bub said:

Got the Moderna booster this a.m. at the Sears site, no questions asked (I had an appointment).  I was prepared to get turned away.  Had no intention of lying (immuno compromised etc.) but they weren't interested in anything but date of birth and address.  There seems to be confusion or different policies about this out there because I have an acquaintance who was turned away at the Newark site.

That's good to hear. Frankly, with all of the recent announcements regarding boosters, I'm pretty confused as to what the protocol should be.

ETA: were you 8 months out from your second shot?

One thing I found out is that the Moderna booster is expected to be 1/2 dose (that is what the company requested approval for). The "third" dose is a full dose. I don't think it's dangerous to have the larger dose, it just may not be necessary/an efficient use of the vaccine.

For Pfizer, there is no difference in the dosage in third dose and booster.

Bub, did you bring your card to get updated?

I also went this morning. My card was updated and the clerk said the data on the third shot will be forwarded to Docket.

Yes, I brought my card.  I am 8 months out and an EMT.  I don't know if it ever gets crowded ( I go the first first 2 shots elsewhere) but it was a ghost town this morning.  Right in and out.

As with the first 2 shots, I barely felt the needle and it did not hurt at all.  Had no side effects from the first  2 shots.  So far nothing.  A little silly but it makes we worry, like "did they really inject me?"  A woman there told me its a very narrow gauge needle, possibly explaining the lack of any pain. 

just to clarify - they are enforcing the 8 month time period from the 2nd shot, yes?

I don't know but it stands to reason that there must be some kind of time factor.  No matter what category you are in, if you got your 2nd shot a week ago, I doubt they are going to give you a 3d shot a week later. 

drummerboy said:

just to clarify - they are enforcing the 8 month time period from the 2nd shot, yes?

 There seems to be conflicting information out there.  Some sources say 6 month wait.  Others say 8 month wait.  Could it be based on which vaccine you received or whether you need the "third shot" vs the "booster"?  Interesting information regarding the 1/2 dose for the Moderna booster.  I had heard from a public health official [Millburn/Livingston] that there was no difference between the third dose and the booster.

We got our 3rd Moderna on Sep 20 at just under 6 months.

rcarter31 said:

We got our 3rd Moderna on Sep 20 at just under 6 months.

 where'd you go? SEARS?

Are they giving Moderna boosters at the K-Mart?   I am over 8 months since the second shot and I would like to get the booster, but I do not think the CDC has approved the Moderna booster yet.   

Moderna third shot is officially approved for immunocompromised. Not sure what the time frame is but I think it is short for that population.

Moderna booster for 65-plus & other high risk populations has NOT been officially approved. The FDA asked the company for more data, essentially to figure out whether 1/2 dose or full dose is most efficient way to go. Fauci said they should have decision within weeks. Some people in the 65 plus/risk group have been getting a full dose “third” shot of Moderna.

Pfizer has been approved as a booster in the same dosage as the third shot.

I’m confused about the terms “third shot” and “booster.” If it’s Moderna and we got two shots already, aren’t a third shot and a booster the same thing? Someone above has referred to them being different dosages. (I’m not yet qualified for a booster, due to age and when I got my second shot. I’m just curious.)

Unlike Pfizer, it is expected that the Moderna "booster" will be half of the original dose. I think this is because Moderna is showing to be most durable/effective at the "regular" dose. People who are immunocompromised are currently getting a third full dose of Moderna.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-fda-leans-toward-nod-moderna-covid-booster-shot-half-dose-bloomberg-news-2021-09-29/

drummerboy said:

 where'd you go? SEARS?

 The Kmart by Whole Foods on Prospect.

Monday, I went to Sears. Yesterday compared with my "norma" self, I was a "7"  ;Sore arm, hot sweats, feeling weak.

Today I am a 9.2 = a bit of a sore arm.

apparently, the moderna shot had more “juice” in it than the Pfizer shot- and the booster needed is only a half dose- I will wait for that approval 

This was sent out by town on Monday:

NJ Department of Health Commissioner Releases Statement on COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

From New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli:

The action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides for the administration of booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after completion of the primary series to help increase protection for the following:

• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot;  
• people age 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot;
• people age 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
• people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings, including healthcare workers, may receive a booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks.

The New Jersey Department of Health is directing our vaccination partners in the state to begin administering booster doses to eligible individuals immediately. Individuals will self-identify according to the categories above and will not be required by vaccination providers to provide proof of a medical condition or a note from a medical provider in order to receive a booster dose in New Jersey.

