Coronavirus thread

[Pohjolas Daughter]

My mom got the Pfizer doses earlier in the year, so she's fully vaccinated. My dad has his own concerns as he has an auto-immune disease, but he spoke with his doctor (who is, coincidently my doctor as well) and has been advised to get the vaccine, but she told my dad that it won't be until September before they'll get the Pfizer vaccine back in. I'm going to stick with Pfizer as my mom hasn't had any reactions to it other than an itchy arm. I did know one lady from work who was hospitalized for 4-5 days after getting her second dose of the Moderna. Of course, bad reactions are few and far between concerning the Pfizer and Moderna. The Johnson & Johnson, on the other hand, has had many problems, so I'm definitely not getting that one. One of the great things about the location I work in is there is very little foot traffic and I pretty much work in one area of the store. The only person I work with with any kind of closeness is an older Vietnamese man who got the Moderna earlier in the year and is full vaccinated. I talked with him a lot of about the vaccine and he said the only side effect he had was with the first dose it made him constantly thirsty and the second dose made him hungry all the time. He also complained of a sore arm, but that was only for a day. Anyway, I don't live in a heavily populated area, I don't go out much except to buy groceries or work, but that's it. I might end up calling the Georgia Department of Health and arranging an appointment if things get much worse around here. There's also the NE Georgia Physicians Group that is offering the vaccine that I'm actually looking into right now.

All the best forward with getting your vaccine.   

PD

[Holden]

My mom got the Pfizer doses earlier in the year, so she's fully vaccinated. My dad has his own concerns as he has an auto-immune disease, but he spoke with his doctor (who is, coincidently my doctor as well) and has been advised to get the vaccine, but she told my dad that it won't be until September before they'll get the Pfizer vaccine back in. I'm going to stick with Pfizer as my mom hasn't had any reactions to it other than an itchy arm. I did know one lady from work who was hospitalized for 4-5 days after getting her second dose of the Moderna. Of course, bad reactions are few and far between concerning the Pfizer and Moderna. The Johnson & Johnson, on the other hand, has had many problems, so I'm definitely not getting that one. One of the great things about the location I work in is there is very little foot traffic and I pretty much work in one area of the store. The only person I work with with any kind of closeness is an older Vietnamese man who got the Moderna earlier in the year and is full vaccinated. I talked with him a lot of about the vaccine and he said the only side effect he had was with the first dose it made him constantly thirsty and the second dose made him hungry all the time. He also complained of a sore arm, but that was only for a day. Anyway, I don't live in a heavily populated area, I don't go out much except to buy groceries or work, but that's it. I might end up calling the Georgia Department of Health and arranging an appointment if things get much worse around here. There's also the NE Georgia Physicians Group that is offering the vaccine that I'm actually looking into right now.

A reaction to the vaccine is a sign that your body's immune system has recognised it and has started to kick in.

[Mirror Image]

All the best forward with getting your vaccine.   

PD

Thanks, PD.

[Mirror Image]

A reaction to the vaccine is a sign that your body's immune system has recognised it and has started to kick in.

Well, a hospital stay of 4-5 days doesn't sound too enticing to me, but I get the jest of what you're saying.

[Holden]

Well, a hospital stay of 4-5 days doesn't sound too enticing to me, but I get the jest of what you're saying.

That's any reaction - sore arm, sniffles, headache, etc

[Que]

A reaction to the vaccine is a sign that your body's immune system has recognised it and has started to kick in.

True. And reportedly the "regular" side effects, or rather: physical responses, are most common and pronounced with those with an more active immune system. The elderly feel rarely more than a sore arm.
I felt rather "off" the 1st day after the 1st dose (Pfizer) and really tired for a couple of days. But yesterday, the day after my 2nd dose, it felt like a heavy flue with a fever and headache, and I spent most of the day in bed. This morning still a bit shaky and tired but feeling much better.
I now also know for certain that I hadn't inadvertently caught COVID before, like at the start of the pandemic, otherwise the response to the vaccine wouldn't be as strong.

