My wife just got the first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine today

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Krakatoa

Keep gently working that arm so that it doesn't get too restricted in range of motion. Nothing drastic or aggressive, but don't let it set up or the stiffness will be worse than it has to be.

Way ahead of you. We are making sure she does use it for that exact reason.

Thanks for the confirmation though and concern.

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: Krakatoa
......
Question - Do OTC meds affect the vaccine? I hadn't heard that. What about alcohol?

We are not sure, and given the newness of this vaccine, we (personally) want to limit the potential interactions and reduce the variables out of caution.

originally posted by: SleeperHasAwakened

originally posted by: Krakatoa


- New Development: One of her lab colleagues (she's in her mid 20's and not vaccinated yet) had some symptoms and tested positive for Covid-19 that day! This means she likely contracted in the lab, and worked alongside everyone for almost a week!! I'm not too concerned with my wife contracting it, but now my concerns are my wife bringing it home to infect me.

More to come ...............

(1) Yeah, and if IIUC, the vaccine will NOT provide any protection against carrying/transmission of the virus.

Maybe you need a decon station in your garage before your wife enters the house?

o_O

j/k

(2) So, your wife having the career she does, that sort of begs the question, have YOU considered taking the vaccine?

This would pose a very interesting dilemma for me, were it my spouse who was in that line of work. I'm not really in any hurry to take the vaccine personally, but you are sort of at risk, due to your wife's profession.

Let me answer these in order (numerically):

(1) Yes, we are both aware of that aspect. It is a sort of faux infection....causing an immunity response. All it does is fool your immune system into "thinking" it is infected with covid-19. This triggers your own immune system to detect and create antibodies to fight this invader off (it doesn't recognize it is not the actual virus).

(2) Today I called my PCP to discuss this exact scenario actually. I spoke with her tonight and she agreed to have me come to her office and she will administer a full covid-19 test (the long-form one that does the genetic matching) for the cost of my medical insurance co-pay. In addition, if I test negative, she will run a blood series for the antibodies to determine if I had already been through it with little to no active symptoms. This way, we will know one way or the other if I have been exposed and have/had it. There is little chance of me getting the vaccine yet given the state is still in the early phases of rollout to only essential workers. Next up are 80+ residents of LTC facilities and their staff. Then, 70+ residents. Looks like I will be waiting a couple months at this rate to be eligible (another reason for the antibody test to know if I need it at all).



Yay, fun.

originally posted by: schuyler
Good for her. The rest of us won't even be in line for it for a solid six months. Oh, I forgot. Sorry. It's supposed to kill you, right?

No actually if you have to wait 6 months to get it, you are supposed to already be dead FROM Covid by that time without the vaccine. Hopefully you can get it sooner and somehow survive.

originally posted by: SleeperHasAwakened
Appreciate taking the time to chronicle this for ATS!

I hope she has minimal side effects, and that the vaccine works well at keeping her safe.

* Was she given information on how long the vaccine is effective for?
* Was she given a choice between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines?
* Is she taking any vitamin/supplements (Vitamin D, Zinc) as part of her diet regimen, and if so, how long before the immunization?

Thanks again, I think this is a terrific and informative thread.

Sorry, I missed this post.

(1) Was she given information on how long the vaccine is effective for?
Yes, I just haven't read it all yet. I will likely tomorrow after work dig into the pages of info from the CDC.

(2) Was she given a choice between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines?
No. the first round at the hospital for the face-to-face workers (caring for positive patients, etc...) was the Pfizer vaccine. This was the 2nd round they were distributed which was the Moderna vaccine. No choice in the matter. But, I am actually relieved it was the Moderna one actually since this one has been in development for about 15 years no since the first SARS epidemic. It was just modified for this latest strain, which is why it could be rushed out so quickly. And, the company making this one, Moderna, is local, right here in Cambridge, MA to boot.

(3) Is she taking any vitamin/supplements (Vitamin D, Zinc) as part of her diet regimen, and if so, how long before the immunization?
No dietary changes recommended, so no. She takes whatever she normally takes for meds an supplements. This reduces the chance of any unknown interactions by changing her body chemistry needlessly. It could have the potential to modify the effectiveness or introduce additional side-effects.

It's science....we are the experiment that needs monitoring.

originally posted by: Bearack

originally posted by: nOraKat
a reply to: QuantumDealer

Its also ridiculous because according to this group (FLCCC), only a few small doses of Ivermectin (0.2mg per kg of body weight) is 98% effective at stopping the transmission of COVID.

(Don't quote me, thats my understanding from his Senate hearing discussion/speech.)

I'm a HUGE proponent of Ivermectin and over the last 9 months of peer reviewed clinical trials of proven that Ivermectin prevents corona proteins to bind to the gnome which in essence, stops the infection from mass producing in the body. Not sure why the NIH is refusing this science.

It seems/sounds much safer IMO, but I'm not a doctor.

