General COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion

[kangarooflyer88]

Obviously if i was vulnerable i would get whatever is going, but im hoping for an update. We were told 4 months to tweak formula for new variants, like they do with flu vax but they are still pushing a formula that is 2 years old.

We have been told an Omicron booster has been coming for months now, with some jurisdictions citing an April 2022 timeline which came and went. I'll keep masking and taking my precautions, but I'm in a heck of a precarious situation as someone with an autoimmune disease who has receive 4 doses of vaccine which target the original strains (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca). Also, for some reason I can't get evushield (antibodies given prior to exposure that can ward off Omicron for up to 6 months) since I'm not crippled enough to qualify. My last dose was in April and I'll need to make decisions real soon about what booster I get next!

I can have my "fourth" next month. Will need to decide whether to have it then or wait for the updated formula. Though not being in the vulnerable age group they might reserve the new formula for others for a while before I can get it.

My recommendation would be to look at getting a different vaccine than what you got in the past. For instance, after receiving my first two prime doses of AstraZeneca, I got Pfizer as my first booster then Moderna as second. That should provide your body with a couple extra tools to battle COVID (hopefully). I'd also say that any protection is better than no protection. In my case, I've got a few extra tools I can use to get access to the Omicron booster but if history is any lesson, this booster will be delayed at least for the general public.

My doctor believes we may get a combined annual flu and latest variant Covid booster annually from sometime next year.

That's my fear!

-RooFlyer88

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

That's my fear!

-RooFlyer88

indeed, mixing up an oldschool tried and tested weakened form of a virus with mRNA technology is not as unmentionable as people would like to think.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

indeed, mixing up an oldschool tried and tested weakened form of a virus with mRNA technology is not as unmentionable as people would like to think.

That's not the point I'm getting at. My fear is that one will have to wait for next year to get a booster that covers a strain that is no longer in circulation. By and large I trust the science on the vaccines, masking and other health measures. I know what I am saying may be controversial to the Chief Health Officers of the various states in the commonwealth who would rather see their residents get COVID than to get a vaccine to protect themselves from COVID but then again, they haven't been stuck in an ICU for 2 weeks because their immune system decided that one's own organs were a virus. It's not COVID that will get me if I get infected, it's my immune system's response!

-RooFlyer88

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

That's not the point I'm getting at. My fear is that one will have to wait for next year to get a booster that covers a strain that is no longer in circulation. By and large I trust the science on the vaccines, masking and other health measures. I know what I am saying may be controversial to the Chief Health Officers of the various states in the commonwealth who would rather see their residents get COVID than to get a vaccine to protect themselves from COVID but then again, they haven't been stuck in an ICU for 2 weeks because their immune system decided that one's own organs were a virus. It's not COVID that will get me if I get infected, it's my immune system's response!

-RooFlyer88

Of course, more power to you happy for people to make their own decisions for themselves. I've had 2 shots, 2 infections, and assuming the uk does not require a booster I will be leaving it at that.

 

[Flashback]

Of course, more power to you happy for people to make their own decisions for themselves. I've had 2 shots, 2 infections, and assuming the uk does not require a booster I will be leaving it at that.

The UK requires nothing.

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

 

[kangarooflyer88]

The UK requires nothing.

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

As does Australia and a number of countries. Personally, I think people should make up their own minds. It's not like the vaccines on offer protect you from catching or transmitting COVID much (particularly with the new variants). Yes it will likely keep you out of hospital or worse, but that's about it. And frankly, all those people who didn't bother to get vaccinated have already been vaccinated by way of getting infected. By the way this was not the outcome I had hoped. I was boasting last year that we'd throw the masks in the trash once everyone is vaccinated, that's not how it turned out. The virus wasn't eradicated as hoped. That being said, I'll keep my protective measures including ensuring I stay up to date on vaccines.

When I look at other jurisdictions in the world, namely Canada that require proof of vaccination and random testing on arrival, you have to wonder whether they are truly following the best public health advice available. Can someone honestly tell me with a straight face that it is sensible for an immunocompromised individual such as myself to be forced to go to a clinic to get a PCR test mingling with people who may have COVID symptoms and are going there to confirm their intuitions? Is it really sensible for an immunocompromised person to sit in a queue for several hours while documents are checked? Yes I have an N95 mask on at all times, yes I take protective measures. But it seems like the people crafting these policies have no background in epidemiology or public health.

In general my approach has always been to ignore what the so called public health officials have been telling us. These are the same geniuses that told us it's better for someone young like me to get COVID than the vaccine. Or that masking isn't necessary since COVID is endemic. Really stupid arguments based on not an ounce of science or reasoning. And we see the effect COVID is happening on our healthcare system. Elective surgeries being postponed, individuals waiting for many hours to be seen in the ER.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Agreed ... now ... but it did when i went in December, as did AU to get back in without quarantine

The UK requires nothing.

