COVID-19 Vaccine

[J.R.E.]

On the Walgreens website it states the following:

"Yes. Your flu shot can be administered alongside your COVID-19 vaccine during the same visit. Talk to your local Walgreens pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about getting the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine together."



Ray

I posted the above, the other day, in regards to getting the flu vaccine and the covid vaccine together. The WALGREENS website said yes to getting both.


Now today, I go to the VA website, and it states this:

"No. You can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine, shingles vaccine, or any other vaccine.

We’ll follow CDC guidance on how far apart to space vaccines. You’ll need to wait at least 14 days between getting a COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccine.

For answers to more frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines, go to the CDC website.


I wish someone would get their act together. I am thinking the VA website is correct, and WALGREENS is wrong !

The information has not changed on the WALGREENS website.


Ray




 

[J.R.E.]

When I received my last cortisone injection in my right shoulder, The doctor informed me I would have to wait at least 3 weeks, before getting the Covid vacine.


Ray

[daveR]

Received my first vaccination today, Pfizer. Next one in three weeks time. Surprised me, the local hospital announced vaccinations for foreigners over 40 yesterday morning. I filled out the online form and received an SMS in the afternoon telling me I had an appointment today. Turned up, joined the queue and got it done. Have to give a thank you to the Thai government for paying for it all.

Dave

[bocker3]

From the CDC site:

"Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine with Other Vaccines
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines. Learn more about the timing of other vaccines."

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect.html

It never made sense to me that you had to wait -- I lost count of how many shots the US Army gave me the day before I left Ft. Benning for Operation Desert Storm.
PLUS -- they've been saying for months now, that it is likely COVID could become a yearly shot and it might made sense to combine the flu vaccine with it, so that people only needed one jab!!

Mike

[J.R.E.]

From the CDC site:

"Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine with Other Vaccines
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines. Learn more about the timing of other vaccines."

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect.html


Mike

Thanks for that Mike. Appears as though the VA, needs to update their website. Yes, I remember basic training, and getting all those shots. Just walking down the line, and they were hitting you in both arms.  I never had any issues with those vaccines either.


Ray 

[J.R.E.]

Biden Administration Likely to Approve Covid-19 Boosters at Six Months
Pfizer, BioNTech have requested clearance for Covid-19 vaccine boosters that an official said could be administered six months after previous dose.

Federal regulators are likely to approve a Covid-19 booster shot for vaccinated adults starting at least six months after the previous dose rather than the eight-month gap they previously announced, a person familiar with the plans said, as the Biden administration steps up preparations for delivering boosters to the public.

Data from vaccine manufacturers and other countries under review by the Food and Drug Administration is based on boosters being given at six months, the person said. The person said approval for boosters for all three Covid-19 shots being administered in the U.S.—those manufactured by Pfizer Inc. and partner BioNTech SE, Moderna Inc. and Johnson & Johnson —is expected in mid-September.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-plans-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-at-six-months-instead-of-eight-11629919356


Ray

[wardp]

Here in Thailand they now plan to mix Az with pfsifer as second dose.has anyone had this combo and any opinions welcome? I had AZ first dose in August.

[daveR]

I think some European countries did this. I believe the German chancellor her self took AstraZeneca first shot and Pfizer for the second. Seems safe and effective.

[Almost2late]

Several articles on this subject of how the covid pandemic has hurt the fight against hiv, tb and malaria. Really wish they would let poorer countries just have the vaccine formula, and people here in the us would just grow the fuck up. We're pathetic.

Report: COVID-19 has negatively impacted the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria

COVID-19 has severely set back key programs in fighting HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, according to a report released by the Global Fund on Tuesday.

Why it matters: Before the pandemic, the world had been making strides against those three diseases, with deaths dropping by half since 2004, per the New York Times.

Fewer people sought diagnosis or treatment because they were afraid of becoming infected with the coronavirus, per the Times, while others were denied care because they had COVID-19-like symptoms.
By the numbers: In 2019, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organization. And over 1.5 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2020, according to UNAIDS.

The number of people treated dropped by 19% for drug-resistant TB and by 37% for extensively drug-resistant TB.
HIV testing dropped by 22%.
People reached by HIV prevention programs dropped by 11% while prevention services for young people dropped by 12%.
But, but, but: Malaria outreach was not as badly affected by COVID-19 as the other two diseases.

