If you're eligible for the 2nd booster, are you planning to get it?

[Omy]

I'm 59 and eligible, but I just got the last booster 4 months ago. I really don't want to be doing this every 4 months (I had a crappy reaction to Moderna#2 and a less crappy reaction to Moderna booster#1).

I'd love to see data on how much a 2nd booster actually helps, but that's probably months away. I'd also like to have an omicron-based booster instead of getting a 4th dose of the same old thing (also months away).

What are your thoughts?

[secondcor521]

I'm almost 53 and eligible now.  My reactions have been getting worse, which I view positively as a good immune response.  But I am also not in much of a hurry for lots of reasons.

The vaccine manufacturers should provide data from studies on a second booster to the CDC in the approval process.  I don't know how understandable to us laypeople it may be.

I don't need an Omicron-specific booster, although I wouldn't mind one.  My understanding is that the spike protein that the two main mRNA vaccines target remains unchanged enough across variants that the immune system should recognize the actual virus whether it's an Omicron or an Alpha.  That's the theory anyway.

[Kris]

I’ll get mine as soon as I can.

[jrhampt]

My husband will be eligible next month.  He plans on getting one although he may wait a little to see how the next surge plays out.

[Cranky]

I haven’t had any real reaction to any of the three Pfizer shots I’ve had (a slightly sore arm for a day, at most) so there’s no downside.

I’m going to wait for an uptick in cases, though, because I don’t want to waste my most resistant time when the trend is still going down.

[deborah]

They’ve made people eligible here in Australia too, and our government will be paying for it, as they’ve paid for the other shots. I’ll be getting it as soon as I can. Winter is coming, and the omicron variant has started to surge.

[geekette]

I’m 62, and somewhat higher risk. Jury duty in 2 weeks, and then I’m flying to NY for a funeral 2 weeks after that (with many higher risk elderly relatives).

Strongly considering a 2nd booster, especially since I got the J&J first.

[sonofsven]

Yes, and yes.

[FIRE Artist]

Not eligible yet, but will be getting it.  I hope that this all normalizes to a point that it will be integrated into the annual flu shot that I get, but until then, yes, boost away.

[DragonSlayer]

I'm fence sitting. I will get one eventually, but I'm hoping to hold out until fall, or at least until another big surge breaks out. I'd really rather get this going seasonally instead of every few months. I'm also waiting/hoping for something new. Either a variant specific vaccine or if something else gets developed. I think there's diminishing returns in just taking the same thing over and over.

[RetiredAt63]

There is talk a nasal spray vaccine will be out soon.  I would get that, it means my first line defences would be primed.  In the meantime I keep wearing my N95.

[OzzieandHarriet]

Yes.

[LaineyAZ]

Yes, probably in May which will be 6 months after my first booster shot.

[Fishindude]

Nope, Putin cured Covid.

[Villanelle]

Probably, but i need to talk to my doctor.  Either my last shot or my probably-Covid illness that happened a week and a half after the shot (or the combo of both) triggered some nasty dermatographia which has just mostly subsided about 3.5 months later.  I need to hear Dr.'s thoughts on it, but if she gives me the go-ahead, I will get it.

[wenchsenior]

Yes, probably in May which will be 6 months after my first booster shot.

Yeah, May for us too, b/c we got covid at the New Year's, so should be good to go for a while, and waiting until May should keep us boosted through summer travel.

[oldladystache]

Probably. Not right away.

[ChpBstrd]

Yes, as soon as eligible. All evidence indicates the protective effects wear off over time. I'm also looking for clinical trials for boosters if I can make some $ from it.

Unfortunately kids always seem to be last in line because of the way clinical trials work.

[HPstache]

There would have to be a more compelling reason than what currently exists

[CodingHare]

Yeah, as soon as my SO and I are eligible.  Since my mom can't get vaccinated, I'm looking to boost my own immunity to protect her.

[Rural]

Already have.

