Pfizer is asking for full FDA approval for the vaccine and I suspect that it’s only a matter of time until the authorization goes from temporary to full approval.
I pointed that out in my post. You are correct that companies really can not require the vaccine until it gets full approval
The question that I wonder about is what percentage of people are worried and waiting for full FDA approval? How many vaccine reluctant people are waiting for full approval? Will they feel more secure then? Or will there be another reason to not get the vaccine?
The Washington Post had an article over the weekend that while infection rates in the US are dropping dramatically, they are not for the unvaccinated. They are being infected at the same rate as they were in January, there are just a lot less of them.
My hope that when the vaccine receives full FDA approval, that will convince more people to get the vaccine.
I think it’s important to know what is the reason for not getting the vaccine right now. So I thank you for that and respect you giving us your reasons. And I really do hope that once the vaccine gets full FDA approval, that we will see an uptick in those willing to be vaccinated.
Some companies like the casinos on Vegas have a great strategy. Vaccinate or be tested three times a week. And if you are tested here for convenience it’s $15 bucks a pop. Vegas has 90% vaccination rate among staff. This is somewhat similar to college which say if you don’t get vaccinated haul yourself to the health center multiple times a week to get tested. The inconvenience factor seems a strong incentive.
My issue though is that is people who are not vaccinated should still be wearing masks, should not attend high population events, etc. If I take the risk to get vaccinated, I should get the benefits. If I chose not to get vaccinated, I should not get those same benefits (because I put others at risk).
If a non-vaccinated person truly cares about others (and I know they are out there), they should wear a mask in the store/at work/on public transportation and should not congregate in large settings, particularly at events where people can’t get vaccinated, like elementary school events. (And I know know there are people out doing this too.)
My concern is that the people I personally know (so this is MY experience, not everyone’s) that are not vaccinated, do not plan to get vaccinated, did not wear masks, and will not wear masks now. So they put others in danger. When that attitude is dominant in a geographic area, it is even worse.
If I’m vaccinated (and I am), I don’t think my risk is greater to be around unvaccinated people. They are a danger to each other but I don’t think they are to me. I’m still keeping my distance, washing my hands, etc.
There are people unvaccinated for other things like MMR, flu, DTap, and I don’t ask for proof of vaccinations and don’t avoid going to places where these people might be (like Boulder, Colorado). I am not avoiding children who haven’t been vaccinated (and can’t be). If someone requested only vaccinated people attend their wedding or go to their house, I’d respect their wishes. If they asked me to prove it, I’d decline the invitation.
Unvaccinated people are a major public health risk. I have no problem being asked for proof that I’ve done everything possible to prevent adding to the potential for variants that could evade a vaccine or sicken someone who is immune compromised. The wedding we are attending this upcoming weekend required proof of vaccination and I’m thrilled. The proof was required by the venue in order to have more than 50 people.
Glad you added that last part because it was going to be my question. However, it’s so sad that those who can’t be vaccinated due to health/medical reasons won’t be able to attend this celebratory event, even if masked.
Because of health/medical reasons, who can’t be vaccinated? How many people would that be?
I do understand that I hear that some can’t be vaccinated. Those who had a severe reaction to the first vaccine comes to mind. But those people will have some protection
But what percentage of people can’t be vaccinated? It seems that should be pretty rare, correct? Because cancer patients, those with autoimmune diseases, they are recommending that they receive the vaccine. Because getting COVID would be worse.
And I’m referencing adults and kids over 12, because I know that under 12, the vaccine hasn’t been approved for them.
I do wonder if a person truly can’t be vaccinated and they have proof, then I would think that there could an exception made. But I think that the “rule” is for people who choose not to be vaccinated. And I also understand that some physicians have given advice to certain patients of theirs. But I wonder what the CDC says particularly.
If the venue allows medical exemptions (like colleges that require vaccination), then the small number of people medically unable to get vaccinated can attend and be reasonably safe due to everyone else being vaccinated. Indeed, the purpose of ensuring that everyone who is medically possible to be vaccinated actually is vaccinated is to protect those medically unable to be vaccinated, and those who do not get a good immune response from vaccination.
