Booster vs third dose

[Ashtin]

I am taking Hydrea and have received 2 doses of Moderna. My MPN specialist said all I need is a Moderna booster. My local hematologist however disagrees and says since Hydrea is an immunosuppressant I should get a third full dose of Moderna.The Moderna vaccine differs from Pfizer in that the booster is only a half dose.I would live any advice I can get! Thanks so much!Never posted before so hopefully I did this right

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hello Ashtin, we issued advice regarding this about Moderna boosters, you can read it here

healthunlocked.com/mpnvoice...

[Ashtin in reply to Mazcd]

Oh thanks so very much! How bizarre that an MPN specialist is the one that is saying all I need is a booster?

[EPguy]

In the US the Moderna dose for immune compromised (3rd dose) is 100mcg. The Moderna "booster" for regular adults is 50mcg. Pfizer is 30mcg for all types. So Moderna is more than Pfizer either way.

I tried to get the 100mcg Moderna for my 3rd, but at that time we could not mix.

So if you want to most vax as your Hem suggests, get the 100mcg Maderna 3rd. But either version of the Moderna will be more than the Pfizer.

[Ebot]

I’m not so sure you can compare the effectiveness of one vaccine against another based on quantities. Like comparing apples and Thursdays. Pfizer is the vaccine being used most commonly in the U.K. at this stage. The important thing for MPN patients is to ensure that if you are given Moderna as your third dose you get the full dose and not the reduced dose booster.

[Ashtin in reply to Ebot]

Thank you for your response. I am in the US. I am just confused as to why my MPN specialist is saying all that is needed is the half dose Moderna booster.

[Ebot in reply to Ashtin]

That is certainly not the advice being given here in the U.K. MPN patients should be having three primary, ie full, doses to be followed by an additional booster (or indeed possibly a fourth primary - I’ve lost the plot on the latest guidance!!)

There was a lot of confusion with the roll out of the third primary vaccine here. Many health professionals (and patients) initially believed that the booster and the ‘third vaccine’ were the same thing. As a result some patients received and / or were registered as receiving, the booster.

This had two consequences. First, those who received the Moderna booster got a reduced dose of the vaccine when they needed a full dose (this doesn’t apply to Pfizer or AZ which all contain the same dose of the vaccine regardless of whether primary or booster).

Second, those patients who were registered as receiving the booster (of any variety) are finding it hard to get the fourth vaccine - which may or may not, now be a booster or fourth primary …

[EPguy in reply to Ebot]

You're right about comparing. It is plenty confusing.

My understanding is only the mRNA vaxes (Pf, Mod) are comparable to each other on dose size as their tech and contents are similar. One cannot compare AZ vs Mod for example since their tech is entirely different.

There has been continuing evidence that Mod in the initial series is more effective than Pf, and Mod benefit is somewhat more durable. I can provide links if desired. However both are plenty good. (I had Pf) The higher quantity of Mod is commonly cited as the reason, although there is no clear proof of that. And all this is before Omicron.

My intent was just to clarify what/why there is this confusion on the dose and allow informed decision with this info.

[Ebot in reply to EPguy]

I think the research indicates that it’s a bit swings and roundabouts when it comes to the efficacy of the various vaccine options. Clinical decisions have certainly been made here about which vaccines to offer to certain groups - like Pfizer for the under forties. But the general view - among health professionals and the general population alike - is take whatever you’re offered. The exception being the Moderna booster for immunosuppressed individuals.

[Ashtin in reply to Ebot]

It does seem like the UK is advising a full third dose for MPN patients. In the US, Moderna booster vs Moderna full dose seems to be a toss up.