Would you lie to get a booster shot?

[GPV]

I got the J&J this past spring. Since I’ve been back to my elementary school, multiple staff and students have been out sick with the virus. I have ulcerative colitis, which does not make me more susceptible but can possibly make me sicker if I get it. (Having to do with poor gut flora and mucosa, and non-stop inflammation issues.)

I asked my PCP about a booster this summer, but she says the CDC isn’t calling for them yet. I don’t want to be that person who replaces a doctor with Google, but most of my colleagues also got J&J so I’m getting nervous.

Would you attempt to get an mRNA shot, or even just another J&J? Would there be an issue on the insurance side of things?

40 votes, 2 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	7 (18%)
	No
	31 (78%)
	Maybe
	2 (5%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[LakeArenal]

1. No. I'm not a liar which makes one who we hate.

I have obeyed every “rule” so far. I see no reason to alter that.

[GPV]

8. Yeah. I'm not good with lying. I'd never sleep again. But if I got Covid, I would be freaking pissed

off and maybe regretful that I’m a high roader.

[BannonsLiver]

47. High roading can get you killed during times like this.

[LakeArenal]

50. To be honest, covid is not rampant where we are.

It’s bad. Just not right near us.
Everyone’s masked. We are lucky.

[cadoman]

29. the trick is to mentally re-frame the question and answer it honestly

For example, if you've gotten the Pfizer vaccines, and the worker asks: "Have you gotten the vaccine before?"

You can answer: "I haven't gotten the Moderna vaccine before."

Then you can safely receive the Moderna vaccine as a "booster" while answering the question honestly.

If this is difficult to understand, try reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. The Aes Sedai, who cannot lie, use this technique.

"If Aes Sedai cannot Lie...then how can they go by False names like Moraine does with Lady Alys. Verin also used an alias in Far Madding but I think her excuse is pretty good. But I do recall Cadsuane seemed a little suspicious."

"Moiraine didn't say her name was Alys. She said "You may call me Alys". They are very tricky."

You must be tricky like an Aes Sedai to get that sweet booster!

[LakeArenal]

32. I can wait for my turn. Tricky is a euphemism to me.

[MineralMan]

54. No. You are either honest or you are not.

I waited for .my first Moderna shot. I will wait for the booster, too. I don't lie. Right wingers lie.

[Steelrolled]

73. Same here.

I was disheartening to me to hear of people who lied to get the booster, and bragged about it.

[SMC22307]

79. I've made it through nearly six decades without being "tricky"...

and have no intention of starting now.

[BannonsLiver]

46. Apples and oranges

People who actually want the booster should be able to get it. The ones “we” hate don’t want to be vaccinated at all, yet it’s the ones that do who are made to jump through hoops. Fuck that. I’ll bullshit my way through it and feel pretty good afterwards. Sanctimony is cheap. Hospital stays are not.

[LakeArenal]

51. Sanctimony is a pejorative I don't think is appropriate here.

[SharonClark]

2. You asked "this summer"?

Ask again, covid information seems to change daily.

[GPV]

6. It does sure seem to! I might try my GI doc, see if the colitis issue would be enough

reason to get one.

[herding cats]

40. I can't speak for your doctor or degree of your condition, but...

I do know someone who qualified due to colitis. I also know a person who qualified due to crohn's.

I believe it depends on your treatment.

[GPV]

41. Not on steroids or a biologic, so they may say no.

[marble falls]

3. No, but we were very persistent. We got our boosters a month ago.

[GPV]

5. I might try my GI doc, see what she says.

[marble falls]

15. What we found was the rules weren't too uniform. One druggist might give it out, one won't ...

... I got my Moderna the first try, my wife's Pfizer took three tries.

[GPV]

16. Yeah, that's what I've heard.

[marble falls]

18. Be sure you make them know about your immuno challenges (colitis is immuno) to work ...

... it into your favor. Walgreens would not let my wife get it because she's a healthy 75, but she's also my care giver. But CVS had no problem at all.

[USALiberal]

25. Did you lie? Nt

[marble falls]

49. Absodfuckinglutely not. We aren't trying to elbow anyone out of the way. The vax was there ...

... there were no crowds. We broke no laws, kept no vax from going to someone else.

