Booster Mix or Match?

[chirish]

So, what are we all thinking? I've read about mixing the booster shot. I've had the 2 Phizers back in April, maybe I'll take the Moderna as a booster shot or if the J n J shot was good for one shot only, maybe take that one, or stick with Phizer? I talk to my oncologist next week but just getting an idea beforehand.

[Zia2]

I had two Moderna and will ask CLL doc next month when I see her. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Justasheet1]

The FDA and CDC just posted instructions. healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

Jeff

[kathymac5252 in reply to Justasheet1]

wow....just read the link and was bombarded with Fox News ads and the comments following the article were so negative about the CDC, Fauci,misinformation, etc....disgusting

[Justasheet1 in reply to kathymac5252]

Kathy,

I posted a link to the information and you chose to go beyond that. If that offended you then I apologize for posting my link though it was factual.

Jeff

[kathymac5252 in reply to Justasheet1]

Thank you.....just was surprised

[GMa27]

Makes sense to get the same one you had initially. I wouldn't want to worry about different reaction by getting a different one.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

There's no data to help with this decision of mix or match per this just posted reply by Dr Rick Furman in the CLL/SLL groups.io forum:

Re: 3rd Shot

From: Rick Furman

Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2021 07:40:18 ACST

It is important for everyone to recognize that there are no data available to guide anyone on recommendations for receiving a booster of the same versus a different vaccine as the initial series. People can make suggestions, but ultimately there are no data.

Rick Furman

[Zia2 in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil. I decided to email CLL doc to ask if I should walk in and get a booster locally if it’s available. If it isn’t hoping she can give me one next month.

[Astro617]

The CDC says that they would like you to get the same shot for your booster, BUT if it is not available it is OK to mix mRNA vaccines. I've had 2 Pfizer vaccines. Since I've been reading that Moderna has 3x the RNA, showed a slight but statistically significant increase in antibody production in the LLS study, and is stronger against the delta variant I'm leaning towards trying to get Moderna for #3.

[chirish in reply to Astro617]

I was thinking the same..

[Astro617 in reply to chirish]

But then I started worrying about the side effects from the stronger shot! I can't make up my mind! I'm seeing my GP on Friday. I hope he has an opinion. I don't have an oncologist/hematologist at the moment. Watch and wait x 16 years.

[chirish in reply to Astro617]

I hear ya. Geesh we're dammed if we do and dammed if we don't..

[HopeME]

As Neil noted, there is no data yet to help us make a determination on what sequence of vaccines is best. Therefore, I went with the CDC recommendation which is to get the same vaccination type as you did previously if it is possible. In my case, I had the Pfizer vaccines in February and March. In both instances, I didn’t have much of a reaction. My arm was a touch sore but if I hadn’t been keenly watching for symptoms I wouldn’t have noticed any.

This past Sunday I received a third Pfizer vaccine and almost immediately I had a very, very sore arm and a searing headache that is just now subsiding. I didn’t test for antibodies this past winter given the uncertainties surrounding the testing accuracy so I’m unsure if I generated antibodies but I assumed I didn’t. I’m cautiously optimistic that I generated antibodies this time given my markedly different reaction from the booster in combination with some of the data I have seen from Pfizer about the efficacy of the booster.

Best

Mark.

[chirish in reply to HopeME]

Good one Mark, that makes sense to me, a strong reaction might mean something differerent or iworking..