Sorry to hear that Nicole, I do hope you are able to avoid infection. Huia, that sounds like an amazing service you were able to access. Daughter went to local GP yesterday and is now "done" with the new Pfizer. I don't know what son and I were given when we went 2 weeks before Christmas. We raced in due to health conditions, but also because sister said she was coming to us for the day, and then changed her mind. It worked out well as it motivated us to get ourselves organised!
My 30 year old son is recovering from his first bout of covid.
He's had all the vaccinations offered, but as a young person he hasn't been eligible for the boosters in 2023 /2024.
I'm wondering if the decision not to offer boosters was partially predicated on the assumption that most people have now had it, and have built up some immunity that way - does anyone know?
Today is Day 11, and though he is now testing negative, and the coughing has abated considerably, he's still wiped out.
@North East Quine my family (here in the US) has had all the shots and boosters. All but one of us had our first bout of covid one at a time last November and December. None of us was terribly sick, for which I am grateful. I hope your son is well again soon.
I can't imagine vaccines being withheld based on such an assumption. But my imagination can be pretty limited.
My 30 year old son is recovering from his first bout of covid.
He's had all the vaccinations offered, but as a young person he hasn't been eligible for the boosters in 2023 /2024.
I'm wondering if the decision not to offer boosters was partially predicated on the assumption that most people have now had it, and have built up some immunity that way - does anyone know?
I’ve previous discussed the NICE reasoning on age and risk:
“ It will be decided by NICE and the age group decision is about balance of risk ie risk of detrimental affects of getting covid and risks of side effects from the vaccine.
(National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)”
“To add, the NICE page specifies risk benefit balance for some side effects https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/management/immunization/ “
But I assume the calculation will also involve estimating the immunity of the population.
Thanks. I'm just trying to figure how concerned I should be. However, his sick line has been extended - he's now due to go back to work on what will be Day 18, so I guess his doctor thinks this length of unwellness is par for the course.
I don’t think it is unusual for covid (or other similar viruses) to wipe people out for a couple of weeks. People vary in their immune response, and some people take longer to get back on their feet.
Agreed - I wasn't very ill at all when I had it, but I had waves of sudden and debilitating tiredness for 3-4 weeks afterwards, which were worse than the original bug.
I wonder if part of the issue is the evolution of covid - for example, none of the first-round vaccines would give you any protection at all now.
I had it once 9 months after my last eligible booster - I was horribly sick, the second worst I have ever been* and while the acute symptoms were gone in about a week, there were several weeks of lingering mucosal yuck and tiredeness, and tracking on my fitness watch showed me it took 2 months to get back to full fitness.
Since private boosters have become available, I am availing myself of them (had one in April, next will be in October) as well as paying for the annual flu shot.
I hope the Loon continues to recover well, @North East Quine - he is lucky to have you as a ministering angel in the meantime.
———
* the worst was pneumonia - which I do not recommend - that was so bad I ended up getting a lung x-ray to check for underlying problems (thankfully clear).
Honestly, if it would just stop raining, and I could spend more time in the garden, or going for walks, I'd be having a great time here. I'm doing very little "ministering" as the Loon is mostly asleep, and his wants are minimal. I'd be doing more cooking / cleaning / laundry if I was at home.
Unfortunately I packed expecting to be "ministering" rather than out and about outdoors.
We were wiped out for six weeks the last time we had covid (yes, we're all boosted to the max) but there appears to be a weakness in my family line re covid, and Mr Lamb brings it home from church. So now our doctor has us getting boosters every six months to keep our systems in "Don't let them get sick at all" mode.
As I understand it, the worst thing you can do is to over-do during the fatigue. That's a great way to get long covid. Try not to?
I got all the boosters I was entitled to (I think the last one was probably towards the end of 2022, just before I stopped working for the NHS), and caught the virus for the first time in June of this year. I really didn't feel particularly ill (except for the evening before I first tested positive), but stayed off work for about a week until I started testing negative. I've noticed since though that I've felt more tired than I'd like to, and can drop off to sleep on the sofa at the drop of a hat.
If they started offering them again for my age group (I'm 62), I'd be along there like a shot (if the Americans will pardon the pun).
I do not drive so I use a volunteer driver service ( Bless them one and all) for medical appointments. I called to schedule a ride and they said sorry we are all booked up because six of our volunteers are out with COVID, Guess I will be wearing a mask for all rides in the future and always sit in the back seat with the window open a bit.
If you mean covid boosters, as I discussed previously, NICE provides the guidelines for provision of medicines on the NHS. They decide what is the best public health response by looking at factors such as balance of risk, value for money and public benefit.
