The Vaccine Discussion Thread

[PrincessShmoo]

You're confusing Astra Zeneca with Pfizer, I believe. AZ is 16W, Moderna is 4W, Pfizer is 3W, J&J is one and done.

Edit: Link to official Canadian website on Pfizer FAQs

How it’s given
The vaccine is given by an injection (0.3 mL) into the muscle of the arm. For the vaccine to work best, you need to get 2 doses: a single dose and then a second dose 21 days later.

Immunity develops over time. It takes about 2 weeks to develop significant protection against COVID-19. For the greatest protection, you will need the second dose.

Based on studies in about 44,000 participants, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 1 week after the second dose.

In Canada, they've been delaying second doses in order get more people at least one dose. Yes, Pfizer is 3 weeks. That's what it was tested at before being approved for emergency use. But some countries are extending the time lag.

 

[kathi]

Seems that Port Canaveral started vaccinating ship crew today. Dream was the first (or one of the first)

That is such excellent news!!

 

[JWelch62]

In Canada, they've been delaying second doses in order get more people at least one dose. Yes, Pfizer is 3 weeks. That's what it was tested at before being approved for emergency use. But some countries are extending the time lag.

That has been an ongoing discussions in many locations. Even is the US there was talk of doing this. Now that Pfizer will be shipping directly from MI they will hopefully cease that. According to the US CDC the max delay is 6 weeks.

"You should administer the second dose as close as possible to the recommended interval of 21 days after dose 1. However, if it is not possible to follow the recommended interval, you may schedule the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. There are currently limited data on efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered beyond this window. If the second dose is administered after these intervals, there is no need to restart the series."

 

[AquaDame]

Hopefully so, but as of right now, in Canada, the period between the two shots is much longer than in the US. If the J&J stays stalled it may not matter that Pfizer can now ship more, they would likely still choose to get as many people their first shots as possible before worrying about the second dose.

 

[bcwife76]

We’ll most likely have groups testing the different vaccines for the second dose soon. However, they said they would switch for a similar type (which would mean Moderna/Pfizer, in that case).

I wonder if AZ and J&J could be mixed?

Since J&J is one dose, I don't think that it should be mixed with AZ either....

 

[Intr3pid]

That has been an ongoing discussions in many locations. Even is the US there was talk of doing this. Now that Pfizer will be shipping directly from MI they will hopefully cease that. According to the US CDC the max delay is 6 weeks.

"You should administer the second dose as close as possible to the recommended interval of 21 days after dose 1. However, if it is not possible to follow the recommended interval, you may schedule the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. There are currently limited data on efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered beyond this window. If the second dose is administered after these intervals, there is no need to restart the series."

Supply has been an issue, but it's also because the drug companies couldn't explore the extended gap in order to finish trials quickly quickly under the emergency.

In the UK, they have delayed the second AZ dose to up to 12 weeks and had pretty good real-life results. The idea being you want to protect as many as possible quickly rather than protect a few more. Invariably, the drug companies love to recommend quicker second shots or boosters since that pushes sales.

The problem with the AZ vaccine outside the UK/Europe is that it's largely being manufactured in India, and India has banned all vaccine exports for the time being. Those waiting for their second doses outside India are now in a bit of a lurch.

Unless we explore the idea of mixing and matching. and there are studies now underway.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56730526

 

[mevelandry]

You're confusing Astra Zeneca with Pfizer, I believe. AZ is 16W, Moderna is 4W, Pfizer is 3W, J&J is one and done.

Edit: Link to official Canadian website on Pfizer FAQs

How it’s given
The vaccine is given by an injection (0.3 mL) into the muscle of the arm. For the vaccine to work best, you need to get 2 doses: a single dose and then a second dose 21 days later.

Immunity develops over time. It takes about 2 weeks to develop significant protection against COVID-19. For the greatest protection, you will need the second dose.

Based on studies in about 44,000 participants, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 1 week after the second dose.

I’m not confusing anything.

I live in Canada, in the province of Quebec, and because there is a shortage of vaccines since December, the schedule here is 16 weeks between the two shots, no matter what vaccine you have received.

I got my first shot of Pfizer early April, my appointment for the 2nd shot is at the end of July.

It’s like that for everyone here.

 

[mevelandry]

Hopefully so, but as of right now, in Canada, the period between the two shots is much longer than in the US. If the J&J stays stalled it may not matter that Pfizer can now ship more, they would likely still choose to get as many people their first shots as possible before worrying about the second dose.

From what I understand, they just want to check the J&J because the vaccines are coming from the Baltimore facility that has made the news recently. I’m praying that the shots will be ok and distributed ASAP.

About Pfizer, I would love to see our seniors receiving their 2nd shots earlier than expected because they are the ones who need it the most. If we get ours earlier, that’s just a bonus.

 

[JWelch62]

I’m not confusing anything.

I live in Canada, in the province of Quebec, and because there is a shortage of vaccines since December, the schedule here is 16 weeks between the two shots, no matter what vaccine you have received.

I got my first shot of Pfizer early April, my appointment for the 2nd shot is at the end of July.

It’s like that for everyone here.

Sorry for the presumption. Others have also pointed out the all 2nd doses are being delayed. I certainly hope that an increase in supply from Pfizer will help alleviate that.

