quote:

Originally posted by Amanda:

quote:

Originally posted by wtg:
I sent those two articles to my geeky medical researcher friend. Her thoughts:

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...An alternate explanation for the Israeli data (from my perspective) is that the vaccine is not very good at dealing with delta, which suggests that the best course of action is to wear masks and continue to be vigilant rather than to receive a booster shot.

Well, as Israel is now giving boosters to everyone according to the same tiers as at first, we'll have an ongoing experiment to see just how well that approach works at tamping down the virus again (including/especially the Delta variant).

More detail from Israel:

https://www.sciencemag.org/new...oes-not-defeat-delta

tl;dr

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Aran’s message for the United States and other wealthier nations considering boosters is stark: “Do not think that the boosters are the solution.”

And also this about Israel from NPR:

https://www.npr.org/sections/g...ovid-cases-heres-why

As soon as a booster is available to me I’ll get one. If I can get two I’ll take them both - one in each arm. If there’s a third, well, wherever.

What could it hurt?

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Miller:
As soon as a booster is available to me I’ll get one. If I can get two I’ll take them both - one in each arm. If there’s a third, well, wherever.

What could it hurt?

All those chips in you will just confuse the readers.

Ouch.

On a more serious note, and researching this was on my to do list:

"“We have developed a plan to begin offering these booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issuing booster dose recommendations based on a thorough review of the evidence. We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose."

https://www.cdc.gov/media/rele...9-booster-shots.html

Will get my 3rd chip in Early November if I can.

quote:

Originally posted by wtg:
Yea, I know. That's why I was looking for the titer test, but I'm not scheduled to see my doctor for any reason.

I wonder if he'd order it if I ask for it via a MyChart message....there's really no medical reason. I'm just curious.

My PCP said they aren't ordering titers and he didn't think insurance would pay for it. However...

I checked Labcorp and I can sign up for what they call the COVID-19 semi-quantitative test. When I searched their site for a test with that name, the only one that matches was this:

https://www.labcorp.com/tests/...total-antibody-spike

I think it's the test I'm looking for. (edit: I was able to find the actual order on my Labcorp account. It is the 164090 test, which gives a real titer)

You pay $6, billed up front, to set up the appointment on your own.

I don't know if Medicare will cover the cost of the test, but when I set up the appointment it said that if my insurance didn't cover the test I could be billed up to $42.13. I figured what the heck and set up the appointment. Will be interesting to see if I get a real titer, and if I do, how good my protection still is....

More info:

https://www.labcorp.com/corona...iduals/antibody-test

I'll let you know what happens....

The current state of commercially available COVID titer testing...

https://www.medpagetoday.com/s...rts/exclusives/95156

ETA:

https://thehill.com/opinion/he...f-this-pandemic?rl=1

So I got my antibody test results back. Blood draw at 2 pm, results back 6 am next day. Wish I had known about this test and had done it a couple of weeks after my second Pfizer. Then I would have known what my peak was, and how quickly it dropped off over time.

There's not a lot of info out there to help interpret the results. This UK outfit is using the same Roche test that Labcorp does. Their results represent people six months or less out from their initial vaccination.

https://www.testingforall.org/...cov-2-s-test-result/

Most importantly, I confirmed that I did indeed mount some kind of immune response after being vaccinated. And also that after 8 months, I compare favorably to people who are much closer to their second shots.

Anyway, an interesting exercise that I think we'll be hearing more about as time wears on. The Hill article I posted in my previous post expands on this.

You got a booster. What do you do now?

It's complicated.

https://www.theatlantic.com/he...source=pocket-newtab

edit: And this one....

https://www.theatlantic.com/he...est-positive/620653/

Got my Moderna booster an hour ago.

Waiting for the reaction now ...

I had a 102 fever for about a day after the Moderna booster. Felt crappy. But I waited for a Friday to get it, so it wouldn't interfere with the work week.

As far as post-booster behavior, I'm still highly reluctant to get on planes. I might be more willing to take car trips, as infection rates hopefully start coming down, and hospitals stop being so overwhelmed.

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had a 102 fever for about a day after the Moderna booster. Felt crappy.

Oh, thanks a lot for that ...

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But I waited for a Friday to get it, so it wouldn't interfere with the work week.

I'm on leave ...

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As far as post-booster behavior, I'm still highly reluctant to get on planes.

That horse has left the barn. We flew in October and plan to do it again in December. With masks, of course.