Who here had a booster so far? Your experiences?

[herding cats]

I know, it's kind of rare so far, but a lot of us seem to be high, or at least higher risk. I know I am, and I've had mine.

I'll go first. I had mine Tuesday last week. I'm on prednisone, but I've went off it before my previous vaccines. This last one I went off for 2 full months, it was well planned out this time. I had a sore arm (Moderna full dose) for several days and a tad of a flush of heat then chills (fever?) on day two which vanished with two Tylenol. I also was a extra tired. I think I got a decent immune response!

How did you feel after your booster?

[totodeinhere]

1. I have mixed feelings about getting a booster shot when millions of Third World residents

haven't had access to any shots at all, let alone a booster shot. I am not criticizing you for getting one, but I am just explaining why I may not.

[herding cats]

2. Perfectly understandable, however they're only available now to high risk cases here.

Which is who I was speaking to, and asking how they managed.

Not making mention of the vast amount of vaccines here in the US which are being trashed due to never being used after thawing.

[womanofthehills]

13. You might want to read this recent Lancet article agreeing with you

Two of the authors are recently departed FDA scientists. The scientists say the vaccines must first be deployed where they can do the most good.


https://www.thelancet.com/pb-assets/Lancet/pdfs/S0140673621020468.pdf

[totodeinhere]

35. Thank you for the link.

Yet I do understand people who feel they need a booster. It's easy for me to sit here and take the high road since I probably don't need a booster right now anyway, but if my doctor were to tell me that I have a medical condition that requires a booster and if my good health were on the line, what would I do? I hope I don't have to cross that road but I would probably take the shot.

[lagomorph777]

37. That's like my mother telling me to eat my carrots because kids are starving in China.

We can do both things. The industrialized world is perfectly capable of shipping billions of vaccines around the world, and giving booster shots here. It's a false choice to say we have to choose whether to give boosters or to vaccinate the world.

[totodeinhere]

38. I understand, but the WHO and other experts disagree with you.

And while we should be able to do both, we are not. Actually, so far many Third World countries have received only a drop in the bucket compared to what they need. And until we get the entire world vaccinated we all remain at risk.

[lagomorph777]

39. Whether Americans get boosters has essentially zero effect on global supply.

We are a drop in the bucket of the global population.

Also, Pfizer/Moderna shots are mainly what's been used here, very unlikely to be used in the 3rd world, due to nearly impossible cryostorage requirements. J&J and similar vaccines are what's needed around most of the planet.

WHO has indeed fallen down on the job again; I won't be basing my decisions on their ideas.
CDC is slightly better, FDA is just slow.

I am not questioning the motives of those agencies, and I understand why they can't turn on a dime. But there is a stream of science that shows boosters have value. I'm not talking HydroxyClorox Ivermectin woo woo, just workaday science.

[totodeinhere]

40. No offense, but I would rather trust the WHO as compared to an anecdote from you.

n/t

[lagomorph777]

41. I had no intention of telling you what to do - just describing my own thought process.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. I got a booster a week ago tomorrow

I was very achy on Wednesday and Thursday

The University of Texas has a study that my son is in and My youngest and I signed up. The test look at antibodies and I had a very low level

Link to tweet

To identify what percent of the Texas population has antibodies in their blood, we will use two serology tests, also known as antibody tests. One serology test, called the total antibody test, will look for antibodies in the blood made in response to natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. A separate serology test called the Roche S-test will also be used to test for the presence of spike-protein antibodies, which are the antibodies arising from natural infection or vaccination against COVID-19. Serology results are especially important for detecting previous infections in people who had few or no symptoms.

We will review the results of the serology tests, along with responses to a series of surveys that help us understand what things could contribute to people's differences in COVID-19 symptoms and diagnosis.

Two of my doctors told me to get the booster even though it is unclear what the antibody levels mean. I am on two inhaled steroids and have taken a round of steroids for COPD

[herding cats]

5. I had mine tested before and knew my response was pitiful.

I'm going to join that study next week as a booster case and hope for better.

I hope yours also is better now after your booster.