The Global Fund distributed 188 million mosquito nets to protect families from malaria, a 17% increase compared to 2019. 
What they're saying: “[The 2020 numbers] confirm what we feared might happen when COVID-19 struck,” Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, said.

“Despite the horrible toll COVID-19 has taken, the pandemic presents us with a chance to build a better, more equitable and healthier world,” Sands added.

https://www.axios.com/covid-19-negatively-impacted-fight-against-hiv-tb-malaria-fe42be25-f017-483f-9314-ec2368fa1b56.html

[fabio]

I just got a notification on my phone that by tomorrow I  can book for my 3rd dose. Hopefully its soon so I can get it over with.
Did anyone get any side effects  at the 3rd dose or same stuff with the 2nd one ?

[J.R.E.]

I just got a notification on my phone that by tomorrow I  can book for my 3rd dose. Hopefully its soon so I can get it over with.
Did anyone get any side effects  at the 3rd dose or same stuff with the 2nd one ?

I know some people that have received their 3rd dose. And no one reported anything bad about it.

I am still holding off, Probably until mid November, and Ed is holding off as well fpr the third one. Haven't heard from anyone, in regards to getting the 3rd dose sooner.

We ran into one person that received it today. But hes in his early 70's with some immune system issues, Not related to HIV. he reported so far, no issues with the shot.


Take care-----Ray

[J.R.E.]

I just remembered, the person I talked to today that received it today, got it because he has a real bad issue with rheumatoid arthritis, And I guess it causes his white blood cells to go crazy at times, because of other medications that he is on. He received his second pfizer, around the 3rd week of March.

Ray

[fabio]

To us it's just people with HIV,not specifically with low immune system. However,it won't hurt me to have more antibodies lol.
Plus I'm starting clinicals this semester (in 2 weeks or so) so I'll be in and out of hospitals. It's gonna benefit me in the end.

[Bucklandbury]

September 13, 2021

https://www.thebody.com/article/covid-19-booster-shots-and-hiv

"Since then, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has clarified that people with advanced or untreated HIV should seek a third dose. In other words, if you are on ART and undetectable, current recommendations suggest that you do not need a third dose at this time."

I got my third because I had < 200 CD4s both times I got my first two doses, and my VL was 1.5 million copies around the time I got my second dose.

I am still not leaving the house. I have a dental appt. on Friday. That will be the only time I go out this week.

[J.R.E.]

Plus I'm starting clinicals this semester (in 2 weeks or so) so I'll be in and out of hospitals. It's gonna benefit me in the end.

Probably not a bad idea !!      Going in and out of hospitals and Doctors offices, is a concern of mine, even though I play it very careful and safe.  I have two appointments scheduled at the VA on September 22nd, at the main hospital, An eye exam, and a consultation for my colonoscopy.

Currently, I have the two appointments for Sep 22nd, I have labs schedules for November 5th, at the clinic, a visit with ID on December 10th, back at the hospital, Cardiology appointment on December 13th, and Dermatology on December 27th, all in the hospital, and a colonoscopy, will be scheduled in there somewhere.


Ray 

[fabio]

Probably not a bad idea !!      Going in and out of hospitals and Doctors offices, is a concern of mine, even though I play it very careful and safe.  I have two appointments scheduled at the VA on September 22nd, at the main hospital, An eye exam, and a consultation for my colonoscopy.

Currently, I have the two appointments for Sep 22nd, I have labs schedules for November 5th, at the clinic, a visit with ID on December 10th, back at the hospital, Cardiology appointment on December 13th, and Dermatology on December 27th, all in the hospital, and a colonoscopy, will be scheduled in there somewhere.


Ray 

It's best to get it,since it could be better effective.
I just booked it btw for tomorrow...wish me good luck.

[fabio]

The thing is, I didn't ask my ID department if I should get the 3rd dose,considering I don't have low CD4's and I'm young. But I think it's gonna benefit me either way.
It's  not like it specifies who should get it under which conditions. It just says people with HIV. I don't why I'm getting so stressed over it haha.

[J.R.E.]

It's best to get it,since it could be better effective.
I just booked it btw for tomorrow...wish me good luck.

Wishing you the best. I'm sure all will go well for you today ( or tomorrow) !! 

