Choices!

[sangtarah]

I have a choice in vaccines available to me. I missed the Moderna slot last week, but my husband got his, yay! This week, a Pfizer and J&J slot are open, or I could wait for another Moderna. 
I have several weird allergies to food and spices and carry an epi-pen, although I’ve never had to use it. Also, I have allergies to many antibiotics (penicillin, etc). I also have vaccine anxiety. 🤪 I will ask my primary doctor, but they don’t know me very well and haven’t been very helpful in the past. 
So, any things for me to consider? 

[ktgrok]

2 minutes ago, sangtarah said:

I have a choice in vaccines available to me. I missed the Moderna slot last week, but my husband got his, yay! This week, a Pfizer and J&J slot are open, or I could wait for another Moderna. 
I have several weird allergies to food and spices and carry an epi-pen, although I’ve never had to use it. Also, I have allergies to many antibiotics (penicillin, etc). I also have vaccine anxiety. 🤪 I will ask my primary doctor, but they don’t know me very well and haven’t been very helpful in the past. 
So, any things for me to consider? 

What risk factors do you have for Covid, and are you comfortable continuing to mask, and are the variants showing up in your area? 

[sangtarah]

I have mild asthma that occasionally needs an inhaler. I hardly go anywhere, but we will all need to travel this summer. I always mask, but it puts my glasses in a weird spot and it gives me a headache. 
All our kids are too young for vaccines. My most fragile kid has uncontrolled asthma and anxiety. (She refuses her asthma meds). Two kids are hypothyroid due to genetics. 

[AmandaVT]

I've been keeping a spreadsheet of people I know that have been vaccinated. Moderna and Pfizer have varying side effects, but everyone I know that has had J&J report feeling like they've been "hit by a train". I'd be comfortable with any of the 3 - I will say, I do like that Pfizer just came out with some great data about efficacy the other day. Only having 1 shot for J&J is nice though and immunity after 2 weeks. 

[Lecka]

I would do J and J.  It is only one shot, and it starts to be effective after two weeks, and may keep getting more effective over time.  

I think it's the more old-fashioned kind of vaccine, too, and that seems like it would be good, to me.

I am one shot in with Pfizer, but truly have no reason to be concerned about the vaccine.  And J and J was not available for me.  I like Pfizer because there is 3 weeks between shots instead of 4 weeks, and when my son turns 16 I will get him Pfizer and know I had the same one he will get.  

But I think that really, truly most likely any of the vaccines would be good for you, and you could pick based on convenience.  

But still I do think J and J would seem better for someone who had concerns.  

[Lecka]

My family members (sisters, parents, their spouses, etc) have all had Moderna except for me, and nobody has had a reaction. 

My mom's neighbor I have known my whole life is the only person I know of who has had a reaction greater than "mild inconvenience/felt bad the next day."  

But nobody in my family has allergies, you know?  

Good luck, and I really hope you get an appointment and it goes really well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lecka]

It doesn't seem like J and J is really available in my area, actually -- I don't know of anyone who has had J and J.  I have seen it is being preferentially sent to certain areas where they think it would be harder to arrange two doses.  So anyway -- basically I don't know anything about J and J first hand.

But it seems good from the news.  

And good luck 🙂  

[Lecka]

Personally I am very partial to Pfizer because I have had my first shot, and I know it is what my oldest will have when he turns 16 😉  

I hope someone will answer who can weigh in on the allergies etc.  

[Lecka]

Oh, my two nieces have had first doses of Pfizer with no side effects, but no reason to think they would have a side effect.  They went together, and one of my nieces is 17, so she could only get Pfizer.  

[mlktwins]

I don't have any known allergies and have not had a problem with side effects from vaccines in the past (with the exception of the 2 dose Shingles vaccine and a very sore arm).  I am choosing Pfizer and am going to a place that just has Pfizer.  DH, my dad, my in-laws are all getting Pfizer.  My boys will get Pfizer when they are 16.

[Lecka]

Overall I think all of the vaccines have been approved and passed the trials, and it's true there is a choice, but really if all of them have  been approved they have all been deemed worthy.  

But I think with a concern it would be nice to do J and J, do one shot, and be done with it, not have to wonder what the second shot would be like, etc.  

