Any chance the CDC will require 3rd dose boosters for immigrants?

[Bill Hamze 89]

A little background... we're still waiting on my wife's case to arrive at the consulate and have our visa interview scheduled. Could be a couple months away based on backlog, etc. 

 

So right now they're providing booster doses in Vietnam. I already got mine (Pfizer on top of 2 doses of sinopharm).

 

But as for my wife, I honestly don't think she needs a booster - she's healthy, in her 20s, and already had Moderna + Pfizer for her first two doses. I think for her, the potential harm vs. benefit tips the other way with a third dose booster.

 

However, I'm concerned that the CDC may yet again change the rules - move the goalposts - and require 3rd dose boosters for all visa immigrants including CR1/IR1. I would not be surprised at all if they do that. 

If we don't get my wife a booster now, we run the risk of supply running out again... because most people would be boosted, demand for more doses would plummet... and if CDC starts requiring them right before our medical and interview, we might get stuck. 

 

Or am I worrying too much?

 

Edited January 8, 2022 by Bill Hamze

[SalishSea 17,970]

It's possible.  I would probably try to get it done.

 

My kids are in their twenties, and are now both boosted (Moderna).  We are on the west coast of the US, and seeing LOTS of breakthrough cases with Omicron.  

 

 

[Bill Hamze 89]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

It's possible.  I would probably try to get it done.

 

My kids are in their twenties, and are now both boosted (Moderna).  We are on the west coast of the US, and seeing LOTS of breakthrough cases with Omicron.  

 

 

Ok, if I recall correctly and if I’m not mistaken, you work in the healthcare profession, no? if so, I’m curious what’s your sense of side effects (myocarditis?) of third doses in 20something folks in general? And omicron, if it breaks through, it ends up being a lot milder than other strains? 

Edited January 8, 2022 by Bill Hamze

[Crazy Cat 41,984]

I also think it is very possible a booster will be required to be considered "fully" vaxxed.  My 67 year old brother just contracted Covid after having all 3 injections.  He said it was short lived, lasting 2 or 3 days.  He called his infection "mild"....like a cold.  YMMV.

[slavaskii 886]

I would hope not. Getting fully vaccinated is already hell for people in Eastern Europe because they don't have WHO vaccines. I can't imagine what it would be like for them to need a third. I'm also not sure how the boosters are even registered in Europe because in some countries, like Croatia, you can get a shot as a tourist. If you were to return for a booster, how would that be recorded, or could you get a booster in a different EU member state? 

 

At the end of the day, I don't see this as being required because our own vaccination rate is so low, and some countries don't even recommend the boosters yet. Boosting is still relatively new, and it's not like 3 doses means you're fully vaccinated anyway - as the Great God-King Lord Fauci said (thy will be done), the term fully vaccinated should be replaced with up-to-date vaccinated. With Israel giving out fourth shots, and some countries barely giving out two (one for J&J), I can't imagine this would be required. It would just be further discriminatory, the policy should rather be encouraging boosting on arrival. 

 

Plus, boosting is only necessary if it was a long time since your first series. How is someone being boosted any different than a person who literally just completed their first series yesterday? It's not, the science doesn't back it up, and it would be plainly dumb to require. 

[SalishSea 17,970]

9 hours ago, Bill Hamze said:

Ok, if I recall correctly and if I’m not mistaken, you work in the healthcare profession, no? if so, I’m curious what’s your sense of side effects (myocarditis?) of third doses in 20something folks in general? And omicron, if it breaks through, it ends up being a lot milder than other strains? 

Yes, I’m an RN.  I have personally not seen any serious side effects (such as myocarditis) in any patient of any age, from the vaccine.

 

And from what I’m seeing locally, those getting Omicron who have been vaccinated are getting much milder sickness, not needing hospitalization etc.   I can’t speak to whether those getting sick have had two or three jabs, but the “vaccinated” status seems to go far to minimize their course of illness.

[Bill Hamze 89]

8 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Yes, I’m an RN.  I have personally not seen any serious side effects (such as myocarditis) in any patient of any age, from the vaccine.

 

And from what I’m seeing locally, those getting Omicron who have been vaccinated are getting much milder sickness, not needing hospitalization etc.   I can’t speak to whether those getting sick have had two or three jabs, but the “vaccinated” status seems to go far to minimize their course of illness.

That’s reassuring on both counts. Maybe the mildness among the vaccinated will lower the urgency of the CDC to require boosters for immigrants. I just talked to my wife, she wants to wait a longer before getting a booster, and I’m not going to push unless there’s serious talk of a 3rd dose requirement before our interview.