[herding cats]

12. I just realized we're booster twins!

Mine will be a week tomorrow, too!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. Yes we are

I got my original shots on Jan 16 and Feb 13

[herding cats]

20. My first was feb 9th and March 12th.

It was so hard to find a shot where I live. They were being snatched up within seconds of being available back then.

[UTUSN]

4. Am waiting on the 8 months (October). The different news every day gives qualms but skipping qualms.

Last edited Tue Sep 14, 2021, 12:46 AM - Edit history (1)

Talked about the ups and downs with my 81 yr old sister (by phone), who has always been indecisive. I said, "Yeah, today's news is that not everybody needs a 3rd dose. Am getting it. Just get it and forget it."

I do have a Democratic conscience and think about the millions world wide unable to get the basic doses. Also think about the millions of doses that are being thrown away because of vax deniers. Am just going to take it and let whatever be.

[herding cats]

7. Talk to your doctor and do as they advise.

Mine said get the shot if I was comfortable with it. I was, and I did. Where I live we waste way too many vaccines every month. I know I didn't harm anyone but I maybe helped keep the hospitals from seeing another breakthrough they can't handle here.

I did what I believe was the right thing. We shouldn't feel guilty for trying to be a positive statistic here in the US, rather than a burden on our healthcare system and a negative one.

[USALiberal]

28. I'll follow the actual rules, not my made up ones. Nt

[CanonRay]

6. Felt like mild flu the next day

OK after 24 hours

[herding cats]

8. You had a good and normal response.

I bet you made many antibodies!

[HubertHeaver]

9. Tired. Very tired.

Lasted a couple of days. I am high-risk, my wife is higher-risk. We both had Moderna. Similar reactions.

[herding cats]

10. That's been my main symptom, too.

With all my Covid vaccines, they wore me out.

[captain queeg]

11. I'll get mine pretty soon. I have multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, and my doc said I should get it.

[herding cats]

16. If your doc says to, then that's a good idea.

I'm glad you're going to follow up on it.

My symptoms were a big meh. I'd recommend doing it under your circumstances without reservations.

[Nanjeanne]

29. My husband has MM as well. He had little response to vaccine per LLS study but

he has to put off booster as he is going in to hospital for CarT therapy in a few weeks and will need to be re vaccinated 3 months after.

Good luck on your journey through this disease.

[captain queeg]

42. I've heard good things about CarT, hope it works for your hubbie

I’m still early stage and not really being treated, just tested regularly. Good luck.

[left-of-center2012]

14. My 8 months are up at the end of this month

I'm 75, with diabetes and heart issues.
Some posts here on DU the past few weeks puzzle me.
Someone posted they walked up to the pharmacist and said he qualified
and the pharmacist, without any verification, said 'Roll up your sleeve."
A few bragged about 'jumping the line' and getting their shot early.

The news on whether boosters are even needed seems to change daily.
I'll do what my doctors advise me to do, if and when.

Data shows Covid booster shots are ‘not appropriate’ at this time, U.S. and international scientists conclude
MON, SEP 13 2021
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/13/covid-booster-shots-data-shows-third-shots-not-appropriate-at-this-time-scientists-conclude.html

Covid-19 Boosters Aren’t Necessary Yet, Group of Scientists Say
Sept. 13, 2021
https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-boosters-arent-necessary-yet-group-of-scientists-say-11631565155

U.S., international scientists say COVID-19 vaccines do not currently 'show a need for boosting'
September 13, 2021
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/u-s-international-scientists-say-covid-19-vaccines-do-not-currently-show-a-need-for-boosting-1.5583233

[herding cats]

17. I'm immunocompromised.

My doctor said I should if I was comfortable with it. I can't speak to anyone else.

[herding cats]

21. Also, you're like my husband. Diabetes and heart issues.

He's not had a booster yet, per his doctor, either. Right this moment it's only if you're likely to be hospitalized if you catch Covid when fully vaxxed.

I take high does steroids which suppress my over active autoimmune response. Which without my booster would make me extremely vulnerable. I had an extremely low response to my previous two vaccines. Im hoping for something better this round.

