Aug 31, 2021 07:40PM - edited Aug 31, 2021 08:28PM by olma61

I was really confused after several different emails I received and then the advice at the cancer center on Friday. I mentioned this in the RANT thread. This morning I received another email from the cancer center. I sense that I wasn't the only confused patient because the email contained a detailed FAQ and a request NOT to call the cancer center with questions about boosters.

As to confusing messaging, I note that my sister, not immune compromised or a cancer pt, also received an email from her vax site that seemed to say she could come on in and get a booster. Her and her husband did not do it because they didn't want to take up a space from someone who needed it more.

Basically the latest. email said, if you are not moderately to severely immuno-compromised you are not eligible for a booster at this time. (That same verbiage is now on the State of NJ website)

They specifically said if you received only hormone therapy or targeted therapy for your cancer or are only on observation - you are not automatically considered immune compromised.

I will provide a screenshot or the text of the latest email I got when I get to my other device. I think in my own case, regardless of what the substitute onc told me on Friday, I am not eligible. I am not in a hurry for the booster, my second pfizer shot was in May. I also hope that if I wait a few months there will be an updated booster that addresses the current mutations as opposed to rushing to get a third shot of the very same vax.

Here is the relevant text - just providing this for information only. Not advising anyone

Some patients, especially patients with compromised immune systems, do not have a strong response after receiving vaccines. In these cases, public health officials recommend an additional dose of the vaccine. In the case of COVID-19, immunocompromised patients who received mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) should receive a third dose of mRNA vaccine after completing the initial vaccine series.

Patients with liquid tumors or blood cancer who meet the following criteria:

• Patients being treated for blood cancers currently or within the past 12 months.

• Patients who were within 2 years after treatment with B-cell depleting drugs (i.e. Rituxan [rituximab] or Gazyva [obinutuzumab]) at the time of their initial vaccination.

• Patients being treated with IVIG for recurring infections.

• Recipients of CART-T-cell, autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppressive therapy).

Patients with solid tumor cancers who meet the following criteria:

• Patients treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy currently or within the past 6 months.

Patients with other reasons for a compromised immune system:

• Receipt of solid organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy.

• Moderate or sever primary immunodeficiency

• Advances or untreated HIV infection

Patients with autoimmune disease and on active treatment with a high-dose of corticosteroids (i.e. =20mg of prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs and cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.

Patients with solid tumors are not considered immunocompromised if their cancer has been treated with hormone therapy, targeted therapy, surgery, radiation, or are under observation only.

Aug 31, 2021 08:15PM Nancy2581 wrote:

Thank you for posting that AlwaysMeC

Sep 2, 2021 07:57PM snow-drop wrote:

I had a chat with my nurse, MO recommended 8 months gap between a booster and the second shot. Department of health in our state estimated 800,000 people eligible to get additional shot, so I don’t take someone’s turn who is in need now. I condouble-masking until my turn, plus vaccination rate in my city is %77 fully vaccinated of eligible population (the rate is greater, those received at least one dose). it is good to be safe and supported.

new terminology 🤯

An "additional dose" of a COVID-19 vaccine is administered to individuals with weakened immune systems who have not responded fully to initial doses.

A "booster" dose is administered when the response to initial vaccination might have decreased to levels that increase vulnerability.

Sep 4, 2021 08:17PM racheldog wrote:

Chowdog, I have not read or researched any data that the additional dose or "booster" is going to be reduced. All the recent articles , very recent, stated that the boosters are basically the same strength.

This is of particular concern to me as on dose #2 (after starting one dose of Kadcyla back in the beginning of the year) I spiked a very high temp in the middle of the night. Fever is a known SE of the vaccines but this elevation sent me to the ER for a long stay until they determined all was ok to go home. That concerns me now about getting the 3rd booster in the middle of Herceptin only infusions. Not up for another ER evaluation, especially now when ERs are full of covid patients.

Makes me think I should complete infusions and then consider the 3rd vaccine.

Sep 7, 2021 01:38PM racheldog wrote:

Not sure what I will do about the booster or the timing. I believe in the 3rd dose, for now, but there are little updates about how immunocompromised patients are tolerating this third dose. Especially with Moderna which had more SE on the 2nd dose. I secured an appointment for a booster in between my Herceptin infusions. I certainly do not want a high fever again or bad side effects so I very well may finish out my Herceptin and do the booster after.

That timing would be beyond my 8 month time frame. Herceptin has been "ok" but don't feel super on that either and it would be hard to differentiate what was causing chills or fever? I do not see articles with a lot of reviews (yet) on how well the 3rd dose is being tolerated by those with cancer currently in treatment. And experts seem to be chiming in and not 100% in agreement that the booster is needed right now. Only the CDC pushing this.