@@@ October COVID @@@

[hermione]

Does anyone know when the review is scheduled for the 5-11yo boosters. I find a lot of articles indicating the requests have been submitted but nothing about when they may be approved.

[JayTea]

The CDC's ACIP committee meets 10/19-20. Hopefully the FDA makes a recommendation to move forward prior to that meeting.

[goldengirlz]

I booked an appointment to have DC get their flu shot and covid booster this week before we knew about Pfizer’s application (I was remiss in not getting them one over the summer.) But when we showed up, Walgreens said they were all out in every nearby location.

I wonder if that was just a Walgreens thing or if production was ramped down in anticipation of a new approval.

[dreamcrisp1]

They’re seeking approval for the modified Pfizer for 5-11 here.

They’re really never going to bring the 6 months - 5 vaccine to Europe, are they? 😭😭😭

[seeyalater52]

Oct 4, 2022 12:37:42 GMT -5 JayTea said:

The CDC's ACIP committee meets 10/19-20. Hopefully the FDA makes a recommendation to move forward prior to that meeting.

This is a little speculative, but that meeting is meant to be a vote on adding the covid vaccines to the Vaccines for Children program (since funding for the vaccines is essentially over with this bivalent rollout, this will ensure that low income kids will continue to have access.) The federal register notice is here: public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-20045.pdf

It is a separate issue than the EUAs and while technically it is possible they would do both together all signs point to them scheduling a separate sooner meeting to discuss the EUA approvals. I’m annoyed it hasn’t been calendared yet. I also find this cloak and dagger about “mid October” shots in arms for this age group, which is what the CDC has been saying in all their materials, frustrating because an approval that late in Oct would delay shots in arms from that timeline for sure. Not sure what the holdup is as both applications have been complete and it’s just radio silence. I’m a little concerned Moderna’s supply issues will also impact this, as they’re proposing to draw the smaller doses for the adolescent vaccines from the adult dosing vials.

They recently FDA signaled that they weren’t going to do a whole VRBPAC meeting so they will indeed do their part before ACIP meets, although it may be just the day before, quietly, as it was for the adult bivalent.

[secretagent]

I didn't realize the kids updated booster wasn't approved yet. I went to schedule and CVS's website says you can call to schedule with an "old" booster or wait for the new approval (I'm paraphrasing). I think I'm going to wait on mine as I wanted us all to get them together (both for my long term memory sanity and to help my vaccine nervous kids!).

Does anyone know if Moderna is being reviewed for 5-12 boosters? We all have Pfizer (3 and 2 depending on age) and I kind of wanted Moderna for the new one. 

[seeyalater52]

Oct 6, 2022 8:50:15 GMT -5 secretagent said:

I didn't realize the kids updated booster wasn't approved yet. I went to schedule and CVS's website says you can call to schedule with an "old" booster or wait for the new approval (I'm paraphrasing). I think I'm going to wait on mine as I wanted us all to get them together (both for my long term memory sanity and to help my vaccine nervous kids!).

Does anyone know if Moderna is being reviewed for 5-12 boosters? We all have Pfizer (3 and 2 depending on age) and I kind of wanted Moderna for the new one. 

Yes, Moderna has an EUA application in for 6-11 and 12-18 (separate age cohorts in Moderna’s trials.) These and Pfizer’s 5-11 application are expected to be approved this month (my post just above has more info.)

ETA: keep in mind that 5 year olds will only be eligible for Pfizer in this Oct approval, as Moderna has a different cohort, and their 5s are in the youngest group that doesn’t have a clear submission or approval timeline.

[seeyalater52]

Wanted to update this since I missed a very minor piece of news from a few days ago: it looks like the CDC may intend to make a recommendation for (approve) the 5-11 boosters without a full ACIP meeting. That means the announcement could come at any time. It’s been almost 2 weeks since the EUAs from Moderna and Pfizer for this age group were submitted so hopefully they announce something soon.

