Booster shots are scheduling: EssexCOVID.org
bub said:
Sounds like I'm in sync with Fauci. Other voices, including some FDA people, are who I take issue with.
Oh, I misunderstood you.
Today the FDA advisory panel is voting on approval. I hope they do. Boosters have shown efficacy in Israel and supported studies from the NIH and other organizations. That there is vaccine insufficiency in some countries should play no role.
The panel did vote against the approval of a very expensive Alzheimer drug because it has not shown efficacy before approval. Still hasn't. But FDA leadership overrode the panel by approving the drug.
We vary the formula of the flu shot every year to protect against the strains of flu that are predicted to be most dominant that year. Do we need another dose of the same formula of COVID vaccine we have already received twice or do we need an enhanced formulation that will also provide protection against variants that did not exist when the original vaccines were developed? If the latter, how much time would it take to make these new vaccines available? Is it worth the wait?
I think the companies are working on boosters aimed at variants but it seems a third dose of the existing formula leads to a huge increase in antibodies and is showing excellent real world results at reducing infections.
FDA nixes booster shots for people over 16. There may be another vote concerning high-risk individuals.
drummerboy said:
FDA nixes booster shots for people over 16. There may be another vote concerning high-risk individuals.
Now I know they're crazy considering two hours before the CDC said that Pfizer vaccine effectiveness drops significantly after four months.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data on Friday indicating that the level of protection against Covid hospitalizations afforded by the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dropped significantly in the four months after full inoculation.
If you can get the booster, don't wait, don't walk, run.
RTrent said:
drummerboy said:
FDA nixes booster shots for people over 16. There may be another vote concerning high-risk individuals.
Now I know they're crazy considering two hours before the CDC said that Pfizer vaccine effectiveness drops significantly after four months.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data on Friday indicating that the level of protection against Covid hospitalizations afforded by the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dropped significantly in the four months after full inoculation.If you can get the booster, don't wait, don't walk, run.
Does the FDA talk to the CDC?
Apparently they've approved boosters for the 65+ set and high risk people.
Very disappointing. But I'm not going to lie to get a booster. Does this absolutely handcuff the state? I have an appointment in 9 days.
I'm all for getting all the "don't die drugs" that I can lay my hands on.
One of my husband's co-workers got a "mild" case of COVID before the vaccine was available. It's been well over a year and she has still not been able to return to work because her brain is in a constant fog that you absolutely don't want in her line of work.
Thankfully my husband is eligible for the booster even though he is under age 65 due to his line of work. He isn't putting it off because of hesitancy, just because he's forgetful sometimes and I just reminded him, again, to make the damned appointment. He got his vaccine back in December, and he's also seeing an uptick in COVID patients, so he's definitely due.
spontaneous said:
One of my husband's co-workers got a "mild" case of COVID before the vaccine was available. It's been well over a year and she has still not been able to return to work because her brain is in a constant fog that you absolutely don't want in her line of work.
Thankfully my husband is eligible for the booster even though he is under age 65 due to his line of work. He isn't putting it off because of hesitancy, just because he's forgetful sometimes and I just reminded him, again, to make the damned appointment. He got his vaccine back in December, and he's also seeing an uptick in COVID patients, so he's definitely due.
Is your husband the paramedic? I'm an EMT, with an appointment in 9 days, and I'm not at all sure I'm getting it in light of the FDA decision.
question - can you only get a booster of the same brand that your original shot was?
I think you are supposed to get the same brand, at least if you got Moderna or Pfizer. Not sure about J&J. I don't think its necessarily a safety thing though. Have not read anything saying its dangerous to mix and match.
Re scope of FDA's Booster approval, yesterday I overlooked FDA's (late in the vote day) inclusion of first responders and other medical people in the "at risk" group who can get boosters. Still not sure where Moderna boosters stand, though, because yesterday's vote was only about Pfizer.
bub said:
Is your husband the paramedic? I'm an EMT, with an appointment in 9 days, and I'm not at all sure I'm getting it in light of the FDA decision.
Yes, he is a paramedic. The FDA also put healthcare workers on the list, not just people over 65.
The whole absolute about a particular age seems unscientific. Clearly, other risk factors aside, there isn't a sudden change in risk on a particular birthday. While I agree with prioritizing those at more risk and having age breaks to support that prioritization, it seems that perhaps the recommendation should be more along the lines of an increasing interval of time before boosters depending on age range. i.e. 6 months for immuno-compromosed, 8 months for 65-up, 10 months for 50-up, etc. (or something like that.)
sac said:
The whole absolute about a particular age seems unscientific. Clearly, other risk factors aside, there isn't a sudden change in risk on a particular birthday. While I agree with prioritizing those at more risk and having age breaks to support that prioritization, it seems that perhaps the recommendation should be more along the lines of an increasing interval of time before boosters depending on age range. i.e. 6 months for immuno-compromosed, 8 months for 65-up, 10 months for 50-up, etc. (or something like that.)
Different people do not age at the same rate. A rigid cutoff does not seem arbitrary.
Don't overthink. Keep it simple. Allow the booster to all. One immunologist did say "so what, if some got it when not needed or helpful."
RTrent said:
Don't overthink. Keep it simple. Allow the booster to all. One immunologist did say "so what, if some got it when not needed or helpful."
