J isn't available to me this time. They need to either pull its (J&J) EUA or let people continue to choose it. This "discouraging" people from choosing J&J as a booster but not outright pulling its use doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm a little miffed that getting another J&J booster doesn't seem to be an option for me. They haven't pulled J&J's EUA--and in fact anyone who hasn't yet been vaccinated can choose to be vaccinated with J&J. Yet the only option for me (two doses of J&J) is Moderna or Pfizer (unless I'm interpreting everything incorrectly). Don't get me wrong: I have nothing against the mRNA vaccines. I'll probably get a Moderna booster. I Just can't get my head around why the J&J isn't available to me this time. They need to either pull its (J&J) EUA or let people continue to choose it. This "discouraging" people from choosing J&J as a booster but not outright pulling its use doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

If nothing else, for people with allergic reactions, especially those who can not tolerate polyethylene glycol, J&J may be the best choice. OTOH, some studies seem to show that a J&J booster shot gives a slightly lower protection level and the level of protection declines faster compared to mRNA vaccines. Looking at the mass of contradictory numbers and playing math games, we are looking at 92% compared to 95% and around a month less before the efficacy starts to decline so given the choice between a J&J or a mRNA booster, whichever you can get into your arm now is the best choice.

OTOH, the US CDC seems quite clear that mRNA is the preferred booster in their Janssen FAQs.

Use of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for a booster dose is preferred even for those who received Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine for their single dose primary series. However, offering the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine as a booster is preferable to not providing any COVID-19 vaccine booster in most situations.

[DiapDealer]

That message is indeed clear. But that message was issued before the discussion of this second round of boosters. That message only affects initial vaccinations and the first booster. The latest messaging is thus:

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen*
Who should get a booster:

- Adults 18 years and older

Who can get a second booster:

- Anyone who received a J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for both their primary dose and booster

- Adults 50 years and older who first received a J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of what type of booster they received

When to get a booster:

- At least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination

- If eligible for a second booster, at least 4 months after your first booster

Which booster should you get?

- For the first booster, an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) is preferred in most* situations

- The second booster must be an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Bolding mine.

It seems to me that RE second boosters and J&J, the earlier "recommendation" against J&J is now a mandate.

So what has changed in regard to the second booster that I'm no longer allowed to choose any of the three vaccines that are still approved choices for initial vaccine and first booster?

As someone who has had zero adverse affects with two doses of the Janssen vaccine (and no covid infection as of yet), I would much rather stick with the devil I know for my third jab than to change horses now.

The messaging just seems very muddy and very inconsistent to me.

[DiapDealer]

Just got back from getting the Moderna booster. The folks at the pharmacy are as confused as I am as to why J&J is still good enough for the initial vaccination and first booster (even though official CDC rec is mRNA), but not good enough (and in fact not allowed) for the second booster. **shrug**

[issybird]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Unfortunately I am being recalled back into the workplace - at least a couple of days a week - so I decided to get boosted now before I have to share air with people I haven't been around.

That would be enough to get me to stick out my arm.

[Tarana]

I've had to delay my 2nd booster. I've an appointment for a 3D mammogram and they want you to wait until after the imaging to do your booster or you have to wait 5 weeks. I checked and this is what it says from Hopkins Medical. So, I'm putting it out here for others getting mammograms.

The COVID-19 vaccine, like other vaccinations, can cause a temporary enlargement of lymph nodes. This can cause your mammogram to appear abnormal even when you are OK and there is no indication of cancer.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by issybird

I was all over getting my initial shots and first booster as soon as I could, but I’ve decided to go more slowly on the second booster. Given that we’re in a lull and I’m not engaged in any particularly risky behaviors and that we’re heading into better weather, I think I might be better served by waiting until at least one of those factors changes. In other words, trying to time it for maximum personal efficacy, since immunity seems to drop fairly rapidly. Or maybe there’ll be a better shot if I hold out.

Dunno. There’s the argument for starting the clock ticking again by getting the shot now as we wait on new developments, too, and it’s not as if a better shot is imminent. And recommendations about getting this fourth booster are mixed. Don’t misunderstand me; I definitely plan to get it. I’ll get as many as they’ll give me. But while I’m still essentially in hunker-down mode, it seems as if it’s something I might like to keep in reserve.

Me too. I've read articles quoting different doctors with different opinions as to whether or not it's a good idea to get the booster right now if you're over 50 but basically healthy.

[mlewis78]

I have not decided if or when to get another booster. So far I have not seen it being pushed by CDC or the media as the last booster was. I got the 3rd shot in November. I've also seen that Israeli studies show the 4th shot as not being effective after a month. I had expected to get another booster some time but thought it would be recommended later in the year. Now I'm seeing a number of people on my facebook newsfeed getting them.

I'm retired and go out but I haven't been going to large indoor gatherings unless you count Whole Foods and smaller stores (where I wear a mask) and swimming at a health club.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by issybird

That would be enough to get me to stick out my arm.

We also required it (and boosters) as a term of employment. No shot, no job.

Incidentally, one of my in-laws who refused a shot is now in the hospital dying of it.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by mlewis78

I've also seen that Israeli studies show the 4th shot as not being effective after a month.

I had already decided to try to time my second booster for when a situation called for it; I must say this study served as validation of my decision.

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

We also required it (and boosters) as a term of employment. No shot, no job.

Incidentally, one of my in-laws who refused a shot is now in the hospital dying of it.

The second booster was only recently approved and absent immune issues, only for the over-50 contingent. So I assume you require only one booster? That I’ve got, and it should also be sufficient to keep me from serious illness or hospitalization. My issue is that I don’t want to get Covid at all, if I can possibly help it, which means timing a second booster to take advantage of rapidly waning immunity as my personal situation warrants it. I also still mask in all public indoor spaces, part of a dwindling group who does.

I’m sorry about your in-law.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I've had to delay my 2nd booster. I've an appointment for a 3D mammogram and they want you to wait until after the imaging to do your booster or you have to wait 5 weeks. I checked and this is what it says from Hopkins Medical. So, I'm putting it out here for others getting mammograms.

I had a breast MRI scheduled for mid May, exactly 6 weeks away. I was told they want you to be 6 weeks post booster. Then I decided to reschedule the MRI for 10 days later yet, cuz I wanted the booster even more. Got the booster; MRI will be 6 weeks plus a hair after it.

I had had Pfizer for the first 3 shots, and really wanted to get some Moderna into me, for a slightly longer lasting effect.

[DiapDealer]

My 1st booster was the end of October, so I was a little over 5 months out on this second booster. Another 5 would put me at the beginning of September, so I'm cool on the timing. I just didn't see any downside to getting it now, to tell the truth. *shrug*

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by issybird

I had already decided to try to time my second booster for when a situation called for it; I must say this study served as validation of my decision.



The second booster was only recently approved and absent immune issues, only for the over-50 contingent. So I assume you require only one booster? That I’ve got, and it should also be sufficient to keep me from serious illness or hospitalization. My issue is that I don’t want to get Covid at all, if I can possibly help it, which means timing a second booster to take advantage of rapidly waning immunity as my personal situation warrants it. I also still mask in all public indoor spaces, part of a dwindling group who does.

I’m sorry about your in-law.

We require whatever is available for whatever group folks are in. Because so all of our clients are below the poverty line with limited access to healthcare, we had to do it to keep everyone safe.

You have more pity about my in-law than I do. No one in the family could convince him to get a vaccine (and he would not allow his wife to). I'm sorry the consequences are deadly, but they are self-inflicted.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

We require whatever is available for whatever group folks are in.

How does that work, legally? You require employees to disclose their medical conditions and medications they're taking?