[fluffycookie]

DS tested positive this morning. He has Covid back in the end of April and it was very mild. This time he’s miserable, just like me. He misses Monday-Wednesday for a viral infection (4 negative tests and was very free for over 24 hours before going back to school) and now he’s going to be out another three days this week.

[eponinepontmercy]

DD tested positive this morning. Her symptoms lined up exactly with her allergies - no fever, scratchy throat, runny nose - so we didn't think anything of going to spend the weekend with my parents and go to ComicCon in NYC over the weekend.

She's feels yucky, but she's in good spirits.

I tested negative, but since we shared a bed for two nights and she was basically coughing in my face the whole time, I'm not optimistic.

[hermione]

www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/10/12/covid-booster-kids-authorized-fda/10468160002/

FDA approval for 5-11s.

[noodleoo]

Oct 12, 2022 9:49:31 GMT -5 hermione said:

www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/10/12/covid-booster-kids-authorized-fda/10468160002/

FDA approval for 5-11s.

Wow, really!  Wahoo!!!  How soon can we schedule them?  Sounds like CDC still needs to sign off?

[hermione]

Oct 12, 2022 10:27:12 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Oct 12, 2022 9:49:31 GMT -5 hermione said:

www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/10/12/covid-booster-kids-authorized-fda/10468160002/

FDA approval for 5-11s.

Wow, really!  Wahoo!!!  How soon can we schedule them?  Sounds like CDC still needs to sign off?

Yes. I read somewhere that the CDC will be fairly quick and there might be shots in arms as early as next week.

[noodleoo]

Oct 12, 2022 10:28:25 GMT -5 hermione said:

Oct 12, 2022 10:27:12 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Wow, really!  Wahoo!!!  How soon can we schedule them?  Sounds like CDC still needs to sign off?

Yes. I read somewhere that the CDC will be fairly quick and there might be shots in arms as early as next week.

Wow!  DD1 is scheduled to get her flu shot Thur.  I wish she could do both at the same time, but not worth waiting on the flu shot.

I can't remember, do we have a preference between Pfizer and Moderna for this age group?  I know I wanted Moderna for my 3 (now 4!) year old.  I'm pretty sure DD1 has only had Pfizer so far.  Article said Pfizer will ship right away, so I'm guessing that will be easier to find than Moderna.

[icedcoffee]

This is actually good timing for me because DS1 needs a well visit next month.

Anyone else feel like all they've done the last few weeks is drag different family members to different places for different shot? LOL I thought we we were finally all caught up on covid and flu shots!

[fortnightlily]

Figures. Just took DS for his well check and Flu shot earlier this week

[seeyalater52]

Oct 12, 2022 10:28:25 GMT -5 hermione said:

Oct 12, 2022 10:27:12 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Wow, really!  Wahoo!!!  How soon can we schedule them?  Sounds like CDC still needs to sign off?

Yes. I read somewhere that the CDC will be fairly quick and there might be shots in arms as early as next week.

Yes this is right. Doses have already been ordered and delivered and ACIP doesn’t need to meet so expecting CDC director to announce sometime in the next couple of days.

It looks like mixing doses shouldn’t be an issue for this age group just like adults, although access to Moderna may be more difficult since they’re still experiencing a shortage in production and the vials are drawn from the same adult dose vials (in a smaller amount for this age group.)

Kids who are 5 will only be eligible for Pfizer though, as Moderna’s approval is for 6+.

[Velar Fricative]

DD1 got her regular booster in June so I'll have to figure out when she's eligible for this one. I can't math yet lol. DD2 got her second dose in July so I'll have to do math for that too.

ETA: Never mind, looks like both kids can get the bivalent booster in a couple of weeks when they get their flu shot!

[seeyalater52]

Oct 12, 2022 10:31:26 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Oct 12, 2022 10:28:25 GMT -5 hermione said:

Yes. I read somewhere that the CDC will be fairly quick and there might be shots in arms as early as next week.

