FDA Clears Covid Treatment for the Immunocompromised

@CC, Keith mentioned having your infusions done by a nurse at home, personally, I would not do this because the nurses are in & out patient's homes all day. You know who comes in your home, but you don't know about anyone else.

@Clo, There was a study being done back quite some time ago about Remicade patients & other biologics possibly helping against Covid a little bit, I believe it was poopydoop that provided the link on this. I don't know if the study is still being done. It would be unethical for a dr to tell a patient something that wasn't true just to make them feel better, especially with these viruses.

The CDC is recommending people open their windows & doors to get fresh air in their homes. I keep my back door open a lot, plus I go outside during the day to get fresh air. I do this when it's cold when the sun is out, it helps my mood a lot getting out in sunlight for a few minutes.

The last I read the viruses do not live on surfaces. I do not wipe off my groceries any longer when that was announced by the FDA. I have an older sister that is just bizarre, I told her if it makes you feel better, go for it. It's about individual choices.

All I can do is make sure I am as safe as I can be. I do not have the energy to worry about what someone else has or hasn't done to protect their self. It's out of my control what others do. There are people that have the viruses with zero symptoms.

Keep in mind break through cases can happen no matter how many shots we've had. The goal is to keep us out of the hospital & over burdening them. Last week, they were talking that we may have to learn to live with the viruses, who knows what will happen.

I see store employees wearing masks, same when picking up curbside groceries. If someone is concerned, have your groceries delivered. I'm thankful we have more options today than say 35 years ago.

The original therapeutics have not been ordered by the WH to replenish the stock. Now they are claiming they only work on Covid & Delta. They are saying Evushield & the other drug will not be available until mid January. All of this is going to take time. I suspect some hospitals are probably dispensing it to inpatients that are very high risk.

Try to remember you can only control yourself & no one else. Stay safe everyone.

Infusion went well. I had a nice big corner section all to myself, kept the curtains closed and no one was on either side today so I felt pretty safe. I kept my mask on the entire time though. I don't really want home infusions and insurance hasn't forced that on me. For one thing nurses are being pushed to come back to work too quickly if they get Covid. At the infusion center I only see then for a few minutes at a time. Even if the nurse was banished to her car for a home infusion she still would have been in my house and that would stress me so much. I'm also a hard stick to get the IV started. The nurse today was great and got it on the 1st try, but there have been many times the nurse had to get help to get the IV started -- record was 5 sticks by 3 different people. I really cringe at the thought of having that done at home -- who would the nurse call for help?

I don't have to stress about it for another 4 weeks so hoping by then the infection level in this area is going down.

Ugh it just all sucks… sorry with what each of you is dealing with. I know they have found people on Humira (I would assume Remicade too) have a decreased chance of ending up in the hospital. There is data here. https://covidibd.org/current-data/

I am a high school teacher at a school that requires mask (though it is difficult to get some to comply). I have had 3 vaccinations and due for a 4th in February (wish it was sooner). I do have antibodies and did have reactions to shot 2 and 3 but my antibodies have fallen under 1000 (800). I read an article (maybe here) that one of the JH researchers likes it over 1000. I don’t return until the 7th (teachers institute) and students the 10th. I have kids (who are in the 5 to 11 range). My 2 received their 2nd shot end of November. They return to school Monday. I was really crossing my fingers the new meds/monoclonals would be available before we returned.

Looks like they are moving up the Pfizer booster to 5 months. So that means anyone on here who received their 3rd shot in August can receive their 4th shot (booster) this month. It looks like it’s only for Pfizer.

ks - stelara is one of the safest immunomodulators to be on wrt covid, if you go by the stats on covidibd.org.

In the country where i live, nobody on ibd meds qualifies for a 3rd shot, which the health board restricted to a very narrow group of medications and conditions. I don't know why, when there are studies published showing that a significant % of people on our meds do not produce an antibody response.

I had a 3rd shot 6 months ago due to an administrative blip. Going for my booster tomorrow which will therefore be the 4th one.

ks1905 said...

poopydoop said...

I had asked my GI what the best practices were for effective vaccine responses and he said that 7-10 days before my Stelara dose was ideal.

Sounds like you have a clued-up doctor 🤗

I did a search about a 4th dose and I can't find anything that says it has been approved in the U.S. I see where it's being considered and Israel is just starting to give them. Anyone have more info?

I called my state's vaccine hotline and they knew about the 4th dose but didn't have much guidance just yet. They said in the next day or so their site might be updated.

Ah that's nice of him. I don't think mine would have time... although he does answer emails personally when i have questions.

There is a difference between having a 3rd dose due to being immunocompromised, and having a booster shot. In the UK (and actually a few places in Europe), you can get your booster 3 months after your last vaccine (they are panicking about omicron), which may therefore be your 4th dose.

We've already been told to expect 2 more boosters this year (they are anticipating a pfizer vaccine which has been modified for omicron in the 2nd quarter). Also i read somewhere that the booster shot only gives a high protection against omicron for 10 weeks, the the antibodies drop off.

straydog said...
@CC, I think the 4th shot is being offered on a limited basis right now.

I read today the CDC approved a certain age group for teens to get a booster shot at 5 months. I've not received any emails from the FDA about adults getting a booster at 5 months.

This is what the FDA released. Obviously more info once the CDC meets on Wednesday. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-takes-multiple-actions-expand-use-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine

I contacted my infectious disease doctor again. No Evusheld for me until after everyone else has theirs--because I am retired. I will go before the "healthier" immune compromised though.

Their said to expect at least a 6 month wait, and that's if they start to get this in. They still haven't gotten their hands on any. Nada, zip, zero, zilch.

I hope someone on here gets this. They'll be able to share how to get it and their reactions (if any).

I live in an agricultural county and 534 people tested positive yesterday. My friend in the hospital--she is starting to struggle. They told her when she first went in that with Omicron there is a lower chance of death--but they are still seeing many go onto ventilators and some die.

Be safe all!
Clo

I would read that as your first 2 shots, or 3 shots if you needed a 3rd one due to medical reasons.