Vaccine

COVID vaccine

by Gemita - 2020-12-30 07:37:07

Kristin, hello.  

I am in the UK and vaccination is prioritised for those most vulnerable at the moment (elderly patients in Care Homes, some Health Care workers, the very elderly (over 80s), those with serious health conditions requiring protection, then it will be given to younger age groups.  Depends too on the supply to our GP practice.  I rang last week to enquire when my 82 yr old hubby would be getting his, since many in his age group in our county have already received the vaccine.  They told me they were still waiting for supplies of the Pfizer vaccine to reach them.

Hopefully the situation will improve quickly because the virus is getting out of hand in our county.

I would advise contacting your general doctor in the first instance, although I see you are in the States.

Cardiologist ?

by IAN MC - 2020-12-30 08:00:31

Maybe I'm missing something , ( or maybe the U.S.A is different to here in the U.K. ) but why would you want to speak to your cardiologist about Covid vaccination ?

There is  nothing about having a pacemaker which affects the decision to be vaccinated.

As an aside, it is an exciting day here because the British vaccine, developed by Oxford University / Astra Zeneca , has just been given its licence and our government has ordered 100 million shots !   That is enough for Gemita , her husband, me........ and any other  Brit who wants it. 

The rest of the world will  benefit from another vaccine too so  2021 should be a better year for all of us !

Ian

Excellent news Ian !!

by Gemita - 2020-12-30 08:07:05

Haven't turned on the news yet but who needs the BBC when we have you.  Good to know there is the Oxford vaccine as well and without the stringent storage requirements.

Second the Great News Ian

by Marybird - 2020-12-30 10:03:43

Thought about you folks who should be somewhere close to the top of any Covid vaccine list, and how long it would take for you to get it. Sounds like barring any unforeseen supply, or distribution issues, it should be fairly soon. 

I'm in Florida, USA and vaccine distribution looks to be progressing as planned, for the most part. The first distribution here was to people in nursing homes and congregate living facilities, and to healthcare workers. My daughter, a nurse who works in a large physician's office practice, got her first dose of covid vaccine (Moderna) yesterday, she was happy to get it. I see on our local news that the public health departments here are distributing the vaccine to anyone over the age of 65, and younger with comorbidities on a first come, first served basis depending on availability. Though some people don't want it, looks to be no shortage of takers from the lines down there in Lee County, and appointment availability in our neck of the woods. 

I don't plan to stand in line any time soon for this vaccine. Not saying I would never get it, but though I'm statistically in a higher risk category by virtue of age ( 73), and high blood pressure ( pretty well stomped down by meds, exercise and diet) I'm in good health otherwise, cardiac issues limited to electrical and no pulmonary issues. We're not in a crowded area and tend to avoid crowds as a matter of preference, I'm not all that worried about getting the virus.I might feel differently if I were diabetic, had coronary artery or structural heart disease, or COPD, or other issues, but I don't. 

I'd discuss matters relating to the vaccine with my primary care doctor, not the cardiologist. Though some people who tend to use their cardiologists as primary care providers might do so. I've heard that there are some cardiologists ( tend to be old timers) who will provide primary care to some of their patients ( I had an old friend who did that), but ours here do not. 

Anyway, here's hoping that you, Gemita, your husband, and everyone else who really needs the protection provided by the covid vaccine will get it soon. 

Vaccine mandatory

by Jimmy Dinfla - 2020-12-30 21:33:58

The only reason that I contacted my cardiologist was because the mandatory health form in my state has questions about allergies to medications.  My general practioner referred me to my cardiologist since the problematic medications were ordered by my cardiologist.  He switched me to others and I am fine.  There was also a question about blood thinners and I take an 81 MG aspirin. 

No problems for me. The cardiologist encouraged me to get the vaccine.

Recommend seeing if you have to fill out a health form.

Jimmy

Good to know

by Persephone - 2020-12-30 22:20:08

Jimmy, thank you for sharing this helpful information about prescribers of medication.

