Booster shots available at Sears

For those who wish to avail themselves (and qualify), booster shots are available at the old Sears location at Livingston Mall. 

My wife and I went Friday as walk-ins with no appointment (we are both over 65) for our booster of Moderna. It felt kinda weird because we were almost the only "customers" in that immense space staffed by friendly, efficient but clearly bored persons. I got the feeling (though I didn't ask) that they would take almost anyone just for something to do!

After feeling the usual uncomfortable ill effects (muscle aches, tired, slight fever) for approximately 24 hrs we now feel perfectly peachy and perhaps can sail through the winter with a little more confidence.

Unlike Pfizer, the Moderna booster will be a half dose.  Is the half dose Moderna vaccine now available at SEARS or did you receive the full dose third shot of Moderna which is only recommended for the immunocompromised who meet certain criteria?  As far as I know, the Moderna booster is not yet authorized.

For the record, you did not get a booster shot. You got a third, full strength Moderna. Moderna ooster has not been approved. When approved, it will be 1/2 strength and may or may not have added protection for Delta variant.

The people who gave us the Moderna shot called it a booster shot.

At the Essex County Sears site they asked us "You are here for?" and we said "a booster shot" they asked which one and we said "Moderna". They said, "Right this way".

In other words, "approved, endorsed, advised, half shot, full shot, long shot, big shot, shot of bourbon", -call it whatever you wish, -we got a third shot of Moderna, are happy about it and are not immunocompromised in any way (nor did they ask) other than being over age 65. 

I'm just trying to give it my best shot to pass on our direct experience for those who may be unaware of the opportunity, appreciate it and find it useful for their own health safety decisions. 

there are many local places offering them...some stop and shops, acmes, not sure about shop rite, mom and pop pharmacies, etc.  many require appointments, but I was able to schedule the appointment 2 hours before hand.  the nj covid dashboard has a list.

i got the pfizer 12 days ago...it was the mildest side effects of all.  MILD arm pain for about 4 days (getting better each day)...really just sore like i bumped it.

I called EssexCovid and was told that I couldn't get a booster yet.  A third full shot was not suggested as an alternative.  It's been more than six months, and I'm a senior.  Sheesh.  I wish they'd get their stories straight.  

Is Sears still for Essex County residents only?

I believe Sears is for people who live or work in Essex. But at this point, they seem pretty open to giving shots, so maybe they will not strictly follow this. I remember early on--even when vaccine supply was limited--that technically there was supposed to be a "no turn-away" policy, probably related to federal funding or something.

On 10/14, the FDA committee recommended approval of the 1/2 dose Moderna "official booster,"  so it seems very likely that the full FDA approval and CDC recommendation update will come later this week.

The Kmart by Whole Foods on Prospect is open to anyone whether they live in Essex County or not. Third shots of Moderna are available and I was not asked about underlying conditions. I am clearly over 65.

Again, there is a difference between a third Moderna and a booster Moderna. The third shot is full strength. The booster will likely be 1/2 strength and may have different formulation to include protection for Delta. The booster is awaiting approval.

My point is that there may be people wanting to wait for the official booster.  I did not wait, but others may want to.

Endless confusion. And now the debate as to whether those who got the J&J vaccine should "mix and match." Sigh.

My daughter sez that we are now "topped off".

Elle_Cee said:

I called EssexCovid and was told that I couldn't get a booster yet.  A third full shot was not suggested as an alternative.  It's been more than six months, and I'm a senior.  Sheesh.  I wish they'd get their stories straight.  

This much confusion shows to me a lack of competence or politicization. 

So, are you waiting on them to get their stories straight for your shot? You're not in Kindergarten. You can make your own decisions instead of waiting for them to bless you with permission. T

That most providers are handing out third shots, practically on a silver platter without question, should tell you what they really think of all this.

Other countries, like Israel, have proven the high efficacy of that third shot.

Thank you, Steel and RCarter, the info you provided encouraged us to visit a Covid Vaccine site today.  My husband got his third shot, and that wouldn't have happened if you hadn't posted.  I've decided not to get my third vaccination yet.  I don't want to risk the side effects I experienced after the second shot, because I can't spare the time for feeling sick this week.  I may wait till next week, or wait for the actual half strength booster.  

It is among my fondest wishes that a half dose comes with only half the side effects…

Heynj said:

It is among my fondest wishes that a half dose comes with only half the side effects…

 Although I have no detailed scientific knowledge about this, I highly doubt that it works that way.

Moderna apparently believes that the booster's side effects will be less unpleasant than those of the full shot.  From an AP article:  "Moderna said it chose the lower-dose booster because it triggered fewer uncomfortable shot reactions such as fever and achiness but also leaves more vaccine available for the global supply."  We shall see once the booster is widely administered, and I guess we shall also see how effective the booster is in preventing infection.  

Someone made a statement on Nextdoor that the third dose of Moderna that is being provided at the Essex Covid sites right now is actually half of the original vaccine dose, i.e., it is the booster quantity that has been approved by the FDA.  I called Essex Covid and one of the employees there confirmed this.  Wish I had been vaccinated yesterday.  

I would verify that with your local health department not some random volunteer picking up the phone.  There is a lot of confusion out there right now as to third shot vs booster and differences between the three types of vaccine available.  To the best of my knowledge, the half dose Moderna is not yet approved and therefore not yet available.  To me the issue should not be whether a lower dose produces fewer side effects so much as whether a lower dose is sufficient to produce the desired level of immunity.

Thanks for the suggestion, Joan.  I spoke with the Health Dept., and yes, the third dose my husband received was the booster.  Immuno-compromised people can receive a full third dose, but we're not in that category as far as we know.  I also checked an email we received simultaneously with the visit to the Essex Covid site, and on the email, it does state that he received a booster.  There's a Covid portal on the Township website that may be more informative than the county's, but I haven't checked it out yet.  

Elle_Cee said:

Thanks for the suggestion, Joan.  I spoke with the Health Dept., and yes, the third dose my husband received was the booster.  

 Pfizer or Moderna?  

moderna 1/2 dose boosters are not yet authorized

the vote looks to be on wednesday

They aren't authorized, but Essex Covid is dispensing them nonetheless.  

My brain is even more scrambled now, because Essex Covid has removed the references to the Moderna Booster on their website and is now listing "Moderna Additional/Third Dose."  Will call the Maplewood Health Department again tomorrow.  

Moderna boosters are now authorized but not available on the EC website.

Moderna boosters were recommended yesterday.  Approval is expected to come as soon as today.  It may take awhile before the half-dose vaccine is delivered to the vaccination sites.

A good vaccine overview:

It should not take a while for the half dose to arrive as one full dose can be broken into two. And now on the Essex schedule website is a choice of Moderna third/additional dose or Moderna booster. Rather than assume or even ask someone like the Maplewood health officer (who frankly would not necessarily know)  I sent an email just now to essexcovid19@admin.essexcountynj.org and asked them that question. I've asked them questions before and they've always been prompt. I'll keep you all informed. Doesn't pay to speculate. 
And here is the email I sent to Essex County: "

I see you now show both Moderna Booster and Moderna third/additional shot. Please advise if the Moderna Booster is the half dose that per the FDA (and Moderna) recommends. Thank you,"

And I just received this email back:

Hello,

Yes, the Moderna Booster is the half dose. Moderna third shots are ONLY for people who are immunocompromised.

Scheduling my booster now! 

do they even have to order special reduced doses?  doesnt it come in a vial and they just draw up as much as they need?

jmitw said:

do they even have to order special reduced doses?  doesnt it come in a vial and they just draw up as much as they need?

 Basically what I said above.