The father of the groom is an allergist. He was well aware that there is a tiny tiny percentage of people who can’t be vaccinated. 218 of the 220 attendees have been vaccinated and provided proof. The one couple who said they were “not ready to be vaccinated yet and wanted to wait and see” were told sorry but you can’t attend. I think they would have let a person with an actual medical reason to attend but unsurprisingly statistically there was no one in that category.
My husband’s work has such a person in his department of maybe 30 people (tops). I don’t know the details (nor should I) - and I certainly wouldn’t question or second guess their medical diagnosis. Apparently it is, indeed, a legitimate example. This person is African American, too, which makes it particularly hard for them due to the heightened risk of adverse Covid outcomes in that community. They would vaccinate if they could.
Agree. However, if I were in that unfortunate smaller group, I wouldn’t trust my protection just to others. I’d continue to wear a mask in public and while at work and use a plexiglass shield if appropriate at my my desk, etc.
This past weekend our parish opened up to full capacity but still reserved some sections with socially distant seating for those who haven’t yet been vaccinated or couldn’t be. I noticed that they were used by those with face masks, even though we have no mask mandate and aren’t required to show proof of vaccination to attend. Well over 50 people gathered, and not an anti-vax state by any means.
@JBStillFlying I’m not directing this question to you. I wanted you to know that.
But does anyone know what are the medical/health reasons someone couldn’t get a COVID vaccine?
I am very interested.
I know that there is a very small number of people who had a severe allergic reaction to their first dose and are advised not to receive the second dose if that is needed.
But are there any other conditions that the CDC specifically states that would preclude that person from receiving a COVID vaccine?
My niece has been advised by her doctor not to get it at this time. She is being treated for a medical condition right now and the doctor is concerned about the vaccine interfering with the treatment ( or maybe the other way around, I’m not sure). Anyway, she has been advised to wait until the treatment is concluded.
Well, I’d be ignorant of an informed answer even if you directed the question to me. Yale provides the following information:
Can people with allergies get the COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, with 2 exceptions:
People with a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any component of the COVID-19 vaccine should NOT receive the vaccine.
People with a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any vaccine or injectable (intramuscular or intravenous) medication should consult with their health provider to assess risk prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Information for Special Populations and the COVID-19 vaccine | Yale Health
I’ve vaguely heard of a few people with particular severe allergic reactions to injections in the past to be advised not the get the vaccine at this time. It might be a case by case situation, as that second bullet point indicates. No expert w/r/t allergies, but I suppose it’s possible that someone might be advised to avoid even if the allergan isn’t an exact ingredient but might be involved in the processing in some way.
Apparently, they are uncommon, but probably the most common is an allergy to polyethylene glycol, a component in the Pfizer - BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. The J&J - Janssen vaccine has a related ingredient polysorbate 80, but manufacturing issues seem to have reduced its availability to nothing now.
Perhaps a more common issue is that some people get weak immune response to vaccines (e.g. due to immune suppression due to some types of chemotherapy). Being vaccinated would still be better than not being vaccinated, but the protection of vaccination would be expected to be weaker for such people, who still need to be COVID-19-paranoid if they do not want to get COVID-19, and would be safer in gatherings (weddings, family gatherings, schools, work, etc.) where everyone else possible were vaccinated (i.e. a local herd immunity).
Thanks @JBStillFlying! I didn’t want you to think I was attacking you.
The good news is that we had an allergy thread here and most of those people (including @compmom!) were able to get the vaccine with few side effects. Not everyone and it makes sense for those who have had reactions to other vaccines or to the components in the vaccine.
@compmom was truly nervous and I am so glad that she was able to get the vaccine. And I hope she’s enjoying her visiting daughter!
If the treatment interferes with the vaccine, she could get vaccinated, but get weaker protection than most people (but probably some protection) for the duration of her treatment. If it is the latter case, then she may want to ask her physician about getting vaccinated now for partial protection against COVID-19, then getting vaccinated again after treatment ends for better protection.
I have anaphylaxis from an injectable and was still told to get the Covid vaccine. The only difference was I was asked to wait for 30 minutes for observation instead of 15.
I also have a family member with major allergies to many many drugs and injectables and was still told to get the vaccine.
I think that’s between her and her doctor. I am not arrogant enough to suggest to her that she and her doctor did not adequately discuss options before coming to this course of action. They are both educated people.