[Holden]

True. And reportedly the "regular" side effects, or rather: physical responses, are most common and pronounced with those with an more active immune system. The elderly feel rarely more than a sore arm.
I felt rather "off" the 1st day after the 1st dose (Pfizer) and really tired for a couple of days. But yesterday, the day after my 2nd dose, it felt like a heavy flue with a fever and headache, and I spent most of the day in bed. This morning still a bit shaky and tired but feeling much better.
I now also know for certain that I hadn't inadvertently caught COVID before, like at the start of the pandemic, otherwise the response to the vaccine wouldn't be as strong.

That's interesting. My first shot only produced a slightly sore arm and a one day case of the sniffles yet I'm sure that my immune system works well. I'll find out after dose two on August 14.

[Que]

That's interesting. My first shot only produced a slightly sore arm and a one day case of the sniffles yet I'm sure that my immune system works well. I'll find out after dose two on August 14.

Just don't make any plans for the next day! 

[Spotted Horses]

Well, a hospital stay of 4-5 days doesn't sound too enticing to me, but I get the jest of what you're saying.

CDC studies found 2.5 severe reactions per million Moderna shots administered and no deaths. The person you heard the story about may very well have been hospitalized for something unrelated to the vaccine.

The delta variant is probably 3 times more contagious than the Covid-19 virus that first reached the U.S. You are going to get it sooner or later and without a vaccine you may very well have a severe case. I don't think you can say it is a strictly "personal decision" since you will become a vector for transmitting the virus and a reservoir in which the virus can mutate.

[prémont]

I now also know for certain that I hadn't inadvertently caught COVID before, like at the start of the pandemic, otherwise the response to the vaccine wouldn't be as strong.

Do you have any facts to support this theory?

[Que]

Do you have any facts to support this theory?

* snap *

Side effects become stronger if you've previously been in contact with the virus.  So, if that would have been the case, it would have been apparent at the 1st dose. Which is the only dose those previously exposed get.

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-vaccine-side-effects-might-be-more-common-people-whove-already-had-covid-19

[Spotted Horses]

* snap *

Side effects become stronger if you've previously been in contact with the virus.  So, if that would have been the case, it would have been apparent at the 1st dose. Which is the only dose those previously exposed get.

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-vaccine-side-effects-might-be-more-common-people-whove-already-had-covid-19

You seem to have neglected the word "might."

[prémont]

* snap *

Side effects become stronger if you've previously been in contact with the virus.  So, if that would have been the case, it would have been apparent at the 1st dose. Which is the only dose those previously exposed get.

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-vaccine-side-effects-might-be-more-common-people-whove-already-had-covid-19

I am not sure, that you can conclude this for sure. Even if corona vaccines (in young healthy individuals) often cause more reaction from the immune system than infection does, many individuals experience little or no symptoms even after the second jab, apparently because the first jab only caused a little reaction from the immune system. And if you were infected last year it may have been a very mild infection with little reaction from the immune system, and the symptoms after the first jab might have been few for that reason.

[Mirror Image]

CDC studies found 2.5 severe reactions per million Moderna shots administered and no deaths. The person you heard the story about may very well have been hospitalized for something unrelated to the vaccine.

The delta variant is probably 3 times more contagious than the Covid-19 virus that first reached the U.S. You are going to get it sooner or later and without a vaccine you may very well have a severe case. I don't think you can say it is a strictly "personal decision" since you will become a vector for transmitting the virus and a reservoir in which the virus can mutate.

Is it okay with you that I have had my doubts about the vaccine? Is it okay that I have been questioning these vaccines since they were rolled out across the country last year? You may have had no problem rolling up your sleeve and getting it, but do understand that I have my own concerns and, more importantly, my own brain to make the decision to get it or not. My sister has been fully vaccinated (she had the Pfizer) and she if currently fighting a nasty infection right now that she believes it is COVID, but she'll know for sure in a matter of days as she's been tested for it. Anyway, it's just a question mark for me at the moment.

