How are you considering vaccinations in the brave new world?

I am 5 years out from getting a lung transplant and have not had any vaccines for about 3 years. I do not believe that just because of a pandemic suddenly pharmaceutical companies can cure viruses. I have not been seriously ill in the three years, with a few cases of the sniffles. I did have the shingles virus as due to having the COVID vaccine I am in the age bracket where I am susceptible to shingles. I have also in my 55 years never found any use in flu vaccines, I actually only caught the flu when I started taking them. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I am not taking any vaccines and will deal with the problem if it arises. I had all the COVID vaccines and still got COVID, as a transplant recipient I was given treatment not available to the general public that worked within hours. i believe it was anti-bodies from people who had developed them while having COVID.

Thanks for your thoughts, we are all different yet the same as immune compromised people. For the first time, 3 years after my transplant I was infected with Covid despite being on top of my vaccines. I had to be hospitalized to receive a treatment I could not access as an outpatient as I live in a more rural community. I was very sick. I think I would be more sick or worse had I not routinely had the vaccine. The purpose of my post was not to debate the merits of vaccinations among those who don’t think they can help them- I’m more interested in hearing from folks who believe in vaccinations about how they are coping with increasingly unclear information from the Centers for Disease Control.

@katebw, I am depending on my transplant team for my vaccine recommendations.
My transplant was 16 years ago, and they have always made sure that I am up to date with all my vaccines and preventive health screenings. I know that at Mayo there is an open line of communication between the transplant dept and the infectious disease experts at Mayo Clinic. And my team has, in the past, advised according to that coordinated relationship. When I was at Mayo in May for my annual evaluation I inquired about an update or booster for the Covid-19, but was told to keep my eyes and ears open for any updates (if there is any). I do believe that my transplant team will send me an update along with recommendation if/when there is one.

In the meantime, I remain vigilant and adhere to safe health practices to the best of my ability.

Hi. You are right everyone needs to make that call for themselves. You seem like a very smart person and I am sure you are already balancing what you read from the CDC with other sources. Different sets of eyes and different points of view. My wife and I are persons of faith big time. But I am also a person of science (big time). Of everything I could find (Mayo, Insurance company, CDC, etc, etc, etc , was (on balance) very pro vaccine. I choose every vaccine suggested by Mayo and Insurance company and have been fine for two years . My wife ( who is not immunocompromised like me but also got very few vaccines (including no on COVID)) did get covid. I did not get covid even living in the same house and eating with her for two weeks while she had it. Many top experts now say covid came from a lab. We may never know If covid came from a lab or a bat in a market but that is immaterial to our care. I think on balance most "experts" say yes to vaccinations. Good enough for me. Mine is just a sample size of one but there you go. Wishing you well.

I am 38 years post transplant. I trust that my doctors have my best interests to keep me safe. I do what they ask me to when it comes to vaccinations because I trust them. But only you can make that decision. Prayers on your transplant journey.

I have taken every vaccination that my doctors recommend. I have had my Covid shots but I still got Covid twice. I wasn’t sick either time. I think that was because of my Covid shots. Blessings on your transplant journey. I am also 38 years post transplant, a few bumps on the road but I am still doing ok.