OT :Question about the COVID booster shot….

[lions1995]

After 6 months the effectiveness of the J&J shot drops from 86% to 13%. Ask your doctor if you should get the booster.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Vaccines are seen as one of the best ways to stop COVID-19. Learn more about the types of vaccines, including the newly approved Novavax.

www.webmd.com

Yes, but the whole point of the vaccine is to provide your body with a memory of the virus if you hadn't had it yet. If the vaccine did its job, your T and B cells should now recognize the virus if it invades your body. That is how our immune system works and why when you encounter an illness the first time it is usually the worse than if you get it a second time.

 

[JWB389]

Jim, tell me more please about the first shingles shot.

I'm 62 and am heading that way sir. Going to wait 6-8 weeks after I get my Covid-J&J booster.

I had the shingles shots a couple years ago and felt awful for several days. Flu like symptoms. I could function, no problem. Just felt sick. I'm pretty confident that it was better that getting shingles and I would do it again if I had to.

 

[TiogaLion]

Except that it is believed that COVID vaccine protection wanes with time. Hence the booster six months after completing the initial vaccination.

I spoke to my doctor about this and he gave an analogy that I find helpful. Vaccines create anti-bodies and memory cells, assuming you have a functioning immune system.

Anti-bodies are like front line soldiers with weapons loaded and in-position. If the bad guys attack (you get exposed to the virus) the front line usually engages immediately and the battle is usually short lived. However, over time the front lines are sent home so the borders are left open. Meanwhile, the base kept records of how to fight the bad guys in case they have to do it again. So, say 6-9 months after vaccinatioin (as is the case with covid vaccines) the front lines are open and if an attack occurs the home office (base) needs to figure out what they did last time and call in the reserves and train new recruits. This can take some time, so depending on your immune system you may or may not get sick. However, once the forces are built back up you usually (again depending on your immune system therefore how quickly anti-bodies were reconstructed) win the battle, and thus have anti-bodies on the ready again.

So, I got the booster mainly because I wanted anti-bodies ready to go. The question is: Are you sure you're healthy? That answer can only be determined with a thorough physical examination that includes much testing.

 

[91Joe95]

I find that sometimes flu vaccines give me a reaction that causes a fever. Covid shots didn't, but if they had I would have done what I do for the flu vaccine and taken some Tylenol. It knocks the fever down and gives the body time to finish its reaction with me in comfort. I've rarely had to take a second dose, and never more than two doses.

 

[TheGlovStillRules]

There was a long thread on The Old Board about shingles shots, and people reported widely varying reactions. You need to get your shingles shots so, really, the fact that I felt as if I had been run over by a Buick is neither here nor there.

Thank you Jim

 

[GTACSA]

Yes, but the whole point of the vaccine is to provide your body with a memory of the virus if you hadn't had it yet. If the vaccine did its job, your T and B cells should now recognize the virus if it invades your body. That is how our immune system works and why when you encounter an illness the first time it is usually the worse than if you get it a second time.

All I suggested was to consult your doctor.

 

[LionJim]

Got my booster shot this morning. Other than my coming off a little bit as a whiny *****, I've got nothing serious to report. I asked the nurse which shot usually results in the most uncomfortable side effects and he said, without a pause, "Shingles."

 

[DaytonRickster]

Except that it is believed that COVID vaccine protection wanes with time. Hence the booster six months after completing the initial vaccination.

I had the 2 Pfizer COVID series and have taken my FLU vaccine. I have also had the latest pneumonia vaccine (1 shot, 1 time). Not planning on taking the booster.

 

[Catch1lion]

Just a heads up. Numbers in Lancaster and York county must be increasing rapidly. Lancaster General Hospital is maxed out as well as Wellspan York and Ephrata. On Tuesday , all 3 were on critical care divert, and emergency department divert. No more bodies incoming. Lancaster General was going to cancel elective cases for the remainder of the week. Admissions typically have been 80-90% unvaccinated over the last few months

 

[LionJim]

Just a heads up. Numbers in Lancaster and York county must be increasing rapidly. Lancaster General Hospital is maxed out as well as Wellspan York and Ephrata. On Tuesday , all 3 were on critical care divert, and emergency department divert. No more bodies incoming. Lancaster General was going to cancel elective cases for the remainder of the week. Admissions typically have been 80-90% unvaccinated over the last few months

That sucks.

 

[JohnJumba]

Had 3 Pfizer shots this year, plus a colonoscopy, with no problems. However, I had a flu shot and felt like I had the flu for about a day afterwards.

Had no trouble with 1st two Pfizer. Got booster and flu shot at same time. Felt like crap for 3 days. I believe flu shot was the villain.