Covid vaccine frequency

[Bobsterguy]

Do I now stop or delay more covid vaccines or how often to get vaccines now? Im 79 with CLL for years. Luckily I have not had Covid yet. I have taken every covid vaccine offered including the bivalent one last Sept. I also got two doses of Evusheld 6 mos apart with last one in Sept 2022. I've read that Evusheld is no longer offered due to new covid strains appearing. We plan to go to Florida the month of April. Do I now get another covid vaccine (which one) or stop for now? My last vaccine was 6mos ago (bivalent). Any thoughts?? How frequently to now get covid vaccines?? Tx for any input. Bob in WI USA

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Bobsterguy,

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I also had the bivalent last September- the first day it was available. I tried to get a second when I hit the 6 month mark, but was told by the nurse at the county vaccination station that the CDC had not authorized a 2nd bivalent for any conditions.

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I asked my CLL expert and his PA, who are usually very willing to bend the rules for we immune compromised, but was told they could not cross that line. Here is his response on another online group (I post it here with his permission):

Re: Bivalent Covid Vaccine Booster

From: Rick Furman

Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:02:08 EST

The data for immunity waning at six months is in healthy people and based upon the original vaccine and the original strain. We really do not know what duration of protection is in patients with CLL or with the new bivalent vaccine. I do believe that the virus has become innocuous enough that it might not be necessary to obtain repeat vaccinations. For now, I do believe everyone should receive the bivalent vaccine once. The earliest I would recommend a second would be six months, although I am waiting on whether it is advisable to move forward with a second shot until we know more.

Rick Furman

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Len

[Bobsterguy in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks Len. As you note there seems to be no solid recommendation as of now. Will be watching for more clarity. Tx. Bo

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

In 2021 and early 2022 things were pretty loose and I could get vaccinations just by saying I was immune compromised.

but this year, when I tried at the local county clinic and at my hospital in 2023, they were reading the fine print and following the Federal rules, since the Fed is paying for the vaccines.

Len

[CLLmoxie]

Since the vaccines are so politicized and most studies are conducted by state medical schools - I don’t trust any of the information we have been given. The efficacy is unproven and the many side effects and sudden deaths are encouraged to not be reported. My CLL specialist does not ask anymore or check Ab levels. I personally would not have any boosters and am researching ways to clear spike protein from the body in an effort to minimize heart damage from the initial 2 vaccines my daughter guilted me into having.

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer in reply to CLLmoxie]

Try to relax about the possibility of the spike protein remaining in your body after vaccination. In the vast majority of cases, the spike protein is cleared by the body's natural immune system in just days. For some, it might take a little longer. It's that process of eliminating the spike protein that 'trains' your immune system to do what it needs to do if you should contract Covid. It's the same process that your body uses all day every day to keep you protected from all sorts of viruses.

As far as the efficacy of the vaccines is concerned, the evidence is now well and truly pointing to the positive role they play in reducing serious illness, hospitalisation and death. In a recent study of nearly 19 million adults, it was found that "It has been demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccine protects against severe illness, hospitalizations, and death when infected with SARS-CoV-2, including the Omicron variant."

news-medical.net/news/20230...

Similarly, recent research has also shown that the bivalent vaccines have increased efficacy over the monovalent ones against Omicron variants. On the whole, those who are not up-to-date with their vaccinations and who contract Covid are more likely to have more severe disease than those who are up-to-date.

"Among symptomatic adults who received testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection at pharmacies nationwide during September 14–November 11, 2022, bivalent mRNA vaccines provided additional protection against infection compared with previous vaccination with 2, 3, or 4 monovalent vaccines alone. "

cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/...

[Sunshine2422 in reply to CLLerinOz]

I was told vaccines have not worked well in some immunocompromised particularly those with blood cancers. Also know of groups of people still shielding as result. Vaccines are good but you need to be aware you might not have the protection you think you have.

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer in reply to Sunshine2422]

Thanks for that reminder. You're right that, as immunocompromised people, we still need to follow additional steps to help us minimise our risk. Good N95 masks, adequate indoor ventilation which might include air filters, eating outdoors where possible and appropriate and managing our risk in crowded spaces are some of the things that help and they are all still important for us, along with up-to-date vaccination and a plan for accessing quick testing and antiviral treatment if we suspect we've been exposed to Covid or have symptoms.

CLLerinOz

[RosettaClapp in reply to Sunshine2422]

Studies I have taken part in (Birmingham) showed that those of us that had had anti CD20. Meds(obinutumazab in my case) were the only group not to get any good effect from vaccination

[Tortola2019 in reply to CLLmoxie]

Really trying to find justifications for your assertions. I don’t believe there are any. In particular, your statement that “ the many side effects and sudden deaths are encouraged to not be reported.” Maybe in Russia and China, but doctors and scientists are driven by data, and discouraging data reporting would constitute malpractice and yanking of these doctors license. Certainly legal repercussions should be investigated if true!

