Am considering the J&J vaccine........

[secondwind]

I'm a US citizen living in the Caribbean, 74 years old, and have my Medicare card. I was just informed that I can go to any CVS or other pharmacy in the US and show my Medicare card, and get vaccinated.

Am considering the J&J so that I don't have to fly back and forth to the US two times. Would love to hear from DU folks who have had this vaccine. I am not afraid to get it, as it has been distributed to millions of people, with few problems. But am still curious.

Because of my age. Could use some advice.

[marble falls]

1. I'd take it. The clots associated seemed to occur in younger women and were treatable ...

If I understood what I read last week it was literally only a handful of cases and that there was one death associated in something around a million doses given in GB.

I would take whichever vaccine is offered me, but there must be a way to change makers if you need it.

[MerryHolidays]

2. I had it early last month

I was TERRIFICALLY sleepy for a couple of days, but that was about it. I was a bit chilly from time to time, but that was probably because of the weather here. I had no other side effects.

If you come over here, I would count on staying in a hotel for a couple of days just to take it easy instead of heading right back to the Caribbean. If you get as tired as I was, all you will want to do is get into bed!

[secondwind]

15. Yes, I plan to add a couple of days before I head back.

[Big Blue Marble]

3. Are you not able to receive a vaccine where you are?

At your age, I would consider the mRNA vaccines even though you would need to make two trips.
So far the efficacy of these in older ages looks best. And they are holding up against the variants
to date.

[MerryHolidays]

4. I'm not sure that's correct

Everyone, from Dr. Fauci onwards, is saying to get the first vaccine you can get. The J&J vaccine trial period was during the height of the pandemic, so the numbers are a bit different, but they are all in the ballpark.

In any event, I'm not a doctor! So, if there is some information out there that the mRNA vaccines (e.g. Pfizer and Moderna) are better in the OP's case, I'm a totally willing to stand corrected.

Perhaps the best thing: the OP should consult her doctor, who is best placed to advise.

[Big Blue Marble]

18. Multiple studies are showing the efficacy in seniors.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/04/28/pfizer-moderna-vaccines-effective-protecting-seniors/

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/03/pfizer-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccines-may-offer-high-efficacy-
elderly

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01222-5

To this point, we have not tested the J&J in the elderly enough to know how it will hold up in this most
vulnerable population. We have significant real-world results from Pfizer and Moderna to know they are
showing strong protectionf or seniors and against variants at this time. The data is not in with J&J, and since there strong
evidence of protection replicated in several studies for mRNA vaccines, at this this point they look like a sound choice
for most seniors. And to your point, if one has questions, it is wise to ask their physician. In this case,
the person was asking for our opinions.

[secondwind]

11. Here in Dominican Republic they only have the Chinese vaccine.

I want more than 50% efficacy

[Big Blue Marble]

19. I totally understand.

Yes you need far more protection than that.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

25. What do personnel at the U.S. Embassy do? NT

[nancy1942]

5. I took it.

I'm 79 and have chronic conditions; I had no adverse reations to the shot and don't hesitate to reccomend it to anyone. Of course we all react differently.....but in my case it went perfectly. It was a piece of cake.

[secondwind]

12. Thank you thank you!!!!

I feel better now about this!!

[hedda_foil]

6. Your reeasoning makes sense, secondwind, but it's impossible to predict which vaccine you'll get.

It's not like you get a choice. You get whatever the facility you go to has in stock during any particular week and the facilities don't get to choose either. And because there are much bigger stocks of Mederna and Pfizer vaccines in the national stockpile (due to manufacturing issues and CDC distribution pause) you're likely to get one of them regardless of what you'd prefer.

[MerryHolidays]

9. It depends on which state the OP is going to

In CA, for example, it is increasingly easier to select a site with a particular vaccine. And because Pfizer has gotten emergency use authorization for 12-15 year olds, whereas Moderna is minimum 16, they HAVE to make it clear what site is offering what vaccine.

I was happy with J&J as it was "one and done."

