I've Been Vaccinated (No Politics Please)

[damo]

As far as the questions about 8 weeks vs waiting the 12.. if I was getting AstraZeneca as my second dose I would probably wait the full 12 as it increases the efficacy , or maybe 10 weeks , BUT I’m opting to mix because 2 doses of the AstraZeneca are only showing 60% efficacy against the Delta variants in emerging research. I cannot stress enough that two doses are better than one no matter what , but I’m hoping for the strongest protection I can get . I’ve yet to find stats for the efficacy of mixing vaccine types when it comes to the delta variant but I’m off to look .

Can you post your source for those non-mixing stats? I know some people who are interested.

 

[pigletto]

Can you post your source for those non-mixing stats? I know some people who are interested.

This is where I read it initially I think . Second link has other very relevant research.

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.nbc...-concerned-should-we-be-about-it/2401269/?amp

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/mixing-covid-19-vaccines-appears-boost-immune-responses
* posted wrong link initially so edited my post

 

[bababear_50]

https://abc7.com/delta-variant-covi...rus-does-pfizer-work-against-indian/10784221/
Snippet from this article

Are vaccines effective against the delta variant?
Yes and for those who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, it's important to complete the two-shot regimen.

A study the British government conducted in April and May, which analyzed more than 12,000 sequenced COVID cases, found Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to be highly effective against the delta variant, although efficacy was lower for the delta variant than for the alpha variant of the virus. According to the study, Pfizer vaccine was 88% effective against symptomatic disease two weeks after the second dose and the AstraZeneca vaccine was 60% effective two weeks after the second dose. Since the research was conducted in the U.K., the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine wasn't included.


"For those properly vaccinated, it looks like there isn't an issue," Krogan said.

But for people who only received one dose of the vaccine, "effectiveness was notably lower," the study authors note. Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were about 33% effective against the delta variant after one dose.


https://theconversation.com/whats-t...ead-more-in-kids-a-virologist-explains-162170The good news is our current crop of COVID vaccines still remain relatively effective against Delta in the real world.

Data from Public Health England found one dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer was 33% effective against the strain, but two doses was 60% (AstraZeneca) and 88% (Pfizer) effective.

What this shows is we can’t rely on the first dose alone. Everyone really needs to make sure they have their second dose.

 

[ottawamom]

Since it would be through your doctor's office, why not check what your doctor is recommending?

I did last week and she told me they were all fine (no one is better than another, at this point). The firm data hasn't been released yet so they are all just looking at early data. At the time I still had about a month to go before my 2nd shot so I figured the results of the trials would be public before I had to make a final decision. Now I am able to get the 2nd shot as of tomorrow...

I think I'll still go with the first thing I can get my hands on approach. (6 of one half dozen of another).

 

[newdeal]

Here is the thing to realize about all this. The vaccines do the same thing, create spike protein. The only difference is how they do this. mRNA vaccines use the direct mRNA sequence which they inject, it goes into a cell and your cell does what it is supposed to do and makes it into protein. The AZ vaccine uses double stranded DNA. That is carried by a virus, it enters the cell, enters the nucleus, is transcribed into mRNA, then that goes back into the cell and is turned into protein. The safety is going to be fine from mixing there is no logical reason for it to be otherwise. The effectiveness will likely be better from getting a second does of mRNA vs a second dose of AZ. The reason is because the mRNA vaccines are clearly more efficient at creating this protein, likely because it requires fewer steps since it is directly transcribed after entering the cell vs having to enter the nucleus, be transcribed to mRNA, and then have that be transcribed again to make the protein.

 

[Madame]

Local PHU site finally allowed booking for AZ dose 1 recipients at shortened interval this morning - booked for next week, just shy of 9 wks (I think it’s Pfizer but the site didn’t say & I’m not too bothered either way.)

 

[ellbell]

I am booked for Wednesday for my second vaccination. I got AZ on April 20th and booking opened today for me. I was also on a wait list for a pharmacy but took whatever came first. My second shot will mosy likely be Pfizer.

 

[Frozen2014]

Got second vaccine yesterday. About 7 weeks ahead of schedule. I am prone to migraines and it triggered it again (same with first dose). DH is also feeling pretty yucky. Guess it's all for a good cause.

 

[pigletto]

The provincial booking site let me in at 7 am and I was able to book a second dose outside of our region ( there was nothing for Niagara ) for June 22. I believe it’s Pfizer but not sure . I think we will cancel our Walmart appointments in two different cities so dh and I can go together . My only worry is I got really sick last time and I can’t get any time off after the 22 if I get sick again .
So I’ll be stalking the website to watch for a Friday so I would have the weekend to recover. I wouldn’t dream of holding both appointments for more than a few hours . Just need dh to finish up a meeting so we can make final decision.

 

[TommyJK]

Got my booking for second dose this Thursday. mRNA with my first dose being AZ.

@pigletto I had the same experience in that it let me in before 8 am and I could book an open slot that was far away (it gave me Hamilton and I'm in Toronto) but right at 8:00am they added a ton of new slots for directly in Toronto so I could book something close (and it automatically cancelled my Hamilton booking).

 

[Hopeful8]

I decided to book 11 weeks out from our first shot of AZ for our 2nd Pfizer shot. We are not in a hot spot and was thinking I could always look for a spot sooner if I feel the need to move it up.

 

[pigletto]

Got my booking for second dose this Thursday. mRNA with my first dose being AZ.

