Should boosters be put on a 2-week hold?

[gbg3]

Pfizer and others are currently conducting tests to determine if the current vaccine is effective against omicron. I have heard many reports from doctor after doctor that this is an easy and conclusive test and we'll have data in 1-2 weeks.
Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna are already at work on an omicron tweaked vaccine/booster. Pfizer says theirs will be available in 100 days.
But the government (and media) is strongly recommending people get boosters right now.
This seems crazy to me. For example, let's say we learn (in a week) that the current vaccine is only moderately (or less) effective against omicron but the omicron tweaked booster will be highly effective. Let's also say millions get the booster between now and a week from now, based on heavy pressure to get the booster right now because of omicron. Will the suggestion then switch to - regardless of whether you've had 2 or 3 shots in the last 7 or so months, now get the tweaked booster in 3 more months? That would be 4 shots in 10 months. Am I the only one feeling like the government is expecting us to turn into human guinea pigs as they chase this pandemic problem?
Wouldn't it at least make sense to completely pause boosters for the 1-2 weeks while the omicron testing is conducted and then assess if the current booster makes sense or if it makes far more sense to wait the 100 days for a tailored booster?
Will it be safe to just keep administering shot after shot? Or, will those who are getting boosters right now get limited benefit but will find out it's not really safe for them to get yet another (better) booster in 100 days, and will thus need to wait for months to safely get the tweaked booster.
I can't imagine why the booster program isn't halted for a single week or two while we find out what these important tests reveal.
I'm having a harder and harder time trusting any of these recommendations when I see illogical steps like this.

 

[CaughtInThe]

why? are all the other variants suddenly gone?

 

[MaryP]

Pfizer and others are currently conducting tests to determine if the current vaccine is effective against omicron. I have heard many reports from doctor after doctor that this is an easy and conclusive test and we'll have data in 1-2 weeks.
Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna are already at work on an omicron tweaked vaccine/booster. Pfizer says theirs will be available in 100 days.
But the government (and media) is strongly recommending people get boosters right now.
This seems crazy to me. For example, let's say we learn (in a week) that the current vaccine is only moderately (or less) effective against omicron but the omicron tweaked booster will be highly effective. Let's also say millions get the booster between now and a week from now, based on heavy pressure to get the booster right now because of omicron. Will the suggestion then switch to - regardless of whether you've had 2 or 3 shots in the last 7 or so months, now get the tweaked booster in 3 more months? That would be 4 shots in 10 months. Am I the only one feeling like the government is expecting us to turn into human guinea pigs as they chase this pandemic problem?
Wouldn't it at least make sense to completely pause boosters for the 1-2 weeks while the omicron testing is conducted and then assess if the current booster makes sense or if it makes far more sense to wait the 100 days for a tailored booster?
Will it be safe to just keep administering shot after shot? Or, will those who are getting boosters right now get limited benefit but will find out it's not really safe for them to get yet another (better) booster in 100 days, and will thus need to wait for months to safely get the tweaked booster.
I can't imagine why the booster program isn't halted for a single week or two while we find out what these important tests reveal.
I'm having a harder and harder time trusting any of these recommendations when I see illogical steps like this.

I'm due in December for the booster and I wondered about the same thing. I'm just going to wait a few weeks and see what they have to say.

 

[Callen]

I'm having a harder and harder time trusting any of these recommendations when I see illogical steps like this.

Not surprisingly, you think it illogical but my booster is scheduled for this Wenesday and based on information available today I'm getting it. I have plans for the holidays and beyond that I won't put on hold for an " oh my the sky is falling" variant that may or may not be an issue. Everything I have heard so far suggest the current vaccines will maintain some level of protection. Life moves on, I refuse to get caught in the politics of what should not be political.

Enjoy your angst

 

[gbg3]

I'm due in December for the booster and I wondered about the same thing. I'm just going to wait a few weeks and see what they have to say.

I think that is so smart. I'm still undecided about if and when I'll get a booster - but I'd never get one between now and the time this data comes out, in just a week or two. My gosh, if I do decide to get a booster, I sure as heck want to get the most effective one. I can't imagine they'll think it safe to just keep pumping vaccine after vaccine into people just 3 months from the last vaccine. I can't imagine why the government isn't stopping boosters for this very short period of time, when they could end up with millions recently "boosted" and have that entire group unable to get the better booster in 3 months because they just got the wrong booster and the timeframe would be too close to be safe.

