The Vaccine Discussion Thread

[BartmanLA]

The reported efficacy numbers for J&J are less than Pfizer and Moderna. However, there are a lot of reasons that they could look "worse". I am a bit reluctant, but if it were my only choice, I would take it. Something is better than nothing.

I too am phobic of needles, but I'm willing to suffer the 2 shots of Pfizer (that's what I am scheduled for 3 weeks from now) for possible better efficacy. Also, you don't really get a choice where I am. I am so terrified of needles that I didn't do an epidural when I gave birth. My husband will have to go with me, because I usually pass out. I have passed out before when seeing it TV. I don't have them as often now, but from the time I was a kid, I used to have a recurring nightmare about a shot. The same one every time.

I got the 1st dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a Mega Pod site here in SoCal just over a week ago, the people administering the vaccine were super efficient, we got out injections right in our car. They just suggest if you have a fear to look away and you feel a little pressure in your arm and it's done very quick and easy. Good Luck and don't be scared this is a great thing you're doing to protect not only yourself but others as well!

 

[ninergrl6]

I actually have an appt for J&J on Saturday (I am TERRIFIED of needles - I do not get the flu shot). Of course today someone posted online about the needle for J&J being huge and painful and I'm totally freaked out.

I got J&J a few weeks ago and didn't even look at the needle so I can't tell you about the size. It wasn't big enough that it attracted my attention, but I purposely just stared straight ahead because I didn't want to see it. I didn't think it was painful and didn't have any side effects besides a sore arm for a day or two, but a colleague who also got J&J on the same day at the same location felt awful for about 4 days afterwards. Another colleague is also terrified of needles so she really wanted J&J so she'd be one-and-done, but the site where she got vaccinated was only offering Pfizer the day of her appointment.

 

[randumb0]

The reported efficacy numbers for J&J are less than Pfizer and Moderna. However, there are a lot of reasons that they could look "worse". I am a bit reluctant, but if it were my only choice, I would take it. Something is better than nothing.

I too am phobic of needles, but I'm willing to suffer the 2 shots of Pfizer (that's what I am scheduled for 3 weeks from now) for possible better efficacy. Also, you don't really get a choice where I am. I am so terrified of needles that I didn't do an epidural when I gave birth. My husband will have to go with me, because I usually pass out. I have passed out before when seeing it TV. I don't have them as often now, but from the time I was a kid, I used to have a recurring nightmare about a shot. The same one every time.

One thing to consider about J&J is its study took place during one of our peaks while Pfizer and Moderna did not. If Pfizer and Moderna study had taken place at the same time we may have seen different results.

 

[blabadie]

YMMV, but all of the pharmacy partners in my area list what you’re making an appointment to receive before confirming.

This is exactly how it is in my area (TX) too. You know the vaccine type associated with the appointment, so you're able to "shop around" the different locations and make an appointment for the vaccine you want.

Our state recently opened vaccinations to the general public and thankfully there seems to be good availability from what I've seen.

 

[Mousequake]

One thing to consider about J&J is its study took place during one of our peaks while Pfizer and Moderna did not. If Pfizer and Moderna study had taken place at the same time we may have seen different results.

Yep. My wife, who is routinely called on by the local media as an expert on this stuff, likens it to playing in the major leagues versus the minor leagues. Take two players of comparable ability and put one in the minors and one in the majors. They're going to have different stats. Same with the vaccines-- Moderna & Pfizer were tested in the 'minor leagues' before community spread was do wide and before variants were a real concern.

 

[mevelandry]

I don’t know if it’s like that everywhere in Canada but here in the province of Quebec, they have paused AstraZeneca (who are rebranding and changing their name, can’t remember the new name) for people under 55 years old. The plan that has been announced is that when they open appointments again they will clearly label them... Meaning that people booking that spot will know in advance that they’ll receive AZ.

 

[Birdie dog]

Only blue skies from Pfizer today. The most recent data from Pfizer shows:
1- at least 6 months of immunity at over 91%
2- 100% efficacy against the South African variant
3- 100% efficacy in their youth trials (aged 12-15)
4- 95% reduction of a asymptomatic spread of disease. You don't catch and you don't spread.
This is the sort of data needed to truly safely open thing up. Well this, and people actually taking their vaccines.