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

 

[Flashback]

Agreed ... now ... but it did when i went in December, as did AU to get back in without quarantine

That's a long period, in COVID times; where things can often change daily.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

That's a long period, in COVID times; where things can often change daily.

hence why i'm hopeful there are no 'new' hoops presented that people have to jump through.

 

[JohnK]

I'm over 75, haven't had COVID (that I know about) and traveling to Canada next month so decided it prudent to get the 4th dose last week (2xAZ, 2xPfizer). I do not think it will do me any harm. My doctor believes we may get a combined annual flu and latest variant Covid booster annually from sometime next year. I'll be happy with that.

That would be a fantastic outcome combined flu and covid booster.

I was a late starter, didn't get first shot until November 2021 and I've now had 4 already. Haven't had covid, don't want covid.

 

[drron]

Forget the covid update vaccines. They will be useless within a month as they still target the spike protein which mutates rapidly. Don't fall for the spin of the manufacturers such as Pfizer. They haven't delivered on past promises and surely won't in the future.
There are scientists around the world working on entirely new vaccines targetting different areas of the virus. Unfortunately it is a difficult and long process.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

The Jimmy Dore show is a comedy program so I wouldn't take what he says seriously

This is true, but Jimmy Dore is speaking more facts than the mainstream media.

 

[Lynda2475]

Well ABC reports that:

"The federal government has approved a COVID-19 vaccine which specifically targets two coronavirus variants of concern, including the original Omicron strain.

The new Moderna vaccine targets the original Wuhan strain as well as the Omicron BA.1 strain, and it is the first multi-strain COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Australia.

Experts have welcomed the move, but say the vaccine's exact efficacy remains unclear.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the government had accepted a recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation on the use of a new Moderna vaccine as a booster shot for people aged 18 years and older.

The first doses of the bivalent vaccine have already arrived in the country and will now undergo batch testing by Australia's medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

They will be introduced into the rollout as existing stocks of Moderna's already-approved COVID-19 vaccine are exhausted."

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Well ABC reports that:

"The federal government has approved a COVID-19 vaccine which specifically targets two coronavirus variants of concern, including the original Omicron strain.

The new Moderna vaccine targets the original Wuhan strain as well as the Omicron BA.1 strain, and it is the first multi-strain COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Australia.

Experts have welcomed the move, but say the vaccine's exact efficacy remains unclear.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the government had accepted a recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation on the use of a new Moderna vaccine as a booster shot for people aged 18 years and older.

The first doses of the bivalent vaccine have already arrived in the country and will now undergo batch testing by Australia's medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

They will be introduced into the rollout as existing stocks of Moderna's already-approved COVID-19 vaccine are exhausted."

As someone who is immunocompromised and is due for a fifth dose (last dose received in April), I'm really not too sure what to make of this announcement. Should I wait for the Omicron specific booster that only targets BA.1 when the virus presently circulating is BA.5? From what I'm hearing BA.2.75 may make a come back so ironically having that BA.1 booster might make me better off. On the other hand, there's Novavax, one vaccine I haven't yet received as of yet. Then there's the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 booster but that requires a day trip to LA.

Decisions, decisions!

-RooFlyer88

 

[mviy]

Looks like I’ll be waiting for this new vaccine to have my “fourth” shot maybe in October/November unless there’s some way to guarantee I get the new shot if I go for it earlier.

ATAGI has released a statement confirming the approval of the new vaccine.

https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-statement-on-use-of-the-moderna-bivalent-originalomicron-vaccine

 

[drron]

Though the trials of the new vaccine have been of 500 and 600 people as against the initial phase 3 trials of 30000 +.

 

[clifford]

Though the trials of the new vaccine have been of 500 and 600 people as against the initial phase 3 trials of 30000 +.

I'd take it tomorrow if it was available.

 

[mviy]

Does anyone know how long it will take the existing Moderna stock to expire or get used up?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Does anyone know how long it will take the existing Moderna stock to expire or get used up?

I think it would depend on the vaccination clinic in general. Also, if I'm not mistaken a number of vials will expire eventually. I emailed the Commonwealth Respiratory clinic I go to for COVID vaccinations to inquire about the Omicron booster and they were estimating a couple of weeks before they start administering them.

-RooFlyer88

 

[mviy]

Also, if I'm not mistaken a number of vials will expire eventually.

Yes, it depends on the temperature they are stored in etc. how long they will last. Also once a vial is opened it has to all be used or what's left thrown out.

I emailed the Commonwealth Respiratory clinic I go to for COVID vaccinations to inquire about the Omicron booster and they were estimating a couple of weeks before they start administering them.

That is interesting to hear. So waiting till next month I should hopefully be able to find somewhere that is administering it. I'd like to wait till at least 4 months after my previous dose anyway. I waited about 5 months between my previous 2 doses anyway.