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Booster Shots for the Immunosuppressed

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Posted 8/16/2021 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Appreciate this thread. I am on mesalamines so I am assuming I am at the very bottom of the list. California doesn't really "check" but I won't jump the line as there are many that need it much more than I do. I am very curious if anyone knows a reliable way to have their antibodies checked. My husband got really sick for over a month and got tested 5 days after first symptoms but it came back negative. He had a horrible cough, but no trouble breathing and did lose some smell. I got sick for 2 days and kicked it. We are super curious if maybe his test was just wrong. Would be good to know if we really did have covid. Anyone know a reliable way to get an antibody test?
Posted 8/16/2021 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
The hospital system where I got my initial vaccines isn't giving the boosters yet, but chain pharmacies are. I called around today to see who was giving Pfizer and a local CVS is. I plan to go Saturday to get the booster so that if I have a similar reaction as I did to my 2nd shot I don't have to take the day off work. Saturday is right in the middle of my Remicade doses so hopefully it will get me the best window for it to work.
Posted 8/16/2021 11:01 PM (GMT 0)

*Jen* said...
Appreciate this thread. I am on mesalamines so I am assuming I am at the very bottom of the list. California doesn't really "check" but I won't jump the line as there are many that need it much more than I do. I am very curious if anyone knows a reliable way to have their antibodies checked. My husband got really sick for over a month and got tested 5 days after first symptoms but it came back negative. He had a horrible cough, but no trouble breathing and did lose some smell. I got sick for 2 days and kicked it. We are super curious if maybe his test was just wrong. Would be good to know if we really did have covid. Anyone know a reliable way to get an antibody test?

I believe you need to do a blood test for N (nucleocapsid protein) antibodies. Vaccines give you S antibodies against the spike protein of coronavirus only. A natural infection would (or should) produce both N and S antibodies.
Posted 8/16/2021 11:15 PM (GMT 0)

CCinPA said...
The hospital system where I got my initial vaccines isn't giving the boosters yet, but chain pharmacies are. I called around today to see who was giving Pfizer and a local CVS is. I plan to go Saturday to get the booster so that if I have a similar reaction as I did to my 2nd shot I don't have to take the day off work. Saturday is right in the middle of my Remicade doses so hopefully it will get me the best window for it to work.

https:// https://www.vaccines.gov/search/

I’m not sure how accurate this website is but it looks promising. I’ll probably go for mine on Friday so I can sleep it off, the first two jabs kicked my butt.
Posted 8/17/2021 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
It looks like booster shots will be coming to the US general population starting next month if the reports are correct. https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1427460184478212103

I wouldn't feel too bad if you are immunocompromised and are worried that you're somehow cutting the line; shots are expiring because anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers are moronic zealots. Darwinism will take care of some of them. I am all out of compassion for anti-vaxxers who get sick. We pleaded, tried to reason with them, incentivize them and even tried the stick approach. This third wave was preventable. They are getting children sick and spreading an even more infectious variant. They are taking up valuable resources and hospital beds from people with other medical conditions. Necessary surgeries are being canceled due to hospital capacity issues.
Posted 8/17/2021 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
Any one know what the suggested timing is for the boosters when you are on anti TNF and methotrexate?

Clo
Posted 8/17/2021 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
CVS for the win, I am getting my booster this morning. They are the only chain in NY that has the option for immune compromised boosters. Now I can go back to teaching in person and be just a little bit less worried.
Posted 8/17/2021 2:37 PM (GMT 0)

*Jen* said...
Appreciate this thread. I am on mesalamines so I am assuming I am at the very bottom of the list. California doesn't really "check" but I won't jump the line as there are many that need it much more than I do. I am very curious if anyone knows a reliable way to have their antibodies checked. My husband got really sick for over a month and got tested 5 days after first symptoms but it came back negative. He had a horrible cough, but no trouble breathing and did lose some smell. I got sick for 2 days and kicked it. We are super curious if maybe his test was just wrong. Would be good to know if we really did have covid. Anyone know a reliable way to get an antibody test?