Ray

[Tonny2]

The thing is, I didn't ask my ID department if I should get the 3rd dose,considering I don't have low CD4's and I'm young. But I think it's gonna benefit me either way.
It's  not like it specifies who should get it under which conditions. It just says people with HIV. I don't why I'm getting so stressed over it haha.

        ojo.           I just saw my ID doctor yesterday and he told me to get the booster shot, my cd4=598 and %=32. I called the pharmacy today and they are giving booster shots to people with suppress immun systems, including hiv. This time they are considering us as elegibles for the booster shot, for the other two vaccines, I have to wait my turn according to my age…good luck buddy.                                                          ojo

[daveR]

Got my second dose of Pfizer yesterday. I had read the after effects were worse on the second dose than the first. They were right. Couldn't sleep last night, cold sweats, raging headache and sore arm. Temperature this morning over 38 degrees. Felt nothing like that after the first jab. Shows it is working I guess. Took two paracetamol with breakfast and feeling much better. Temperature dropped to 36.8 in less than two hours so all is well.

The registration here annoys me though, both times I have to fill out a health status form. They are not using the hospital so my records are not there. Both times I tick the box saying I have an ongoing condition. They ask what it is and at the mention of HIV the smile goes, I get an embarrassed "Oh" and then they regain their composure. Not very professional in this day and age from hospital staff.

I warn the nurse doing the vaccination also, they are ok about it. Yesterday she laughed and joked that they ownly use the syringe once. They also thank me for the warning. Probably not really needed but I just feel obliged to let them know.

Currently feeling like superman, indestructible.
Dave

[Bucklandbury]

Got my second dose of Pfizer yesterday. I had read the after effects were worse on the second dose than the first. They were right. Couldn't sleep last night, cold sweats, raging headache and sore arm. Temperature this morning over 38 degrees. Felt nothing like that after the first jab.

I had a quite low CD4 count and very high viral load when I got my first Pfizer shot in mid-February, 2021. My arm felt like a nail gun had been applied to it! But after my second shot in mid-March - the exact same time I got my advanced HIV notice - it did not hurt much at all. I did end up recently getting a third shot since I had been so lowly the first two times with a very high HIV viral load and very low CD4 count. No side effects from that third shot either.

If I had had your reactions, I would tend to think that: (1) yes, it definitely was going to build up antibodies - which is very good - and that (2) I would likely have ended up quite sick had I actually gotten COVID-19. I am no expert, though.

I felt good getting that third shot in my case. I know you feel the same about your second!

My brother's first wife died at age 48 from COVID August 25. Very sad indeed. She was unvaccinated and was in the hospital less than week. My nephew - now nearly age 30 - is having to raise his half-sister. I remember when he himself was just born and my parents - his grandparents - were still alive. Seems like yesterday to me at age 51.

This virus is no joke as you're well aware. Let no one be fooled into thinking otherwise. More than one in 500 Americans has now succumbed to COVID-19.

[J.R.E.]

 

I did end up, getting the seasonal Flu shot today. One more thing out of the way.

Didn't even have to enter into the Hospital for this, They had it all set up in the parking lot, outside the VA. They want to keep as many people out of the hospital as possible.  Otherwise, I pulled in, walked to the tent, about 50 feet away, no one was in line. I answered the 6 or so questions, and I was in and out of the VA campus, in less than 15 minutes.

Ray 

 

[gpapadop91]

Good morning guys...

I found this article.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/928684

Talking about having more possibilities to severe covid illness and or death EVEN AFTER TWO DOSES OF VACCINATION.

What about this? Are we really so vulnerable or does it talk about hiv+ people who are NOT on antiretroviral treatment...

Good morning

[gpapadop91]

Hello there..was my last post deleted for some reason?

It was about a new post talking about the fact that even vaccinated , immunocompromised or plwhiv may have more possibilities to severe illness or even death even after two weeks of second dose ....

Hello there
Good afternoon

[daveR]

Hello there..was my last post deleted for some reason?

It was about a new post talking about the fact that even vaccinated , immunocompromised or plwhiv may have more possibilities to severe illness or even death even after two weeks of second dose ....

Hello there
Good afternoon

It appears to be in the Covid 19 Vaccine thread in the Living with HIV section of the forum.

