FDA Approves Booster Shot for People with Weakened Immune Systems

I had Covid in Nov 2020, with pneumonia and a week in the hospital. I got both pfizer vaccines in April. A buddy of mine is telling me I should go get the booster now, since I previously had COVID and thus immunocompromised. My PCP is not really helpful in COVID conversations, so I am debating going to get booster now, only 4 months since jab 2.

I am very pro vaccine, but it feels like I am going a bit early.

My buddy told me "all that’s checked is that your 2nd shot was over 28 days ago."
 
bobbyr said:
I had Covid in Nov 2020, with pneumonia and a week in the hospital. I got both pfizer vaccines in April. A buddy of mine is telling me I should go get the booster now, since I previously had COVID and thus immunocompromised. My PCP is not really helpful in COVID conversations, so I am debating going to get booster now, only 4 months since jab 2.

I am very pro vaccine, but it feels like I am going a bit early.

My buddy told me "all that’s checked is that your 2nd shot was over 28 days ago."
Click to expand...
I thought that previously having covid gave you *more* immunity (at least against getting covid), rather than making you immunocompromised....

Personally, I'd wait if I were you. (But that's me... Obviously, make your own decision.)
 
I am immune compromised and had my Pfizer booster today. Had my 2nd shot beginning of April. Here in SW Oregon I had to fill out a form stating the type of immune disease I have and also brought a letter from my Rheumatologist indicating I should get the booster ASAP. I don't know if there are alternative methods as I did not (and would not) try to circumvent the system.
 
I've never heard of catching COVID make you immuno-compromised either. Catching COVID gives you antibodies/immunity for a while.

I would probably wait until the 5th-month or 6th-month mark (from the 2nd jab) myself... My limited understanding is that the level of immunity starts declining around the 5th month, but I don't know by how much...
 
After pondering this for a while, I'm going to wait because:


  1. As the effectiveness wanes, I can let it wane a little more and then get back to full strength, as it will again start to wane. Otherwise the most logical thing would be to get a shot every 2 or 3 months to stay at full strength.
  2. I do have an aversion to lying, it's too much work.
  3. Finally, while I think the "off-label" use concern of lawsuit is silly and just a scare tactic, I do think it's possible my insurance company could charge me for it once they realize I got it, even if I said I had no insurance. I'm pretty sure they want people to supply some ID to get the shot, so it's traceable. Waiting another month means it's free for sure.
 
thanks for the replies...I am still a bit unsure, but I lean towards waiting until November.
 
bobbyr said:
I had Covid in Nov 2020, with pneumonia and a week in the hospital. I got both pfizer vaccines in April. A buddy of mine is telling me I should go get the booster now, since I previously had COVID and thus immunocompromised. My PCP is not really helpful in COVID conversations, so I am debating going to get booster now, only 4 months since jab 2.

I am very pro vaccine, but it feels like I am going a bit early.

My buddy told me "all that’s checked is that your 2nd shot was over 28 days ago."
Click to expand...
Are you saying you are immunocompromised because you had COVID? That’s not correct.

If you are immunocompromised it’s usually due to medical treatment, cancer, transplant etc., you eould be under a doctor’s care and discuss getting the booster with that doctor.
 
For those of you who think you are immune compromised and are able to get the covid booster shot now, get on the CVS website and go through the process of signing up for a booster shot. The website lists in detail what medical conditions qualify for the booster shot now. If you do not have one of these medical conditions you do not qualify for the shot at this time.

Personally I am going to wait until I qualify to get the booster.
 
audreyh1 said:
Are you saying you are immunocompromised because you had COVID? That’s not correct.

If you are immunocompromised it’s usually due to medical treatment, cancer, transplant etc., you eould be under a doctor’s care and discuss getting the booster with that doctor.
Click to expand...

I think my friend was saying I was immunocompromised because I became so sick last November. Meaning the fact that I reacted so badly to COVID meant I must be immuno-compromised. His email confused me a little bit, but I think that is what he meant.

I agree that immuno-compromised fits into your list and that doesn't include me (medical treatment, cancer, transplant etc.)
 
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Yes, your friend does not understand what immunocompromised means.

I’m glad you recovered from a bad illness with COVID.
 
audreyh1 said:
I’m waiting to see what they say when it’s official.
Click to expand...

So will I. The WSJ reports this morning that Moderna has requested authorization for a booster dosage that’s only 1/2 as strong as the first two.

Much of the research on boosters is based on data from Israel, which has relied heavily on the Pfizer vaccine. I’d like to see a similar amount of data for the Moderna version, and that should be forthcoming in the next month or two.
 
bobbyr said:
I had Covid in Nov 2020, with pneumonia and a week in the hospital. I got both pfizer vaccines in April. A buddy of mine is telling me I should go get the booster now, since I previously had COVID and thus immunocompromised.
Click to expand...

rodi said:
I thought that previously having covid gave you *more* immunity (at least against getting covid), rather than making you immunocompromised....
Click to expand...

tmm99 said:
I've never heard of catching COVID make you immuno-compromised either. Catching COVID gives you antibodies/immunity for a while.
Click to expand...

I agree you probably have above-average immunity against infection and are not immuno-compromised.

However, your lungs are likely still compromised and you probably don't yet feel back to quite 100%? So if you were to get sick, perhaps your Buddy is thinking you'd have a harder time? I'd agree with him there. Up to you on the timing vs. other pre-cautions you are taking.
 