 

[Terapin]

From what I understand, they just want to check the J&J because the vaccines are coming from the Baltimore facility that has made the news recently. I’m praying that the shots will be ok and distributed ASAP.

About Pfizer, I would love to see our seniors receiving their 2nd shots earlier than expected because they are the ones who need it the most. If we get ours earlier, that’s just a bonus.

They aren't extending the interval for folks in nursing homes. They re sticking to the three-week interval.

 

[mevelandry]

They aren't extending the interval for folks in nursing homes. They re sticking to the three-week interval.

In Quebec, they are waiting 16 weeks. Even in nursing homes.

 

[bcwife76]

In Quebec, they are waiting 16 weeks. Even in nursing homes.

Same in BC.

 

[sabrecmc]

Looks like we will hopefully get FDA approval for 12-15 year olds to use Pfizer sometime this week (though this article is pretty much just saying what health experts think will happen, no official info). Link to Article It's been over 3 weeks since the request, and it only took 3 weeks for the original EUA, so hopefully, it will be this week. Not sure how long after the amended EUA before states alter their guidelines to allow it, but hopefully that will be quick! I'm so ready to get my daughter vaccinated.

ETA: NY Times says it's coming next week NY Times Tweet

 

[SarahC97]

Looks like we will hopefully get FDA approval for 12-15 year olds to use Pfizer sometime this week (though this article is pretty much just saying what health experts think will happen, no official info). Link to Article It's been over 3 weeks since the request, and it only took 3 weeks for the original EUA, so hopefully, it will be this week. Not sure how long after the amended EUA before states alter their guidelines to allow it, but hopefully that will be quick! I'm so ready to get my daughter vaccinated.

I'm ready to get my 13-year-old vaccinated too. I'd like it if she could get the first dose before our trip in 3 weeks!

 

[sabrecmc]

Health Experts think we won't reach herd immunity

"Widely circulating coronavirus variants and persistent hesitancy about vaccines will keep the goal out of reach. The virus is here to stay, but vaccinating the most vulnerable may be enough to restore normalcy."

*sigh* I hope that we can get back to some form of normalcy soon, but it's all so frustrating.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Health Experts think we won't reach herd immunity

"Widely circulating coronavirus variants and persistent hesitancy about vaccines will keep the goal out of reach. The virus is here to stay, but vaccinating the most vulnerable may be enough to restore normalcy."

*sigh* I hope that we can get back to some form of normalcy soon, but it's all so frustrating.

As far as I know, it was never thought that we would eliminate Covid-19 (like we did with Smallpox), but rather manage it, as we do with the Flu and its variants. Remember, that the Flu (pre-COVID-19) killed 12,000 - 60,000 people yearly in the United States; we didn't eradicate the Flu, but we lived with it in a managed way.

Therefore, I believe that with the pace of vaccinations in the US (and hopefully, the World sooner rather than later), normalcy should and will return much sooner than "many" predict.

 

[RamblingMad]

In Quebec, they are waiting 16 weeks. Even in nursing homes.

I wonder how effective it is with that long of a gap. My understanding is that with Pfizer vaccine the study topped out at 45 days between shots even though they recommend 21 days now. I don’t know of any research done beyond a 45 day window.

 

[Freeman867]

I'm not sure what it's like elsewhere in the United States, but here in Colorado, even with vaccines available at events where you don't even need an appointment, demand is dwindling fast. I was able to find an appointment the week my job in education allowed me to be eligible and have been fully vaccinated since early March. It's just not that hard to get a vaccine here.

At some point, we need to let those who have made the foolish choice to deny science and refuse to get the vaccine deal with that consequence and not hold up a return to normalcy in this country any longer. Ship the vaccines to Canada and other countries who have the demand right now and stop fooling ourselves into thinking we can market the vaccine to those who will never change their mind on it, no matter what education we can attempt to provide on it.

 

[jerry557]

I wonder how effective it is with that long of a gap. My understanding is that with Pfizer vaccine the study topped out at 45 days between shots even though they recommend 21 days now. I don’t know of any research done beyond a 45 day window.

I imagine it runs a risk of a weak immune response. Basically it may not be as effective. But the vaccine hasn’t been studied long enough for anyone to say for certain.

I’ve read some people in the US is also apparently skipping the 2nd dose. One reason is because it’s been widely said the side effects tend to be worse than the first dose. So if someone had effects with the first one, they are skipping the 2nd. I was worried about that. In psychology there is a word for it. It’s a defense mechanism where we are programmed to avoid things that make us sick or gives a negative response. Sort of like how you get food poisoning and then later on you have an aversion that food in the future.

If that’s true, good luck getting enough people to get the boosters next year if those end up being necessary. We could see a resurgence.

 

[hdrolfe]

I wonder how effective it is with that long of a gap. My understanding is that with Pfizer vaccine the study topped out at 45 days between shots even though they recommend 21 days now. I don’t know of any research done beyond a 45 day window.

It's actually interesting, the research with the AstraZeneca showed that the longer gap increased the effectiveness, though I believe it was 12 weeks the max rather than 16 Canada is pushing. Not sure about the others but I guess we'll know after Canada finishes vaccinating... fingers crossed it's a gamble that pays off for us. I am expecting we'll all need boosters at some point as well, to cover the new strains or just in general like the flu shots.