Health
Related: About this forumSome in US getting COVID-19 boosters without FDA approval
Source: Associated Press
By PATTY NIEBERG
August 7, 2021
DENVER (AP) When the delta variant started spreading, Gina Welch decided not to take any chances: She got a third, booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by going to a clinic and telling them it was her first shot.
The U.S. government has not approved booster shots against the virus, saying it has yet to see evidence they are necessary. But Welch and an untold number of other Americans have managed to get them by taking advantage of the nations vaccine surplus and loose tracking of those who have been fully vaccinated.
Welch, a graduate student from Maine who is studying chemical engineering, said she has kept tabs on scientific studies about COVID-19 and follows several virologists and epidemiologists on social media who have advocated for boosters.
Im going to follow these experts and Im going to go protect myself, said Welch, a 26-year-old with asthma and a liver condition. Im not going to wait another six months to a year for them to recommend a third dose.
-snip-
Yet health care providers in the U.S. have reported more than 900 instances of people getting a third dose of COVID-19 vaccines in a database run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an Associated Press review of the systems data found. Because reporting is voluntary, the full extent of people who have received third doses is unknown. Its also unknown if all of those people were actively trying to get a third dose as a booster.
-snip-
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-fe8ecebb3b61c7d3ee8ed4225500cb0e
cadoman
(849 posts)...Pfizer does say "Pfizer and BioNTech believe a third dose of BNT162b2 has the potential to preserve the highest
levels of protective efficacy against all currently known variants including Delta"
https://cdn.pfizer.com/pfizercom/2021-07/Delta_Variant_Study_Press_Statement_Final_7.8.21.pdf?IPpR1xZjlwvaUMQ9sRn2FkePcBiRPGqw
So really it looks like the science of additional BNT162b2 shots is quite well-founded. Great research Gina.
LetMyPeopleVote
(153,882 posts)I have a friend whose doctor is considering off label booster. My friend is in O2 and has severe risk factors
bamagal62
(3,614 posts)I got the J&J and no one has told us what we should do.
flamingdem
(39,853 posts)and wait for the science on this.
Should be soon enough I hope.
luv2fly
(2,478 posts)"Me first, screw the rest of the world "
NH Ethylene
(30,994 posts)Theoretically, the vaccines should go to the third world. Realistically they are not going anywhere. The US is donating some, but clearly will make sure there are enough for boosters in this country. So who does it hurt to get the third shot?
luv2fly
(2,478 posts)We are one world, people move about, and it's important that everyone is vaccinated. I don't profess to have all the answers, I only know that until it's recommended we get a booster, it feels extremely selfish for people to not only lie about their first or second shots so that they get a third, but that the country as a whole is having any discussion about boosters when so many countries have none.
NH Ethylene
(30,994 posts)That is the WHO's stance on the matter.
I am certainly not out looking for a booster at this time. But I have no problem with immunocompromised people who are anxious to get the third - or people who got the J & J, which is less effective.
luv2fly
(2,478 posts)Absolutely agree that immunocompromised folks have to be able to do whatever it takes to stay safe, but as a J&J recipient myself I can't say that I feel a need for a booster of any sort... not at this point at least.