[hutampico in reply to CLLmoxie]

Hello, I have been on watch, and wait since August 2017. I have not presented lymphocytosis since around April 2020 when I took 300mg each day of Artemisinin capsules for 5 days. I have only presented borderline/mild lymphocytosis in March, and June of last year,... otherwise any M.D. who would have perused my blood panels since April 2020 would have merely perceived everything within the normal ranges. Since Artemisinin has had zero perceptible side effects these last 2 plus years I just have elected to continue to take them and enjoyed the butchering of the leukemia cells (induced ferroptosis) in my peripheral blood. My bone marrow of course is still producing malignant cells, but the little bastards get shredded as soon as ther enter my circulatory system. SERVES EM' RIGHT, THE LITTLE BLACKGUARDS...(!)..... I never got the clot-shots, but finally got hit by Covid19 in late September of 2022 so I was coughing, and short of breath for 2 and a half weeks. I lost my 30 day relief job aboard a Great Lakes ship when the Chief Mate sent me ashore to get checked out at a shoreside emergency room, and they confirmed it was Covid 19... No big deal.

[Vlaminck in reply to hutampico]

Interested what steered you to taking the artemisinin (sp?) capsules and at that dosage? It has come across my screen a number of times. Thanks for sharing.

[Speedscreed]

Wish i hadnt bothered taken my shots, but had a holiday booked and had 2 Moderna jabs. I suffered no obvious ill effects from them, that I can pinpoint, but only took them to fly abroad on holiday. I have had covid twice in the last 6 months, caught from the UK pub where i play pool. They were not particularly sinister symptoms, just a hacking cough, and i am over them. I cant taste the wifes food quite as I used to, so some good has come from it. I just joined a gym to get fit and boost my natural resistance further. Been on CLL watch and wait 2 years. I am 73.

[RosettaClapp in reply to Speedscreed]

The vaccines were never designed to definitively stop anyone getting Covid just to ameliorate its effects!

[Speedscreed in reply to RosettaClapp]

I realise that Rosetta, and I have 3 sisters who will not allow me to visit until I am fully vaxed. Doesnt make sense does it?

[Vlaminck in reply to Speedscreed]

It's because you can't taste the food they lovingly prepare for you.

[camper2]

I was getting boosters every 4 months (here in the UK)so far I’ve had 6.

Apparently boosters have now stopped in the UK (from 12 February 2023) and are not available even to the severely immune compromised. GP couldn’t help and told me to ring 119. 119 said that it wasn’t possible to get a booster and that I may be called later in the year, if it is deemed necessary(!)

Covid is on the rise and the government has decided I don’t need protection. What’s changed?

[MichaelFinn in reply to camper2]

I've had the same amount as you. Is there an update and departure from what I read on 25th January? That was that the autumn booster campaign would stop on February 12th, but there would be an autumn 2023 booster for those at risk of severe disease,

This was the Barclay statement, following advice from the JCVI, which called for an extra dose in the spring for a smaller group of older and immune compromised. Barclay said , an extra booster 'may be offered in spring for people at greatest risk.'

[New-bee-cell]

Hello from Canada. I’ve been W & W for 3 years. I’ve had 7 Covid vaccines- including the Moderna bivalent in September and the updated (for BA4 &BA5 variants) Pfizer bivalent 3 months later. I felt unwell (fatigue, achy, swollen nodes) for a couple of days after some of them. But no longer term effects. Went for an 8 km hike yesterday and felt pretty good! My antibodies to the spike protein have increased with the number of vaccines that I’ve have. I have not had Covid (yet). I taken N95 and hand washing precautions most of the time. My understanding is that even if you get “too many” (non-live) vaccines, there is a very low risk of an adverse event — for me, that is a more comfortable risk than risking Covid infection(s) and the adverse events that infection(s) can bring. Also, my 94 year old mom has had 6 vaccines without problem!

[MichaelFinn]

theguardian.com/world/2023/...

Looks like we will be able to get a spring bivalent booster.

[HopeME in reply to MichaelFinn]

Good article. Thank you for sharing.

Mark

[Rrriver]

In Canada , NACI on Mar 3/23 approved a second bivalent booster after 6 months for immune compromised and people over 65. I had the moderna bivalent on sept 14/22 and I am getting the Pfizer bivalent on March 14/23 . My cll dr said the new Pfizer bivalvent is good for the ba 4 & 5 variants and would be the best vaccine for me. I have been on acalabrutinib for 2 months and my doctor does not want me to stop treatment to get the vaccine. This will be my 6th vaccine, and I had covid a year ago with sotrovimab monoclonal antibodies. Dr says every time I get the vaccine it helps my chances of getting Covid antibodies.