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

@rosemarya @estrada53 Frankly I am purposely not contacting them. I want very much to get the vaccine and Mass General is extremely conservative - for instance, they advise against the shingles vaccine but most transplant centers do not. If I contact them and they say no I will feel I have to follow that advice. If I have heard nothing from them and every other good transplant center is saying yes I may go ahead and get it since I have not been told not to.

I have heard conflicting things about Mayo. I think I heard that MN said no and FL said yes. What is the official word from them, Rosemary?
JK

I watched a video of a Mayo doctor and he advised for transplants to get the vaccination. He stated(trying to remember correctly) that instead of the 95 % effectiveness it would be around 30-40 % for transplant patients. I don't know tell you how to view it.

I have had the same feeling that the doctors are being very conservative with their guidance, not willing to commit at this point because of the lack of history with this new type of vaccine production, as well as their conservative approach to medicine which I, for one, like. However, I have decided to go ahead and be vaccinated because I am much more afraid of getting the coVID influenza than I am of the vaccine. Weighing the risk between the two, I'm going to opt for the vaccine. Everyone's input has helped me to think (and rethink) my decision, so thanks to all.

silverwoman, I have a friend with one lung, transplanted several years ago, who is currently going through rejection testing and all that goes with it. No definitive answer yet, but he should know something in a day or so. This is such a tough spot, impossible decision at this time. There is so much still to learn about these vaccines and your situation is truly special. You are going to have to keep yourself safe until you get the absolute YES from your doctors. This is one issue re the covid vaccines that must be dealt with as the true experts......I consider the Mayo infections disease and transplant fellows the experts....have enough time and information to have solid answers. Blessings in this tough time. Elizabeth

I too will opt for the vaccine. You are not alone.

I'm with you silverwoman. Just celebrated my 3yr anniversary on 12/22/2020. Only thing good that happened 2020 for me..I am scared but I had checkup last week and my Dr. at Mayo said , get it. I would rather suffer with side effects than suffer with the virus. Im praying for all of us that the good Lord will wrap his arms around us and pull us through,.

I love Scotland! I was there after WWII. Went over from Virginia via freighter to Edinburgh for my father to get his PHD. We lived there for about a year while he studied, lived in a tiny appt with coal heat and very little coal available. No sugar. No or little milk. I was 1 year old and began speaking with a very, thick Scotish brogue, I still revert to if ever around a Scot. I suppose I can say it's my original language, although I never spoke Celtic as far as I know! My nanny taught me to talk and took good care of me while we were there.

Mom often gave me her ration of food for the day. Unbelieveable how difficult that time was for your country. She got pheumonia on the trip home and almost died, from malnutrition. I wore a kilt, Monroe Clan, and wore it in the US after getting home. To school. Also, a little cap? I still have and occasionally use the tea coaster Mom got while there. I do love my tea......

Dad went back to Edin. to receive some kind of recognition and I was very sad I couldn't travel with him. What a lovely country! Blessings, Elizabeth

Thank you for your lovely memories and your kind words. I love your country too and spent a very happy year in St Paul as a student. Everyone loved my Scottish accent!
I'm so sad to see what is happening in Washington tonight especially when we should all be helping each other at this terrible time.

I'm just going to give my opinion, I will not be getting the vaccine, I have had COVID, all I had was a cough....it could have been worse I agree. However, since I'm producing antibodies I think its a mute point to take it, and also the too vaccine's are Mrna vaccine a d have never been widely used in the public, everyone has to deiced for their self, weigh the pro's and cons and make their own decisions , but right now I'm worried about where the virus came from and the limited information that we have been able to see, and to one of your points, it was not near as deadly as the said and would even go so far as to say, that the numbers are wrong......mind you this is my opinion.

I had my transplant at Mayo Rochester. That’s who I contacted for answers. Our daughter, my donor, was able to get her vaccine today. The place she works at was allocated 30 doses. She was offered one because they know that she spends a lot of time with me and my husband, who has dementia and helps out.