VA is providing third jabs for vets
 

For those not receiving the VA's updates, here is a piece from one I received today. If you are a vet and you meet the criteria, you should contact Gainesville VA (Malcolm Randell) and schedule an appointment.

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NF/SGVHS is now offering a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans, spouses, and caregivers that have previously received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines AND meet CDC’s definition of moderate to severe immune-compromised.

This includes:

• Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
• Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
• Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge, Wiskott-Aldrich syndromes)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., >20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, TNF blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory

Our VA care teams are working directly with immunocompromised Veterans to schedule their appointment to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Spouses and caregivers of Veterans who meet CDC’s definition of moderate to severe immune-compromised can attend one of our walk-in no appointment needed vaccination clinics or call 352-548-6000 ext. 103755 to schedule an appointment (an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should be administered at least 28 days after completion of the initial 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine series).

There is no additional dose recommended for those who have received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at this time. Other fully vaccinated individuals do not need a third dose right now. The need for and timing of the COVID-19 vaccine additional doses or booster doses for the rest of the population have not been established. Veterans that do not meet the current criteria for the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be notified when further instructions for a third dose or boosters are recommended and offered.

Veterans that are unclear if they have one of the conditions above or are considered immunocompromised are encouraged to talk to their VA care team to discuss their options.

I am concerned about the 8 month booster window. I’d like to see it reduced to 4 max 5 months. The Pfizer vaccine seems to rapidly reduce effectiveness after that time from data in Israel Times today, although still good - not great - at reducing deaths. Why take a chance and wait for 8 months?

Velvet, what does the CDC recommend?

This is not a booster. It is a third dose for those who may not have had a strong enough immune response from the first 2 doses.

The VA says they are following CDC guidelines.

Not sure. They maybe looking at the Israeli data as it just came out.

If you look up the NY Times morning report (which is free), you will find that MANY US Doctors disagree with the Israel study and the article explains why. People with co-morbidities should definitely get that booster. US Doctors suggest that for the average person the booster is unnecessary. Vaccine wane is currently a murky gray area to US Doctors. Some suggest that it would be better to wait until the booster is formulated for new variants. I am sorry that this can NOT be discussed in black and white terms. I suggest doing continued research and then making a decision.

Is the "booster" a different make up or just a third shot of the original?

Moderna and Pfizer 3rd shots are 3rd shots, not "booster" shots. They're referred to as boosters because it's easier to say than "third shot." They're both currently testing other formulations in the hopes that they can target specific variants.

All true. It is known that with other vaccines against viruses that older people tend to not developed as much immunity as younger people do. It is also known that the protection provided by a vaccine tends to wane faster in older people. BUT, it is not known how that applies to this new virus and the vaccines we have.

One of the areas I have seen studies being done on involves trying to determine if it is better to have a few "topped off" and very immune, or everyone slightly immune. IT is not an easy question, and there are ethical and moral complications to giving more (3rd) shots here, before vaccinating the rest of the world.

If only things were as simple as they are presented here on TOTV.

Is the Jab the same as a vaccine?

Just called my local pharmacist and September 20th is the date set for allowing us regular people a third shot.

Yes

Misinformed pharmacist ?

The September 20 date has not yet been approved……

Call the VA in Gainesville for an appointment ?? Why would I want to do that when I can get the booster shot here in The Villages for free ???

I just got my booster 2 weeks ago at Walgreens….. and yes, I am a Vet …..and NO appointment was necessary …

I agree. Thank you for a great, informative post.

If that is NOT known by now, then the world is in BIG trouble.

Because I am a veteran, I went to the VA clinic in The Villages to see about my benefits. I filled out an application, it was reviewed on the spot, and then I was not eligible for benefits because I made too much money.

Is VA medical care a benefit for service to one's country or is it just another welfare program?

I think it is absolutely wonderful that you know when and where to get what you need.

My post stated clearly, I was forwarding information to vets that may not be receiving regular updates from the VA, and it was my intention to let said vets KNOW what the VA is doing. If you don't need that information, that is great, maybe some would.

Thank you for your service.

I am sorry that you did not qualify. The VA healthcare is available for ALL retiree's (as far as I know) If you did not retire, but did serve then there are levels of care available based on your income level.

I personally agree with this structure, since the government has a long history of promising solders things and then short changing them when they come home. The VA struggles to meet its job of helping ALL vets because the government won't fund it.

For most of my life I made too much to qualify also, and I was very happy about that. It meant the money they would have had to spend on me could be used to help others not as fortunate as me. Then in 2008 (the recession) my career as an independent consultant ended, and at 58 I was unable to find work. I became homeless for a period before starting over again. During that time I had some medical issues and was advised to check with the VA. I applied and was accepted into the lowest bracket of care.

It was a life saving event, that literally saved my life and changed it allowing me to recover, start a new career and end up retired here.

All because the VA was able to afford to provide me, a veteran, care I could not have gotten another way.

I am sorry you did not qualify, personally I am fully in favor of universal healthcare for all Americans based on the VA model.

But, at the same time, I am very happy for you, that you make enough that you don't qualify - many Veterans are not as well off as you are and need the VA.

And my intent was to let the vets and anyone else for that matter know that the Covid shots , including the 3rd “booster” shot, is available locally at multiple locations FREE OF CHARGE and without having to jump through any hoops……

Thanks for your service as well ….

Spacing vaccinations too soon might reduce the desired immune response. We will follow what the vaccine maker recommends.
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What is meant by "minimum intervals" between vaccine doses?
Vaccination schedules are generally determined by clinical trials, usually prior to licensure of the vaccine. The spacing of doses in the clinical trial usually becomes the recommended schedule. A "minimum interval" is shorter than the recommended interval between doses, and is the shortest time between two doses of a vaccine series in which an adequate response to the second dose can be expected. The concern is that a dose given too soon after the previous dose may reduce the response to that dose. The minimum spacing between doses is generally included in the ACIP recommendation for that vaccine which can be found at ACIP Vaccine Recommendations | CDC. In addition, an extensive listing of recommended and minimum intervals and ages for vaccination can be found in the ACIP General Best Practices Guidelines for Immunization, available at ACIP Timing and Spacing Guidelines for Immunization | CDC, Table 3-1.