Wow!  DD1 is scheduled to get her flu shot Thur.  I wish she could do both at the same time, but not worth waiting on the flu shot.

I can't remember, do we have a preference between Pfizer and Moderna for this age group?  I know I wanted Moderna for my 3 (now 4!) year old.  I'm pretty sure DD1 has only had Pfizer so far.  Article said Pfizer will ship right away, so I'm guessing that will be easier to find than Moderna.

Pfizer should be easier to get due to the Moderna supply issues but if you can get Moderna it is likely that the higher dosing provides some staying power for a antibodies over a longer period of time, per what we saw from earlier versions of the vaccine. Otherwise that’s the only potential benefit.

[beerlover]

Oct 12, 2022 11:09:57 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

This is actually good timing for me because DS1 needs a well visit next month.

Anyone else feel like all they've done the last few weeks is drag different family members to different places for different shot? LOL I thought we we were finally all caught up on covid and flu shots!

Yes. I'm so tired of it DS (6) never minded getting his once a year shots before. He didn't love it, but he'd forget about it and move on. Now I feel like I am taking the poor kid for some kind of shot every couple months (did the third booster in August before school, now just got his flu shot in October), and he's started to get really upset about all the shots, which I kind of understand. He keeps asking why Covid is still a thing, lol.

So if he had his Pfizer booster in August, when can he get his bivalent one? Yes I could look this up but if anyone here knows that would be great

[seeyalater52]

CDC signed off on the approvals for 5+.

Back to the same old same old for <5 families. I’m so fucking tired.

[seeyalater52]

Oct 12, 2022 12:03:52 GMT -5 beerlover said:

Oct 12, 2022 11:09:57 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

This is actually good timing for me because DS1 needs a well visit next month.

Anyone else feel like all they've done the last few weeks is drag different family members to different places for different shot? LOL I thought we we were finally all caught up on covid and flu shots!

Yes. I'm so tired of it DS (6) never minded getting his once a year shots before. He didn't love it, but he'd forget about it and move on. Now I feel like I am taking the poor kid for some kind of shot every couple months (did the third booster in August before school, now just got his flu shot in October), and he's started to get really upset about all the shots, which I kind of understand. He keeps asking why Covid is still a thing, lol.

So if he had his Pfizer booster in August, when can he get his bivalent one? Yes I could look this up but if anyone here knows that would be great

He will be eligible 2 months post his last vaccine (whether primary series or booster.)

[StrawberryBlondie]

Oct 12, 2022 12:03:52 GMT -5 beerlover said:

Oct 12, 2022 11:09:57 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

This is actually good timing for me because DS1 needs a well visit next month.

Anyone else feel like all they've done the last few weeks is drag different family members to different places for different shot? LOL I thought we we were finally all caught up on covid and flu shots!

Yes. I'm so tired of it DS (6) never minded getting his once a year shots before. He didn't love it, but he'd forget about it and move on. Now I feel like I am taking the poor kid for some kind of shot every couple months (did the third booster in August before school, now just got his flu shot in October), and he's started to get really upset about all the shots, which I kind of understand. He keeps asking why Covid is still a thing, lol.

So if he had his Pfizer booster in August, when can he get his bivalent one? Yes I could look this up but if anyone here knows that would be great

I'm doing this mental math too. DD will be 2 months post booster at the end of this month, so I can't decide if we should have her get it right away, before our upcoming vacation, or wait another month or so for more maximum holidays protection.

[beerlover]

Oct 12, 2022 13:08:43 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Oct 12, 2022 12:03:52 GMT -5 beerlover said:

Yes. I'm so tired of it DS (6) never minded getting his once a year shots before. He didn't love it, but he'd forget about it and move on. Now I feel like I am taking the poor kid for some kind of shot every couple months (did the third booster in August before school, now just got his flu shot in October), and he's started to get really upset about all the shots, which I kind of understand. He keeps asking why Covid is still a thing, lol.