[Lecka]

I do totally get it is different for people who have reasons to think they are at greater risk for a reaction, though, and I really hope it goes well for you!  

And good for you to be looking at getting a vaccine 🙂 

Edited April 5, 2021 by Lecka

[Starr]

Not sure if this helps but I’ll share. I know a person with serious shellfish allergies and one with nut allergies. They both carry an Epi pen and both did fine with Pfizer. 

[Pawz4me]

I have a slight preference for Pfizer (that's what I'll be getting later this week, and what the rest of the family has already had), but it seems to me that Pfizer and Moderna are pretty much the same. But I do like the data out of Israel on Pfizer, and the fact that you get to full protection a week sooner with it versus Moderna. But given you have vaccine anxiety I don't think you'd be wrong to choose J&J and be "one and done."

[ktgrok]

34 minutes ago, sangtarah said:

I have mild asthma that occasionally needs an inhaler. I hardly go anywhere, but we will all need to travel this summer. I always mask, but it puts my glasses in a weird spot and it gives me a headache. 
All our kids are too young for vaccines. My most fragile kid has uncontrolled asthma and anxiety. (She refuses her asthma meds). Two kids are hypothyroid due to genetics. 

Ok, with having a kid that has uncontrolled asthma, I'd say you definitely want Pfizer, or Moderna. Pfizer in particular has data showing it prevents even asymptomatic infection, meaning you wouldn't be able to transmit it to your child. J&J only claims to prevent moderate and severe outcomes - no data on it preventing mild or asymptomatic infection. Which means if you get a mild case you could transmit it to your child. 

So short of a doctor telling you not to get Pfizer or Moderna, I'd get one of those. For sure. 

[Kassia]

I keep reading that it's likely that J&J will come out with a second shot to increase the effectiveness.  And also that it takes 4 weeks for the full effect and not just two.  

[Dmmetler]

I have LTFAs, but no bad med reactions except to penicillin. My allergist told me to get whatever shot I could get ASAP, to bring someone with me who could get help if needed, bring my epi,  and to do a longer waiting period. It was no problem. I did have symptoms that were pretty consistent for me with "immune system is activated"

[teachermom2834]

I do not normally have vaccine anxiety. I get a flu shot every year without much thought. However, I am so nervous about my second Moderna shot (even though the first was nothing). I really am anxious about it. I think for someone with vaccine anxiety it would be nice to avoid the month long anticipation of the dreaded second shot. So I think the one and done would be a relief and waiting three weeks for Phizer would even save a week of anxiety over the Moderna. That said, Moderna was going to be my third choice but it was what was first available to me so I took it. 

[Bootsie]

I have not seen anything that indicates that food allergies lead to higher allergic reaction risks for any of the vaccines.  And, the cautions I have seen related to previous reactions to medicine have been related to injected or IV, not oral medications.  

[ktgrok]

1 minute ago, Bootsie said:

I have not seen anything that indicates that food allergies lead to higher allergic reaction risks for any of the vaccines.  And, the cautions I have seen related to previous reactions to medicine have been related to injected or IV, not oral medications.  

This. 

[ktgrok]

4 minutes ago, teachermom2834 said:

I do not normally have vaccine anxiety. I get a flu shot every year without much thought. However, I am so nervous about my second Moderna shot (even though the first was nothing). I really am anxious about it. I think for someone with vaccine anxiety it would be nice to avoid the month long anticipation of the dreaded second shot. So I think the one and done would be a relief and waiting three weeks for Phizer would even save a week of anxiety over the Moderna. That said, Moderna was going to be my third choice but it was what was first available to me so I took it. 

If it helps, my 2nd vaccine was better and easier on me than my first, and my son had no real reaction to either. Only my husband out of the three of us had a worse 2nd vaccine, and even that was nothing but feeling tired/cold for a few hours, and a bit tired/hungover feeling the next day. 

And they are now saying it is okay to take some ibuprofen or tylenol anytime after the first 4 hours...so if you start to feel badly you can safely medicate. Some ibuprofen made my husband feel much better. Most people I know that felt badly longer didn't medicate at all. 