[gpapadop91]

Sure...good evening there..hello to anybody

[leatherman]

It was about a new post talking about the fact that even vaccinated , immunocompromised or plwhiv may have more possibilities to severe illness or even death even after two weeks of second dose ....

from the article:

The researchers report that there were relatively few COVID-19 related hospitalisations or deaths in the group who had received the second dose of any vaccine, meaning that the study lacked the statistical power to determine if the groups listed above are more, or less, at risk following a second vaccine dose compared with following the first dose.

So there really weren't enough cases of fully vaccinated Covid hospitalizations, much less PLWH cases, to even make a real determination.

BUT, if this was a verified issue, it would just prove how important it is for PLWH to be fully vaccinated and to always take the proper precautions of masking, distancing, and hand-washing.



In my area of America (south carolina), I have had my 3 shots, and ALWAYS mask-up everywhere......which makes me kind of an oddball. In this suburb of Charlotte NC, there's a strange combination of me, about a quarter of the very elderly, and every black person as the only groups of people masking up in public.

[Bucklandbury]

In my area of America (south carolina), I have had my 3 shots, and ALWAYS mask-up everywhere......which makes me kind of an oddball. In this suburb of Charlotte NC, there's a strange combination of me, about a quarter of the very elderly, and every black person as the only groups of people masking up in public.

You know, I am the same... but I will also say, I bet you're the kind of guy who, even if you were not a PLWH, would still wear his mask out in public. I know I would. Having HIV makes no difference to us. We do what is right regardless, because we think of others.

[Almost2late]

So at the clinic/doctors office weeks back, they said I wasn't eligible for the 3rd boost on the count of that I had so many cd4's .. but seems the way around that is just go to your local Walgreens and fill out the paperwork and wala, your eligible. They don't ask about cd4's though.

Weird, the first two doses I felt nothing  except arm soreness on the injection site.. but on this third I did feel a bit sick afterwards, my parotid glands swelled up significantly and I was fatigued the rest of the day. It all cleared up the following day though.

[J.R.E.]

Just received my covid booster about 20 minutes ago and now wAiting to get my eye exam here at the VA..

RAY

[Bucklandbury]

Just sharing this info. I am not posting to castigate anyone - just to be clear.

https://www.thebody.com/article/covid-booster-shot-HIV-latest

As I wrote previously, I was at 311 CD4s on June 2, but back in Feb. and March, I had 60 when I got my first two doses. My viral load then was astronomical as well.

[J.R.E.]

Just received my covid booster about 20 minutes ago and now wAiting to get my eye exam here at the VA..

RAY

I Want to clarify, whether it's called a " Booster" or 3rd dose...( I am still confused about this) I was just looking at my paper work. The VA medical Center, where I went to, calls it "C' dose. So I am assuming dose A, was the first B was the 2nd and C was the one I received today. I received the Pfizer today.

I asked 3 separate people today, If I was eligible. The first person placed a call, spoke with someone, and said yes,  asked me to go to the COBB room within the hospital for further info. I went there, asked the same question. I told them I am undetectable, with approx 560 cd4  count, 17% for cd4 percentage, HIV positive for 35 years, and will be 70 years old in December.

The answer was yes to getting the third dose. Prior to receiving it, I went up to my appointment for Gastrology, and spoke with the Doctor there.

This was a consult for my upcoming colonoscopy.  I asked him as well his thoughts on the third dose. He said by all means get it now.

My colonoscopy, will be sometime in November. ( Not exactly sure , will know tomorrow )

I had my Flu shot one week ago, so he placed the shot into the right arm. I had the flu shot in the left arm.


Anyway, no problem thus far. No arm pain, or any ill feeling.


I then,... after the shot went to eye clinic. All results were good. The  pressure in the eyes, was about 24, very minimal signs of cataract, and no vision change with my current prescription. My eye pressure reads a little high, but that's because, I have thick corneas, so after they convert and take into consideration the thick corneas, the pressure falls into an acceptable range. The reason they have been monitoring me closely is because Glaucoma runs in my family.

The normal range for eye pressure is between 12 and 22. When you start going above 22, is when the Doctor becomes concerned.

A visual field test was also done today, and the Doctor said I did extremely well with that !

The doctor set up one more appt for me, 6 months from today. If everything continues to look good, my annual appt., will be 6 months after that, and I will be back to once a year for eye exams.  I have been checked every 6 months for about a year and a half now, and there has been no change.

Otherwise, taking everything into consideration the Doctor said my eyes are pretty good shape, even though I wear a fairly strong prescription glasses. 

