This may violate this group's rule about offering medical advice, but we need to know re COVID vax

[Eliot Rosewater]

if someone has had all primary vax and boosters including Omicron for a total of
FIVE vaccinations, and if the last one (Omicron/bivalent) was approx 6 mos ago, do we need another one?


I cant find that answer anywhere including CDC site. Pharmacist at Costco said no, but I am not ready to accept that as the final answer.

I have heard we would get one annually the way we do flu shots, but not sure.

Somehow I have managed to avoid getting Covid, and want to continue that if possible.

[brooklynite]

1. A post-bivalent booster has not yet been approved.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. OK, thanks.

[woodsprite]

4. I'm friends with a state epidemiologist and he said we're moving to one vaccine a year,

but he had no additional info. He recommended everybody get the bivalent, but doesn't have any recommendation (or at least not that he's speaking of yet) on if we'll need a new booster before the actually come out with a yearly shot.

[Eliot Rosewater]

5. Thanks

I will just keep my eye and ears open.

Wait, I have more than ONE eye...eyes

[onecaliberal]

6. I'd like to know the answer as well since 6 months for me will be early in March.

[wnylib]

9. Same here. I've been wondering whether a booster

is needed after the dual valent shot.

Previous vaccinations were said decrease in effectiveness between 4 to 6 months. It will be 6 months for me in March, too.

My primary care office no longer requires a mask, but I still wear one when I go there, especially now that I'm close to 6 months.

[hlthe2b]

7. There is no data available YET to answer that question decisively & thus no recommendation for

further booster doses (including a second bivalent dose). CDC is continually working to obtain and analyze data to allow for further recommendations, just as they track all genetic mutations to the circulating strains and their prevalence.

Even for the immunocompromised, there is no recommendation YET for further bivalent boosters beyond the one--even if it was received in September when it was released.

All you can do is stay tuned and if you are at particular risk feel confident that you likely have sufficient protection to prevent serious illness leading to hospitalization AND wear your MASK in indoor crowded areas.

I get that that is frustrating but I am continually exposed as are my professional colleagues--some who are highly vulnerable or immunocompromised themselves. And while we do mask, we too are waiting for further booster recommendations as well. And, that as the public increasingly thinks they don't have to mask ANYWHERE even when told to do so in the hospital ER or other areas.

[Eliot Rosewater]

10. I am amazed how few wear masks now. And the stupid thing about that is mask wearing is more

for the infected vs those not infected as a way to prevent communication.

Everyone should wear a mask but ESPECIALLY if you might be positive, and most of the time you wont know if you are so WEAR A GOD DAMN MASK PLEASE! (speaking to the public in general, not you.)

[Pobeka]

20. Actually, a good mask protects the wearer more than those around them.

Most N95s will leak a little bit on exhale, and seal on inhale.

Also, (pardon if you already know) it is the effectiveness of the mask plus the amount of exposure time that can lead to an infection.

[onecaliberal]

12. I am vigilant. I work around a lot of people and none of them mask.

My husband is a stroke patient and got COVID over Christmas from his wingnut family. There is NO way he can get it again. It’s hard to stay safe when the country acts like COVID is over.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. It has been five months since my bivariant booster

I am also watching for more information on this issue. If you find anything, let us know. This is an issue that I am very concerned about.

[Skittles]

11. thank you

I've been wondering too, not seeing much advice out there

[brewens]

13. Canada has authorized a second bivalent booster.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2022/11/health-canada-authorizes-second-bivalent-covid-19-booster-targeting-the-omicron-ba45-variants.html

[Eliot Rosewater]

17. Interesting, hope we do the same very, very soon.

Thanks for that info.

[BigmanPigman]

14. This article says it lasts 10 months....

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143035351

[Eliot Rosewater]

16. That says 10 months after infection, not vaccination.

Having not had omicron yet, I guess my situation is unique.

I wonder how many DU'ers have not had anything yet like me.

[BigmanPigman]

18. I never got it either.

I thank my trusty N95 mask which I wear every time I step foot out of my apt. I am always the first in line for the latest booster, too.

[Eliot Rosewater]

19. Me too, I wear two actually, two different types of N95 but i dont wear them in the open air, only

in buildings.

[Nay]

22. Mr Nay and I never got it, nor did Sonny Nay. Sonny's wife got Delta, but no one in their

(or our) household caught it.

We have been very relaxed over the past six months and still have not caught it. We are vaxxed.

[cachukis]

15. Got all five. I mask inside when not eating.

[progree]

21. USN&WR: Early Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Left Wondering: When's the Next Booster Shot?

Early Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Left Wondering: When’s the Next Booster Shot?, US News & World Report, 2/17/23

. . . Another updated booster authorized anytime soon would be the same composition as the first one, which was targeted against omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 as well as the original coronavirus strain.

While the mRNA technology used for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is easily adaptable to new strains, vaccine manufacturers and federal health officials haven’t made updates to the shot.

“We really have not taken advantage of that performance feature of the mRNA vaccine because in theory we should have the XBB.1.5 version by now,” Hotez says.
MORE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/early-updated-covid-19-vaccine-recipients-left-wondering-when-s-the-next-booster-shot/ar-AA17BlLa

My excerpt happens to be the last 3 paragraphs of this long article -- I found very interesting -- how Republican obstructionism and defunding has real and serious consequences.

[Eliot Rosewater]

23. Thanks