Latest Update

12/31/2020:
- Temp is 97.5 degrees F (still within a normal range for her)
- The chills are gone
- Her stomach is fine
- Her shoulder is not very sore now, range of motion restored

- New Development: Today my PCP swabbed me to run a full molecular based nucleic acid amplification covid-19 test (RT-PCR test that takes 4-5 hrs to run and is more accurate with less false positives). In addition, if the test comes back negative, she will run a blood antibody test to see if I had it already.



More to come ...............


ETA: Due to the New Year holiday, I'll get the test results by Monday.

originally posted by: Krakatoa

It's science....we are the experiment that needs monitoring.

Yep, you and your wife are the "guinea pigs" (do they actually even use guinea pigs for experimentation any more o_O ).

Seriously though, your observations and notes here are much appreciated, at least for my part.

Also, you touched on an interesting note about the Moderna vaccine and its background. The SARS family of viruses (of which COVID-19 is a member) did in fact have a pretty significant period of research and vaccine R&D stretching back over a decade, so when we all worry about the novelty of the vaccine and lack of testing/study, that's not /completely/ accurate, as there is a body of study around SARS to base the new COVID R&D/vaccinations on.

That being said, if you do research into the history of the development for the influenza vaccine (which was undertaken, among others, by some guy named Salk), you'll find that from the original launch of the initiative until full government (FDA back then?) approval was something like 5 years (spanning 1940-45 IIRC), with a research base that had begun back in the 1930s. This was a very methodical, slowly paced project (they weren't in the midst of a historical pandemic like we are), and that vaccine has had now closing in on almost a century of R&D, study, tweaking and compilation of data. So the flu vaccine is not a fair comparison to the efforts we see now in developing a COVID vaccine.

Having heard the same as you, that the prior 10+ years of SARS research would provide support in developing a COVID vaccine, it's definitely a bit reassuring, but it's also IMO not unreasonable to have some concern about the timeline of this endeavor, when you consider the blueprint we had for the careful study and rollout of the influenza vaccine over many many years.

Minor Update:
I just got this from my PCP post test (no results yet).

Link to: Full Image

a reply to: Krakatoa

Very useful - thank you!

originally posted by: ketsuko

originally posted by: nOraKat
a reply to: Krakatoa

Sorry I didn't read the entire thread - Did you say her job requires her to have the series of vaccines? (or else lose her job?)

Yes, but that's not unusual for people who work in lab settings directly with organism. They will be required to be vaccinated against they things they come into direct contact with above and beyond what most of us would ever need to be vaccinated against often. It's part of the job.

I'm in direct contact with my covid patients. The day they make me take the "JAB" is the day I walk out and find another hospital to practice in.

The opportunity of getting the Covid -19 shot! It's like winning the Loto or a trip to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a long line of people fighting for the chance to get a shot before they die of Covid-19!

How’s your wife doing? Hope you’re both well!

originally posted by: McGinty
How’s your wife doing? Hope you’re both well!

Sorry for the delay folks. So far we are both doing fine. She is still stressed at work from the test load, but that is not going to subside until the vaccine is more widely distributed I bet.

Her 2nd booster shot is scheduled for Jan 25...a few weeks to go. I expect that one to trigger a stronger immune response (i.e. make her feel more sick, like symptoms of the flu).

a reply to: Krakatoa

Thanks for the update. Very glad to hear you’re both doing well.

Is that second booster still happening in light of the US’s apparent decision to follow the U.K.s misguided plan the drop second boosters in favour of given more people their first vaccination?

a reply to: Krakatoa

Great to hear!

originally posted by: McGinty
a reply to: Krakatoa

Thanks for the update. Very glad to hear you’re both doing well.

Is that second booster still happening in light of the US’s apparent decision to follow the U.K.s misguided plan the drop second boosters in favour of given more people their first vaccination?

Yes, she is still scheduled for the booster. The state here still has it mandated for hospital workers.

UPDATE:

01/13/2020:
- Temp continues to be normal.
- Her shoulder (where she got the shot) is sore again. Soreness began yesterday and lasted overnight. Pain subsided today after work.
- No other symptoms so far.
- The 2nd (booster) shot still scheduled for Jan 25.

More to come ...............

a reply to: Krakatoa

Good to see this updated. I was just thinking about it again today as I was reviewing our state's distribution plan and wondering what the criteria were for "high risk adult". I doubt I fit the bill and I'm not fussed about it, but you never know, and if I could get the mask off for exercise that much sooner ... it would almost be tempting.

UPDATE:

01/20/2020:
- Temp continues to be normal.
- Her shoulder (where she got the shot) is sore again. Soreness began yesterday and lasted overnight. This seems to be a repeated issue every few days coming and going. Very interesting. The site is not swollen or hot. However, cold compresses seem to help alleviate the pain.
- No other symptoms so far.
- The 2nd (booster) shot still scheduled for Jan 25.

More to come ...............