[USALiberal]

56. Ok, still not meeting criteria?? Nt

[marble falls]

63. The criteria seems elastic to me when no two stores out of five in town subscribe to any ...

... single criteria for of it. One month ago, the President/CDC said that booster shots were beginning for everyone in September. We got our shots in August when the booster shots became available for at the risk, and then both the WH and CDC changed that, after Pfizer got their FDA OK.

Also: I've been fighting Cancer for eight years, with the last surgery just two years ago. I've had three different cancer removed, with one of those after being treated with an immunotherapy regimen. I'm over 70, I get bronchitis and have had pneumonia several times with hospitalizations.

Even a guy who didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night might suspect: I am immunocompromised. The VA seems to think so, after they've spent at leas $1,000,000 dollars on me. So far. And I had a biopsy taken on last Tuesday so, who knows, right?

(The reason was that biopsy last week was supposed to have been taken a month ago, too. But I had to wait two more weeks that became month after I was exposed to a Covid after driving a friend to the ER wh0 had Covid and had to miss my biopsy because I had to quarrantine. After both my shots and a booster.)

So instead of driving 80+ miles one way to Temple VA or 40 miles to Austin VA clinic, I got it in town.

We lied to no one. We followed what the WH was saying at that time. We brow beat no one. We begged no one. We were our usual 100% polite mid-western nice at all times. We paid no one off.

We crossed no ethical lines. We broke no laws. We absofuckinglutely did not lie. Quote me.

So get off my metaphysical back.

[Wounded Bear]

4. No, but then I don't feel I have to or would ever "have" to...

I get all my vaxxes from the VA, so when they call me for a booster (I'm Clan Moderna) I'll go line up and get it.

I'll also get my flu shot when available from them.

Good luck to you.

[GPV]

7. Thanks! Maybe you'll get the flu/Covid two-in-one.

[Wounded Bear]

9. Right now, nobody is recommending that...

from what I've heard they want at least a two week hiatus between the two shots. I'll follow that timeline.

But like I said, I'll do both.

[GPV]

10. Our school usually does flu shots in October, so I'll be signing up for that.

[Beakybird]

11. I'm 59, super healthy, but my musician job entails singing for the elderly.

I wear a mask...on Friday, I did an indoor show, and they asked me to take my mask off because the unmasked and vaccinated audience was 15 ft. away.
There are a lot of opportunities for a breakthrough infection. I'd like to minimize this risk.

[GPV]

64. I hear that

[no_hypocrisy]

12. I'm 65 in March. I can wait.

Plus, let those who need the booster get it first.

[ananda]

13. I don't really need to lie.

I can get mine when it's due next month.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. No. I didnt lie to get the vaccine and I won't lie to get a booster.

Plus, I'm a terrible liar.

[Shrike47]

17. No. I don't like lying and I'm not good at it. Think I fall into the old enough category anyway.

[roamer65]

19. No, I have Moderna.

Six months out I still have adequate protection.

I was exposed to an infected covidiot.

I was asymptomatic at worst.

[maxsolomon]

20. I stretched the truth to get my 1st dose.

In WA, they had opened shots to Construction Workers, which you could argue I am, tangentially. I work with Contractors but I'm on the design end.

I was pretty irritated I didn't qualify when I was hearing stories from my neighbor of her standing around at mass vax sites with no one in line (she's a retired GP).

[GPV]

67. Yes, that would be frustrating to me, too!

[HelpImSurrounded]

21. I already did...

I had J&J in March. The signs were pointing to a recommendation for boosters but it would come after an obligation I had to be at a potential superspreader event.

The breaking point came when I discovered that there were HUNDREDS of immediately available opportunities to get a shot - if my moron MAGAt neighbors were letting those go to waste, I was going to go get one.

So I did.

No regrets. No guilt.