[sangtarah]

My doctor’s office got back to me and said food allergies aren’t related to the vaccine reactions, nor are my antibiotic allergies. They said I’m good to go with any  shot. I was able to schedule a Pfizer shot tomorrow afternoon at a mass vaccination site, so fingers crossed! There are 72 slots every 15 minutes - it will be the most people I’ve seen in over a year! Yikes! 

Edited April 5, 2021 by sangtarah
Auto-correct strikes again

[Ditto]

1 hour ago, sangtarah said:

My doctor’s office got back to me and said food allergies aren’t related to the vaccine reactions, nor are my antibiotic allergies. They said I’m good to go with any  shot. I was able to schedule a Pfizer shot tomorrow afternoon at a mass vaccination site, so fingers crossed! There are 72 slots every 15 minutes - it will be the most people I’ve seen in over a year! Yikes! 

I was just getting ready to post that I have several food and antibiotic allergies and did well with my first Pfizer dose.  I'm glad you were able to talk to your doctor's office and get scheduled for Pfizer.  Pfizer and Moderna are definitely my preferences.  All my kids got Pfizer and my husband got Moderna.  My second shot is tomorrow afternoon.   Take it all in tomorrow, it is quite a site and truly history in the making.  Congratulations on getting vaccinated!

[LifeLovePassion]

I got J&J on Sunday at 9am. I have so far had no side effects except a sore arm. 

[Sneezyone]

I just got my first dose of Pfizer at a mass vaccination clinic in the next town but one just opened in my town too so my follow up dose will probably be there. I agree, it was quite a sight. I got to participate in a mass flu vaccination (a pandemic drill) with schools over a decade ago but this felt so much more important. Everything ran smoothly. From the time I parked til the time I was released from observation it was 35 minutes. The lines were socially distanced. Temps were taken at the entrance. IDs and confirmation numbers were verified. I’m sure people could lie about their health to get a different priority status but the state does seem to be going in order with the clinics it runs. Even the pharmacies give doses based on the state list. There were 18 check-in stations and there was pretty much no wait for shots. So far, I only have a sore arm.

Edited April 6, 2021 by Sneezyone

[Kassia]

14 minutes ago, LifeLovePassion said:

I got J&J on Sunday at 9am. I have so far had no side effects except a sore arm. 

It's so interesting to me how people react so differently!

[ktgrok]

Oh! I forgot to say that my son, who is allergic to penicillin, had no reaction to the Pfizer vaccine. And he HAS had bad flu shot reactions. 

[Ottakee]

5 hours ago, sangtarah said:

My doctor’s office got back to me and said food allergies aren’t related to the vaccine reactions, nor are my antibiotic allergies. They said I’m good to go with any  shot. I was able to schedule a Pfizer shot tomorrow afternoon at a mass vaccination site, so fingers crossed! There are 72 slots every 15 minutes - it will be the most people I’ve seen in over a year! Yikes! 

My dd has severe shellfish allergy and I have severe antibiotic reactions.  Both had Pfizer with no issues.   If in doubt just stay beyond your 15 minute wait window.   They won't mind if you wait 30+ minutes if that makes you more comfortable. 

[DawnM]

1 hour ago, ktgrok said:

Oh! I forgot to say that my son, who is allergic to penicillin, had no reaction to the Pfizer vaccine. And he HAS had bad flu shot reactions. 

 

I am allergic to penicillin and got Pfizer as well.   No reactions other than a sore arm and a headache (which may or may not have been injection related.)

Edited April 6, 2021 by DawnM

[Toocrazy!!]

I am allergic to penicillin and did the moderna shot without issue as far as I know. I did develop covid arm- the big red bump with some itching - 8 days out from first shot. 

[sangtarah]

Done! 45 minutes afterward and I don’t even feel the site. I hope it stays that way. 
 

The mass vaccination site was busy and I was a bit disappointed with the flow. They had everyone snake through a hallway to check-in. People were milling around with various degrees of masks. One guy had his off completely and no one said anything to him. Hopefully my Happy Mask worked well! 😬 

[LifeLovePassion]

On 4/5/2021 at 6:08 PM, Kassia said:

It's so interesting to me how people react so differently!

It really is. 2 1/2 days in. I had an injection site redness/swelling/itching show up yesterday. It is a bit larger than a quarter. Although it itches, it hurts to itch. No other reactions though.