The Vaccine Discussion Thread

[cgolf]

Sometimes people with a compromised immune system shouldn't receive vaccines. I would double check with his/her immunologist.

That is true with the flu shots for sure because they use live viruses. This being an RNA vaccine that can’t give you COVID may be the exception. The only concern is the second dose is a beast, my sub 30 doctor felt awful for a short time after getting it. So your right the concerns with them holding up to that. They have an appointment coming up soon and these questions will be asked.

 

[Intr3pid]

J&J's phase 2 vaccine trial results are here, and they look promising.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/cov...-one-shot-safe-generates-immune-response.html
Some highlights:
* This is a single-shot vaccine.
* No deep freeze needed. In fact, it can be transported just refrigerated.
* Phase 3 results are expected to start coming in later this month.
* Phase 2 results have proved safety - but also given a promise of efficacy. Most volunteers had antibodies by day 28, and all had them by day 57.
* NYT is reporting production delays for this vaccine, but the company has a target of 1 billion doses by the end of 2021. In this case, 1 billion doses would actually mean 1 billion different people.

 

[n2mm]

Every state has different rules. I live in WV, but really we are a tristate area. WV, MD, VA. So I see announcements for each state. 20 minutes away in VA they are doing 1500 shots per day at college rec center, here in WV they are doing it at all health departments. But in WV we have only been doing it for 80+ residents, plus schools and front lines. Yesterday we dropped to age 70. MD dropped to age 65 yesterday. My husband is 70 and refuses to get the shot without me. I’m 65. I’ve been trying to change his mind but losing. It’s like he won’t get in a life boat unless I can get in too. Ugh. There’s a clinic today. he is on a waitlist in our county, but our neighboring county has a walk-in clinic today for both counties. I’ll try to convince him to leave me behind, but losing this battle. He is post surgery cancer just 11 months ago. Doing great now. Wish me luck convincing him to go ahead and take his opportunity without me.

 

[Starwind]

That is true with the flu shots for sure because they use live viruses. This being an RNA vaccine that can’t give you COVID may be the exception. The only concern is the second dose is a beast, my sub 30 doctor felt awful for a short time after getting it. So your right the concerns with them holding up to that. They have an appointment coming up soon and these questions will be asked.

FYI, most of the current flu vaccines do NOT use "live" vaccines. In the US and Canada, only the nasal spray version is the one that contains the "live" (attenuated) virus.

See:
Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconceptions.htm

As always, check with your healthcare provider.

SW
(who is very glad that most of the COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including the 2 approved so far, do NOT use live vaccines!!)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

FYI, most of the current flu vaccines do NOT use "live" vaccines. In the US and Canada, only the nasal spray version is the one that contains the "live" (attenuated) virus.

See:
Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconceptions.htm

As always, check with your healthcare provider.

SW
(who is very glad that most of the COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including the 2 approved so far, do NOT use live vaccines!!)

The covid vaccines available now don't even use the killed virus in it. It uses the genetic material for only the spikes which is the part of the virus that allows it to gain entry into and infect a healthy cell. Once you’re vaccinated, the spikes can’t attach and the virus is defeated.

 

[cgolf]

The covid vaccines available now don't even used the killed virus in it. It uses the genetic material for only the spikes which is the part of the virus that allows it to gain entry into and infect a healthy cell. Once you’re vaccinated, the spikes can’t attach and the virus is defeated.

FYI, most of the current flu vaccines do NOT use "live" vaccines. In the US and Canada, only the nasal spray version is the one that contains the "live" (attenuated) virus.

See:
Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconceptions.htm

As always, check with your healthcare provider.

SW
(who is very glad that most of the COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including the 2 approved so far, do NOT use live vaccines!!)

MIT had a course where the talks were available to the general public that talked a lot about this. They were super informative and brought me back to some of my college classes many years ago.

https://biology.mit.edu/undergradua...ferings/covid-19-sars-cov-2-and-the-pandemic/

 

[jane01jp]

Interesting:

https://nypost.com/2021/01/12/los-a...-covid-19-vaccine-before-returning-to-school/

 

[jane01jp]

Interesting report from Norway:

https://norwaytoday.info/news/norwe...de-effects-those-who-died-were-frail-and-old/

 

[ChicosWife]

Does anyone know how long the vaccine is good for? Do you have to re-inoculated later on?