My Ophthalmologist today, also saw the purple wrist ban I was wearing after I got the third dose.  He said, " Good for you, most staff, here in the hospital is getting their third dose, which put my mind more at ease. The gastrologist and Ophthalmologist, told me they both have received their 3rd dose.

I will also have to get another COVID test done, 3 days prior to my colonoscopy. Date still needs to be determined.


That was my day today !! 

I am now home relaxing and watching TV !

Ray 

 

 

[J.R.E.]

PS:

Also want to state that its been exactly 6 months since the second Covid shot.


RAy

[J.R.E.]

F.D.A. Authorizes Pfizer Booster Shots for Older and At-Risk Americans
Regulators said that people over 65 or at high risk of severe Covid-19 were eligible for an extra shot, setting up a staggered national booster campaign.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/22/us/politics/pfizer-boosters-fda-authorize.html

Sept. 22, 2021
Updated 7:51 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — After weeks of internal strife at the Food and Drug Administration, the agency on Wednesday authorized people over 65 who had received Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine to get a booster shot at least six months after their second injection.

The F.D.A. also authorized booster shots for adult Pfizer-BioNTech recipients who are at high risk of becoming severely ill with Covid-19 or are at risk of serious complications from the disease due to frequent exposure to the coronavirus at their jobs....

[Bucklandbury]

My colonoscopy, will be sometime in November. ( Not exactly sure , will know tomorrow )

J.R.E., I canceled my colonoscopy schedules for October. I just feel real skittish about COVID-19 in and around here right now, and I really do not want it.

So, I will roll the die one more season and do it next year. I will be 52 then.

I had a fecal occult blood test done earlier this year when I got diagnosed with AIDS, so I figure I should be OK until next year. Of course, that test came back negative.

If I end up with colon cancer, meh. Of course, my medical luck of late sucks, and not in a good way. I have been a vegetarian since 1990, so the gods truly hate me if I get that form of cancer.

[J.R.E.]

J.R.E., I canceled my colonoscopy schedules for October. I just feel real skittish about COVID-19 in and around here right now, and I really do not want it.

Yeah I know what you mean.  I did finally get the colonoscopy scheduled for November 5th @ 11:00 am.

And I have to have another COVID test done on November 2nd, 3 days prior, and that's all set up as well too.

So.... unless the hospital for some reason decides to postpone, it's all set to go.


Ray 

[pozzitive]

I have heard different points of view on this one and I honestly don't know who to listen to.

Should I take my Pfizer booster, wait a couple of weeks and then take my Flu shot or does it really not matter and I can take them both together?

[J.R.E.]

Hi,

I have heard many people say they can be administered together. Because of timing, That I  had no control of, I received my Flu shot on September 15th, and my  Covid Booster shot on September 22nd. ( Exactly one week apart.) and 6 months. and a few days, after my 2nd COVID shot.  All went well with no issues.

The vaccines work differently and won't interact with each other.

If In doubt, you should contact your doctors office.


Take care---Ray

[J.R.E.]

One more thing,... I received it ( The Covid booster) in the opposite arm from the Flu shot. The nurse wanted to do it that way.


Ray

[J.R.E.]

 

the CDC says "yes"

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fvaccines%2Fcovid-19%2Finfo-by-product%2Fclinical-considerations.html#Coadministration

[J.R.E.]

Merck says experimental pill cuts worst effects of COVID-19

https://apnews.com/article/merck-says-experimental-covid-pill-cuts-worst-effects-a9a2245fdcee324f6bbd776a0fffcc60

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Merck said Friday that its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus and that it would soon ask health officials in the U.S. and around the world to authorize its use.

If cleared, the drug would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19, a potentially major advance in efforts to fight the pandemic. All COVID-19 therapies now authorized in the U.S. require an IV or injection.

Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said early results showed patients who received the drug, called molnupiravir, within five days of COVID-19 symptoms had about half the rate of hospitalization and death as patients who received a dummy pill. The study tracked 775 adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who were considered higher risk for severe disease due to health problems such as obesity, diabetes or heart disease...

[gpapadop91]

https://www.contagionlive.com/view/people-living-with-hiv-diminished-immune-response-covid-19-mrna-vaccines

What about this guys?

We really have a diminished response to mRNA vaccination of covid similar to response for flu vaccine , HepB etc???