@pigletto I had the same experience in that it let me in before 8 am and I could book an open slot that was far away (it gave me Hamilton and I'm in Toronto) but right at 8:00am they added a ton of new slots for directly in Toronto so I could book something close (and it automatically cancelled my Hamilton booking).

Thank you . I went back in on two devices to try to get something a little more ideal . Waiting 1.5 hours in the cue . NOTHING came up for anywhere in Niagara or Hamilton / Halton . Zilch . I was shocked .
We are counting ourselves lucky and keeping the Hamilton appointments from this morning . Cancelling the Moderna now.

 

[TommyJK]

Thank you . I went back in on two devices to try to get something a little more ideal . Waiting 1.5 hours in the cue . NOTHING came up for anywhere in Niagara or Hamilton / Halton . Zilch . I was shocked .
We are counting ourselves lucky and keeping the Hamilton appointments from this morning . Cancelling the Moderna now.

Ya. My wife went browsing about 30 minutes ago to see what was still available and everything now more locally has been picked clean since the 8:00am additions.

But you got a slot so take what you can get!

 

[hdrolfe]

I'll be sticking with my July 11 appointment since the Ontario site told me I could book for August 11 which is a bit crazy since that would be 16 weeks after my dose 1 of AZ. Any way... I'll take what I can get and be happy with that.

 

[pigletto]

I'll be sticking with my July 11 appointment since the Ontario site told me I could book for August 11 which is a bit crazy since that would be 16 weeks after my dose 1 of AZ. Any way... I'll take what I can get and be happy with that.

Seriously ? They sure seem to be having issues this morning . Sorry to hear that .

 

[Donald - my hero]

We can't even use the Ontario website, just shoots us directly to our health unit's independent booking site. No idea when we'd end up managing an appointment, doesn't matter to us because i KNOW Rexall will reach out when they have the vaccines on site, we were one of the first people who had shots there, but for those who don't have access to a pharmacy in their area, have no method of transportation to get to another city are forced to wait for the health unit and it's MASSIVE!

 

[samsteele]

Have been making calls over the past 4 days to pharmacies in one of the AZ pilot project areas and this morning made a telephone appmt at a No Frills pharmacy for next Friday June 25th for 2nd dose AZ. Timing works out OK for me as gives me another week - so 9 wks plus instead of bare 8 wks - and still have time window to get any updated info about possibly mixing with Moderna or Pfizer. Like PPs, no luck at all getting a 2nd appmt this morning on the Ontario website for Moderna or Pfizer. Nothing in rural Central or Eastern Ontario at all. But suspect that many pharmacies will have openings for 2nd dose Moderna or Pfizer later this week if not already. Thrilled to have the AZ appmt in my back pocket. Have never had any options before with this beast so good to be armed.

 

[hdrolfe]

Have been making calls over the past 4 days to pharmacies in one of the AZ pilot project areas and this morning made a telephone appmt at a No Frills pharmacy for next Friday June 25th for 2nd dose AZ. Timing works out OK for me as gives me another week - so 9 wks plus instead of bare 8 wks - and still have time window to get any updated info about possibly mixing with Moderna or Pfizer. Like PPs, no luck at all getting a 2nd appmt this morning on the Ontario website for Moderna or Pfizer. Nothing in rural Central or Eastern Ontario at all. But suspect that many pharmacies will have openings for 2nd dose Moderna or Pfizer later this week if not already. Thrilled to have the AZ appmt in my back pocket. Have never had any options before with this beast so good to be armed.

Are you near Smith Falls? They have their own site for booking, it's where my parents are. I booked out there Saturday for July 11th, my 12 weeks is July 14th so close enough. And likely Moderna since they are saving Pfizer for the 12-16 year olds. Not sure if there are still any appointments but might be worth it to watch? Depending on which way you decide to go...

 

[samsteele]

Unfortunately, not at all near. But happy to hear that Smiths Falls/Perth area have their own site and it's working well. Any bright spots are a huge plus.

 

[MoreTravels]

Here is the thing to realize about all this. The vaccines do the same thing, create spike protein. The only difference is how they do this. mRNA vaccines use the direct mRNA sequence which they inject, it goes into a cell and your cell does what it is supposed to do and makes it into protein. The AZ vaccine uses double stranded DNA. That is carried by a virus, it enters the cell, enters the nucleus, is transcribed into mRNA, then that goes back into the cell and is turned into protein. The safety is going to be fine from mixing there is no logical reason for it to be otherwise. The effectiveness will likely be better from getting a second does of mRNA vs a second dose of AZ. The reason is because the mRNA vaccines are clearly more efficient at creating this protein, likely because it requires fewer steps since it is directly transcribed after entering the cell vs having to enter the nucleus, be transcribed to mRNA, and then have that be transcribed again to make the protein.

This is an excellent explanation. Also, it is believed that our body actually develops an antibody to attack the AZ vaccine carrier virus so the second shot is destroyed before it has a chance to deliver that DNA. This explains the paradox why waiting longer, such as 12 weeks, seems to increase efficacy of such vaccine when compared to 3 weeks like Pfizer. It reduces that chance of second dose destruction. To overcome this, Russian Sputnik-V vaccine (also using carrier virus) uses a different virus carrier so it is naive for your body. Therefore, their first and second doses are actually different and not interchangeable, unlike AZ vaccine. Amazing science, eh?