Booster Shots for the Immunosuppressed

Thanks for the info. sharing, Keith!

On Tuesday the White House Chief Medical Adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, touted the effectiveness of Monoclonal Antibodies. He estimates that the treatment could reduce hospitalization by up to 85 percent. Fauci encouraged anyone with suppressed immune systems as well as other mitigating factors take advantage of the treatment.

The state of Florida has administered more than 10,000 doses of the monoclonal antibodies treatment at state-sponsored sites since since Florida began rolling out the program two weeks ago. I don't know about the other states but this treatment is free at least for patients in Florida.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kyua4tvuk0

@CC, my city just opened one infusion center & it's for covid positive patients only. I do not know it for a fact but I would assume DeSantis is doing it the same in my city. Giving it to positive patients will cut down on hospitalizations.

The problem with monoclonal antibodies I have read is there is not enough to go around to all that may need it.

I live in Texas. The surge there is frightening and in my opinion uncalled for.

Texas has opened several infusion centers throughout the state for the monoclonal infusions, additionally hospitals in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston and other cities/towns are giving the infusions. They are trying to bring down the hospital numbers. One of my friends who is raising her grandchildren caught Covid from them. (No masks in the schools required) She had the Pfizer vaccine but still had a break thru case. She was in alot of pain and very ill. She received the monoclonal infusion (I believe they told her within 10 days if showing symptoms) and said she felt much better just 2 hours later. It's now been 2 weeks and she is still breathless just talking.

...vaccine rates are going up in Texas. I guess it's better late than never...but thousands of life's could have been saved if they had gone in sooner. I am so disappointed about this!

And don't get me started on masks. Aaaaggh!!! It's not that hard to just wear a mask. Yes it's uncomfortable. Yes it makes it very hard to breathe...especially if you have asthma. But it works. So easy.

Finally...I spoke to my infectious disease doctor today. I previously had 2 Pfizer, no antibodies showed up on my test. He has been heavily involved in Pfizer trials. He told me that he is having all of his immune compromised patients, that got the Pfizer to begin with, get the Moderna for a booster. He said there are several studies that will be coming out that indicate a better immune response. Scheduled for Moderna 5 weeks after my Remicade infusion and then waiting another 5 weeks to go in for my next infusion. 10 weeks total..when I am usually every 6 weeks. That's what my GI and infectious disease doctor came up with.

Stay safe all!
Clo

Xeljanz here, My doc at U of Chicago said to definitely get the booster. Actually just did it yesterday. As an aside, also must have the 2 Shingrix vaccines,,,,one down,,,,one to go. Not to scare anyone but just be prepared, the covid vaccine didn't bother me (sore arm, some chills) the Shingrix vaccine knocked me out for 3 days. Good thing I didn't have anything important coming up.

With all the debate on to vaccinate or not for covid and whether it belongs on this forum I have to speak up and say I think it does.

UC is a whole body disease and I’ve been happy to read about others experiences with the vaccine and how it might affect me and my UC. The topics are clearly marked about being about the vaccines — so don’t read them if you’re not interested. Sadly the debates begin when the antivaxxers start posting against vaccines in a topic that’s clearly pro vaccine. It is your right to choose. But it’s my right to be safe too. So please social distance and wear a mask if you go out. And thank you to those who do.

I was at the clinic yesterday for a UTI and some guy came in requesting a covid test He didn’t keep his distance to the rest of us waiting in line and was wearing his mask below his nose and was very loud and vocal questioning the nurse about where he could get tested that day as they were no longer doing testing at that clinic that day because of staffing shortages due to covid.

Such inconsideration for other people is what makes me so angry.

Although I was just told that "NOONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK", for the record, I am not blindly "pro vax". I am pro science. If the science shows that a vaccine is not safe, I won't take it. Vice versa, if the science shows it to be safe and effective, I'll be first in line.
I do think that it's useful for immunocompromised people to share their experiences with booster shots. I'd also be happy if HW had a "no vaccines" policy in the same way as they have a "no politics" policy.

I guess it's not impossible but probably very unlikely?
I had a quick google and saw there were potentially some very rare cases of acute kidney failure after flu vaccine, although it was not established if one caused the other (and i didn't read long enough to establish if the studies were taken seriously within the medical establishment)
I couldn't find any evidence that a covid vaccine would do the same.
Bear in mind that an mRNA vaccine is in your body for only a few days before it gets broken down, which limits how much effect it can have.

ks1905,

With the acute renal failure, and no antibodies with the 2 Pfizer's....my nephrologist, GI and infectious disease doctor decided on the timing. My next Remicade infusion is 2 weeks away, (if my kidneys have recovered enough for me to take it) and they wanted me to wait until the kidneys had a chance to recover after the infusion, (my Egfr has dropped to 42 and 52 the second week after last 2 infusions, but then climbs to above 60 at 7 weeks after an infusion.) And they wanted me to wait long enough that perhaps the Remicade would not deplete the antibodies. They are trying to space it out enough so that I might create antibodies. Cross your fingers and say a prayer....

I haven't found any studies indicating the time frame that is best for non responders getting booster that are on Remicade so I have not questioned their timeframe to them. Well....not too much.

My doctor's indicated that if I do not build antibodies with the booster they will not agree to a 4th shot until the FDA puts forth their guidance.

Poopydoop,
I read that about the flue vaccine too. I could not find anything about the Pfizer vaccine causing kidney issues though... hmmm. Was the second message to me? If so I apologize. I am unsure what I said.

I will keep searching. Please let me know if anyone else finds something.
I appreciate all of you so much. You help keep me sane.

Clo

poopydoop -- just an FYI -- I care what you think! I think you provide valuable info on this site.

TP177 said...
Xeljanz here, My doc at U of Chicago said to definitely get the booster. Actually just did it yesterday. As an aside, also must have the 2 Shingrix vaccines,,,,one down,,,,one to go. Not to scare anyone but just be prepared, the covid vaccine didn't bother me (sore arm, some chills) the Shingrix vaccine knocked me out for 3 days. Good thing I didn't have anything important coming up.

The Shingrix shot gave me zero side effects other than a sore arm. I'm also on Xeljanz. I get my second Shingrix shot next month. My University of Chicago GI hasn't said anything to me about the booster.