Second Booster

[monik7]

I just wanted to post after watching CNN and an interview with a doctor who’s the Co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children’s Hospital. I remember a few of our members here saying within the last week or so that they were eligible for a second booster but waiting until later in the year. This doctor was emphatic in saying anyone over 50 should get a second booster to hopefully keep them out of the hospital should they become infected especially by the B5 variant. He said, “It’s the single most impactful thing you can do.” Just passing this on. I love you all and wanted to make sure you are aware of what is recommended by the experts who are deeply involved.
Sandi

[OregonLuvr]

It is quite the dilemma re the booster. Some experts say the BA4 & BA5 isnt in this booster as it is so new. I dont think it would hurt to get the booster but I think I will wait. I think everyone should do what they feel is best for them.

[chalet05]

I got the booster and perhaps it is keeping me from being any sicker - who knows. Yep, came home with Covid. Thought it was just a cold, but I took the test just in case.

[Acadianmom]

I don't think I'm eligible for another booster until November. Hopefully by then they will have the updated booster.

Martha

[Bethers]

Oh, Anita, I'm so sorry to hear that but happy to hear that you are having a mild case. I hope it stays that way.

I got my second booster in April or early May.

[Cudedog]

Thanks for posting this, Sandi.

I have had both vaccinations, and two boosters. The only one I had any kind of reaction to was the first vaccination - little reaction to the second vaccine, little reaction to either first or second boosters.

At this point in time, it is difficult to really know what it is best to do.

I have been asked if I am still doing the 'hermit thing'. I am, to some extent, because I have past lung issues, and I don't want to chance getting sick, even a little bit sick (generally speaking, I don't get "a little bit" sick, for me it is usually the whole ball of wax type sick). With my medical history, I prefer - and generally always do my best - not to get sick at all.

I have thus been chided and criticized for being "over-cautious", and that I "just need to get over it", and that I "need to get on with my life". Which is a head-scratcher. So far as I can tell, Covid is still out there, still mutating, and still infecting people in the United States at the rate of about 3 million (!) per month - and still killing about three-hundred (300) people - every day, which makes 9,346 dead-from-Covid people per month.

Not a lot, of course, compared to what came before, but, personally, I prefer not to be one of those three hundred. It's just me, I guess.

This above is according to the Johns Hopkins Medical University Covid-19 Dashboard:
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

I did spend the 4th of July with my kids in the Bay Area; I hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful, fun time. We all tested before we got together.

That is about my extent of getting "out and about", although I do go to the grocery store about once per month, with an N95 on my face and tight-fitting goggles covering my eyes.

It is an individual choice, I guess, but it sometimes seems like people want their friends to let their guard down so that their friends can get just as sick and miserable as they were. No credence seems to be given to the fact that people are still dying from this thing.

Weird.

Anne

[monik7]

I got the booster and perhaps it is keeping me from being any sicker - who knows. Yep, came home with Covid. Thought it was just a cold, but I took the test just in case.

Yes Anita, that’s exactly what they are saying. Even though the current vaccinations and 2 boosters don’t target the new B4 and B5 variants specifically, they say they do work to hopefully keep you out of the hospital should you be infected by them. Then hopefully there will be a more targeted booster in the late Fall. Karen, I hope you change your mind.
Sandi

[JudyJB]

I also made the decision to get the second booster, just recently. I knew the new vaccine would be coming out in the fall, but there was no solid date, so it could be very late fall. And the other fact that convinced me was the data that shows that the effectiveness of the vaccines do lessen over time. I decided I wanted to be as safe as possible now, and I would worry about the newer vaccine when it actually does come out.

After my scare with being exposed by both my Ohio son and DIL, I feel better having made this decision. I am also glad to be back on the road and having minimal contact with family and old friends for a while. My larder is so full of food, that I won't even have to go to a grocery store for at least a week or two, other than maybe picking up a bottle of milk somewhere quickly.