There are over 1,600 vaccination sites across New Jersey – more than 1,000 of which offer the Pfizer vaccine – and the Department of Health continues to work to add additional sites. Many sites have walk-in availability and extended hours. To find a vaccination site and book an appointment online, visit covid19.nj.gov/finder or call the state’s Vaccine Call Center at 1-855-568-0545.

Our efforts also include homebound individuals. Individuals who received Pfizer can reach out directly to their local health department or complete the intake form available at //covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax. For assistance completing the survey by phone, please contact the call center.

People who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not yet eligible for the booster shots authorized by the federal government.

In a statement, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky said the CDC "will also evaluate with similar urgency available data in the coming weeks to swiftly make additional recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines."

FDA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/144413/download

"People who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not yet eligible for the booster shots authorized by the federal government."

But haven't people on this thread reported that they got a Moderna booster?

I'm still confused.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/wild-west-experts-urge-americans-093007307.html

"The third jabs are only available to recommended groups who got their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago. Those groups are: people 65 years and older; residents in long-term care settings and people 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. People 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions and people 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting also may receive a booster."

...

"Booster shots of the J&J or Moderna vaccines are not yet approved, but Moderna submitted third dose data for the FDA to review on Sept. 1, according to a company release. J&J released new data last week showing a booster dose of its vaccine given two months after the one-shot vaccine provides 94% protection against moderate-to-severe COVID-19 symptoms."

Yes, some people are getting the third Moderna shot as an "unofficial" booster.

I got the third Moderna shot this week and I'm confused too.  No lying involved.  I signed up with the county after Biden got ahead of the FDA, but before the FDA's recent Pfizer-only decision.  The county did not cancel any appointments and has been giving Moderna and Pfizer shots (at Sears anyway), I guess to people that fit the Pfizer booster criteria - 65 and older, front line health workers etc.  (and to people who lie about their conditions, of which there are many I think).    

I don't know if there are "a lot" of people who are lying. The people I have heard of going for Moderna #3 are in the Pfizer booster category, which is fairly broad. One high risk person I know will not go until FDA/CDC authorize Moderna booster--they are concerned about the side effect of the higher dose and would prefer to wait for the half dose.

drummerboy said:

"People who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not yet eligible for the booster shots authorized by the federal government."

But haven't people on this thread reported that they got a Moderna booster?

I'm still confused.

 There is a question as to whether these people are using the terms booster and third shot interchangeably.  If you received a full dose (third shot) of Moderna  you may be calling it a booster.  Others who received two shots of Moderna got the booster (in effect a third full dose) of Pfizer.  The Moderna booster (likely a half dose of the first/second dose of Moderna) is not yet available.

berkeley said:

I don't know if there are "a lot" of people who are lying. The people I have heard of going for Moderna #3 are in the Pfizer booster category, which is fairly broad. One high risk person I know will not go until FDA/CDC authorize Moderna booster--they are concerned about the side effect of the higher dose and would prefer to wait for the half dose.

 I guess this means I got full dose and not the 1/2 dose that will come after official approval of Moderna boosters.  FWIW, I got the same minor localized injection site pain I got form the first two shots and nothing else.  A friend who got the 3d shot this week said he had the same middling side effects as from the first two shots and nothing more.  I don't think Israel, which I think has given millions of third shots, has seen any significant change in the side effect picture.

Israel used all Pfizer which was less strong than Moderna. That is what their studies are based on. Thus the differences, etc. in all the recommendations. If Moderna doesn't decrease its dosage for the booster (which it is recommending) and/or get approval for such recommendation I plan to soon get the full third dose. Your mileage can vary...  I have already conferred with my doctor.

update/timing 

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/01/fda-meetings-kid-covid-vaccines-514897

Has anyone had enhanced reactions after they're gotten a booster of the Pfizer vaccine? 

And is there any official update on the guidance for those who got Moderna's vaccine?

PeterWick said:

Has anyone had enhanced reactions after they're gotten a booster of the Pfizer vaccine? 

And is there any official update on the guidance for those who got Moderna's vaccine?

 As mentioned earlier, at least when I was there, the Sears site was giving both Pfizer and Moderna  boosters and I got the latter.  Same reaction as first 2 shots - some mild injection site soreness the 2nd and 3d day and nothing else. A friend who got the Moderna 3d shot had the same side effects as he had before. Nothing worse or different.

My husband received his third Pfizer shot.  He had a sore arm, nothing else.