Greetings from israel, where we were first to vaccinate the majority (all Pfizer) and also appear to be first to lose protection over time.
We are seeing about 40% of the cases now in vaccinated individuals. The vast majority have a mild illness and the efficacy against severe disease still appears to be high BUT this does not apply to elderly and immunocompromised that likely had little or no antibodies to begin with. We are seeing hospitalisations and death in vaccinated people in these categories. Not trying to be an alarmist but with everything opening up and vaccinated people being carriers, I feel that we are even more at risk than before. Please continue to exercise caution and take care of yourselves 💕
They have been discussing a booster here for the immunocompromised population forever and it sometimes feels like we are just forgotten. Not sure which governments really earned high scores through this pandemic. Maybe New Zealand?
I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and our govt has somehow allowed us to fall to the bottom of the table of the OECD for the percentage of those vaccinated.
We have been extremely lucky so far — not least because we have no land borders wth any other country and are very remote.
Despite the glowing reports overseas, the Ardern govt has been hopeless on many protective measures such as PPE gear and border controls. The vaccine rollout — which the govt promised late last year would put us at the front of the queue — has instead left us languishing at the bottom.
NSW is in trouble right now but we could just as easily have been too (if the recent Australian visitor with the Delta strain had infected anyone, for instance). It can't be put down to our superior border vigilance or contact tracing. It's sheer dumb good luck.
And until now Sydney has never been in complete lockdown (as we have had over the entire country last year). Queensland has done every bit as well as us with a population almost exactly the same (and for that matter a female Labor PM too!)
but I guess we'd better not stray into politics on a medical site!😀
Thank you for posting this. I feel we are the forgotten 6-10 million people here in the US who are immune compromised. I had a long email exchange with our infectious disease expert leading the vaccination effort at our hospital and community. I was told that I raise important points, however, our hospital will not be able to give a booster to immune compromised patients myself included (despite daily patient contact). He is waiting for FDA approval (good luck…). He was calling around for me to be included in a trial which was so nice but no luck. This is especially frustrating since there is data supporting a booster in immune compromised patients who are able to develop or augment an immune response with the third shot.
Extremely frustrating. I actually heard a figure of 20 million in the US.
Everyone is aware of the issue but it keeps taking a back seat despite the fact that we are essentially without protection and at higher risk for complications.
They won’t give it here outside of trial either since it still hasn’t been approved. Today Pfizer announced that will will start the process for approval for the booster shot. Now we can only hope that it works on us once we get it!! I had no antibodies from the first two. The small trial for boosters in transplant patients showed about 30% success. It’s better than nothing and I am more than willing to take my chances!
I don't think we're forgotten. Forgotten suggests a moment's innocent forgetfulness.. "Oops I forgot my glasses!" But with the documents coming out of Westminster today, there's a sinister malevolence about them that conveys a devilish intent. Or am I being too dramatic?
From the bit that I read about the situation there- starting to sound a bit like premeditated intentional sacrifice of vulnerable populations for the sake of the economy and recovery. I am not pushing for lockdowns but really don’t think that mask mandates are too much to ask for. At least provide vulnerable people with guidance and minimal protection. Heartbreaking
Here it is in the headlines every so often and then….goes mum. There was never any specific guidance for immunocompromised and they basically counted on the fact that we knew we were at higher risk so we would use caution accordingly. I understand my disease and know for a fact that I don’t have antibodies, but many many others don’t even know that they are at such high risk 😢
If I hadn't gotten back on this forum, I still wouldn't know that the vaccine had diminished efficacy for CLL patients. My CLL specialist's office didn't contact me, my GP wouldn't have a clue... there has been nothing in the news in the US (and I read it religiously). I seriously doubt that anyone at the state or national level is even aware of this fact in the US.
I now find myself clinging to this forum like a lifeline.
In the interests of giving the benefit of the doubt, we haven't had our specific 'guidance' yet. I would love to eat my bitter, untrusting words. We'll see.
Thank you for your timely warning. Here in the UK our Government released a statement saying we had protection from the vaccines, But with cases going through the roof I shall still be taking every precaution until I feel it is safe to stop.
after removing all restrictions and having months of very low cases we started seeing the spike and They reintroduced mask requirements for public indoor spaces about ten days ago.
Israel's reintroduction of masks is a well publicized fact that our libertarian UK government has chosen to ignore ... I really (don't) think they should take the "take personal responsibility" approach to its logically conclusion and do away with all speed limits on roads and motorways.
Not sure how “personal responsibility” is working in other places but it absolutely won’t work here. Even with the restriction in place- unfortunately it means nothing without enforcement 🤦🏻♀️
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