the shot or no shot

[klb36]

i am new here just found site I am going on 37 years with my kidney transplant I have not taken the shot for the virus . I am wondering how many of you have not taken the shot my reason is not thinking it will help and also scared of the side affects and i have worked hundreds of hours in retail close to the public. are there others who have not taken the shot.

[LisaSnow]

Hi! Congratulations for 37 years!I hope the following articles are helpful and put your mind at ease:

Re: concern about vaccine safety hopkinsmedicine.org/news/ne...

Re: concern on effectiveness of vaccine

health.ucsd.edu/news/releas...

[Herkidney]

Congratulations on 37 years!!!

I got the Pfizer vaccine in March and had absolutely no problems. I just made my appointment for my 3rd/booster shot since the FDA/CDC approved it for certain individuals including those who have had solid organ transplants. Please consult with your healthcare providers about what would be best for you.

[Eyak1971 in reply to Herkidney]

Can you be specific on how and where you made appointment for 3 rd. Shot? I was under the impression it would take a while even after the approval.

[Herkidney in reply to Eyak1971]

Los Angeles County Department of Health has authorized 3rd booster shots effective tomorrow as posted on their Twitter feed. I made an online appointment with CVS for next week. Hopefully it’ll work out okay.

[Eyak1971 in reply to Herkidney]

Thanks for replying. Wishing the best to you and take care.

[Herkidney in reply to Eyak1971]

Thank you. You too!

[Eyak1971]

I was hesitant at first but after talking to my doctor I got the shot and have not regretted it. It was the best decision for myself and my family. I hope to get an opportunity to get the 3 rd. Shot. I like others are a little envious of your transplant longevity. Great job and how did you do it?

[LavenderRabbit]

As my doctor told me, “It might not give you full immunity, but it will probably keep you out of the hospital “!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

You need to consult with your nephrologist regarding the COVID vaccine. My nephrologist said that they are required to report all side effects. Take blood clots, its like 1 in a million that have experienced this. There is a higher incidence of blood clots with women who take "birth control pills." Have you ever looked at the side effects of your immunosuppressants? Has that stopped you from taking these meds?

In October I will be 22 years post transplant and my nephrologist wanted me to be the first in line for the vaccine. I got my second shot of the MODERNA in February. No problems, not even a sore arm.

Personally, I think you are playing a little "Russian roulette" with your life, especially with the Delta and Lambda variants out there. They are easier to get and people are winding up in the hospital. That would really scare me.

Again, talk with your nephrologist and he can discuss the vaccine with you.

Stay well

[donnabethme in reply to WYOAnne]

Good answer! I’m so glad I got my 3rd Moderna yesterday. No problems.

[kimosabi1961]

I'm 2 1/2 years post transplant and I've had the Pfizer vaccine

[JackFrost1]

Check with your doctor first but I got mine in March with no issues . I’m 51 years transplant and I’m scheduling my third shot . The delta variant is now growing numbers in high vaccinated areas . The vaccine might not keep you out of the hospital but it may save your life .

[LisaSnow in reply to JackFrost1]

Jack did you say you have had the same transplant for 51 years? That's incredible!

[Samuri62 in reply to JackFrost1]

Well congratulations on 51 years. Please tell me what your secret is. That’s incredible.

[Hidden]

I’m 10.5 months post. I received moderna in March snd April. Surprised they were already distributing third dose as of this morning. Made appointment and got third dose this afternoon.

Honestly, it a crazy time we’re living in today — especially as transplant patient. sometimes I feel like the pandemic will be the end of me — too much isolation for me and my wife.

But, I know I married the right woman as we’ve been almost 24/7 for 16 months.

[LBatl in reply to Hidden]

Did you have to suspend your anti-rejection meds when you had the 3rd shot?

[Hidden in reply to LBatl]

It was already lowered due to a low level Bk virus infection. I’m currently at 1400 cp/ml of Bk. They lowered tac to 2 mg. They want 24hr trough between 5-7. It was 5.2 this past week.

[LBatl in reply to Hidden]

Ok, so I guess the answer is no, you didn't have to suspend your meds. Thanks for the response.

[donnabethme in reply to LBatl]

Absolutely not!

