1. < Transplants

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.

Posted by silverwoman @silverwoman, Jan 4, 2021

<p>I know I am not the only post-transplant patient who is thinking about getting the coVID vaccination. My nurse coordinator has told me that the transplant team at Jacksonville has not approved vaccination yet because of the lack of experience with it for our group. One of the Infectious Disease doctors has indicated in a Mayo communication that transplants should be getting vaccinated. The nurse coordinator has said that if we choose to get vaccinated then we should do our laboratories once a week. I'm frustrated and confused by the lack of clear guidance and seemingly conflicting opinions. Is anybody else feeling like this? Have you made any decisions about when and if you will get vaccinated?</p>

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

JK | @contentandwell | Jan 4, 2021

@silverwoman I'm in the same position, but I have heard NOTHING from my transplant center, Mass General. I know they must be inundated with portal messages and calls so I have held back on those but I really do want to know. It's the department of infectious diseases who calls the shots on that so I presume the transplant department also may be getting impatient if they have not yet made a decision.

I wonder too if they advise against it and I choose to get vaccinated anyway, how they will respond to that. I really want to have the vaccination and from everything I have read many transplant centers feel that any potential side-effects for us are not as bad as if we should get Covid, and when you combine age with that it's even worse. I'm 73 so that puts me at greater risk, plus I have very controlled diabetes and I understand that diabetes is another risk factor.
JK

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1 reply
wildcat | @wildcat | Jan 4, 2021

Simply for information, can I say that my Transplant team are advising all their patients to take any of the vaccines currently available here. In Scotland that means the Pfizer mRNA vaccine or the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine. New vaccines will come on board I expect and we will be updated. Hope this helps.

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1 reply
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Jan 4, 2021

@silverwoman thank you for your post. I understand you feel uncertain as to what decision is best for you regarding the vaccine given your health history and are looking for the thoughts and opinions from others in the community.

You will notice that I have added your post to the COVID-19 Group as well to foster more connections on this topic. As well, I want to direct you to the following discussion where you might find some additional, helpful resources as you assess your decision.

-Information on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution for Mayo Clinic Patients:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/information-on-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-for-mayo-clinic-patients/
Will you please let me know if you find this other discussion and resources helpful?

REPLY
3 replies
silverwoman | @silverwoman | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "@silverwoman thank you for your post. I understand you feel uncertain as to what decision is..." + (show)
@amandajro

@silverwoman thank you for your post. I understand you feel uncertain as to what decision is best for you regarding the vaccine given your health history and are looking for the thoughts and opinions from others in the community.

You will notice that I have added your post to the COVID-19 Group as well to foster more connections on this topic. As well, I want to direct you to the following discussion where you might find some additional, helpful resources as you assess your decision.

-Information on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution for Mayo Clinic Patients:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/information-on-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-for-mayo-clinic-patients/
Will you please let me know if you find this other discussion and resources helpful?

Jump to this post

Amanda, As you may have guessed, I have done my homework and educated myself pretty thoroughly on the pros and cons of having the vaccination. I'm also following everything Mayo puts out on the subject daily and have contacted my Mayo coordinator for guidance. Thanks for the suggestions. If any of you see a definitive statement regarding taking the vaccination from the Transplant Department, please put it out here on Connect so that we all get the information.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @silverwoman "Amanda, As you may have guessed, I have done my homework and educated myself pretty thoroughly..." + (show)
@silverwoman

Amanda, As you may have guessed, I have done my homework and educated myself pretty thoroughly on the pros and cons of having the vaccination. I'm also following everything Mayo puts out on the subject daily and have contacted my Mayo coordinator for guidance. Thanks for the suggestions. If any of you see a definitive statement regarding taking the vaccination from the Transplant Department, please put it out here on Connect so that we all get the information.

Jump to this post

@silverwoman I am also very concerned about this issue and have done an extensive research on pros and cons. Besides some hesitation based on the failures I have heard about having to do with mRNA type drugs I am concerned as to the rush to a vaccine that some have stated skipped normal protocols that other vaccines are subject to. The area that really has me thinking is they call this an emergency authorization and I have see reports on another drug that has been in use for many years and some doctors are having great success with but they are trying to get the powers to be to look at there findings and get the recommendation started as to there effectiveness.
The drug I'm talking about is Ivermectim and a doctor just recently testified in the Senate about it. Here is the link but it concerns me they are pushing this mRNA vaccine when there could be other options out there. I'm starting to think it's about money. The pharmaceuticals spent a lot of money and now I'm concernerd they won't look at other options.
https://youtu.be/Tq8SXOBy-4w
So I'm personally can wait for more data since I have been doing fine with the basics, Masks, hand washing and distance. Believe it or not it's time tested back to Bibical times as to how to handle pandemics.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

REPLY
6 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @danab "@silverwoman I am also very concerned about this issue and have done an extensive research on..." + (show)
@danab

