The thing about these Covid-19 Booster Shots…

Let me start by saying for anyone who has never read one of my columns before, particularly since the pandemic, I want you to know I believe in people getting the immunization against Covid-19. I got vaccinated, as did my husband, in March and April of this year. We received the Moderna vaccine, which meant getting (2) shots a month apart. We had no problem with the vaccination process. The shot itself didn’t kill me, and trust when I say, I’m a big baby when it comes to getting needles. The day after we were vaccinated all day, our arms were sore, but guess what, we lived through that too. We want to live.
As we watch the ongoing media coverage about the pandemic and how people who have not been vaccinated, at this point, are the ones dying from the virus more often than any other group. It amazes us that there are still so many people who do not want to get vaccinated.
For people who are already vaccinated and are wondering when they can get a booster shot, due to confusing news stories in the last seven days or so on various media outlets, let me share with you what happened to me.
I called Premiere Pharmacy in Charlotte, North Carolina September 27th to ask when my husband and I can come in for our Covid-19 vaccine booster shot. I was told by one of the pharmacy assistants there, that at this time, booster shots have not been announced for the Moderna vaccine. I was so surprised. I almost started stuttering. I consider myself as someone who stays up on all the latest news developments, and I’ve been watching and reading about the pandemic since day one. So how did I miss that there are no booster shots for people who were immunized with the Modern Covid-19 drug?
Actually, the Pharmacist assistant didn’t answer my question correctly.
The next question then becomes, can you go get a Pfizer Covid-19 shot, if you already had the Moderna vaccine twice? The answer is no.
For all of us folk who were immunized against Covid with Moderna’s vaccine, we have to cool our heels and stay put. No booster shots for all of us yet, only for the very ill. Some people who received the Moderna vaccine are already eligible for booster shots, but again those are for people with serious health issues. Also, no decision has been made regarding booster shots for those who received the Johnson & Johnson shot. Only cases where people have serious or critical health concerns can get the booster shot of Moderna or Johnson and Johnson at this time.
U.S. regulators are expected to decide at a later date on widespread boosters for those brands. The government also said it has no data on whether it is safe or effective to mix-and-match and give those people a Pfizer shot. Adding to the complexity of further decisions on booster shots, Moderna wants its third dose on behalf of the original shots. Moderna previously released data on breakthrough cases, saying it supports the push for a wide use of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
But as the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee debated administering third doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine, federal health regulators said they needed more time to review Moderna’s application for extra doses. The U.S. has, however, already approved both Pfizer and Moderna boosters for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients.
The Moderna vaccine has been shown to have an efficacy of approximately 94.1 percent in protecting against COVID-19, starting 14 days after the first dose.
Based on the evidence so far, the new variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the B.1.1.7 and the 501Y.V2, do not alter the effectiveness of the Moderna mRNA vaccine. The monitoring, collection, and analysis of data on new variants and their impact on the effectiveness of COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines continue.
To strengthen and extend protections against severe illness, people at high risk for serious illness or exposure who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) vaccine for six months or more can now receive a COVID-19 booster shot.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have authorized and recommended “booster” vaccine shots to provide continued protection.
Pfizer-BioNTech boosters are now available across the nation to people who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) vaccine for six months or more and who are: 65 years or older, Residents in long-term care, 18 years or older with underlying medical conditions; or, people 18-64 years of age, who work in high-risk settings like healthcare workers, teachers, and childcare providers or food workers.
For certain groups, CDC suggests that people talk to their healthcare provider about whether getting a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot is appropriate for them. This authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. FDA and CDC are actively working to determine further guidance for individuals who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Things can change in the skip of a heartbeat, in these days of living through a pandemic, so keep your ear to the ground about these “booster” shots.