Forgive me, it just sounds odd to me that they aren't making them available to whoever wants them. It sounds like some of you both want and need them,but can't get them for years--so of course you get covid! Much sympathy.
Being over 65 in NZ means I am eligible for a free vaccination every 6 months, but given we now have a government who make the cheapest, least life affirming decisions about everything I fully expect this to change.
If you mean covid boosters, as I discussed previously, NICE provides the guidelines for provision of medicines on the NHS. They decide what is the best public health response by looking at factors such as balance of risk, value for money and public benefit.
I believe you can now obtain it privately in the UK.
You can - since April (when I had one), although you may have to travel to a footwear-named pharmacy in a major town or city to get it. The private covid vaccine costs about £100.
Before April private vaccination was not possible while the UK government controlled supply.
(For US shipmates - during the initial roll-out and early boosters over here, the covid vaccine was free and supplied to everyone.)
From my perspective (I am not a clinician, but have enough of a science background to make sense of the research) covid changes so quickly that I will be getting updated vaccinations every six months for the foreseeable future.
I mean to get the shingles vaccination too - it is very expensive, but there is also a suggestion of unexpected benefits as well as protection from shingles itself, which can be very nasty.
Forgive me, it just sounds odd to me that they aren't making them available to whoever wants them. It sounds like some of you both want and need them,but can't get them for years--so of course you get covid! Much sympathy.
At one point, there were concerns about supplies of vaccine being bought up by wealthy countries for boosters to a wide cohort of people, whilst poorer countries were struggling to vaccinate their most vulnerable citizens even for the first time. Apart from the ethics of that, if the virus has a large pool of unvaccinated people in which to circulate it will mutate more quickly creating more risk of both vaccines and treatments becoming ineffective more rapidly.
The other issue of supply in any country, is about getting it to people who maybe become life threateningly ill as a priority over people who likely will be ill without long term serious effects. There is a finite limit to how much is available.
Another issue, and this may be U.S.-specific, is that the Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax vaccines are all being reformulated to better protect against the newer variants that are now dominant. So production of the old vaccines has either stopped or been greatly reduced while the newer vaccines are still waiting for FDA approval for distribution. As you can imagine this causes disruption in the distribution chain.
I need to get the newest one once it’s available quickly rather than putting it off I think just to play it safe…. Especially because I live in Florida which due to DeSantis has become kind of a poster child for mismanagement of Covid.
The US Feds have just approved a Pfizer and Moderna vax for this year. Should be out in a month.
Meanwhile, a couple of retirement homes I visit now have notices that they are experiencing COVID residents, they recommend masking, but do not require it. Staff members are likely masked. Most residents are not.
I'm finding the whole thing a bit difficult to deal with. Keeping Statistics being wound back, so people can't assess their own risk, vaccinations here being wound back to annual, anti-viral access being wound back too, or a case needing to be made for eligibility. GP indicated to husband that Health Department instructions are changing all the time and I'm totally fed up with the ineptness of bureaucracy living in a la la land of the way the virus behaves, that is not according to our whims and desires. All of this in a week where new articles released reflecting on the cost to the economy and also commentary on the dearth of services for people experiencing Long Covid. It seems we can't have any of the nice things due to human stupidity!
Given that my view of the current NZ government is that in any given situation they give a quick look at the options and take the most destructive one, I won't be surprised if they make a similar decision.
@Huia, thanks for that, sometimes it feels very alone and so many are unaware of the latest studies showing uh-oh, not so great for you this thing. I did see someone sharing news of a covid safe dentist so I'm going to investigate that as they are in my city,
Vaxxed to the max, and I got it at Christmas and again just last week. Grateful we have a comfortable basement with my office, a bathroom and a guest room. Sick to death of isolation, but finally felt nearly human again today. This round was fairly nasty -- much like influenza.
I can't imagine why governments would be reticent to let people who want the vaccines have them. Unless there is a scarcity or lack of funding. By now they should have a pretty good idea what portion of the population will do vaccines, and how many people that is.
I'm frustrated, too that me getting covid after all the vaccinations is interpreted as their ineffectiveness by people who want to believe vaccinations are useless or harmful.
And, yes, finding information has gotten a lot harder, @Cheery Gardener@Huia and anyone else I missed.
The Loon was supposed to be back to work yesterday but is still very tired, and had his sick line extended. He tried to do a "shadow" working day, by being up and ready for work on time, and staying awake for the whole working day, even though he was off, but he fell asleep mid afternoon.
Today is a day off, so not a sick day as such, but he's trying to do the same "shadow" working day to see if he can stay awake for the whole of his working hours today.
