Pzfier vaccine, first dose. And long term immunity question.

[JacobReesMogadishu]

So I got a covid vaccine today. Don’t get me wrong I’m very, very grateful to have it. I was told on the email that it was going to be the Oxford vaccine and that the 2nd dose was in 12 weeks.

I totally understand the reasons behind the change in schedule.

So I got there and they said it was the Pfizer vaccine. So googling tonight I find information saying the longer dose between the vaccines is better with the Oxford one, not the Pfizer one. More evidence that it’s probably ok with the Oxford one.

Pfizer seem to be quite clear that they have no data to show if there is any protection beyond 21 days. Now I can cope with having a gap in protection for a few weeks.

But my worry is if protection falls. When I get the 2nd dose will my body know it’s the 2nd dose. Or will things have gone back to such low levels that in effect it’s having the first dose again. In which case 21 days after my 2nd dose I might have no protection?

I don't think there's anyone who can answer your question, and your concern is very valid. This vaccine was not tested in the way it's being administered which makes no sense to me.

Had my 2nd one today and was told that ig would be ok as the gaps were at tgr top end of caution nd Pfizer were errinv on the side of caution. I'm a little though as this is the one that has the 'You can't sue us if anything goes wrong' law passed.

A friend of mine is in the same position had the Pfizer one, all booked in for next dose, as recommended by manufacturer, that appointment has now been cancelled, she has to wait 12 weeks, shocking to be honest, surely the drug was licensed to dosed as recommended to provide optimum efficacy.

Aside from the JCVI, MHRA and the CSM, The British Society for Immunology seem happy with this approach. www.immunology.org/news/british-society-for-immunology-statement-covid-19-vaccine-dosing-schedules.

Pfizer are not allowed to make any off label claims, so are hardly going to take a firm position on this.

I think those of you who have had a vaccine should be bloody grateful instead of moaning that it’s different from what you expected.

If it had been possible to follow the established priorities with the Pfizer jab from the start, and vaccinate care home residents and staff first, then:

• my husband may not have caught Covid at work just before Christmas and brought it home to me
• one quarter of the staff at his home would not now be off work with Covid, putting massive pressure on the rest of them to care for the remaining residents.

But hey, it’s not as hard as it might have been, because the number of residents is down 10% (so far). That’s how many have died of Covid. In just over a week.

@PuzzledObserver

Sorry for being snarky. I’m heartbroken. And angry. But it’s not the fault of anyone here. It’s this shitty, shitty virus.

And to answer your question, OP, your immunity is not suddenly going to disappear after 3 weeks, you’ll be fine.

Cross post. My cross post rescinded.

Aside from the JCVI, MHRA and the CSM, The British Society for Immunology seem happy with this approach.

The BSI is a very academic institution, they are predominantly research scientists, and not experts on the regulations surrounding pharmaceuticals. I look at this with two heads on. With my scientist head I think, yeah, it'll probably be fine, there's evidence that a 104 day gap for Moderna is fine (Moderna and Pfizer are very similar vaccines), there's evidence from a variety of vaccine types that a longer gap than 21 days results in a slightly higher response, the immunity from the first dose of Pfizer is very unlikely to drop off a cliff at 22 says post immunisation. With my 20 years as a senior scientist in the pharmaceutical industry I think 'WTF, there's absolutely no data to support that, there is no way on God's earth I'd put my name to a memo to justify that, if you want my signature on it show me the data'. Which is what Pfizer are thinking and the FDA about Oxford/AZ. So yes it will probably be fine but the government is panicking and conducting an enormous clinical trial on the population.

Puzzledobserver, I’m sorry about your dh and his residents.

I am very grateful and did say so in my OP. I am also a little bit worried which I think is allowed. As someone else said it does feel like a bit of a clinical trial. I feel it was thrusted on me unexpectedly as I had been told it would be the Oxford one I’d get....so no time to make an informed decision.