[left-of-center2012]

30. OMG I am NOT talking about you and your mother

Now, calm down, OK ?
You read way too much into my comments and took it personal.
It's not about you.

"I saw nobody here bragging about jumping the line either."
That was about two weeks ago.

[left-of-center2012]

32. "I'll take your word for it"

Whatever

Let's end this here so I don't have to put you on 'Ignore'.

[Crunchy Frog]

15. My mother and I got ours nearly 3 weeks ago.

They took us at our word, and didn't need to verify anything.

Mom is almost 82, and the boys were starting back to in person schooling in two weeks. Even though they're vaxxed, they could still get it and bring it home.

We made the decision that we felt was best for our circumstances.

I ran a fever for several hours starting a little more than a day after the shot. Arm very sore for quite awhile, but I think that's because the young pharmacy student was VERY inexperienced.

Mom got a wave of fatigue around a day after, but not much more than that. (We went on different days).

Overall not a big deal.

[herding cats]

19. Same here, it wasn't a big deal.

I'm glad your mom is protected! I'm also glad your thinking of her and protecting her! At her age there's a strong possibility she's in the same boat as me, never generated decent antibodies. I'm way younger, but it's complicated.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

22. Online appt, clicked Moderna 3rd immo, was on Predisone too, asked pharmacist, he said good to go

Didnt know if I qualified, my Dr said go ahead and try. No questions asked at my appt, nothing about condition on any forms, tech didnt ask, gave them my card, that was it, wait 15 min, done.

Of course Im over 65 on diabetes and high blood pressure meds, 6 months since last shot, didnt think I should wait

Same after effects as first two, sore arm, slight temp for a day, pretty much slept the next day away, lol

Been a week, feels great, my freedoms!

[herding cats]

23. I'm happy your doc was on board.

Mine won't recommend anyone get it unless we're in the extremely high category. Which is probably over zealous considering the CDC includes moderately immunocompromised.

Honestly, his stance makes zero sense considering how many vaccines we're trashing here in the US due to no use once they're thawed.

[moonscape]

24. I questioned my oncologist whether I really needed

it now vs waiting until later in the Fall given I had a good response to the 1st two. Am on bi-monthly maintenance chemo but my immune system seemed to have made an appearance according to Labcorp test. She strongly advised me to get it, wrote a note to the pharmacist, and so off I went.

My reaction to the 1st Moderna was nothing, strong reaction to 2nd Moderna, and very mild to nothing to the 3rd outside a sore arm.

[RicROC]

25. In January 2021 I was vax'd with Nova Vax in a clinical study and barely had a reaction.

But last week because my employer did not accept NovaVax as being a valid vaccination, I got my first Moderna along with the annual flu shot.

This Moderna one really kicked me. At 2:30am on the first night this time I woke up with full body muscle pain that felt like it was paralyzing me until I walked it off. Next day felt very tired, had a headache and achy arms. Even my hair hurt when I brushed after a shower. It took until the 4th day before I was back to 100%.

Was it the Moderna? was it the combo Moderna + flu shot? dunno

[Totally Tunsie]

34. Had my third Moderna jab last month, 5 1/2 months out from #2.

I reacted similarly to all three - sore arm and major fatigue for several days. While I'm not immunocompromised, I do have heart and respiratory issues.

When CVS started messaging about boosters, I worked through their website questions and nothing there stopped my registration from going through. I arrived for my appointed time and questioned both the counter person and the pharmacist as to whether I was, in fact, eligible, and both said they had the vaccine on hand and were administering the third shots to those who wanted them.

[LisaL]

36. I had it. Third Moderna.

I qualify. I got more of a reaction with each dose. Second was worse than the first, and third was worse than the second. I take it to mean I made more antibodies each time.

[Meowmee]

43. I have not had one yet

One of my docs emailed that they will be available on certain days in September. Having had c19 double pneumonia and being a lh with high risks I will definitely be getting one without a second thought. I don't know when due to another family emergency. And I am being potentially exposed at hospitals non stop albeit masked etc. I believe the later you get it the better maybe as it may provide longer protection, but the point is to not contract delta which is highly contagious and which can be even more severe. I am not going off any meds to get it as I need them to stay alive.