Moderna Booster compared to 1st and 2nd shot M... - CLL Support

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Moderna Booster compared to 1st and 2nd shot Moderna vaccines

learning2021 profile image
27 Replies

May this message find everyone coping well. Good Morning,

Is there a difference in the components used between the Moderna booster (3rd shot) and the components of the Moderna first and second shot vaccines? In other words, is the 3rd shot more of and identical to the first two Moderna shots? Thank you. I have CLL and am planning to get my booster soon.

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learning2021 profile image
learning2021
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27 Replies
DriedSeaweed profile image
DriedSeaweed

My understanding is that the delay in Moderna FDA approval in the US has to do with their booster having a smaller dose than the first two.

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to DriedSeaweed

thank you.

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to DriedSeaweed

thank you.

Edalv profile image
Edalv in reply to DriedSeaweed

Yes, that’s my understanding too. If I remember correctly it is equivalent to 1/2 dosage of the original shot.

Edalv profile image
Edalv in reply to Edalv

I want to clarify that the 1/2 hasn’t been approved yet, so those getting the booster shot from Moderna are getting the full dosage.

DriedSeaweed profile image
DriedSeaweed in reply to Edalv

Yeah... good time to get it.

lankisterguy profile image
lankisterguyVolunteer

Hi learning2021,-

The only Moderna vaccine currently availble under the FDA - Emergency Use Authorization is the original formula. So unless you enter a clinical trial with a new / experimental formula, a shot you get at a Pharmacy or regular doctors office will be the same as the first two shots.

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BTW- I am assuming you are in the USA, but that is a guess since your profile does not indicate your country and health system. To help us give you more accurate answers in the future please follow #3 on this Pinned Post: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo....

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Len

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to lankisterguy

thank you for the details..most helpful.

Jonquiljo profile image
Jonquiljo

Yes, the bureaucrats are going to town on this one - at least in the USA.

The 3rd shot for immunocompromised is “not considered a booster” according to the CDC and FDA. It is an extra dose for the immunocompromised.

Moderna adds more confusion to the mix as their “booster shots” for the general public will supposedly have half the genetic material in them as the regular shots.

So they want to have 2 different kinds of Moderna shot. The FDA is whining about not having the proper data on both. How this could have been so poorly communicated is beyond me.

So if you are getting a “3rd shot” for the immunocompromised, it will be the same as the first two. If you wait until later in September - I don't think anyone knows what it will be.

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to Jonquiljo

thank you...it is a continuing evolving situation...patience and self-advocacy so necessary.

Jonquiljo profile image
Jonquiljo in reply to learning2021

Evolving - not really. Confused and poorly organized? Definitely. All the more to keep ahead of all new developments. Good luck.

whmk profile image
whmk

Currently, for the immunocompromised, you can get a third shot booster that is the same as the original 100microgram dose. Moderna has submitted to the FDA for a booster that is just 50 micrograms that have been tested successfully in clinical trials. However, the FDA is questioning whether the smaller dose is enough and may opt for the 100 microgram dose as the Moderna booster.For reference, all Pfizer shots have just 30 micrograms of active ingredients. In general, Moderna produces 2.6x more antibodies than Pfizer and also has more side effects.

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to whmk

Thank you...most appreciative.

Phil4-13 profile image
Phil4-13 in reply to whmk

Oh, yes, the Moderna gave me some doozies of side effects. The effects resulted in my decision to NEVER get another. I don’t think I could stay out of the hospital if those pains occurred again (lasted 11 hours). But I will consider one that is 1/2 the strength. I’m a 5’ female, 134 lbs. Why should I get the same strength as someone heavier? No sense to me!!!! Sandra🙂

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to Phil4-13

be well..thank you for your response.

jimvan profile image
jimvan

When I had a third Moderna shot two weeks ago I was told by the pharmacist that it was exactly the same as the first two doses I received. I did not have a physical reaction to the first two doses, but the third one had me in bed for two days with a variety of reactions. My wife and I joked that I actually have a functioning immune system. It really wasn't bad, just unexpected (and welcome). Jim

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to jimvan

good attitude:) ...make lemonade from lemons:)

tedrog profile image
tedrog

was told all 3 are the same. i had my 3rd last thursday about 6pm. just under 5 months from the second, i have cll and cml and take 100mg sprycel (dasatinib) daily — in remission. i think i’m still having side effects, blurry vision, come and go headache, tired, and most of all left arm swelled a bit and into my left side…maybe the lymphs under my left arm, near my chest looks swollen. my 3 months checkup blood draw is this thursday, but i’m to try to get it tomorrow.

i had no symptoms from first two, only sore (not swollen) arm of expected duration. my symptoms are changing, twice i thought they were gone. it’s been 4+ days. nothing major, i guess. temp went up 18 hrs after, but only slightly. then again, i’ve taken ibuprofen 3 or 4 or 5 times during, starting the next day.

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to tedrog

you are monitoring yourself very closely which is so helpful for moving forward long term...studying your body's reactions....be well and thx for your sharing.

Astro617 profile image
Astro617

There is a semantics problem with messaging. The THIRD SHOT is the same as the first two. Moderna is working on a BOOSTER that is a lower dose. If you go get a 3rd Moderna right now in the US you will get a shot that is the same as the ingredients and amount that was in the first two shots. That's my understanding anyway.

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to Astro617

agreed understanding about the terminology...must be very clear about it and educated for this gray area on "boosters" vs. "3rd" shots. Thank you for emphasizing this here. Be well.

Astro617 profile image
Astro617 in reply to learning2021

Wishing you well learning2021!

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to Astro617

aw..thank you...P.S. the cat on your profile is pretty baby:)

17Pisme profile image
17Pisme

My first 2 shots in February were Pfizer (2nd shot knocked me on my butt) & my 3rd was Moderna with little or no reaction.

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to 17Pisme

thank you. Be well.

Astro617 profile image
Astro617 in reply to 17Pisme

That is crazy! I had 2 Pfizers and then wanted to get Moderna but I chickened out since it is so much stronger. I was afraid about swollen lymph nodes. So I had a 3rd Pfizer and that did knock me on my butt. 🤣

learning2021 profile image
learning2021 in reply to Astro617

we have to brace ourselves, it seems, to prepare in case of a reaction to a shot...at least we live in a world of vaccines for Covid.

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