If given your choice of vaccine 1 shot or 2 shot?

[Like2Plan]

I just had my first shot. (Moderna). I had been working on finding an appointment for several weeks.

Some drug stores are giving vaccinations. Yesterday, I noticed availability at one of the drug stores I have been checking and I was able to make an appointment!

My experience at the drug store--they were very well organized, but today they had a staffing shortage. They kept telling me to come back in 15 minutes to check in. (They did this 3 times). So, each time I had to run the gauntlet of all the folks who were milling around (waiting to check in). But, once in line things moved pretty smoothly. No side effects noted.

[Fishindude77]

If given the choice, I'd probably rather not take anything.
Unfortunately, I'm hearing that they may soon require proof of vaccine to fly commercial?
Just got a notification that my age group is now eligible, haven't scheduled anything yet.

[disneysteve]

Now that J&J got approval, this has gone from a hypothetical question to a real one. The new vaccine should be hitting the market in the next few days. They have about 4 million doses ready to go with millions more on the way. The new vaccine will really be a game changer as it is only 1 dose and only needs normal refrigeration. This is the one that's really going to have a major impact as it can be given in doctor's offices, pharmacies, schools, work places, etc. It's also going to help a lot in rural areas, low income communities, etc.

[disneysteve]

I don't think the J&J vaccine will be big in the US. At least I hope not. But it will likely be the leading vaccine globally.

I want to change my opinion here. I do think the J&J vaccine will be a big deal in the US and worldwide because of the one-shot regimen and easy storage. Many more people are going to be able to get this vaccine.

If you haven't already been vaccinated, get whichever shot you can get as soon as you can get it. Don't turn away from J&J because Pfizer or Moderna has higher efficacy.

Odds are we're going to need regular boosters anyway. Most experts expect COVID to become endemic and be with us long term.

[kork13]

If you haven't already been vaccinated, get whichever shot you can get as soon as you can get it. Don't turn away from J&J because Pfizer or Moderna has higher efficacy.

This is a problem I'm already hearing & reading articles about, specifically because it'll likely be the more accessible option in rural & low-income areas. The perception inevitably will be that the "good" vaccine is being held back from those areas. To believe that our culture's current victim mentality is going to do anything different is massively naïve, albeit incorrect.

[disneysteve]

This is a problem I'm already hearing & reading articles about, specifically because it'll likely be the more accessible option in rural & low-income areas. The perception inevitably will be that the "good" vaccine is being held back from those areas.

There have been some legitimate issues with vaccine distribution going to the wealthier areas first which is pathetic but unfortunately not surprising.

In this case, though, the J&J vaccine isn't the lesser choice for those areas. It may well be the only choice. Access to care, transportation, scheduling challenges, normal refrigeration, etc. will all make the 1-dose regimen far better suited to meet the needs of those populations. It is phenomenally better for them to get the J&J shot instead of getting no shot at all.

[kork13]

There have been some legitimate issues with vaccine distribution going to the wealthier areas first which is pathetic but unfortunately not surprising.

In this case, though, the J&J vaccine isn't the lesser choice for those areas. It may well be the only choice. Access to care, transportation, scheduling challenges, normal refrigeration, etc. will all make the 1-dose regimen far better suited to meet the needs of those populations. It is phenomenally better for them to get the J&J shot instead of getting no shot at all.

Totally agree with you, and probably the biggest challenge the CDC & so forth will face is convincing the public of those facts. Unfortunately, those restrictions will cause people to believe they're being slighted/discriminated against because they don't have the choice between all 3, completely ignoring the problems with storage & transport for their particular areas.

FWIW, that's also one of the more legitimate reasons that wealthier areas have widely gotten earlier/greater access to the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines, because those wealthier areas are more likely to have previously existing capabilities to handle the requirements of those vaccines. It's a natural, systemic problem that results from more money being available in affluent areas. The stated intention has always been to send the vaccines first to places that could immediately support them.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I have heard Dr. Fauci say take whatever is available. Let's say I take my 1st shot with either Pfizer or Moderna. Then for my 2nd shot Johnson & Johnson is available and easier for me to get it, should I get the 2nd shot with J & J, or is it better to get the 2nd shot the same as my 1st shot Pfizer or Moderna.

