booster question

[Vacationmountaintop]

back in feb. when I had my 2nd moderna shot, I had hives really bad. So oncologist told me not to get booster for covid if they come out with one. Makes me very nervous at the thought of not being protected because if I were to get covid with my CLL Im afraid I wouldn't be able to fight thru it. Any thoughts?

[Belfastbees]

Hives don't sound so bad to me but obviously a concern to you so it does matter. I read that moderna say a booster after 6 months is needed but also think I had read that their booster is efficacious against many of the newer strains. I'm in the UK, had AZ. Not sure what our booster will be but I would take anything and be happy with moderna for sure. Good luck in your deliberations.

[Vacationmountaintop in reply to Belfastbees]

thank you

[cajunjeff]

I would raise the question again with your doc. Covid is likely a bigger threat to you than hives. The fact you had an allergic reaction doesn't mean you will again.

Possible strategies include taking the JandJ vaccine as your booster. Its a very different technology than Moderna and you might not be allergic to a different vaccine. In consultation with your doctor, there might be prevaccine meds you can take like Benadryl to reduce the risk of hives.

We are our own best advocate. If it were me I would tell my doctor iI want the booster and ask for help in deciding the best way to reduce my chances of an allergic reaction. Good luck to you.

[Vacationmountaintop in reply to cajunjeff]

I am going to take your advice. Thank you so much

[GMa27]

Try Pfizer or J&J shot. If u can live with hives a few days, might be worth it.

[Vacationmountaintop in reply to GMa27]

I had hives for 10 days but I think I am willing to do it again. I want to be protected from covid. Thanks for you reply

[SofiaDeo]

Zyrtec (cetirizine) is a daily nonsedating antihistamine I take in addition to Benadryl (diphenhydramine). I am allergic to dust, so cleaning (as well as general air moving dust/pollen around) causes problems. This helps me. If you are considering getting a shot again. Not only would I recommend getting a different one like others have suggested, I would get it in a clinic around healthcare professionals who have access to a crash cart/intubation equipment/people experienced with emergencies. Not a local pharmacy, or in a Dr office unless immediately adjacent to a hospital/clinic. And stick around a good hour after the shot. This is generally what we do, when we have a patient who might have a problem with a reaction to a drug, that they need to take. I had to stay in the clinic for an hour after every dose of alemtuzumab when I was undergoing treatment.

[Vacationmountaintop in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you so much. I also have allergies to dust and take allegra every day . The addition of benadryl to it is a good idea as well as your advise to go to a clinic. Last time I went to the pharmacy at the grocery store I shop at. Thanks again

[Jonquiljo]

I do know that people report more reactions with Moderna than Pfizer. I cant support this statement, though it is something I have been told.

Is this a general oncologist or a CLL specialist? A CLL specialist might have a different take on things.

[Justasheet1 in reply to Jonquiljo]

Jon,

I read today that even though the Pfizer and Moderna are both mRna vaccines that the Moderna has a higher concentration of mRna in each dose.

That could probably explain the higher success against the Delta variant of the Moderna and the more frequent reactions to the shots.

Jeff

[DriedSeaweed in reply to Justasheet1]

Darn. Didn't know that. Just got another Pfizer an hour ago.

[Justasheet1 in reply to DriedSeaweed]

DS,

No big deal. At the rate we’re going we may be getting vaccinated monthly for different variants 🤪

Jeff

[Jonquiljo in reply to Justasheet1]

Yes, Moderna has 3x the RNA as Pfizer. My guess is that amount of RNA is only part of what protects better against Delta. It might code a slightly different conformation of the spike protein receptor protein. If not, you’d expect if Pfizer put 3X the RNA in each dose, then it would be Very powerful.

If Pfizer was to make boosters, tripling the RNA seems a better formulation - assuming that the side effects are not really much worse.

Then again, I’d just settle for any booster at this time. The FDA will drag its heels and getting these boosters will take longer than necessary. You’d think 1 1/2 years into COVID that they would be not stumbling all over themselves.

Come to think of it I’ve heard of no news announcements today — and they were supposed to begin the process today.

[Justasheet1 in reply to Jonquiljo]

Jon,

The acting FDA director said that an independent advisory board to the FDA is meeting tomorrow to approve booster shots for immune compromised based on that organ transplant cohort study.

I think EUA approval is coming very soon.

foxnews.com/health/walensky...

Jeff

[DriedSeaweed in reply to Justasheet1]

That's why I went ahead and got it again today. No one bothered me about it. I don't want to deal with lines or last minute back to school vaccinations.

[Jonquiljo in reply to DriedSeaweed]

Good idea!

[Dahlia7]

As a practicing veterinarian for 40+ years I vaccinated many many pets for a variety of diseases. I did have quite a few develop hives post vaccination. I would administer Benadryl 15-20 minutes before subsequent vaccinations and required in hospital or parking lot observation for at least an hour afterwards. Pets had to be observed for 24 hours for reactions. I never had a problem with that protocol. Pets who had more severe anaphylactic reactions were advised to forego future vaccination.

[Vacationmountaintop in reply to Dahlia7]

thank u for the tip