Good resource for interpreting test results:
https://www.facebook.com/nerdnodeoftrust/

Antibody Testing Link
https://patient.labcorp.com/covid-19-antibody-test?fbclid=IwAR3kMsrDkb2EJbEvi12gkC-dDb2_bstnC-KI8rqNZFOoguHR3QngFa896rk

Post Edited (UC But Living) : 8/17/2021 8:40:42 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/17/2021 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am going out of town today but will go get mine next week. Let me know how you guys fare with yours. #2 kicked my butt so not looking forward to that. Maybe it won’t be as bad given the time lapse?
Posted 8/17/2021 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was fine with the booster dose. My 2nd dose of Moderna was almost 6 months ago and sent me to bed for a day with a fever.
This fits with my son's experience. His first Covid challenge was the disease. After recovery he he was hit hard by a first vaccine dose (second challenge); his #2 vaccine, unlike many of us, came with no side effects.
Posted 8/17/2021 4:23 PM (GMT 0)

ks1905 said...
It looks like booster shots will be coming to the US general population starting next month if the reports are correct. https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1427460184478212103

I wouldn't feel too bad if you are immunocompromised and are worried that you're somehow cutting the line; shots are expiring because anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers are moronic zealots. Darwinism will take care of some of them. I am all out of compassion for anti-vaxxers who get sick. We pleaded, tried to reason with them, incentivize them and even tried the stick approach. This third wave was preventable. They are getting children sick and spreading an even more infectious variant. They are taking up valuable resources and hospital beds from people with other medical conditions. Necessary surgeries are being canceled due to hospital capacity issues.

You're back!!! I missed you.
Posted 8/17/2021 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I got my first two Moderna shots six months ago. Very mild after effects. I'm getting my booster in about an hour. The Feds are rumored to be making an announcement today about booster shots being available very soon. I'd like to avoid the rush ;-)
Posted 8/17/2021 9:17 PM (GMT 0)

Sara14 said...

You're back!!! I missed you.

I got my account locked for arguing with uncurious antivaxxers. As we can all see today, Antivaxxers are a plague on our society and a threat to health-fragile peoples' welling being and health.

I tried logging back in and it worked.
Posted 8/17/2021 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Moderna is working on a new formulation for their boosters that will be more effective against Delta and Lambda variants. Personally I think it is best to get the first available vaccine instead of waiting around for a better booster for a few months. I'll probably stick with a third dose of the regular Pfizer vaccine.
Posted 8/17/2021 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome back, Keith! Hope you can ignore the anti vax peeps and keep your cool so you don't get booted again. You share a lot of good info and they just aren't worth arguing with.

Clo -- not sure what you are asking. You should be able to get a booster now in the U.S. since you are on Remicade.

I am torn between wanting to go to CVS now to get the booster or wait for my hospital group to start giving the boosters. CVS would be faster, but I honestly don't have a lot of confidence in my local CVS to properly store Pfizer or to be sure that I don't get an expired dose. With the hospital group I might have to wait a few weeks, but I trust them more and my vaccination records would be in one place. I am going to call them again tomorrow to see if they have an update.
Posted 8/18/2021 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Back Keith!!! You have been missed.

CCinPA, last time I had the vaccine one week before my Remicade infusion and the second shot was 1 week after my infusion. I ended up with 0 antibodies. I thought I read somewhere that people on Remicade were supposed to schedule their vaccines with so many days between the infusions. Having the vaccines too close to an infusion would make it so you didn't develop antibodies. For example....to get the best vaccine response you should schedule your vaccine a minimum of 4 weeks after your infusion and a minimum of 4 weeks before your next infusion...stuff like that.

I asked the infectious disease doctor and he referred me to my GI...who referred me back to the infectious disease doctor. Aggghhh!!! And of course I can not locate that information anywhere now...

I just want to be safe and build antibodies.

Thanks all...