So if he had his Pfizer booster in August, when can he get his bivalent one? Yes I could look this up but if anyone here knows that would be great

I'm doing this mental math too. DD will be 2 months post booster at the end of this month, so I can't decide if we should have her get it right away, before our upcoming vacation, or wait another month or so for more maximum holidays protection.

I hear you! We're on the same timeline. I'll probably wait until a couple weeks from Thanksgiving to get it, hopefully its even available here. I'm in a rural area so we're always behind on everything and the options are limited. DS will be so pissed at me though, lol.

H and I had Covid a month ago and DS did not get it from us, so I think his late August booster did help!

[erbear]

I suspect Covid is closing in on us again. Our BFFs (parents are our friends, both the 13 year olds and the 11 year olds are BFFs) have Covid. We carpooled them three times in the past week. Kids have had Covid before; I am the last man standing. My older kid is bivalent-boosted but just one week out so probably won't matter. The youngers feel like sitting ducks. 

I'm so over this all.

[Velar Fricative]

Oct 13, 2022 8:11:15 GMT -5 erbear said:

I suspect Covid is closing in on us again. Our BFFs (parents are our friends, both the 13 year olds and the 11 year olds are BFFs) have Covid. We carpooled them three times in the past week. Kids have had Covid before; I am the last man standing. My older kid is bivalent-boosted but just one week out so probably won't matter. The youngers feel like sitting ducks. 

I'm so over this all.

Oh no! I've noticed a modest spike lately in my circle too. Here we go again...

[seeyalater52]

Oct 13, 2022 8:35:00 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Oct 13, 2022 8:11:15 GMT -5 erbear said:

I suspect Covid is closing in on us again. Our BFFs (parents are our friends, both the 13 year olds and the 11 year olds are BFFs) have Covid. We carpooled them three times in the past week. Kids have had Covid before; I am the last man standing. My older kid is bivalent-boosted but just one week out so probably won't matter. The youngers feel like sitting ducks. 

I'm so over this all.

Oh no! I've noticed a modest spike lately in my circle too. Here we go again...

Same, especially among families like ours that have stayed covid free so far. Cases here are growing very rapidly (esp looking at wastewater which is more reliable) and my kid is still months out from being bivalent booster eligible. I’m so tired and stressed.

[sillygoosegirl]

DH has COVID again. 3rd fucking time in 2 fucking months. He's also had 2 boosters in the last 3 months, including over the weekend, pretty much as soon as he was eligible. And he wears a mask religiously inside.

His symptoms are super mild, fortunately, but DD isn't allowed at school for 5 days following a positive anywhere in the household, and of course we have to cancel our plans that aren't compatible with masking (swimming lessons and the dental appointment rescheduled from last month when DH and DD had COVID before). Ugh. I would mind less if it seemed like anyone in our community was still doing anything to protect themselves or each other.

ETA: I hadn't realize, but DH had to cancel his well visit and his sleep study when he had COVID last time, and now will need to do so again. So frustrating, and it feels like this is just going to keep happening.

[formerlyak]

Oct 13, 2022 20:47:18 GMT -5 JayhawkGirl said:

I was able to book an appointment a few hours ago for Sunday at my Walgreens for my 8yo

Thanks for posting this. Just booked my 8yo for next Friday at Walgreens.

[hermione]

Oct 13, 2022 21:07:42 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Oct 13, 2022 20:47:18 GMT -5 JayhawkGirl said:

I was able to book an appointment a few hours ago for Sunday at my Walgreens for my 8yo

Thanks for posting this. Just booked my 8yo for next Friday at Walgreens.

Walgreens for us also. I tried other chains and they would not schedule kids yet. We're all going to get it October 27th. i wish it was a bit earlier but we have a lot coming up that that we can't really miss and I never know how the shots will effect everyone. I've promised ice cream after.