[Jim Allen]

We might have a lower response as a group, a broad group of people with many differences and question as you included a few different vaccines.

I participated in a flu vaccine study last year, data to be published later to monitor the response of the flu vaccine in people living with HIV vs negative peers.

Anyhow, let's say the response is 50% less, it's better than a poke in the eyeball.

[Jim Allen]

I think this was a similar question and answer

Good morning guys...

I found this article.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/928684

Talking about having more possibilities to severe covid illness and or death EVEN AFTER TWO DOSES OF VACCINATION.

What about this? Are we really so vulnerable or does it talk about hiv+ people who are NOT on antiretroviral treatment...

Good morning

from the article:

So there really weren't enough cases of fully vaccinated Covid hospitalizations, much less PLWH cases, to even make a real determination.

BUT, if this was a verified issue, it would just prove how important it is for PLWH to be fully vaccinated and to always take the proper precautions of masking, distancing, and hand-washing.



In my area of America (south carolina), I have had my 3 shots, and ALWAYS mask-up everywhere......which makes me kind of an oddball. In this suburb of Charlotte NC, there's a strange combination of me, about a quarter of the very elderly, and every black person as the only groups of people masking up in public.

[Jim Allen]

Getting my booster shot on Sunday, also getting my flu shot but through the pharmacy.  That reminds me to open a flu vaccine thread, tad late but better late than never.

[Bucklandbury]

Getting my booster shot on Sunday, also getting my flu shot but through the pharmacy.  That reminds me to open a flu vaccine thread, tad late but better late than never.

Timely!

I got my flu shot August 31.

==

Studies confirm waning immunity from Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine
October 6, 2021

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/health/pfizer-vaccine-waning-immunity/index.html

The waning protection may involve behavior, they noted. "Vaccinated persons presumably have a higher rate of social contact than unvaccinated persons and may also have lower adherence to safety measures," they wrote. "This behavior could reduce real-world effectiveness of the vaccine as compared with its biologic effectiveness, possibly explaining the waning of protection.

[leatherman]

Getting my booster shot on Sunday, also getting my flu shot but through the pharmacy.  That reminds me to open a flu vaccine thread, tad late but better late than never.

we just got our flu shots Tues. at our regular appointment

Unfortunately the butterfly needle thingie fell out of my arm while giving blood to the clinic vampire; but I have good veins so half of my blood came from one arm and half from the other. I already got some my lab results back except for cd4s. Good news is I don't have TB - I knew I didn't have it but it was a regularly required test for the Ryan White quality program, so now we all know for certain. LOL

[Bucklandbury]

Unfortunately the butterfly needle thingie fell out of my arm while giving blood

Heh.

As I have said many times to phlebotomists and pharmacy techs... how anyone could be an IV drug user is beyond me. That is one addiction I will never have to worry about. LOL.

Damn... I hate blood draws (primarily) - and needles (secondarily)! You should see my pulse spike when they start that shit. It's not pretty.

I was the guy in high school who couldn't watch the pregnancy film. (No joke.) I had to leave the room, but at least I spoke up before it started. I knew even then.

What is ironic is I would have made a great doctor - were it not for my hemophobia.

[leatherman]

Damn... I hate blood draws (primarily) - and needles (secondarily)! You should see my pulse spike when they start that shit.

funny thing was that I was telling the phlebotomist about how I had been so aidsy-sick for so long, back in the bad old days, that with regular lab tests every 4 wks for years and all the draws in the hospital, I had just quit counting after 382 jabs.....and that's about the time I saw the needle fall off my arm and a big ol' drop of blood start oozing out. LOL

It's not my pulse but BP that spikes at the doctor's office....but that's what happens when you drive from your little quiet town in South Carolina 50 miles up into the bustling city of Charlotte NC, fighting all the other drivers who are going 70 in a 55 zone, 3 lanes abreast, on an older highway with tight lanes and barricades on either side. There's no breaking down on that part of I-77 or you're dead.

but to get back to the topic, my flu shot puncture didn't bleed; I didn't have any side effects; and I'm expecting (with the help of masking-up in public) to not get the flu again this year.

[Bucklandbury]

People living with HIV show diminished immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
October 1, 2021

https://www.contagionlive.com/view/people-living-with-hiv-diminished-immune-response-covid-19-mrna-vaccines