[Bax509]

Had the shot (Pfizer) in Feb/March prior to June transplant and had 0 side effects. The worse I heard - anecdotally - was fatigue or sore arm. I would not hesitate to get the shot now and plan to get the booster as soon as I can. Remember almost all the people in the ICUs currently are the unvaccinated from young to old. I cannot imagine taking that risk (especially being immunosuppressed) with the gift I was given in June.

[donnabethme]

I’m 25 years out. Congrats to you.Had 3rd vaccine dose yesterday. It was just authorized Friday. They don’t ask for any proof you’re immune suppressed ( only that population is eligible.

Both state sites and pharmacies ( mine CVS) are giving it out. In R.I.

Yes it will probably boost your protection.

My side effect is only a very slight sore arm

Do it!

[LBatl in reply to donnabethme]

I only asked the community because I've heard some people complain about it and was curious about the thoughts of the group. I, in NO WAY was going to suspend my meds at all! I'm scheduled tomorrow and would never think of putting my gift of life in jeopardy!!

[donnabethme]

good. I think most of us have similar feelings to never put this precious gift in danger. ALL this pandemic stuff has been so hard. It is difficult often to know what is the right move to make. Good luck to you.

[Dna4christ]

Hello. I have not had the vaccine yet but thinking about it before the coming winter. I'm still wondering about the certainty of the vaccines myself but I think itll be best to get them even if the chances are low.

[nosillap]

I am still on the fence about it. I want to, don't want to. Nobody can tell me what this could do to my kidney long term as they don't know!!

[fes38]

Wow 37 years congrats!! I have almost 20 years with my transplant. I'm debating too about getting it. I want more evidence that the shot works. I never get so sick, maybe a mild cold. I'm afraid that it will lower my immune system more, then my body cannot longer fight it. And I'm confuse by how soon there is a 3 booster shot, then it means is no that effective. The flu vaccine is only one shot every year.

[LisaSnow in reply to fes38]

If you have time, take a read of the two articles shared in the first reply. The data clearly show COVID vaccines are safe and effective in transplant patients.

[desperateboy]

It is surely not as effective as compared to healthy people. It seems to me bullshit getting a shot for 3 months proctection. Many researches such as john hopkins show even after 2 dose many post transplant patients show no antibody.Some people believe no antibody but yes T cells stories. While taking immunosuppressants medicines which supress T cell formation, Believing having T cells against covid is like believing earth is flat. On the other hand, I will take third dose I am not afraid for side effects After all I am not healthy. I would be afraid if I was healthy. I don't recommend my healthy family members too. Because I think It is bullshit to be afraid for 3 percent death rate.

[bantonblueboys13]

Hello, I have not taken the flu or vaccination for Covid-19. My reason is prior to the pandemic I never took the flu shots, and now being asked about Covid-19 vaccination. Personally, I have been fine without either. I don't trust the Covid-19 vaccination, and I am thinking to myself why would I put something into an already weakened immune system that might actually make me sicker. This just my opinion, but I get an idea of what you might be feeling

[dogdayafter12]

My nephorologist who correctly predicted long ago that the response to the vaccine would be questionable for the immunosuppressed, has all along recommended me to not get the vaccine. She is not anti-vax. She believes the limited potential protection is outweighed by the autoimmune response that will activate my diseases, FSGS (kidney disease), psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis.My rheumatologist believes that I should get it. "Some protection is better then none."

I always defer to nephorologist though. However I am very concerned about the delta variant. One health professional here in Canada yesterday stated that everyone will come in contact with this variant unless you are shuttered in isolation. So I think I will get the vaccine. I have reached out to nephorologist for thoughts.

EDIT: Response was no due to risk of worsening renal function and the immune system will not mount much with the vaccine with the immunosuppressive agents. (I'm on 3)

[Transplant09]

I am also new here but almost 12 years post transplant. I have not taken "the shot" and do not plan to get it. I am sensitive to many meds and had reactions to even bp meds so me and my team have agreed for me not to get the vaccine. I am very cautious and my family is taking precautions and still living our lives. My husband and my parents are now vaccinated with no side effects. I just don't see any good results in immunosuppressive patients and personally do not want to take that risk. My kidney is an important part of me know and I want to protect it.