Hope he gradually starts to improve @North East Quine . I was talking to someone last night who I last chatted to a few weeks ago at a time when she was (she thought) just getting over Covid. She still had a nasty cough, and after I last saw her ended up in A&E as she cracked four ribs from coughing so much.
Last night she said she is much better and has managed to return to the office after a week of working half days from home. She still expects to have days that aren't quite so good so taking things slowly seems the way for the Loon to go.
Well, after five years of being clean, I finally got COVID. Started feeling punk on Thursday. Sick through whole weekend. Today sinuses clearer. Slight cough. Think I am coming out of it.
Sorry to hear that, Gramps - it took me until June of this year to get it, and I was lucky that I only felt rubbish for one evening, but otherwise no worse than a cold. Having said that, I'm still occasionally feeling more tired than I'd like to be.
Yes, it's the post-viral fatigue that is killing me this time. Many people seem to think that the pandemic is over. It isn't. In fact, it's gathering pace again.
Yes, my husband and I spent six weeks sitting around the lotus pond staring into space after we caught it last time. The fatigue was just that bad. And we dared not push ourselves, because that seems to be one way of getting long COVID. Therefore the pond, and the staring...
I just received a notice that new COVID boosters are available. You can drive by a tent in the medical building parking lot and show your insurance card. I do not drive, so I am most thankful that my neighbor volunteered to take me when she goes. I would have gone with the local volunteer driver service for medical appointments, but so many of their volunteers are out with COVID they are short on drivers. I can also get a senior flu shot as well at the same time. I still find it hard to believe some people still refuse these shots.
I just received a notice that new COVID boosters are available. You can drive by a tent in the medical building parking lot and show your insurance card. I do not drive, so I am most thankful that my neighbor volunteered to take me when she goes. I would have gone with the local volunteer driver service for medical appointments, but so many of their volunteers are out with COVID they are short on drivers. I can also get a senior flu shot as well at the same time. I still find it hard to believe some people still refuse these shots.
No need to show insurance card in US that I know of.
Wife got her shot the day before she tested positive for COVID. Might have contributed to her last five days. She took Paxlovid. This is the second time she has had COVID in last five years..
I have yet to get shot since I was positive when they were released in our community. Will likely get both this weekend.
I did do a little study on the current virus going around in our area. It is called FLiRT Covid, a variant of the JN1 virus. Apparently, many NOVID people have gotten it this time.
Thanks to previous boosters, I think my experience was like a heavy cold. I still have some phlegm
I came down with my third case on Sunday morning. Thankfully I was symptomatic before church as I was supposed to be on welcoming. I tested positive today and definitely feel this is the worst case I have had, but so far it is just a bit worse than a bad cold. I got straight onto antivirals as I am on immune compromising medicine for arthritis. I was vaccinated last April so was annoyed to get it before the six months are up, but parents are sending their kids sick to school again and my medicine probably doesn't help my immunity. Otherwise maybe I have caught the new variant, XEC, that is going around and is mutated enough to evade previous vaccines.
This article says it is spreading in Europe. I am in Australia and don't even know anyone here who has tested positive recently, but not many people bother with testing now and I have been near lots of coughing and sneezing people. I only did the at home test so don't know which variant I have. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jddenj5p5o
I know I should be more careful with masking, but I always get slack once the winter has passed and the warm start to Spring lulled me into a false sense of security.
My son is still signed off sick with the Covid he came down with on 10 August. He is a lot better but still not quite there.
He is coming home today for a few days, so I'll get a better idea of how he's doing.
My son is still signed off sick with the Covid he came down with on 10 August. He is a lot better but still not quite there.
He is coming home today for a few days, so I'll get a better idea of how he's doing.
Comments
He's had all the vaccinations offered, but as a young person he hasn't been eligible for the boosters in 2023 /2024.
I'm wondering if the decision not to offer boosters was partially predicated on the assumption that most people have now had it, and have built up some immunity that way - does anyone know?
Today is Day 11, and though he is now testing negative, and the coughing has abated considerably, he's still wiped out.
I can't imagine vaccines being withheld based on such an assumption. But my imagination can be pretty limited.
“ It will be decided by NICE and the age group decision is about balance of risk ie risk of detrimental affects of getting covid and risks of side effects from the vaccine.
(National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)”
“To add, the NICE page specifies risk benefit balance for some side effects
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/management/immunization/ “
But I assume the calculation will also involve estimating the immunity of the population.
I had it once 9 months after my last eligible booster - I was horribly sick, the second worst I have ever been* and while the acute symptoms were gone in about a week, there were several weeks of lingering mucosal yuck and tiredeness, and tracking on my fitness watch showed me it took 2 months to get back to full fitness.
Since private boosters have become available, I am availing myself of them (had one in April, next will be in October) as well as paying for the annual flu shot.
