Jack writes:
Dear Dr. Griffin:
I was taking an immunosuppressant drug (Enbrel) at the time I received my Covid vaccines. My booster was in August.
I stopped taking the immunosuppressant drug in November. Does this mean that my immunity protection from Covid should be at the same general level now as a person who was not immunosuppressed?
Thanks.
Amanda writes:
Hi Dr. Griffin,
I am fully vaccinated, received Moderna in Jan and Feb 2021. With my second shot, I had a mild reaction starting about 20min after administration. Pretty intense itching around my mouth, inside my mouth and tongue, and tingling on my tongue. No swelling/rash/hives noted. This went away after about 2 hours on its own.
I also experienced some heart palpitations/tachycardia for a couple months after this.
Having tried to do my own research, I have failed at finding articles about reactions only after the 2nd Moderna. (They are all concentrated on reactions after the first shot).
My PCP has advised me to not get a booster, saying that my risks outweigh the benefits. I am curious if your advice would be the same. Thanks so much!
Really enjoy listening to you all and greatly appreciate the effort to keep us well informed and educated!
Amanda
Marshall writes:
Dear Dr. Griffin,
Greetings from Austin Texas (hey Rich!) where it is cloudy and 67 degrees, 20 degrees C. My son is 10 years old and has no pre-existing conditions of concern. He is, however, back in school in person. Currently, masks are required but six months ago we were not, and still are not, sure how long school masking would remain in effect given the (ridiculous) position taken the Governor in this state, Accordingly, we made the decision to have our son (again 10) vaccinated with the full dose (30 ug x 2 doses) BioNTech vaccine in May of 2021… I know shame shame shame. Indeed, he had nasty flu-like symptoms for about half a day after dose two. But we have no regrets about this.
Obviously, our son does not have correct official records of vaccination since we provided an incorrect age. He is now eligible for the pediatric (10ug) vaccine and we wonder whether at some point we will need to proceed with this lower dose to at least have official record of his vaccination. I have spoken briefly to our pediatrician, who has a significant number of other patients/parents in the same situation. What do you think is best way to proceed? What are you advising parents in this position? I contemplate possibly have him proceed with the two official doses, but spreading them over several months.
All the best from Austin,
Marshall
Kristen writes:
Dear Dr. Griffin,
I have a booster question for you- I know you are answering a lot of these lately. I am a healthy 48 year old US citizen, with very, very mild asthma, who lives and works in South America.
I was fully vaccinated with Sinovac (2 jabs) back in April/May 2021. My husband and I travelled to the US in August and, I guess you could say we jumped the gun on the current booster advice and went ahead and got a jab of Pfizer. We didn’t have any side effects from any of our jabs with the exception of a sore arm for a few days. While we were in the US we wanted to go to events and our Sinovac vaccines were not recognized so we ended up getting a second jab of Pfizer in order to be considered “fully vaccinated” in the US.
Now, we are 4 jabs in and feeling healthy and very vaccinated. Fortunately, the country we live in recognized our US vaccines so we are able to maintain our fully vaccinated status and meet the country’s current booster requirements.
Here is my question: Over the next 6 months I will have to travel internationally at least 3-4 times and I also work in an elementary school. This January will be the 6 month mark since my 2nd Pfizer shot (but 4th jab). Is there any reason I need a 5th jab (a booster to my booster)? If I do have to get another jab to keep my vaccinated status in my current country, does it matter what kind of jab I get? Where I live, you typically don’t have a choice like you do in the US. You take what they have- which could be: Sinovac, Pfizer or Astrozenica. I will be back in the US in January 2022 so if I do need another jab and it is best to get another jab of Pfizer, I could easily do it there.
I want to be responsible but is a 5th jab over the top?
Thanks for your time. I really enjoy listening to your updates- TWIV is the only information I listen to regularly about COVID. My aunt is a nurse and suggested the podcast to me. Since I started listening, my anxiety about covid has greatly reduced! I feel armed with good data and can filter out some of the media frenzy we are inundated with.
All good wishes,
Kristen