@silverwoman I am also very concerned about this issue and have done an extensive research on pros and cons. Besides some hesitation based on the failures I have heard about having to do with mRNA type drugs I am concerned as to the rush to a vaccine that some have stated skipped normal protocols that other vaccines are subject to. The area that really has me thinking is they call this an emergency authorization and I have see reports on another drug that has been in use for many years and some doctors are having great success with but they are trying to get the powers to be to look at there findings and get the recommendation started as to there effectiveness.
The drug I'm talking about is Ivermectim and a doctor just recently testified in the Senate about it. Here is the link but it concerns me they are pushing this mRNA vaccine when there could be other options out there. I'm starting to think it's about money. The pharmaceuticals spent a lot of money and now I'm concernerd they won't look at other options.
https://youtu.be/Tq8SXOBy-4w
So I'm personally can wait for more data since I have been doing fine with the basics, Masks, hand washing and distance. Believe it or not it's time tested back to Bibical times as to how to handle pandemics.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

Jump to this post

@danab Wow. a very powerful plea from a medical doctor in the trenches!
Ginger

REPLY
estrada53 | @estrada53 | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "@silverwoman thank you for your post. I understand you feel uncertain as to what decision is..." + (show)
@amandajro

@silverwoman thank you for your post. I understand you feel uncertain as to what decision is best for you regarding the vaccine given your health history and are looking for the thoughts and opinions from others in the community.

You will notice that I have added your post to the COVID-19 Group as well to foster more connections on this topic. As well, I want to direct you to the following discussion where you might find some additional, helpful resources as you assess your decision.

-Information on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution for Mayo Clinic Patients:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/information-on-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-for-mayo-clinic-patients/
Will you please let me know if you find this other discussion and resources helpful?

Jump to this post

Good evening, everyone. Today I had my year 4 post transplant appointment with my Mayo heart transplant doctor - the one who literally saved my life and put me on the list. He is asking me to get the vaccine as soon as possible. When the county/city where I live is ready for the 65 years and older group, I'm in! Mayo may not be announcing for everyone to get vaccinated; each of us needs to address this concern with our individual doctor. As far as Big Pharma looking out for increased profits, of course, that's part of the game. There are quite a few companies who have profited tremendously throughout this pandemic. Yet, these companies have come up with a vaccine, which by the way, the protocols for developing such a vaccine - not necessarily for this particular virus - have been well under way for over a decade. In the end, I trust the man who saved my life. Happy New Year to everyone! Here's to a healthy, tranquil and loving 2021!

REPLY
silverwoman | @silverwoman | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @danab "@silverwoman I am also very concerned about this issue and have done an extensive research on..." + (show)
@danab

@silverwoman I am also very concerned about this issue and have done an extensive research on pros and cons. Besides some hesitation based on the failures I have heard about having to do with mRNA type drugs I am concerned as to the rush to a vaccine that some have stated skipped normal protocols that other vaccines are subject to. The area that really has me thinking is they call this an emergency authorization and I have see reports on another drug that has been in use for many years and some doctors are having great success with but they are trying to get the powers to be to look at there findings and get the recommendation started as to there effectiveness.
The drug I'm talking about is Ivermectim and a doctor just recently testified in the Senate about it. Here is the link but it concerns me they are pushing this mRNA vaccine when there could be other options out there. I'm starting to think it's about money. The pharmaceuticals spent a lot of money and now I'm concernerd they won't look at other options.
https://youtu.be/Tq8SXOBy-4w
So I'm personally can wait for more data since I have been doing fine with the basics, Masks, hand washing and distance. Believe it or not it's time tested back to Bibical times as to how to handle pandemics.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

Jump to this post

Good thoughts. Thanks, Dana.

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 5, 2021
In reply to @danab "@silverwoman I am also very concerned about this issue and have done an extensive research on..." + (show)
@danab

@silverwoman I am also very concerned about this issue and have done an extensive research on pros and cons. Besides some hesitation based on the failures I have heard about having to do with mRNA type drugs I am concerned as to the rush to a vaccine that some have stated skipped normal protocols that other vaccines are subject to. The area that really has me thinking is they call this an emergency authorization and I have see reports on another drug that has been in use for many years and some doctors are having great success with but they are trying to get the powers to be to look at there findings and get the recommendation started as to there effectiveness.
The drug I'm talking about is Ivermectim and a doctor just recently testified in the Senate about it. Here is the link but it concerns me they are pushing this mRNA vaccine when there could be other options out there. I'm starting to think it's about money. The pharmaceuticals spent a lot of money and now I'm concernerd they won't look at other options.
https://youtu.be/Tq8SXOBy-4w
So I'm personally can wait for more data since I have been doing fine with the basics, Masks, hand washing and distance. Believe it or not it's time tested back to Bibical times as to how to handle pandemics.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

Jump to this post

@dana- According to Dr. Poland, no steps were skipped in the protocols for the approved drugs. The reason, he said, that the vaccines were released so quickly was because they were so effective early on. And nothing, so far, has shown otherwise. This video, to me, is not about the efficacy of the vaccines but of medicines. And it's very political.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 5, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "@dana- According to Dr. Poland, no steps were skipped in the protocols for the approved drugs...." + (show)
@merpreb

@dana- According to Dr. Poland, no steps were skipped in the protocols for the approved drugs. The reason, he said, that the vaccines were released so quickly was because they were so effective early on. And nothing, so far, has shown otherwise. This video, to me, is not about the efficacy of the vaccines but of medicines. And it's very political.

Jump to this post

@merpreb I agree with you that the clip from the video is political, but the dr is testifying in front of the Senate, so it would be political. He is speaking not to a medical team but people elected by their constituents. It seems to me he madfe some very valid points.
Ginger

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