[Cranky]

Well, someone in my household has tested positive today, so maybe that ship has already sailed for us. LOL

[SunnyDays]

I may get one once I’m eligible, depending on the rates here and the variant circulating at that time.  I’m only 2 months out from the first booster, so I’ll see where things stand in another few months.  Hopefully can wait until fall.

[Dicey]

Yup. ASAP.

[wenchsenior]

Probably, but i need to talk to my doctor.  Either my last shot or my probably-Covid illness that happened a week and a half after the shot (or the combo of both) triggered some nasty dermatographia which has just mostly subsided about 3.5 months later.  I need to hear Dr.'s thoughts on it, but if she gives me the go-ahead, I will get it.

I had to look that up. Weird! I got a very bad whole body rash after my booster that hasn't gone away yet. That was 5 months ago so I figure it probably triggered some kind of autoimmune response. Will get the second booster shot though but will go with Moderna, which I had for my first 2 shots with little reaction except a big red welts at the injection site, rather the Pfizer which I had for my booster in Nov.

I have ongoing autoimmune skin problems, and the vaccines/booster did cause little flare ups that went away after a couple weeks.  Actually HAVING Covid also caused a flare up, but thankfully it also went away after a couple weeks. 

[Villanelle]

Probably, but i need to talk to my doctor.  Either my last shot or my probably-Covid illness that happened a week and a half after the shot (or the combo of both) triggered some nasty dermatographia which has just mostly subsided about 3.5 months later.  I need to hear Dr.'s thoughts on it, but if she gives me the go-ahead, I will get it.

I had to look that up. Weird! I got a very bad whole body rash after my booster that hasn't gone away yet. That was 5 months ago so I figure it probably triggered some kind of autoimmune response. Will get the second booster shot though but will go with Moderna, which I had for my first 2 shots with little reaction except a big red welts at the injection site, rather the Pfizer which I had for my booster in Nov.

I treated mine (and yes, it is a very, very weird thing!) with a daily Zyrtec and Quercetin supplement (which supposedly helps with inflammation and was recommended by my doc).  That might give you some relief if you want to try it. 

I had Moderna for all 3.  First two were fine (a day of feeling sort of shitty, each).  But I got the booster, then got sick about a week and a half later (didn't test, but best guess is Covid) and the rash/hives started a few days after that, at the tail end of the illness. So it could have been the shot, or the illness, or I suppose the combo of both. 

[Dave1442397]

I'll probably get it. We're heading to Europe in June, so maybe I'll wait until a couple of weeks before we leave the US.

[Poundwise]

I will wait to see if there's another flareup of Covid before I get a boost. I got the booster in December, then a family member got Covid, we could not isolate, but fortunately nobody who was boosted in the household ever tested negative or even felt ill.

So I would guess that I'm topped off for a while.  I would feel happier if the next booster is customized to whatever variant is causing trouble at the time, rather than the same that we've been getting.

A friend of mine has had (verified) Covid THREE times! She did get vaccinated after the second time, but then got a mild breakthrough case anyway. Fortunately, she's relatively young.

[jim555]

After the first booster I got a rash on my arm that took several weeks to go away.  Will wait on the second booster.

[Dicey]

I had Pfizer all three times, administered by the hospital that's the beneficiary of the Thrift Shop where I volunteer. I'll get the booster as soon as they offer it, just like the last three. Hopefully next week.

[mm1970]

Eventually, but not immediately.  I'm eligible.  My booster was in November, so I'm eligible now or soon. 

A couple of things:
- Early data shows that the 2nd booster loses effectiveness after about 4 weeks.  Right now our cases are low, so I'm in no hurry to get re-boostered.  My 9 yo was recently vaccinated (December/Jan) and the 16 yo was boosted (Jan?)

- There is always work being done on different versions that might be more effective against new/ current variants.

In any event, we are planning to fly to visit (elderly/immunocompromised) family in June/July, so I'll probably wait to get the 2nd booster until either:
1. Early/mid June or
2. Our cases start increasing

...whichever comes first.