"mandatory health form"

by AgentX86 - 2020-12-30 22:58:16

What the hell is this?  I don't understand.

I was reading my state's priority list today.  Priority one, is health care and direct first responders, followed by those over 75 and over 65 with comorbidities, then others over 65 and some other sorts of first responders.  I have no clue how they're going to figure out who and how this is all going to get done. 

We haven't decided (more information needed).

Pacemaker unlikely to affect your priority

by LondonAndy - 2020-12-31 19:47:01

As others have said, the priority is largely age based, then if you have a seriously compromised immune system, for example if you are on chemotherapy.  I am a 55 year old insulin dependent diabetic (so somewhat weakened immune system), have a mechanical heart valve, and a pacemaker.  I am told that I am in "group 6" - ie fairly low down the priority list I think.  Fortunately I can work from home and have my groceries delivered, so I will happily wait my turn.

Pacemaker unlikely to affect your priority

by AgentX86 - 2020-12-31 20:22:20

You're quite probably correct but who knows what our government will do.  There are no (published) guidelines regarding what "comorbidities" means.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if there never are.  Our government is pretty useless and the public health agencies make politicains look positively genius. We're told nothing.

Guesswork

by IAN MC - 2021-01-01 04:39:09

An unfortunate fact is that vaccines have been rushed to the market without the usual back-up data but decisions on prioritisation still have to be made.

It is purely a judgement call to decide which course of action will save most lives.... it is based at best on very flimsy scientific data. I don't envy the decisions which governments and medical bodies are being forced to make.

In the UK , the current big decision  is whether to give more people a first jab as opposed to giving the vulnerable two jabs.

Which strategy will save most lives ?  only time will tell !

Ian

Ian - guesswork indeed !

by Gemita - 2021-01-01 04:55:48

Yes I am concerned about the new directive in the UK for GPs to give more people the vaccine and abandon the idea of giving a second (Pfizer) booster vaccine at three weeks, particularly to those who are already booked in to have their second course of treatment.  

As you say only time will tell but has the govt got this right.  

I thought the Pfizer vaccine needed the second booster at 3 weeks to be really effective?  Are we wasting time and money here and allowing trust to break down (further!) in our health care professionals and in whichever treatment/vaccine they happen to give us.  I am really not so sure about any of this anymore and I suspect nor are many others.  

Personally I feel the Pfizer vaccine should be given again after 3 weeks, particularly to those who have already received their first injection, perhaps the most vulnerable, then make a decision for the rest of us.  Perhaps the Astra Zeneca vaccine can be treated differently and one dose given to the majority initially, but I thought the Pfizer vaccine was only effective after two doses, according to the manufacturers?

Gemita

by IAN MC - 2021-01-01 08:47:17

I think we could both argue the merits of either approach. Should we give priority to a vulnerable oldie with a second jab or to a younger potential virus spreader with a first.

Both regimes give varying levels of immunity so both will save lives but there simply isn't the data to make a rational decision.

Looking on the bright side , almost all of us will have had our 2 jabs before too long.

Ian

Vaccine

by KristinL - 2021-01-02 07:55:34

Hello All,  Glad to see all the discussion regarding the vaccine from both sides of the pond. 

It seems that 2021 will also prove to be an interesting year.  I commend all our healthcare workers.  What a difficult job they have and what a tremendous job they have done during the pandemic.

Hope everyone has a great day! 

Is anyone considering not getting one?

by asully - 2021-01-03 13:45:26

Just curious about this, these are a brand new type of vaccine (or at least some of them), that affect part of our genetic coding.  It is wonderful that they were able to rush development, however due to this the clinical trial timeline was shortened.  I worry it could take years before we have accurate data on possible side effects long term.  I am on the fence about it, I want to be safe and protect others, but rushed science makes me very nervous.  I know a pacemaker alone doesn't qualify you as high-risk (in the states) BUT if you have a pacemaker it's very likely you have a heart condition that puts you in the high-risk group.  I know if I choose to get one I fall into the third group in my state. High-risk and under 65 plus essential workers.