 

[tshade]

Pfizer and others are currently conducting tests to determine if the current vaccine is effective against omicron. I have heard many reports from doctor after doctor that this is an easy and conclusive test and we'll have data in 1-2 weeks.
Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna are already at work on an omicron tweaked vaccine/booster. Pfizer says theirs will be available in 100 days.
But the government (and media) is strongly recommending people get boosters right now.
This seems crazy to me. For example, let's say we learn (in a week) that the current vaccine is only moderately (or less) effective against omicron but the omicron tweaked booster will be highly effective. Let's also say millions get the booster between now and a week from now, based on heavy pressure to get the booster right now because of omicron. Will the suggestion then switch to - regardless of whether you've had 2 or 3 shots in the last 7 or so months, now get the tweaked booster in 3 more months? That would be 4 shots in 10 months. Am I the only one feeling like the government is expecting us to turn into human guinea pigs as they chase this pandemic problem?
Wouldn't it at least make sense to completely pause boosters for the 1-2 weeks while the omicron testing is conducted and then assess if the current booster makes sense or if it makes far more sense to wait the 100 days for a tailored booster?
Will it be safe to just keep administering shot after shot? Or, will those who are getting boosters right now get limited benefit but will find out it's not really safe for them to get yet another (better) booster in 100 days, and will thus need to wait for months to safely get the tweaked booster.
I can't imagine why the booster program isn't halted for a single week or two while we find out what these important tests reveal.
I'm having a harder and harder time trusting any of these recommendations when I see illogical steps like this.

Quit making so complex---------------do what the CDC says and get the booster. Good Grief.

 

[Callen]

Quit making so complex---------------do what the CDC says and get the booster. Good Grief.

No kidding....can you imagine a start stop....ok start again... oh wait stop.... everytime some new twist presents itself? The real danger is all these hystronics

 

[MaryP]

I think that is so smart. I'm still undecided about if and when I'll get a booster - but I'd never get one between now and the time this data comes out, in just a week or two. My gosh, if I do decide to get a booster, I sure as heck want to get the most effective one. I can't imagine they'll think it safe to just keep pumping vaccine after vaccine into people just 3 months from the last vaccine. I can't imagine why the government isn't stopping boosters for this very short period of time, when they could end up with millions recently "boosted" and have that entire group unable to get the better booster in 3 months because they just got the wrong booster and the timeframe would be too close to be safe.

Well, I also have to weigh into my decision that
- they say after 6 months immunity wanes
- I am high risk
- 100 days will no doubt be 4 or 5 months before it's available to me
- winter is when we share germs the most and I would go all winter with weakened immunity waiting for a better one.

Maybe a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Dunno.

 

[Peter]

The UK is speeding up the booster program.
We've also just remandated masks in shops and on public transport.

I've had my 3rd dose.

 

[gbg3]

Quit making so complex---------------do what the CDC says and get the booster. Good Grief.

You think something as easy and logical as a 1-2 week pause while waiting for informative and important data, is complex?
One of the initial medical opinions about omicron is that it is the most contagious of all. So, if we suddenly have millions unable to get a tailored booster (that could potentially really help prevent spread) because they too recently got a vaccine that potentially won't do anything or very little to prevent spread - we're simply escalating a problem that might already be enormous. Good grief is right!

 

[tshade]

No kidding....can you imagine a start stop....ok start again... oh wait stop.... everytime some new twist presents itself? The real danger is all these hystronics

It's nuts.
People that couldn't pass 8th grade science class are contemplating whether to believe the medical experts.

 

[Patriotic Voter]

I'm due in December for the booster and I wondered about the same thing. I'm just going to wait a few weeks and see what they have to say.

There is no reason not to get the booster, period. If there was, you would not have received two shots already.

 

[tshade]

You think something as easy and logical as a 1-2 week pause while waiting for informative and important data, is complex?
One of the initial medical opinions about omicron is that it is the most contagious of all. So, if we suddenly have millions unable to get a tailored booster (that could potentially really help prevent spread) because they too recently got a vaccine that potentially won't do anything or very little to prevent spread - we're simply escalating a problem that might already be enormous. Good grief is right!

Conspiracies don't cut it.
Do what the experts say and shut off FOX News for the love of.......

 

[gbg3]

Well, I also have to weigh into my decision that
- they say after 6 months immunity wanes
- I am high risk
- 100 days will no doubt be 4 or 5 months before it's available to me
- winter is when we share germs the most and I would go all winter with weakened immunity waiting for a better one.

Maybe a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Dunno.

But it's really only one to two weeks. Because then, you'll have valuable info which will allow you to weigh that decision with far more info. So, your choice to just wait that extra week or two seems extremely logical to me.

 

[MaryP]

There is no reason not to get the booster, period. If there was, you would not have received two shots already.

Wut?

I don't see what that's got to do with the cost of tea in China.

 

[Patriotic Voter]

What?

I don't see what that's got to do with the cost of tea in China.

Obviously it does not and nobody is talking about the cost of tea in China.