Post Edited (clo2014) : 8/17/2021 7:56:19 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/18/2021 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
For *Jen* -- I've been attending periodic university Webinars where the chief epidemiologist at Columbia U. Med School in NYC speaks. (She is also a MacArthur Fellow, BTW-- so very, very sharp!) She says not to worry about pursuing individual antibody tests-- because of on-going large scale COVID-19 antibody research projects in USA/UK/Canada/Israel/& Qatar, which are following the variants and immunosuppressed, too. Per her comments today it's expected that a new recommendation for Janssen vaccine booster shot will be issued by Feds in the next few weeks. *** RE IBD immunosuppression: the priority concern seems to be with anti-cancers, anti-TNFs, and Prednisone at 20 mg and higher daily dosing. Those of us on mesalamines fall in for boosters after health care workers, nursing home residents, people with co-morbidities, + time lapse since 2nd vaccine shot. *** By Sept. 13 people using indoor facilities in NYC, such as restaurants, gyms, and theaters, will be required per city health dept. to show proof of COVID vaccination and to keep masks on indoors except when eating/drinking. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 8/18/2021 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
P.S. to above message: the epidemiologist replied to a Q RE type of mask the public should wear to avoid COVID variants in view of current U.S. spread. She said that KN-95 mask should still be left to health care workers and anyone actually regularly exposed to COVID-19 because it's unpleasant to keep on for lengthy periods. The standard disposable surgical mask should be sufficient to wear in other indoor situations. These Qs & comments were made with reference to education facilities, as schools & colleges are arranging their fall academic schedules. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 8/18/2021 12:54 PM (GMT 0)

ks1905 said...

Sara14 said...

You're back!!! I missed you.

I got my account locked for arguing with uncurious antivaxxers. As we can all see today, Antivaxxers are a plague on our society and a threat to health-fragile peoples' welling being and health.

I tried logging back in and it worked.

Keith: I did too the same day I think you did. I was gone for a long time as well.
Posted 8/18/2021 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Got my booster yesterday. I was just a little tired after my first two doses but this 3rd one is rough! I had chills and a really bad headache overnight and definitely feel far less than 100% today. Thankfully I just have 2 zoom meetings to make it through today. The pharmacist that gave me my booster has RA and she said that definitely I am in the category for boosters while taking Aza, she is on a biologic and got hers already too.
Posted 8/18/2021 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
"BREAKING: Beginning September 20, boosters will be made available & recommended to people who have been vaccinated 8 months prior."

From the former Biden Vaccine Czar

This was for the general public who believes in science. We (immunocompromised) can go this week for our boosters.
Posted 8/18/2021 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
I was just about to post this, but figured someone else would have beaten me to it! I hope Canada follows suit. I have no issue with getting a third shot, but can't help but think how much easier/economical it would have been for more people to get two shots. Though, maybe third shots would have been needed anyway. I'll try to tell myself that is the case so I don't get too frustrated.
Posted 8/18/2021 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know how long one would wait to get a booster after getting covid? I got an email today from the healthcare system I got the first 2 shots from. They offered me the booster. Considering I am now recovering from Covid, I guess I will wait a few months. This is so crazy!
Posted 8/18/2021 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Countess, I was reading something yesterday that said that people who have had covid should wait anywhere from 1-3 months to get the vaccine. Not because of anything bad, just because you should have strong antibodies for about 3 months after infection. That was in healthy people though. Since you are on remi, not sure I would wait 3 months. Maybe ask your doc?
Posted 8/18/2021 3:12 PM (GMT 0)

CCinPA said...
Countess, I was reading something yesterday that said that people who have had covid should wait anywhere from 1-3 months to get the vaccine. Not because of anything bad, just because you should have strong antibodies for about 3 months after infection. That was in healthy people though. Since you are on remi, not sure I would wait 3 months. Maybe ask your doc?

I talked to some someone yesterday who had covid and he said they have changed their guidance from waiting for 3 months to getting it as your recovered and strong enough. The Delta Variant is highly infectious, they are not sure that it is more lethal but why take the chance if you're medically fragile?
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