I gather you were referring to the government, not me, but setting my sights on overthinking is the only way I know to lift myself closer to everyone else’s level.
By the way, which immunologist was that?
DaveSchmidt said:
RTrent said:
Don't overthink. Keep it simple. Allow the booster to all. One immunologist did say "so what, if some got it when not needed or helpful."
I gather you were referring to the government, not me, but setting my sights on overthinking is the only way I know to lift myself closer to everyone else’s level.
By the way, which immunologist was that?
Yes, not you. Your postings are always spot on.
I don't remember. It was a statement that stuck out to me.
No scheduling required at old Kmart up on Prospect by Whole Foods.
Boosters for Moderna and Pfizer.
Opened at 8:45am
Showed id and my vaxx card.
Had shot by 9am
Walked out at 9:15
NO LINE!
No questions re underlying conditions. I am over 70.
Extremely well run site!
Will post of any reaction.
Ron Carter
rcarter31 said:
No scheduling required at old Kmart up on Prospect by Whole Foods.
Boosters for Moderna and Pfizer.
Opened at 8:45am
Showed id and my vaxx card.
Had shot by 9am
Walked out at 9:15
NO LINE!
No questions re underlying conditions. I am over 70.
Extremely well run site!
Will post of any reaction.
Ron Carter
Interesting -- since booster is only approved for Pfizer. I was wonder if my 9/27 booster appointment would be honored.
I have a similar question. Has the Moderna been approved for a booster? Is Essex County giving Moderna or Pfizer? I also got my 2nd vaccination in January, so perhaps I should just go.
RobertRoe said:
I have a similar question. Has the Moderna been approved for a booster? Is Essex County giving Moderna or Pfizer? I also got my 2nd vaccination in January, so perhaps I should just go.
Both to my understanding.
Just go...
Rcarter, thank you for the advice. I called Essex County a few minutes ago and they said they are back to immunocompromised. The Federal guidelines change often, so it is good to pay attention to the news. Both Moderna and Pfizer are used. They also stated 8 months for boosters. So, since things are probably very slow, they may be simply be taking in walk-ins for boosters. 8 months ago (January for the second vaccination) would have been health care providers and immunocompromised. So both these groups are as I understand the guidelines are eligible. I guess the only way to know for sure is to simply go ahead, but expect that they may turn you away. I think Essex County has been doing a great job on this whole vaccination and testing program and I wish that the rest of the country was doing the same. You can call them with questions.
Seniors I have spoken with have just gone now, even if before the recommended 8 month interval, and gotten their third shot. No questions asked. That said, there is great deal of confusion within the 65+ community as to what is being offered, who it is being offered to, and how long to wait before getting the third shot. Advice seems to change daily.
The latest guideline says six months (or more) past second shot of initial series. And I believe it is only for Pfizer so far if just based on age 65-up. Immuno-compromised persons can get third shot of either Pfizer or Moderna (preferred to be the same as initial series, but not required.) I'm not sure about J&J but hopefully they will start offering those as second shots soon, based on the information that was in the news this week.
You are right in that the latest CDC booster approval is at six months after the second vaccination. So, I stand corrected.
Earlier this month, CDC was considering an 8 month time period. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html So this is another good reason to stay up to date on changing recomendations.
If you go to the website you'll see the current notice. Another committee is meeting today. Frankly some of the decisions like the advisory FDA panel were a mix of science and politics. (Trying not to make more folks hesitant, for example.) That doesn't belong there. I am planning on getting my Moderna booster soon (I am checking antibodies) but am doing this based on the guidance still on the CDC website as well as what Dr. Fauci has been saying. The below is taken straight from CDC website below the notices provision. [I'm also over 65 FWIW]
When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
Not immediately. The goal is for people to start receiving a COVID-19 booster shot beginning in the fall, with individuals being eligible starting 8 months after they received their second dose of an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). This is subject to authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). FDA is conducting an independent evaluation to determine the safety and effectiveness of a booster dose of the mRNA vaccines. ACIP will decide whether to issue a booster dose recommendation based on a thorough review of the evidence.
joan_crystal said:
Seniors I have spoken with have just gone now, even if before the recommended 8 month interval, and gotten their third shot. No questions asked. That said, there is great deal of confusion within the 65+ community as to what is being offered, who it is being offered to, and how long to wait before getting the third shot. Advice seems to change daily.
That's what we did. The pharmacy web site asked two immune questions, are we immune compromised and further on asking if we had any of the immune disorders that they listed.
We answered yes to the first. Seniors are immune compromised hence the need for high potency flu shots and the more serious consequences when seniors get the flu or other diseases. The second question we answered we don't know which is true because you can't be certain until tested.
We were given the flu shots, no question asked. They're not supposed to ask about your immune status or a doctors note. The second appointment, for my wife, the pharmacist made a comment that its better to use than to let them expire.
Fortune favors the bold.
From the NJ Third Vaccine Dose FAQ site:
Got the Moderna booster this a.m. at the Sears site, no questions asked (I had an appointment). I was prepared to get turned away. Had no intention of lying (immuno compromised etc.) but they weren't interested in anything but date of birth and address. There seems to be confusion or different policies about this out there because I have an acquaintance who was turned away at the Newark site.
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Sounds like I'm in sync with Fauci. Other voices, including some FDA people, are who I take issue with.