But, as mentioned earlier, perhaps the best course of action for the OP is to consult their doctor, who can advise. I sure wouldn't want to leave the Caribbean to come to the US more than I absolutely would have to!

[secondwind]

13. I am planning to fly to either FL or NY. Stay in a hotel

near the airport, and return home.

[Rhiannon12866]

24. I'm in New York and after a slow start, there are now numerous vaccination sites

I got the Moderna at CVS, the first one I could get and I now know several people who have gone to Walgreens which offers Pfizer. There's also a state run site near me which is now accepting walk-ins. I finally talked my vaccine-reluctant brother to go with me there since it's close, in the old Sears store at the local mall. Turns out they were giving the Pfizer. Just letting you know that there are now lots of options now here in New York - good luck!

[secondwind]

16. I was told you can make an appointment a week in advance, and that

they carry all three vaccines. I will definitely check up on this, thank you.

[hedda_foil]

21. Please do check because even though they carry all 3, they may not all be in at any given time.

And J&J has been the least available of the three for the reasons I mentioned above.

[Patterson]

7. I would take it. Just have an ambulance on speed dial and a note saying you had the shot.

[secondwind]

17. I have family in FL and they will be prepared to make an

emergency call, if need be.

[onecaliberal]

8. My son took it. He was tired for a few days.

I would have taken it if it was the first thing offered to me.

[Midnight Writer]

10. I took it. Had a slight fever and stiff joints the next day. Smooth sailing after that.

I still wear a mask and distance in public places.

[secondwind]

14. THANKS EVERYONE, I MADE MY DECISION

and will take the J&J.

I am so happy to have posted , thank you all so much!!

[LizBeth]

20. 26 yr old son got it, no problem. I only heard tired net day and slept.

[Upthevibe]

22. I'm a 63 y.o. female and received the J & J

Vaccine 10 weeks ago. I had NO side effects at all! I was moved up a tier because I'm a teacher. I made the appt. with my local CVS and I mean my arm wasn't even sore!

I realize I was very fortunate but in any case I can highly recommend the J & J vaccine.

[appalachiablue]

23. All the best whatever you decide. I LOVE

the Caribbean and have travelled there for years to many beautiful islands, some favs include Barbados, St. Barts, Martinique, St. Kitts, Jamaica.

I hate to be a damper, but today more news came out Re J & J, some more blood clot cases and 5-10 men I think, FYI.

Here's to good health!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/05/12/j-j-covid-19-vaccine-cdc-additional-cases-blood-clots/5063485001/

[634-5789]

28. 78 clot cases out of 8.7 MILLION injections. I'll take those odds any day!

[LisaL]

30. I wouldn't, but OP's risk is going to be even less because clots generally happen

in those younger than 50.

[LisaL]

29. OP is at extremely low risk of clots because they generally happen in younger people.

So at 74 the risk of clots should be extremely low.

[LisaL]

26. J&J supply is going to be an issue.

The facility that was supposed to make it in the US hasn't been approved by FDA.
All our doses were coming out of Europe, and I think that's drying out.
I personally had Moderna, not a lot of side effects for me.

[634-5789]

27. Brother, (78) got it. No problems whatsoever. Hope this helps!

[Fla Dem]

31. Glad to see you're finally getting your shots.

All’s well here. Miss you! 🥰

[smirkymonkey]

32. Hi secondwind!

I got the J&J shot about a month ago. It was not much of a problem. About 12 hours later I started feeling a bit flu-ish, body aches, tired, weak, etc. but it was time to go to sleep anyway so I just took some ibuprofen and went to sleep.

I still was not feeling well the next day - which was a Sunday, but I knew that was only my body's immune system kicking in and producing antibodies. If you don't feel well, it just means that your immune system is in overdrive and it's a good sign. It just so happens that you dont' feel very well while your body is responding. It goes away pretty quickly. I was fine by Monday morning.

Other than that, I have had no other side effects. I have been taking low dose Bayer asperin just in case (blood clots) as a preventative measure, but I'm doing fine.

Wish you all the best and let us know how you are doing!