 

[deliela999]

Does anyone know how long the vaccine is good for? Do you have to re-inoculated later on?

This is part of what they are continuing to study, while they got it to market quickly. No one knows yet.

 

[Starwind]

The covid vaccines available now don't even use the killed virus in it. It uses the genetic material for only the spikes which is the part of the virus that allows it to gain entry into and infect a healthy cell. Once you’re vaccinated, the spikes can’t attach and the virus is defeated.

Yep !

This website from CBC tracks all the 100+ vaccine candidates - where they are in clinical trials, etc. Beside each name it includes info on what type of vaccine it is. It looks like 6 use inactivated virus; 1 uses a live, attenuated virus; the rest are vaccines that target a part of the virus.

https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/coronavirusvaccinetracker/

 

[bbel]

I have a little (kind of long) story I want to share, and as its sort of vaccine related ill pop it here.

Back in March when my country went into lockdown I was unemployed, but wanted to do something. So I signed up with a local charity and ended up being a part of the team who called around then vulnerable and elderly, mainly to see if they needed anything but also for a chat. Not many of mine wanted to chat, but I had one little old lady, Ivy, who is in her 90's and sounded exactly like Mrs Doubtfire. We had calls every Monday and Thursday and I think I ended up getting more out of them than her.

Unfortunately by the end of April I was working 2 jobs and had to give up the calls. By now Ivy was getting down and on our last call she told me it would be a miracle if she made it to Christmas. I thought of her every day.

Anyway. A couple of weeks ago my hours at one of my jobs got drastically cut (which I'm actually happy about), but now having more time I'm volunteering at a major vaccine roll out hub doing the non-clinical side.

Ive only done 2 days and today I was checking people in, when Ivy came to my station, we've never met so completel luck that she was sent to me. When we realised who we were to eadh other we had a little cry and I got to escort her to her jab and held her hand as as she had it. I asked her if it hurt and she said yes, but it was the best pain. Since we last spoke she's lost 2 friends to covid and as she had no family she officially gave me her number. So I'm going to call her at least twice a week, and I've promised her that once this is all over and it is safe, I'll take her out for a cup of tea, because its been almost a year since she's last been able to.

Anyway, helping with the vaccine has been an actual privilege. I've never worked somewhere, where there is so much hope in one room.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I find this quite interesting. My husband had a whole organ transplant one year ago. He has quite a wait ahead of him still in our state. He signed up for Hopkins monitoring trial for transplant recipients, and his care team is very excited that he's part of the trial. But it's pretty meaningless until we hit 1C in our county and HIS specific sub-category opens. (I find it laughable that we have 1A, 1B, 1C, and are in 1B right now but not everyone who is 1B - only certain 1B people. Other 1B people have to wait a bit longer. For heaven's sake, if you're going to break it down, literally break.it.down. As though this is less confusing than just having 1A through 1F or the like!)

Can you give me any links to this trial? Our future travel depends upon when are transplant family member can get his shot safely.
My daughter receives hers tomorrow.

 

[Intr3pid]

Does anyone know how long the vaccine is good for? Do you have to re-inoculated later on?

Check out post #516. Moderna expects at least one year.