Aerides said:
I agree you probably have above-average immunity against infection and are not immuno-compromised.

However, your lungs are likely still compromised and you probably don't yet feel back to quite 100%? So if you were to get sick, perhaps your Buddy is thinking you'd have a harder time? I'd agree with him there. Up to you on the timing vs. other pre-cautions you are taking.
Click to expand...

that's a good summary, although I felt mostly recovered by Jan 1 (contracted COVID Nov 10) and lungs felt pretty normal probably by February.

Although, I tended to be susceptible to bronchitis when I was young, so my lungs may not be my strongest organ. Also I just turned 63, so I do have age as a bit of a factor. Anyway, thanks for the feedback...

I am generally being careful to not be around folks without my wearing a mask...and I generally keep safe distance, although not perfect.

We take care of aged parents who require a lot of care and it would be extremely problemmatic for my wife if I got COVID right now, and vice versa, so I'll factor that into my plan.
 
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MichaelB said:
Much of the research on boosters is based on data from Israel, which has relied heavily on the Pfizer vaccine.
Click to expand...

Yes, and this is why I think the science is pretty clear that a Pfizer booster for most adults (40+) six months after the 2nd Pfizer dose is the right approach. Certainly hoping the U.S. goes this route. I'm traveling overseas in October and would like to get a booster shot to be as protected as possible.
 
I listened to an interview on the BBC yesterday with a member of the UK vaccination task force and he said one of the questions they are wrestling with in rolling out booster shots to everyone that is not clinically vulnerable is what if another variant of concern takes hold in the country in the coming months. If they have already rolled out booster shots, how long would they have to wait to roll out a 4th vaccine shot modified to tackle a new variant. They may decide to “keep their powder dry” unless there is a surge in hospitalizations of breakthrough cases.
 
Alan said:
I listened to an interview on the BBC yesterday with a member of the UK vaccination task force and he said one of the questions they are wrestling with in rolling out booster shots to everyone that is not clinically vulnerable is what if another variant of concern takes hold in the country in the coming months. If they have already rolled out booster shots, how long would they have to wait to roll out a 4th vaccine shot modified to tackle a new variant. They may decide to “keep their powder dry” unless there is a surge in hospitalizations of breakthrough cases.
Click to expand...

Why would the wait period not be 28 days ?

The knee jerk (and correct but unhelpful) official answer is "we don't know if 28 days is safe". But they also don't know if 1 day is safe or not for a 4th vaccine shot.

I know I took 3 different vaccine shots in a 30 day period under doctor orders (not the covid vaccines).

Officials better start figuring it all out, as the Mu variant may need a new changed vaccine shot.
 
So does anyone know the recommendation for a booster when you had the vaccine first and had a breakthrough case?

Moderna second shot was March 1. Breakthrough case July 20. Still low energy and some breathlessness when exercising so for me it wasn’t just a little cold! Had been walking 3 miles a day at 16 minutes a mile previously.

At first could not walk 10 minutes without being totally spent. Can do 18 minute mile now, with 2 miles my max, but only a few times a week compared to every other day. Fitbit was at 140 HR on the Pickleball court playing for the first time post COVID yesterday. Previously would never go above 120 and always hovered around 100-105 or even less. Stayed at 120 even between points. And I only played 4 games! So yes COVID zapped me.
 
It appears the data submitted by Moderna to the FDA is not sufficient to greenlight a wide booster of that vaccine, and it may lag Pfizer by a few weeks. (various news sites reporting).

Pfizer still appears to be on target with the 9/20 date.
 
volfan said:
So does anyone know the recommendation for a booster when you had the vaccine first and had a breakthrough case?

Moderna second shot was March 1. Breakthrough case July 20. Still low energy and some breathlessness when exercising so for me it wasn’t just a little cold! Had been walking 3 miles a day at 16 minutes a mile previously.

At first could not walk 10 minutes without being totally spent. Can do 18 minute mile now, with 2 miles my max, but only a few times a week compared to every other day. Fitbit was at 140 HR on the Pickleball court playing for the first time post COVID yesterday. Previously would never go above 120 and always hovered around 100-105 or even less. Stayed at 120 even between points. And I only played 4 games! So yes COVID zapped me.
Click to expand...

It has only been 6 weeks or so since you got Covid so you are still recovering. I have not heard anything about a booster shot specifically for breakthrough cases. If your fatigue, etc continues it might mean that you have Long Covid. There are some clinics across the country that have opened up specifically to help people with Long Covid. I know there is such a clinic at UNC Chapel Hill where I live.
 
Covid Booster received!

Yesterday, I got my Pfizer Covid booster (#3 shot). Feeling great!
 
Sunset said:
After pondering this for a while, I'm going to wait because:


  1. As the effectiveness wanes, I can let it wane a little more and then get back to full strength, as it will again start to wane. Otherwise the most logical thing would be to get a shot every 2 or 3 months to stay at full strength.
  2. I do have an aversion to lying, it's too much work.
  3. Finally, while I think the "off-label" use concern of lawsuit is silly and just a scare tactic, I do think it's possible my insurance company could charge me for it once they realize I got it, even if I said I had no insurance. I'm pretty sure they want people to supply some ID to get the shot, so it's traceable. Waiting another month means it's free for sure.
Click to expand...

Like so many other things, it depends on. Unless your local law dictates otherwise, Wal Mart will NOT ask for ID as they are actively trying to get EVERYONE vaccinated...including those who may not be legal residents.
 
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