[Like2Plan]

I have heard Dr. Fauci say take whatever is available. Let's say I take my 1st shot with either Pfizer or Moderna. Then for my 2nd shot Johnson & Johnson is available and easier for me to get it, should I get the 2nd shot with J & J, or is it better to get the 2nd shot the same as my 1st shot Pfizer or Moderna.

I think what Dr. Fauci would say in this instance is they are doing a trial on whether it is okay to swap Pfizer/Moderna second shots and we will soon know if it is okay to swap, but in the meantime stick to the same manufacturer.

[Like2Plan]

Your second dose should be from the same manufacturer as your first


Doctors are already hearing from patients asking if they can get their second dose from a different manufacturer, often because they realize the other type of vaccine is offered at a location that's more convenient. But the CDC recommends against it: The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines “are not interchangeable with each other or with other COVID-19 vaccine products,” the CDC says. “The safety and efficacy of a mixed-product series have not been evaluated.”

The CDC does allow the mixing of Pfizer and Moderna shots in “exceptional situations,” such as when the vaccine used for someone's first dose is no longer available due to a supply shortage, or if it's unclear which vaccine they got for their first dose.
https://www.aarp.org/health/conditio...cine-dose.html


Although, the CDC has said this in cases where there was an allergic reaction to the first shot of Pfizer or Moderna:

• A CDC scientist said Monday that people who have an allergic reaction to the first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine could get the J&J vaccine instead at least 28 days later.
• The CDC currently recommends that people who have a severe allergic reaction to either of the two-shot vaccines not get the second shot.
• But J&J’s one-shot vaccine could provide such patients a new opportunity to get protection against Covid-19.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/01/cdc-...-modernas.html

[disneysteve]

I have heard Dr. Fauci say take whatever is available. Let's say I take my 1st shot with either Pfizer or Moderna. Then for my 2nd shot Johnson & Johnson is available and easier for me to get it, should I get the 2nd shot with J & J, or is it better to get the 2nd shot the same as my 1st shot Pfizer or Moderna.

Your 2nd shot should be the same as your first. When you get your 1st shot, they should immediately schedule you for your 2nd one. So there shouldn't be any situation where a different manufacturer's product is "easier" for you to get. It should already be set up for you.

[Like2Plan]

Your 2nd shot should be the same as your first. When you get your 1st shot, they should immediately schedule you for your 2nd one. So there shouldn't be any situation where a different manufacturer's product is "easier" for you to get. It should already be set up for you.

I actually know some folks who went out of their way to get the first shot (like a several hour drive from home) and if the opportunity presents itself would probably really prefer to get the 2nd shot closer to home.

It can be pretty daunting and frustrating to get the vaccine--even if you are in a high risk group (such as you are in your 90's.)

[disneysteve]

I actually know some folks who went out of their way to get the first shot (like a several hour drive from home) and if the opportunity presents itself would probably really prefer to get the 2nd shot closer to home.

Those cases are problematic when it comes time to get the 2nd shot because sites often don't know which vaccine they're going to have at some future date. They get whatever is shipped to them by the state. Our sites have been back and forth between Pfizer and Moderna a couple of times. It doesn't matter to the individuals because if you get Pfizer, you will definitely get Pfizer the 2nd time because they hold that dose for you. Same if you get Moderna.

But if you are looking to get a 2nd shot somewhere other than where you got your 1st shot, you might have trouble finding a place that can assure you it will be the same brand.

[kork13]

AP News: "Fully vaccinated people can gather without masks, CDC says."

Article linked above -- some good "light at the end of the tunnel" news. Hopefully the carrot of these loosened CDC guidelines for vaccine recipients will drive a continued acceleration of vaccinations. I saw another article (didn't snag it) that said the vaccine take rate (of those offered the vaccine & receive it) is slowly increasing, from 60% toward 70%.

It would probably have been better strategy to outline these guidelines before/as the vaccine rollout effort began (or ASAP), but perhaps they've delayed releasing this guidance waiting for more data from our continuing vaccination efforts....? Either way, definitely good news.

[QuarterMillionMan]

In Europe they are using Astazeneca where the 2nd shot is given 3 months after the 1st shot. I would rather wait for J & J's 1 shot.
Scientifically safe, but Astrazeneca skeptics remain (msn.com)