Getting Both AZ & Pfizer

[Lynda2475]

But you ignore the fact that boosters aren't recommended for the majority of the population.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years and older. There is no health warning in the annoucnment recommending the majority do not get a booster. ATAGI are poised to update their advice re boosters for the program to start next week.

Why don't you post the actual FDA booster eligibility criteria for which EUA has been granted? Because they are not what you or your anecdotes about booster shots in the US say they are.

I have done this previously, my post is entirely consistent with the formal advice. Perhaps you are unaware that the FDA have updated their advice over the last week:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Takes Additional Actions on the Use of a Booster Dose for COVID-19 Vaccines

The FDA took additional actions regarding booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including authorizing heterologous booster doses in eligible individuals.

www.fda.gov

• The use of a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine that may be administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series to individuals:
  
  • 65 years of age and older
  • 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
  • 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2
• The use of a single booster dose of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.
• The use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine.
• To clarify that a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series to individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

There are no restrcitions on who can get a J&J booster except for needing to be over 18 (see blue text).

And the bolded text is why it is very easy to qualify for a Moderna or Pfizer booster if you have a job where you are interacting with large numbers of the general public. Its not just medical and emmergency services workers. Transportation workers, teachers, cashiers are all using that clause and all having no issues getting boosters.

 

[drron]

And you think the words May Be administered is a recommendation for all to rush out and have it.Laughable.

 

[Lynda2475]

And you think the words May Be administered is a recommendation for all to rush out and have it.Laughable.

Nope, never said that. I said MRNA is the recommended and approved booster type, not that it is recommended that absolutely everyone should get a booster. You have leapt to that on your own, instead of reading what was actually posted.

You may feel its warranted to withhold the choice of getting a booster from the majority or people because you think it is unecessary, but thankfully we will have a choice to get a booster. Just as the Americans, Israelis, Czechs etc are exercising that choice already.

The initial roll-out recommendations on who could get what was driven by supply limits. The government then had to yield and allow all age groups to get an MRNA once supply allowed.

So the current recommendations and limits for boosters are also largely in place due to supply, but once the boosters start rolling in aged care, you will see then offered to everyone based soley time since second dose.

 

[drron]

Sorry @Lynda2475 you obviously have no idea what others are saying and simply regurgitate your own fixed ideas.The mind is obviously closed and time for me to stop knocking.

 

[Lynda2475]

A wholly unfair assessment, i understand your opinion but you have not made a convincing case to as to why we shouldnt be offered boosters. Not to mention arguing about things you imagined I said instead of what was actually posted.

Thankfully tptb will be making boosters available to those of us who wish to avail themselves of better protection.

 

[tgh]

Gosh and golly Lynda.. you are truly the gift that keeps on …. er …. giving..
Do you get a lot of fan mail ?…..

 

[Matt_01]

Yes. Maybe the time for a realignment of our priorities.

I noticed from the time stamps and number of post in less than 24 hours we now have 2 pages of additional commentary between medical professionals and those with opinions. This thread seems to be taking off from where another landed.

I have been realigning my priorities and the main priority for us is getting back to booking travel.

 

[straitman]

Maybe it's time to go back to the actual topic and stop with the sniping. In saying that a couple of people should go back and read what they have said previously as their logic is wandering and contradictory at times.

 

[OATEK]

As I see it, there is no clear identified advantage to mixing AZ/PZ for the booster at this stage. However, given that the Government is only offering PZ for boosters, then for those who had AZ first two times around and qualify for a booster, it will offer a good local test case somewhere down the track.

As for me, unless there is a recognised study that propounds a clear increase in protection from such a mix, I am likely to have a third AZ shot in late January, about 5-6 weeks before leaving for the UK. Having tolerated the AZ vaccine well the first two times around I am happy to go with what I know works for me. I don't see the need or benefit to mix it up with both AZ & Pfizer in the hope that it gives me a significant boost in protection if in fact benefits are marginal at best.

We seem to have settled the vaccine certificate issue in that the third dose will show, but is not necessary to be recognised as fully vaccinated either at home or abroad. TTFN

 

[straitman]

As I see it, there is no clear identified advantage to mixing AZ/PZ for the booster at this stage. However, given that the Government is only offering PZ for boosters, then for those who had AZ first two times around and qualify for a booster, it will offer a good local test case somewhere down the track.

As for me, unless there is a recognised study that propounds a clear increase in protection from such a mix, I am likely to have a third AZ shot in late January, about 5-6 weeks before leaving for the UK. Having tolerated the AZ vaccine well the first two times around I am happy to go with what I know works for me. I don't see the need or benefit to mix it up with both AZ & Pfizer in the hope that it gives me a significant boost in protection if in fact benefits are marginal at best.

We seem to have settled the vaccine certificate issue in that the third dose will show, but is not necessary to be recognised as fully vaccinated either at home or abroad. TTFN

I agree with your logic on this. I am watching closely as, for medical reasons, Pfizer is not a prefered option for me. If AZ is no longer an option in Oz as has been suggested then my better option is Moderna as my third shot.