[TartanTallulah]

Yes, as soon as I become eligible.

[BikeFanatic]

I am eligible but last shot got bursitis or tendonitis, then I had Covid in December so that’s like a booster also. I am going to wait a little longer and just continue to wear a mask.

[iluvzbeach]

I’m eligible but am holding off a bit on a second booster. So far all of my jabs have been Moderna and I had an extremely strong response to dose 2 and the first booster. Have not had Covid to my knowledge. I’m going to wait until there’s more evidence the second booster is warranted and may go with Pfizer next time around to see if my reaction is less severe.

[Cassie]

All 3 Pfizer shots made me very sick for 4 days. I am 6 months past my first booster but will wait until fall. I am 67 but take good care of myself and am not overweight although I do have asthma and HBP.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

I am hoping to be able to get a 2nd booster during my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, both to protect the newborn after birth and to hopefully reduce the chances that I would personally test positive and fuck up my delivery/be isolated from my baby. Right now I have not heard of them offering second boosters to pregnant people but a girl can dream!

[rab-bit]

I got my second booster a few days ago (all shots Pfizer). I  could not see any good reason not to. I had one day of flu-like symptoms and all is good now. It was 5 months between the first and second boosters.

[Rural]

My second booster was the first time I had very few symptoms. Sore arm and very low fever for a few hours, and done. Moderna for 2nd booster.

[Phenix]

I am hoping to be able to get a 2nd booster during my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, both to protect the newborn after birth and to hopefully reduce the chances that I would personally test positive and fuck up my delivery/be isolated from my baby. Right now I have not heard of them offering second boosters to pregnant people but a girl can dream!

Are hospitals seriously isolating newborns from their mothers because of positive covid tests?

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

I am hoping to be able to get a 2nd booster during my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, both to protect the newborn after birth and to hopefully reduce the chances that I would personally test positive and fuck up my delivery/be isolated from my baby. Right now I have not heard of them offering second boosters to pregnant people but a girl can dream!

Are hospitals seriously isolating newborns from their mothers because of positive covid tests?

If your baby is in the NICU you will not be able to visit them if you have covid. Because I am a 41-year-old IVF patient, my chance of having a NICU baby is not, like, zero. If your baby is not in the NICU they can stay in your room but you are encouraged to keep a six-foot distance whenever you are not actively caring for the baby.

[GuitarStv]

I am hoping to be able to get a 2nd booster during my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, both to protect the newborn after birth and to hopefully reduce the chances that I would personally test positive and fuck up my delivery/be isolated from my baby. Right now I have not heard of them offering second boosters to pregnant people but a girl can dream!

Are hospitals seriously isolating newborns from their mothers because of positive covid tests?

If your baby is in the NICU you will not be able to visit them if you have covid. Because I am a 41-year-old IVF patient, my chance of having a NICU baby is not, like, zero. If your baby is not in the NICU they can stay in your room but you are encouraged to keep a six-foot distance whenever you are not actively caring for the baby.

I'm not sure that I understand the 6ft distance.  Distancing outside makes some sense, as covid can be spread through droplets if people are speaking and spitting, or if they blast away with a sneeze or something.  But I thought the concern indoors was that covid is aerosolized and hangs around in any room that someone who has it happens to be in.  Being 6 ft away from a baby isn't going to help on that front, is it?

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

I am hoping to be able to get a 2nd booster during my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, both to protect the newborn after birth and to hopefully reduce the chances that I would personally test positive and fuck up my delivery/be isolated from my baby. Right now I have not heard of them offering second boosters to pregnant people but a girl can dream!

Are hospitals seriously isolating newborns from their mothers because of positive covid tests?

If your baby is in the NICU you will not be able to visit them if you have covid. Because I am a 41-year-old IVF patient, my chance of having a NICU baby is not, like, zero. If your baby is not in the NICU they can stay in your room but you are encouraged to keep a six-foot distance whenever you are not actively caring for the baby.