[USALiberal]

23. Classy!

[orleans]

28. which one did you get for your booster? nt

[HelpImSurrounded]

75. Moderna

[Meowmee]

43. 👏🏻

Vaccines have been being tossed in the garbage for quite a while now. Due to idiots refusing them. While my elderly father was not eligible while young healthy frontline workers were. He contracted covid at er visit due to negligence and it has destroyed his health/ life and our lives. One week before he became eligible. After hc workers who are actually exposed it should have been everyone with highest risk of morbidity and risk. Don’t feel guilty if you feel you need a booster get it. I think I am eligible now again, but due to extreme emergency again, I don’t know when I can go to get it.

[BannonsLiver]

48. Nor should you feel guilty.

There is no shortage of vaccines in the US. People who WANT to be vaccinated are NOT the problem. Some of the comments in the thread seem to indicate otherwise.

[luvs2sing]

22. I picked "maybe".

If it turns out that people who are 3-vaxxed are avoiding those of us who are 2-vaxxed, I could consider it. I will be 64 in a couple weeks. All of my close friends are either over 65 or have medical conditions that would favor them getting the third shot. I remember being literally the last person in my social circle to get vaccinated the first time and how depressing that was.

We are now starting to plan the Friendsgiving and Friendsmas holiday dinners, and I’m a big part of both the planning and the cooking. Last year, we did a small Friendsgiving, but I cooked Friendsmas dinner, and we delivered plates to our friends. If it looks like the third shot would keep me from participating, I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to get it. I think my mental health might depend on it at this point.

On second thought..who am I kidding? I’m literally incapable of lying. But I might try..

[H2O Man]

26. Other.

I prefer to sit down when I get a shot.

[GPV]

27. Ba-dum bum!

[Thtwudbeme]

30. In a heartbeat- If I have to, I will lie through my teeth

I work in a middle school in NC- and let me tell you- I am inches away from kiddos constantly.

Parents have screamed and hollered to get kids back in school- school board meetings are beyond ridiculous.

One of my friends 4 year old son is in ICU with Covid pneumonia and inflammation of the heart.

Hell yes I'll lie to get the booster.

[Elessar Zappa]

31. I stretched the truth a bit to get my Moderna booster.

I have cystic fibrosis but I put on the paper that I’m immune-compromised which isn’t really true. I felt bad for saying that but I do think CF should be a condition that allows one to get a booster. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[GPV]

55. I understand!

[48656c6c6f20]

33. The alternative is to immigrate to a country

That isn't stupid. Israel didn't have issue with it. I'm sure other sane countries will follow. But if I lie to make sure I don't die who the fuck cares?

[orleans]

34. i can't figure out what to do yet either

i'm a few years away from 65, have some health issues that -- like you -- could make me sicker if i got covid, and i'm working with kids all the time. (also got j&j)

i think one of the reasons i'm undecided is b/c i am not sure if adding a booster will create a problem with a health issue so i keep waiting to hear what j&j says about it (and the cdc). i wish they would get on with it--j&j is hardly in the news.

i do recall reading a couple things on this
this opinion piece says yes, j&j needs booster
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/29/opinion/johnson-vaccine-booster-shots.html

this piece goes either way (j&j was saying we're okay for 8 months, but it also includes a non-peer reviewed study that says get the booster)
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/03/health/san-francisco-supplemental-jj-covid-vaccine-booster/index.html

basically, i don't know what advice to give you. i'm still trying to figure it out for myself

[orleans]

35. i just noticed you weren't asking if you SHOULD get booster...

you asked if you should LIE so you could get it

considering your concern about your colitis and that you work in an elementary school and you've decided to get the booster regardless then saying you are immunocompromised would be okay imo

also, keep in mind moderna was talking about getting half a dose for their booster, pfizer the full dose. or what would go best with j&j? i don't know.

you probably wouldn't have a problem with insurance if you said you were in a higher risk categories.

(i think pfizer said teachers are in that category--i imagine anyone working with/being around kids at a school would also be in that category)

[GPV]

68. Good point on the dosage. Waiting for my GI doc to get back to me.

[BoomaofBandM]

36. You work with kids. I think you should get the booster.

My grandsons school has 70 plus kids out with covid. There are about 700 kids. They are K-5, so unable to get vaccinated yet. As a grandparent I would appreciate everyone involved with kids to be as safe as possible. I also have lots of educators in my family, and my nieces and nephews have kids. I hope they are taking all precautions. (No republicans in my family. Pretty sure all are vaccinated)

As to the lying part, I am from a family very much in touch with our Irish side and prefer to call it creative story telling.