[Mirror Image]

If people want to reach 'herd immunity', then one of the best things to do is stop going to sporting events, concerts, etc. where there are large groups of people. One thing that makes this virus so difficult is the people whether they're vaccinated or not that aren't practicing social distancing. No one here seems concerned that by being around a lot of people (i. e. like one of the afore mentioned social gatherings) that you're quite likely to get COVID if you haven't been doing what the CDC has initially told people they should be doing. They can talk about vaccines until they're blue in the face, but people haven't been doing what they're supposed to be doing since March of last year when the virus broke out. Right now, we have to accept that we're not going to resolve these problems until people have collectively followed these guidelines. People can look at me here (or elsewhere) like I'm an idiot, but going to a basketball game isn't on my agenda.

[krummholz]

Let me preface this by saying that I DO respect those who have had doubts about the vaccine, whether based on incomplete information or personal health concerns. I also do not blame people who have been misled by the reams of mis- and dis-information out there, conspiracy theories about chip implants and nano-bots and the like - I blame those who put this nonsense out there.

But I also believe that we're at a point where other than possible long-term side effects that won't become apparent for years, the risk profiles of these vaccines in the short term are now well known, and they are very safe. I think that if someone has concerns related to their own health condition, they should consult a trusted physician first and then follow medical advice.

And I think we're also at a point where it's time for countries such as the US to consider doing what certain European countries have done and institute stronger incentives for people to get vaccinated. The carrot only goes so far; it may be time to add the stick. I think we should consider requiring proof of vaccination to get into public establishments, at least in areas where transmission rates are high.

As a small-l libertarian, I do not come to this conclusion easily or lightly. But an individual's freedom to choose is now in sharp conflict with the interests of public health, so something has to change.

[DavidW]

If people want to reach 'herd immunity', then one of the best things to do is stop going to sporting events, concerts, etc. where there are large groups of people.

I agree that we should slow the spread... but that has nothing to do with herd immunity.  To reach herd immunity you need to be vaccinated.  That is it.  We need a large fraction of the population to be vaccinated.  As other posters have said we are at a point where the large number of unvaccinated are creating a health crisis that threatens everyone including the vaccinated.  As Fauci put it, we are at risk of another variant emerging that is resistant to the vaccine.  There is only one way to stop it which is needles in arms.

[Holden]

Just don't make any plans for the next day! 

It's a Sunday - I'll schedule a lie in.

[Spotted Horses]

If people want to reach 'herd immunity', then one of the best things to do is stop going to sporting events, concerts, etc. where there are large groups of people. One thing that makes this virus so difficult is the people whether they're vaccinated or not that aren't practicing social distancing. No one here seems concerned that by being around a lot of people (i. e. like one of the afore mentioned social gatherings) that you're quite likely to get COVID if you haven't been doing what the CDC has initially told people they should be doing. They can talk about vaccines until they're blue in the face, but people haven't been doing what they're supposed to be doing since March of last year when the virus broke out. Right now, we have to accept that we're not going to resolve these problems until people have collectively followed these guidelines. People can look at me here (or elsewhere) like I'm an idiot, but going to a basketball game isn't on my agenda.

The primary guideline from the CDC, the Surgeon general, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Dr. Fauci) is to get the vaccine. It seems disingenuous to scold people for ignoring social distancing recommendations when you are ignoring the most fundamental guideline.

What impresses me is not that you are an "idiot," but that you are completely focused on yourself, with no concern for the impact your actions have on your community and your country.

When the vaccines went into testing about a year ago I was somewhat skeptical that they would be as effective as some seemed to assume.  I was apprehensive of their safety, given the urgency with which they were developed and tested. Although these doubts were reduced when the FDA's findings on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines were announced, I still felt somewhat apprehensive about being vaccinated. I did it anyway. I felt a satisfying sense of solidarity with my fellow community members, dragging ourselves in to get the shot, despite worries and inconvenience, to do my part to stop this pandemic. Some people I know reported becoming tearful upon receiving the vaccine because of such feelings.

Do you give a thought to the fact that being vaccinated is what you can do to stop this pandemic and protect the most vulnerable in our community.

[T. D.]

I saw this rather disturbing headline (39% Pfizer efficacy in Israel) on an article last week:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/23/delta-variant-pfizer-covid-vaccine-39percent-effective-in-israel-prevents-severe-illness.html

I've seen some commentaries / counter-claims since then, but nothing definitive. I'd been pleased with my fully Pfizer-vaccinated status, but am now getting concerned and reading any booster info that appears.