I'm not sure that I understand the 6ft distance.  Distancing outside makes some sense, as covid can be spread through droplets if people are speaking and spitting, or if they blast away with a sneeze or something.  But I thought the concern indoors was that covid is aerosolized and hangs around in any room that someone who has it happens to be in.  Being 6 ft away from a baby isn't going to help on that front, is it?

Depends on the ventilation. Aerosol transmission doesn't seem to be super common. I would guess hospitals have good ventilation?

My point is, all other things being equal, a hospital stay for childbirth with covid sounds less good than a hospital stay for childbirth WITHOUT covid.

[JoJo]

Noooooooooooo!   I had the booster in December.  Had COVID in February.  80-somthing parents had the booster last fall, they both have COVID now.   Due to their age, they were able to get the monoclonal antibodies yesterday (interestingly enough, the hospital didn't test them for covid, just took their word for it). 

Am not planning to get the booster unless required for travel.   Or if there is a more deadly variant AND the vaccine has been modified to address those specific variants.  I do not like some side effects I had from the first shots. 

[sisto]

My wife and I are eligible in about a month and will be getting it. We got Pfizer and had little to no reaction on any of them so far.

[teen persuasion]

I had been on the fence about getting it now vs waiting, since we are on the brink of warm weather and hopefully dropping numbers.

Local numbers are on the upswing, and suddenly I'm hearing about people I know getting Covid (my brother and his wife) or getting exposed (my daughter and her spouse, his brother and girlfriend have Covid).

So DH and I got our boosters this week.

[Captain Cactus]

I've had 3 shots (Pfizer 1, 2, and booster).  I am done.  I know a bunch of people who got all fancy free after their vaccines and many of them got the Corona anyway.  There would have to be a really good reason for me to get a 4th shot at this point.  I'm not going to keep blindly pumping that into my arm, particularly since 99% of the time I'm working at home and I don't go anywhere, no concerns, no restaurants, no travel, etc...   

My own personal opinion. 

[GuitarStv]

The covid shots seem to work for about 6-8 months, after which their effectiveness drops off pretty dramatically.  That's why there was a first booster, and why there is not another booster - and it's also likely a contributing factor to the high infection rate of 'fully vaccinated' people.  Seems like 'fully vaccinated' has a shorter shelf life than originally expected.

So I figure I'll keep getting boosters when offered until there's a better option.  Seems like the safest option.

[Omy]

What are your thoughts about mixing and matching? My first 3 were Moderna (#2 made me sick for 3 days, #3 made me sick for 24 hours). I'm thinking about Pfizer for number 4, but DH thinks we should stick with Moderna since it seems to be working.

[GuitarStv]

What are your thoughts about mixing and matching? My first 3 were Moderna (#2 made me sick for 3 days, #3 made me sick for 24 hours). I'm thinking about Pfizer for number 4, but DH thinks we should stick with Moderna since it seems to be working.

No idea.  Everything that I've read indicates no concerns mixing Moderna/Pfizer, and some studies seem to indicate that mixing of vaccines might offer slightly better immune response.  FWIW, I've ended up with a mixer pack . . . with a shot of Astra-Zeneca, a shot of Pfizer, and a shot of Moderna.  That's all that was available each time I went.

The AZ shot made me feel the worst (for about a day or so).  My wife though had two weeks of pretty bad migraines after the AZ shot that her doctor said was likely some sort of reaction to the vaccine and recommended getting a different one for her going forward.  Neither of us had any real problems with Moderna or Pfizer.

There have been enough people vaccinated and boosted, that safety data is now pretty well known so I'm feeling more confident on that front.

[iluvzbeach]

@Omy, I’ve seriously considered switching from Moderna to Pfizer for my second booster, specifically because of the strong reaction I’ve had to the last two Pfizer doses.

I’m early 50s and don’t have any underlying conditions, so I may even wait a bit longer to get another booster. I’m hearing more & more that they aren’t sure a second booster provides much benefit, except for the elderly or very high risk individuals. This is keeping me from making a decision to go right out & get the next dose.