[GPV]

69. I'm a bit Irish myself. :)

[luv2fly]

37. Some weeks ago I shared a link to an article about someone lying to get their booster shot

I was surprised to see how many people were okay with it.

I'm a rule follower and I believe in science. I'll wait my turn.

[stillcool]

38. Today I would not...

some other time, I can't say. Depends on the circumstances.

[GPV]

70. The closer Covid comes to me, the more lying feels like an option. I don't like it, but it's how I

feel.

[cally]

39. I know three people who had J&J and had breakthrough covid cases

The roommates who had moderna never caught it. I would get a different vaccine.

Andy Slavitt on twitter mentions this and the problem with lack of data on J&J. More research needs to be done and what to do.

[LiberalFighter]

42. Absolutely not!

I want to get it when I need to get it so I maximize my protection.

[BannonsLiver]

44. Yes.

If necessary. I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect myself. Sanctimony, like talk, is cheap. Getting Covid isn’t.

[USALiberal]

59. Good excuse!! Nt

[Kingofalldems]

45. No. I'd have something in common with Trump and his family.

[Crunchy Frog]

52. Would and have. I'm not so virtuous as most people on this thread.

[USALiberal]

57. Classy!! Nt

[Cairycat]

53. No, I've never thought it was wise to lie to doctors

when you're paying for their expertise - they should be able to base their recommendations on facts.

That said, I'm 64, have a couple of comorbidities, and work with children. When I see my nurse practitioner in December, ten months after being fully vaxxed but eight months before I'm 65, I will ask her for the booster shot.

[yardwork]

58. It sounds like you are immuno-compromised. It isn't a lie.

[GPV]

77. Yes, but I don't want to screw myself over by making the wrong choice.

[yardwork]

78. I don't see how that could happen.

[BlueLucy]

60. Is convincing yourself you qualify lying to get it?

[GoCubsGo]

61. Why would I have to lie?

If the science tells me I don't need it, I'm not going to get it. If it says otherwise, there's no need to lie. I trust Dr. Fauci and the CDC over Dr. Google.

[ecstatic]

62. I personally don't think it's a good idea.

However, if you do lie to get the 3rd shot and things don't go as planned, you should tell the truth so they can help you or at least study your case.

[Tikki]

65. I will be getting mine (my age and time since last vax) on Oct.3rd...

My husband a few weeks later.
We are glad these will be available.

The Tikkis

[Arazi]

66. The pharmacies here aren't asking so no need to lie

They're throwing vaccine away there's so little demand. If vaccine is going to get thrown out then I'd rather it went in my arm.

[OhioChick]

71. I wouldn't....

I'd be afraid it would screw me over for further boosters, they are keeping track.

[Hekate]

72. No, but under your circumstances I'd surely have a serious talk w/ my doc to remind them

…of the seriousness of my health situation. My husband shares your condition and has been on an immunosuppressant for nearly 20 years. We don’t mess around. Don’t let yourself be put off or dismissed.

[Tom Rinaldo]

74. Yes and No, but technically "yes" I have to say

I'm over 70 with diabetes, and got my second shot over six months ago. I finally got a booster shot a week ago. To get it I had to check "other" for the reason why I was immune compromised . I don't have any evidence that I am however, so therein lies the lie. However I would not have gotten that booster when I did were it not for a few factors, including the ones I already listed (age, diabetes, time since last shot). However even so I would not have gotten the shot had I not been convinced by that point (after tracking all news reports carefully) that approval would be granted very soon for people with my circumstances. With that expectation in mind I thought it would be better overall for all concerned if I got my jab now while vaccine slots were going begging with few takers than to wait two weeks more when there might be a rush and waiting list to get those booster shots.

[ancianita]

76. Access to vaccines in a pandemic shouldn't be structured to force this question to begin with.

We shouldn't be at each other over this situation.
This is a corporate-government distribution decision, not a life-and-death question of moral values.

We should vote for leaders who would vote for Medicare for All so that no such questions even arise.

( And the ERA. And For The People Act. And trillion dollar infrastructure building. )