 

[n2mm]

We attempted to get our vaccine yesterday and it was a disaster. Thousands of people showed up for 600 doses, first come, first serve. They were scheduled to open 10am, but by 9:00am all 600 numbers were gone. Traffic was a nightmare and this was for the 70+ and 80+ groups. dont believe the BS about WV doing a good job, because this was horrible. Read later that people showed up 5 hours earlier and was let in to get assigned a number. Folks in this age group should not have to do this, esp with no bathroom facilities. Now here in WV they are talking about opening the age to 65 next week and there are so many elderly folks in the 80+ group still trying to get vaccines. They need to do a better job getting the vaccines to primary care doctors and pharmacist. Right now only health departments are issuing them and the service is inadequate. Ok, rant over, feeling frustrated and disgusted with WV

 

[cmph]

Can you give me any links to this trial? Our future travel depends upon when are transplant family member can get his shot safely.
My daughter receives hers tomorrow.

https://transplantvaccine.org/
As I had mentioned, it's a monitoring trial (to assess vaccine effectiveness considering their immunosuppressant therapies) so does not give access to the vaccine (just making sure you saw that part). My husband has a pile of materials to take his blood samples but is in limbo while he waits to qualify for the vaccine in our county. It's not a paid trial, but they have closed to participant applications due to the good response they received. It's going to be quite some time before they are able to publish results if many of the trial participants are waiting for the vaccine, and it is not specifically determining whether it's "safe" for transplant recipients. I'm not aware of any trials specifically investigating safety of the vaccine for transplant recipients. I'd suggest that your family member speak with their care team - my husband's doctors were fully on board with him getting it as soon as he is able.

 

[cmph]

We attempted to get our vaccine yesterday and it was a disaster. Thousands of people showed up for 600 doses, first come, first serve. They were scheduled to open 10am, but by 9:00am all 600 numbers were gone. Traffic was a nightmare and this was for the 70+ and 80+ groups. dont believe the BS about WV doing a good job, because this was horrible. Read later that people showed up 5 hours earlier and was let in to get assigned a number. Folks in this age group should not have to do this, esp with no bathroom facilities. Now here in WV they are talking about opening the age to 65 next week and there are so many elderly folks in the 80+ group still trying to get vaccines. They need to do a better job getting the vaccines to primary care doctors and pharmacist. Right now only health departments are issuing them and the service is inadequate. Ok, rant over, feeling frustrated and disgusted with WV

That's awful. I volunteered at one of our distribution clinics in my county (I'm in AZ), and it was pretty smooth but only 1a at that point. Appointments only, though, which seems pretty essential for planning!!

 

[mevelandry]

*nevermind* (someone already answered the comment I was answering to, with the same answer).

 

[AquaDame]

Sometimes people with a compromised immune system shouldn't receive vaccines. I would double check with his/her immunologist.

ETA: Sorry, I just re-read your post. You said households should be moved up. I fully agree.

They need to just come out and say, "All of you healthy, working from home crowd, it will be summer before we get to you."

We both fall into this category and I'm fine waiting... as long as I can keep working from home until we are also fully vaccinated. I suspect that isn't going to be the case though. Yesterday they started making appointments in my state for 65+ (up until now you had to work in healthcare) just to find out whoops we don't have the vaccines we thought we were getting. Now they decided to prioritize teachers first instead so kids can go back to school... even though kids can't be vaccinated yet... and hardly any adults have been...

 

[Snowwhyt]

https://transplantvaccine.org/
As I had mentioned, it's a monitoring trial (to assess vaccine effectiveness considering their immunosuppressant therapies) so does not give access to the vaccine (just making sure you saw that part). My husband has a pile of materials to take his blood samples but is in limbo while he waits to qualify for the vaccine in our county. It's not a paid trial, but they have closed to participant applications due to the good response they received. It's going to be quite some time before they are able to publish results if many of the trial participants are waiting for the vaccine, and it is not specifically determining whether it's "safe" for transplant recipients. I'm not aware of any trials specifically investigating safety of the vaccine for transplant recipients. I'd suggest that your family member speak with their care team - my husband's doctors were fully on board with him getting it as soon as he is able.

It’s my father that actually needs to wait for the results. And I’m desperately looking to find afirst available results information so we can show his doctor it’s safe to get a vaccine. His doctor’s not approving his vaccine until the results are available. My dad is 78 so he only has so much time to travel in his life. But I’m concerned that I can’t have my father hold out for a two year study. But since your husband is in the study maybe he can get a contact for early information? Should be in the paperwork maybe? I’d be so very greatful for any contact you have.