[JudyJB]

You got me started doing some reading, and the reputable sources I found have convinced me to stay inside and not do things like take shuttles when I get to Rocky Mountain National park when I get there in a couple of weeks. The scientists say the newest BA 5 version is even more spreadable than The previous ones, and that the next few weeks are going to be especially difficult for those trying to avoid getting sick because of the speed this version is spreading. I will drive and walk around outside but not socialize with anyone.

Be safe everyone, however you feel you can best do that.

[MandysMom]

I had two first vaccines, had nasty side effects. Had booster(more side effects). Then in February got CoVid and still have musculoskeletal and neurological effects plus the side effect from first vaccine. So, for now, I'm not getting another shot, booster, or otherwise! it is a very personal decision amd I read carefully what each of you wrote. I have read getting too many vaccines can actually weaken immunity. No one really knows. We don't even have a clue how many cases there are, because many test at home, test positive and just stay home so it's never recorded. Most hospitalizations per an interview on tv tonight with ER Drs, if, for CoVid, do not end up in ICU, but are treated , get better and go home. I'm to the point where I'm skeptics Of the news about any of this, mainly because there are conflicting stories every single day if you start looking. as to level of infection, probably tne most reliable testing I'm hearing about, is levels of virus found in raw sewage! Many cities are testing that and have been since almost the beginning of this! It's been showing, even in advance, when to predict a spike in cases will be seen. Those charts were vary interesting. They saw this recent spike (in sewage testing)days to a week before it began showing up on nasal swab tests at test sites!
Even more important is the lies and coverups revealed by the recently released (after court order) of Pfizer data.
Velda

[cnq50b]

Thx for posting this, Sandy.
My doc said not to worry about getting a booster right now, but my DD in France just had nasty case of covid. She, her hubby & I are the only people in the family who had avoided it thus far & she is very, very careful so.... I think I'll go ahead & get a 2nd booster now. My previous one was quite a while back. No need to chance it.
And on the news this morning, they mentioned the updated booster might not be available until Oct or Nov.

Definitely a personal decision for each of us - but DD's case was really scary & I'm around the grands (who mix with other kids) quite a bit.
Take care out there...

[Shirlv]

I have vaccine plus two boosters. I tried to not over think the situation. If the booster helps, good, if it doesn’t I tried. This virus is a challenge to the medical minds and I believe they are trying so its hit or miss. I don’t read drug company updates because I don’t trust them. Since the majority of tenants here are still working I seldom see another people when leaving or entering the building. I try to schedule as many things in one day so less chance of contamination. I cook from scratch so less chance of contamination from processed food. I am not going to get paranoid so will just stay home, stay cool, cook, drink wine and eat chocolate. Becsafe

[Redetotry]

I've had the two original vaccines (Moderna) plus two boosters. I wear my mask when grocery shopping which is the only shopping I seem to do, but DH has decided it isn't necessary I have been going to coffee with a couple of friends and we don't wear masks but go to places at a time where there are few people. We also have a few friends who visit. I finally decided the lack of at least some socialization was, for me harmful to my mental health and was causing a lot of depression. I still miss so many things, having breakfast (biscuits and gravy especially) at the local diner and talking to whoever came in is one thing. I feel anger also at those who refuse to be vaccinated at all even though I at some level I understand, the feeling is still there. There is just so many other disturbing issues in all of our lives it is a wonder any of us can make any decisions at all! I have however made the decision to go have some of the peaches and cream I have chilling in the refrigerator.
Anita I hope you feel better soon!!

[BarbaraRose]

I have been staying away from the news for awhile and didn't realize there was a big increase in cases again with a new strain. I guess I need to pay more attention. I haven't been as careful lately about wearing my mask at work or out shopping. That will change now too.

I was also going to wait on the booster but think I will now go ahead and get it after work tomorrow. I had planned to get it a few weeks ago but ended up sick that day with the flue, so I didn't get it then.

Thanks for the information! Stay well!

[JudyJB]

I have seen a couple more articles that mentioned that getting a second booster now will not prevent you from getting the new vaccine as soon as it comes out and is approved for your age group. In other words, getting a second booster is not an either/or decision.

Also, the CDC is considering opening the second booster for adults under age 50, so they must consider it important. And, I also am becoming more careful than I have been in the last few months.