 

[Roughians_satchel]

I don’t know if it’s like that everywhere in Canada but here in the province of Quebec, they have paused AstraZeneca (who are rebranding and changing their name, can’t remember the new name) for people under 55 years old. The plan that has been announced is that when they open appointments again they will clearly label them... Meaning that people booking that spot will know in advance that they’ll receive AZ.

AZ isn't allowed in the US yet - and probably will have an uphill battle getting past the FDA.

 

[brentm77]

Only blue skies from Pfizer today. The most recent data from Pfizer shows:
1- at least 6 months of immunity at over 91%
2- 100% efficacy against the South African variant
3- 100% efficacy in their youth trials (aged 12-15)
4- 95% reduction of a asymptomatic spread of disease. You don't catch and you don't spread.
This is the sort of data needed to truly safely open thing up. Well this, and people actually taking their vaccines.

In addition to this Pfizer data, I am glad to see the CDC finally starting to acknowledge that vaccinated individuals are unlikely to spread the virus. A variant could turn that around in the future, but hasn't so far. From the start, existing knowledge suggested that vaccinated individuals were unlikely to spread the virus, with some experts trying to get that message out, but the CDC took the most conservative position possible and said we didn't know yet, causing many people to take that as, "you probably will still transmit the virus," not "there is some remote possibility you will." I wish the CDC had been more optimistic on this issue from the start, saying it was likely you wouldn't transmit the virus, but the issue was still open, as I think it deterred some people from getting the vaccine and, now, there will always be some portion of society making the claim that you are likely to still transmit the virus, even though the opposite is true. Just like those who still spread the false notion that we know protection is only for a very short period, despite most evidence pointing to long protection, particularly with T cells, which will likely prevent most serious infections for a very long time.

Anyway, this is great news and one more step towards cruising and enjoying life again. Despite the threat of rising cases in some regions, there is plenty to be optimistic about. Get vaccinated!

P.S. I like this snippet from the above article (which goes on to say they are doing a study of college kids across the U.S. to confirm low asymptomatic infections and spread):

Walensky was referring to a new CDC study of nearly 4,000 front-line workers, some vaccinated and some not, who tested themselves weekly for COVID-19 infections between December and March.

Among fully vaccinated people in the study, there were only three "break-through" COVID-19 infections detected. In stark contrast, unvaccinated participants in the study logged 161 COVID-19 cases.

In other words, two shots of Pfizer or Moderna's vaccines, followed by two full weeks for them to take effect, nearly zeroed out all detectable infections — including asymptomatic ones.

 

[sabrecmc]

All this good news after a rough year is such a wonderful thing! I went to the movies yesterday for the first time in probably about 14 months as a treat for now being fully vaccinated by a good bit. It was so nice!

I did see where the CDC said they were working on an updated return to sailing order, but that it was in interagency review at the moment. Not sure when that will come out or how it might change things, but I wonder with this *brand new* data, if they will revise it further to consider the efficacy of these vaccines or if they already took that into account (because I think behind the scenes, they probably basically knew this, but didn't have as much data as they needed to say it to the public just yet).

ETA: Royal Caribbean's CEO is worried the guidance will be outdated, too. Link to RC blog

 

[JWelch62]

Yep. My wife, who is routinely called on by the local media as an expert on this stuff, likens it to playing in the major leagues versus the minor leagues. Take two players of comparable ability and put one in the minors and one in the majors. They're going to have different stats. Same with the vaccines-- Moderna & Pfizer were tested in the 'minor leagues' before community spread was do wide and before variants were a real concern.

Also, J&J did part of their study in S. Africa. So, it has demonstrated efficacy against that variant.

Edit to add that I'm getting my first dose today (woo hoo!) I'd be glad to take the J&J shot because I would just like to get it done with. But I will take whatever is available.

 

[bcwife76]

I don’t know if it’s like that everywhere in Canada but here in the province of Quebec, they have paused AstraZeneca (who are rebranding and changing their name, can’t remember the new name) for people under 55 years old. The plan that has been announced is that when they open appointments again they will clearly label them... Meaning that people booking that spot will know in advance that they’ll receive AZ.

It's the same here in BC. So now they have started opening up booking for the 55-65 age range to get the AZ vaccine in pharmacies across the lower mainland. The bookings were so popular they ran out of vaccine and are waiting for our next shipment of AZ. Meanwhile the push to get school staff vaccinated here in Surrey was switched over from AZ to Pfizer. The Surrey school district is the biggest in BC with over 8500 staff, most of whom should be vaccinated by the end of today.