I hope the Loon continues to recover well, @North East Quine - he is lucky to have you as a ministering angel in the meantime.
———
* the worst was pneumonia - which I do not recommend - that was so bad I ended up getting a lung x-ray to check for underlying problems (thankfully clear).
Unfortunately I packed expecting to be "ministering" rather than out and about outdoors.
As I understand it, the worst thing you can do is to over-do during the fatigue. That's a great way to get long covid. Try not to?
If they started offering them again for my age group (I'm 62), I'd be along there like a shot (if the Americans will pardon the pun).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-programme-guidance-for-healthcare-practitioners
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/management/immunization/
(Sorry cross post)
They actually named something NICE?? Have they never read That Hideous Strength?? :eek:
You can - since April (when I had one), although you may have to travel to a footwear-named pharmacy in a major town or city to get it. The private covid vaccine costs about £100.
Before April private vaccination was not possible while the UK government controlled supply.
(For US shipmates - during the initial roll-out and early boosters over here, the covid vaccine was free and supplied to everyone.)
From my perspective (I am not a clinician, but have enough of a science background to make sense of the research) covid changes so quickly that I will be getting updated vaccinations every six months for the foreseeable future.
I mean to get the shingles vaccination too - it is very expensive, but there is also a suggestion of unexpected benefits as well as protection from shingles itself, which can be very nasty.
At one point, there were concerns about supplies of vaccine being bought up by wealthy countries for boosters to a wide cohort of people, whilst poorer countries were struggling to vaccinate their most vulnerable citizens even for the first time. Apart from the ethics of that, if the virus has a large pool of unvaccinated people in which to circulate it will mutate more quickly creating more risk of both vaccines and treatments becoming ineffective more rapidly.
The other issue of supply in any country, is about getting it to people who maybe become life threateningly ill as a priority over people who likely will be ill without long term serious effects. There is a finite limit to how much is available.
That's my thought too anytime anyone talks about NICE @ChastMastr
I read it many years ago and had to remind myself of the allusion but NICE biscuits are indeed very nice. I really want some now.
Those are about my least favorite biscuit. When I was a child, I used to call them NASTY biscuits.
Meanwhile, a couple of retirement homes I visit now have notices that they are experiencing COVID residents, they recommend masking, but do not require it. Staff members are likely masked. Most residents are not.
Given that my view of the current NZ government is that in any given situation they give a quick look at the options and take the most destructive one, I won't be surprised if they make a similar decision.
I can't imagine why governments would be reticent to let people who want the vaccines have them. Unless there is a scarcity or lack of funding. By now they should have a pretty good idea what portion of the population will do vaccines, and how many people that is.
I'm frustrated, too that me getting covid after all the vaccinations is interpreted as their ineffectiveness by people who want to believe vaccinations are useless or harmful.
And, yes, finding information has gotten a lot harder, @Cheery Gardener @Huia and anyone else I missed.
Today is a day off, so not a sick day as such, but he's trying to do the same "shadow" working day to see if he can stay awake for the whole of his working hours today.
Last night she said she is much better and has managed to return to the office after a week of working half days from home. She still expects to have days that aren't quite so good so taking things slowly seems the way for the Loon to go.
Yes!!
Get plenty of rest and get well soon!
Yes, my husband and I spent six weeks sitting around the lotus pond staring into space after we caught it last time. The fatigue was just that bad. And we dared not push ourselves, because that seems to be one way of getting long COVID. Therefore the pond, and the staring...
No need to show insurance card in US that I know of.
Wife got her shot the day before she tested positive for COVID. Might have contributed to her last five days. She took Paxlovid. This is the second time she has had COVID in last five years..
I have yet to get shot since I was positive when they were released in our community. Will likely get both this weekend.
I did do a little study on the current virus going around in our area. It is called FLiRT Covid, a variant of the JN1 virus. Apparently, many NOVID people have gotten it this time.
Thanks to previous boosters, I think my experience was like a heavy cold. I still have some phlegm
I also lost ten lbs the last few days.
Hope you're on the mend!
It is Kaiser and they need our Kaiser card to record number on your file that you have received the shot. Not for payment.
Fixed coding - Nenya, All Saints Host
This article says it is spreading in Europe. I am in Australia and don't even know anyone here who has tested positive recently, but not many people bother with testing now and I have been near lots of coughing and sneezing people. I only did the at home test so don't know which variant I have. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jddenj5p5o
I know I should be more careful with masking, but I always get slack once the winter has passed and the warm start to Spring lulled me into a false sense of security.
He is coming home today for a few days, so I'll get a better idea of how he's doing.
🕯Healing for him