Sanofi - Not for us

[RobertCLL]

I think I read somewhere (in the last month) that the COVID vaccine, as part of the spring booster programme, was not to offered to compromised patients, as it has not been tested in that environment. Is that right?

[Pekingese]

I’ll getting mine now, I’ll ask the nurse the Question.

[Pekingese in reply to Pekingese]

I have just had the booster jab, the nurse said it was ok. I have had the Phizer vaccine before .

[jonathan7176]

Just had mine.

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer]

Hi Robert, It's not easy working through the advice. Originally, there was a suggestion that, as the Sanofi vaccine wasn't trialled in immunocompromised patients, it wasn't advised for them but the UK Green Book contains more details.

It makes it clear that an mRNA bivalent (BA.4/5) vaccine remains the UK's preferred Spring 2023 booster vaccine for "younger immunocompromised people".

Page 36 of the UK Green Book Covid-19 Chapter 14a states:

"Based on evidence of similar immune responses as the bivalent mRNA vaccines three months after vaccination and against a range of variants, JCVI* have advised that Sanofi Pasteur COVID-19 vaccine (VidPrevtyn Beta®) may also be used as a booster for older individuals in the spring 2023 campaign. The committee considered that an adjuvanted vaccine may offer some advantage for this age group and the product offers more flexible storage conditions for use in outreach setting. Data in immunosuppressed individuals is limited and so mRNA remains the preferred vaccine format in younger immunosuppressed people."

On Page 37, the advice goes on to explain:

"For all reinforcing doses, including additional doses for those with severe immunosuppression, the age appropriate advice below should be followed, regardless of the vaccine received as a primary dose or for previous boosters.

Eligible adults aged 75 years or over (including residents aged over 65 years in care homes for the elderly)

- A full 0.3ml dose of bivalent (15/15 micrograms) Pfizer BioNTech vaccine (currently Comirnaty® Original/Omicron BA.4/5)

- A full 0.5ml booster dose of the bivalent (25/25 micrograms) of the bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (currently Spikevax® bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4/5)

- A full 0.5ml dose of the Sanofi Pasteur COVID-19 vaccine (VidPrevtyn Beta®)

If the bivalent mRNA vaccine containing the latest variant (currently BA.4/5) is not available, a bivalent with a previous variant (such as Comirnaty® Original/Omicron BA.1 or Spikevax® bivalent Original/Omicron) or a full dose mRNA vaccine (Pfizer BioNTech 30 micrograms or Moderna 100 micrograms) may be used if there would otherwise be a delay in vaccination. When mRNA vaccines are not considered clinically suitable, either Sanofi Pasteur or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine may used for boosting.

Eligible adults aged 18 - 74 years (including pregnant women)

- A full 0.3ml dose of bivalent (15/15 micrograms) Pfizer BioNTech vaccine (currently Comirnaty® Original/Omicron BA.4/5)

- A full 0.5ml booster dose of the bivalent (25/25 micrograms) of the bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (currently Spikevax® bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4/5)

As part of operational flexibility, eligible individuals aged 65 to 74 years may also receive Sanofi Pasteur vaccine where it would simplify delivery in that setting. This includes vaccination in domiciliary settings. When mRNA vaccines are not considered clinically suitable, Novavax COVID-19 vaccine may used for boosting across this age group. For those aged 65-74 years Sanofi Pasteur vaccine is also a suitable alternative.

If the bivalent mRNA vaccine containing the latest variant (currently BA.4/5) is not available, a bivalent with a previous variant (such as Comirnaty® Original/Omicron BA.1 or Spikevax® bivalent Original/Omicron) or a full dose mRNA vaccine (Pfizer BioNTech 30 micrograms or Moderna 100 micrograms) may be used if there would otherwise be a delay in vaccination."

The Green Book also contains advice relating to allergies and other clinical factors which can impact vaccine decisions.

Green Book Chapter 14a - assets.publishing.service.g...

"A Guide to the Covid-19 Spring Booster 2023" - gov.uk/government/publicati...

"Sanofi vaccine: what to know about this protein-based COVID booster being offered in the UK" - theconversation.com/sanofi-...

*JCVI = Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation

CLLerinOz

[RobertCLL in reply to CLLerinOz]

Finding the above a little confusing!. So is the sanofi recommended for us?

[HopeME in reply to RobertCLL]

I have to agree it is a confusing topic regarding the Sanofi vaccination. But on a broader level it is even confusing about when to get the next vaccination of any type.

The NHS is clear about the need for a “spring 2023” booster for the immune compromised. The complicating factor is you are in Australia and I’m in the US. I’m not sure about Australia but in the US there definitely isn’t the same clarity. I just ran through the CDC website in the US and I’m not sure what I should do. Further complicating things is you are in your fall season and I’m in my spring season. My intuition is to wait for my fall season to get my next booster. That would put me about a year out from my sixth shot and position me ahead of the cold and flu season when I assume Covid will rebound again? I need to see my CLL provider later in April and I plan to discuss this issue at that time because I’m uncertain if my intuition is correct. I wish I could provide clarity for you but I’m confused, too. The only good news is Covid seems to be at low in my area. Below is a snippet from today’s local paper:

“Both of the wastewater counts for the south-of-Boston and north-of-Boston regions are plunging. The south-of-Boston seven-day average is now 219 RNA copies per milliliter, which is down from 463 copies last month. The north-of-Boston average is now 247 copies, a drop from 450 copies.”

Maybe we are approaching the elusive “Herd Immunity” that we talked so much about early in the pandemic?

Best,

Mark

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer in reply to HopeME]

You're right. It is confusing and not helped by various governments approving different schedules and vaccines. In Australia, approvals for our latest boosters came slowly and in drips and drabs. That was frustrating and confusing. Hopefully, it'll settle into a regular pattern soon. We're lucky to be spoilt with choice, I guess 😀

[Mother1943 in reply to HopeME]

sorry, fairly new to the forum. My reply is to Mark who replied to HopeME.

Thanks Mark for the information on the Boston area. I live south of Boston, I have not seen these wastewater reports for a long time, actually only when Covid was really bad. I know it is still here, and probably will always be here🤔

[Walkingtall62]

Thanks CLLerin, but my brain isn’t really picking up on what I should accept or not this time round. Is it safe to say, from UK point of view, I should try and stick to Pfizer. I am not really interested in products that have long storage dates. Thanks for helping.

[devonrr in reply to Walkingtall62]

I’ve just been for my jab. Interestingly they were dividing people into 2 queues; over 75 and under75/immunosuppressed.

The immunosuppressed we’re receiving the Pfizer jab.

They did say we were having different vaccinations.

Well all done till next time!

[Walkingtall62 in reply to devonrr]

Oh thanks for that. Feel better. Dont like the Sanofi website either!! Will toddle of when i can. All the best

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer in reply to devonrr]

Thanks!

[kitchengardener2]

I am booked for mine tomorrow morning.

[Agfar]

I had my Pfizer booster yesterday. I asked what I'd get and the pharmacist said that I wasn't old enough (69) for the Sanofi vaccine. Side effects have been numerous - chills, headache, fatigue, muscle ache and feeling nauseous which I hope doesn't last long.

[Adlucy]

I hadn't read anything about this not being suitable so did not query when I was given this at Boots on Friday. I am over 75.