 

[calamity]

Pfizer and others are currently conducting tests to determine if the current vaccine is effective against omicron. I have heard many reports from doctor after doctor that this is an easy and conclusive test and we'll have data in 1-2 weeks.
Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna are already at work on an omicron tweaked vaccine/booster. Pfizer says theirs will be available in 100 days.
But the government (and media) is strongly recommending people get boosters right now.
This seems crazy to me. For example, let's say we learn (in a week) that the current vaccine is only moderately (or less) effective against omicron but the omicron tweaked booster will be highly effective. Let's also say millions get the booster between now and a week from now, based on heavy pressure to get the booster right now because of omicron. Will the suggestion then switch to - regardless of whether you've had 2 or 3 shots in the last 7 or so months, now get the tweaked booster in 3 more months? That would be 4 shots in 10 months. Am I the only one feeling like the government is expecting us to turn into human guinea pigs as they chase this pandemic problem?
Wouldn't it at least make sense to completely pause boosters for the 1-2 weeks while the omicron testing is conducted and then assess if the current booster makes sense or if it makes far more sense to wait the 100 days for a tailored booster?
Will it be safe to just keep administering shot after shot? Or, will those who are getting boosters right now get limited benefit but will find out it's not really safe for them to get yet another (better) booster in 100 days, and will thus need to wait for months to safely get the tweaked booster.
I can't imagine why the booster program isn't halted for a single week or two while we find out what these important tests reveal.
I'm having a harder and harder time trusting any of these recommendations when I see illogical steps like this.

I'm fine with taking another shot in 4 months. What's your beef?

 

[MaryP]

Obviously it does not and nobody is talking about the cost of tea in China.

Ah! An autist! Okay. Redo:
I don't follow your logic here. Please explain. Thanks.

 

[Callen]

But it's really only one to two weeks. Because then, you'll have valuable info which will allow you to weigh that decision with far more info. So, your choice to just waiting that extra week or two seems extremely logical to me.

Let's say for the sake of argument that maybe the new variant needs a new vaccine or modified vaccine that may be available in 6 months or so. Meanwhile, we know the very dangerous Delta variant is here and we know our immunity from our previous vaccine is waning. I'm in the camp that says I will protect myself from the known rather than wait for the maybe...

Enjoy your histrionics...

 

[MaryP]

I'm fine with taking another shot in 4 months. What's your beef?

I think the question is if you CAN? I'm no doctor, but I've been wondering, too, just how many of these shots we're going to be takiing in a year and if they're sure they've got a handle on side effects? I heard some people got really strong side effects after the Pfizer boooster when they didn't after shots 1 or 2. I'm just wondering, not saying I won't.

 

[MaryP]

Let's say for the sake of argument that maybe the new variant needs a new vaccine or modified vaccine that may be available in 6 months or so. Meanwhile, we know the very dangerous Delta variants here and we know our immunity from our previous vaccine is waning. I'm in the camp that says I will protect myself from the known rather than wait for the maybe...

Enjoy your histrionics...

That's very reasonable, too, Callen.

 

[Patriotic Voter]

Ah! An autist! Okay. Redo: I don't follow your logic here. Please explain. Thanks.

There is no such thing as an autist. Do you mean a person on the autism spectrum? Yeah, that is me all right.

You already had two shots, right? I assume in this thread "due in December" obviously means you will be allowed to get your booster next month, not deliver a baby. If you had no medical issues with the first two shots, certainly you feel safe getting a third one. It should be safer now than it was six months ago because studies at Pfizer and BioNtech labs are ongoing. So what is your logic for being concerned about getting a third shot next month?

 

[MaryP]

There is no such thing as an autist. Do you mean a person on the autism spectrum? Yeah, that is me all right.

You already had two shots, right? I assume in this thread "due in December" obviously means you will be allowed to get your booster next month, not deliver a baby. If you had no medical issues with the first two shots, certainly you feel safe getting a third one. It should be safer now than it was six months ago because studies at Pfizer and BioNtech labs are ongoing. So what is your logic for being concerned about getting a third shot next month?

I'm not worried about the booster at all. I'm just wondering if this Omricon takes over as fast as Delta and is unresponsive to my vaccines, how long will it be before it is safe for me to have the Omricon vaccine.

Does that make sense?

No offense meant, btw. I'm used to working with autists who take everything literally. Not a slight.

 

[CaughtInThe]

I'm due in December

Boy or girl?

 

[Patriotic Voter]

I'm not worried about the booster at all. I'm just wondering if this Omricon takes over as fast as Delta and is unresponsive to my vaccines, how long will it be before it is safe for me to have the Omricon vaccine.

Does that make sense?

We need to take covid shots every year until SARS CoV-2 is eradicated, so whatever happens with this "Omricon" (whatever that is), a fourth shot is inevitable.

No offense meant, BTW. I'm used to working with autists who take everything literally. Not a slight.

Not mad at you. I was just pointing out "autist" is not really a word.

So what did you mean by the cost of Chinese tea?