 

[Intr3pid]

Only blue skies from Pfizer today. The most recent data from Pfizer shows:
1- at least 6 months of immunity at over 91%
2- 100% efficacy against the South African variant
3- 100% efficacy in their youth trials (aged 12-15)
4- 95% reduction of a asymptomatic spread of disease. You don't catch and you don't spread.
This is the sort of data needed to truly safely open thing up. Well this, and people actually taking their vaccines.

I think the youth part is the most promising for cruising - and for DCL. Moderna is also involved in their own trial for children - I think in 12 to 17 age group and those below 12. If we can bring those results out soon enough, the CDC may begin to rethink the CSO.

That said, the picture against the South African variant data isn't complete. Of the 44,000 participants, only 800 were from South Africa and 6 of them caught the virus - all in the placebo group. While the 6-0 efficacy does work out to be 100%, they will need more data before forming broad conclusions.

 

[Intr3pid]

One thing to consider about J&J is its study took place during one of our peaks while Pfizer and Moderna did not. If Pfizer and Moderna study had taken place at the same time we may have seen different results.

There is a good Vox video that explains this issue:

 

[wideeyedwonder]

I literally just got #1 of the Pfizer vaccine 5 minutes ago. I hate needles, so I looked away, and it wasn’t bad at all. Now sitting in the “observation” section for 15-30 minutes. Not bad at all!

 

[soniam]

One thing to consider about J&J is its study took place during one of our peaks while Pfizer and Moderna did not. If Pfizer and Moderna study had taken place at the same time we may have seen different results.

I know. That’s why I hedge my comments and had worse on quotes. I have read a lot about it. It basically means you can’t compare the numbers. However, J&J seems late on testing potential boosters, which seems slightly negative. I’m am engineer and have to work with the info/numbers I have.

This is exactly how it is in my area (TX) too. You know the vaccine type associated with the appointment, so you're able to "shop around" the different locations and make an appointment for the vaccine you want.

Our state recently opened vaccinations to the general public and thankfully there seems to be good availability from what I've seen.

Not all places in Texas are this open. Austin is still pretty tight, and you have to get what you can. I know several people, including me, who are going to be driving about an hour outside of town to even get a shot.

 

[blabadie]

I know. That’s why I hedge my comments and had worse on quotes. I have read a lot about it. It basically means you can’t compare the numbers. However, J&J seems late on testing potential boosters, which seems slightly negative. I’m am engineer and have to work with the info/numbers I have.


Not all places in Texas are this open. Austin is still pretty tight, and you have to get what you can. I know several people, including me, who are going to be driving about an hour outside of town to even get a shot.

If you still know of Texans looking for vaccine appointments (and willing/able to drive to the Houston area), tell them to logon to the various pharmacies (walmart, cvs, etc.) after midnight and you can usually have your pick of appointments in the Houston suburbs for about 4 days later. I also have been contacted by Fort Bend County, Waller County, and local hospitals about scheduling (I put my name on a lot of waiting lists lol), but I had already scheduled through CVS at that point.

I'm hopeful good appointment availability will soon be available in all locations. It felt like a great milestone to get that first shot!

 

[mevelandry]

Because of my work —to my own surprise!— I got to receive my first dose of Pfizer this morning. I heard it was not painful and honestly got really surprised by how NOT painful it was. For now, I don’t really have side effects other than my arm being a little sore and wanting to nap. I will now experiment (unless the government changes it due to more doses coming in) the infamous 16 weeks before my 2nd dose. I feel like I’m part of this huge experiment but I am actually excited about it and hopeful to be less of a risk to other people now.

 

[ninergrl6]

I actually have an appt for J&J on Saturday (I am TERRIFIED of needles - I do not get the flu shot). Of course today someone posted online about the needle for J&J being huge and painful and I'm totally freaked out.

I thought of you when I saw this coverage of California Gov. Newsom getting the J&J vaccine today. From the picture and video, the needle doesn't look super sized. I hope that gives you some comfort.

 

[ArielRae]

CDC says fully vaccinated people may resume travel.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-guidelines-travel-covid-vaccine-resume/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html