 

[jakeseven7]

Maybe it's time to go back to the actual topic and stop with the sniping. In saying that a couple of people should go back and read what they have said previously as their logic is wandering and contradictory at times.

Thank you

 

[mrsterryn]

As a fat older person who tolerated AZ my preference will be AZ for booster. Ditto husband who has health issues he would prefer. There is so much information , good bad and stupid , out there I am actually going to discuss with my GP and listen to his opinions.

 

[jase05]

As a fat older person who tolerated AZ my preference will be AZ for booster. Ditto husband who has health issues he would prefer. There is so much information , good bad and stupid , out there I am actually going to discuss with my GP and listen to his opinions.

Yes it’s all confusing.
My work has booked us slots for a compulsory booster next Thursday but I’ve recently just had a third dose of AZ and there is a bit of too and fro amongst my work as to wether a 3rd AZ counts as a booster or not. If not then I’m presuming I’ll have to wait a few more weeks for a gap between my AZ and Pfizer. Will speak to my GP when I get back from Hobart on Tuesday

 

[kpc]

I'm not sure why there is so much angst and arguments here about the booster shot. Your options are:
1. Nothing
2. Pfizer
3. AZ
4. Wait for Moderna
5. Wait for Novovax

Choose whichever option you feel comfortable with...you don't have to convince anyone else!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm not sure why there is so much angst and arguments here about the booster shot. Your options are:
1. Nothing
2. Pfizer
3. AZ
4. Wait for Moderna
5. Wait for Novovax

Choose whichever option you feel comfortable with...you don't have to convince anyone else!

With the caveat that AZ does not yet have TGA approval as a booster dose.
Any such use of it as a booster is “off-label” until and if it gets approval.

 

[tgh]

AZ does not yet have TGA approval as a booster dose

I have an open mind on this , but I wonder why AZ lacks approval ???
It's the more conventional product and the long term Mrna outcomes are still unknown.
One assumes that Pfizer is funding extensive support to keep the river of gold flowing.. heck they even appear to employ media influencers.. welcome to the brave new age of enlightenment

 

[Pushka]

AZ does not yet have TGA approval as a booster dose

I have an open mind on this , but I wonder why AZ lacks approval ???
It's the more conventional product and the long term Mrna outcomes are still unknown.
One assumes that Pfizer is funding extensive support to keep the river of gold flowing.. heck they even appear to employ media influencers.. welcome to the brave new age of enlightenment

Maybe they have already sent supplies to countries who will be more grateful to be immunised? I know the major hubs in SA pretty much stopped giving AZ some time ago.

 

[drron]

I will have a booster at the end of Feb 2022 a little over 7 months from my second AZ jab.However mid March we are flying off to the UK so probably good to have a booster.
I do think those who have had 2 Pfizer shots should definitely be thinking about a booster at 6 months.The real world data from Israel and Los Angeles County showed a definite uptrend in cases more than 6 months after a Pfizer second jab.Hospitalisations rose at a slightly slower rate and deaths only increased marginally.I have previously posted those results.

In the USA there was not a significant trend 6 months after the second Moderna jab.
Although I can find no results I suspect that the results for J&J are worse as the CDC says people should consider a booster 2 months after having their J&J jab.

In the UK and Canada there hasn't been a significant fall off in effectiveness 6 months after the second AZ jab.There was also a trial in the UK giving a third AZ jab 6-9 months after the second jab and showing a significantly greater rise in antibody levels compared to the rise after the second jab. Importantly with less side effects than with the second jab.

A small study in the US shows that the antibody rise with a Moderna booster is far greater than with a Pfizer booster for those who had the J&J or pfizer primary vaccinations.The rise was virtually identical with Moderna and Pfizer booster if the primary vaccination was Moderna.

As boosters are really only beginning to be used I am happy to wait until there is more evidence.But at the moment my preference is for Moderna or AZ.

 

[kpc]

With the caveat that AZ does not yet have TGA approval as a booster dose.
Any such use of it as a booster is “off-label” until and if it gets approval.

ATAGI have stated that AZ can be used as a booster:

ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have developed recommendations on the use of additional (booster) doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

www.health.gov.au

"Comirnaty (Pfizer) is recommended as a single booster dose, irrespective of the primary COVID-19
vaccine used. Although not preferred, Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) can also be used as a booster dose
in the following situations:
• For individuals who have received Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) for their first two doses if
there are no contraindications or precautions for use.
• If a significant adverse reaction has occurred after a previous mRNA vaccine dose
which contraindicates further doses of mRNA vaccine (e.g., anaphylaxis, myocarditis).
ATAGI will make a recommendation on the potential use of Spikevax as a booster in due course"

 

[tgh]

I suspect that booster shopping will be challenging in Qld.
The local Pfizer rep has just been promoted (look up Peter Principle) and has probably secured primary access for the product.
I would prefer to maintain the relationship with our GP , and that probably means Pfizer...