Question for my fellow J&Jers

[luv2fly]

So I got the J&J last April and was Moderna-boosted in late October, nearly three months ago. I'm wondering if those of you similarly injected are feeling as exposed as I am when I go out and about and sometimes cannot avoid the unmasked or inadequately masked?

Had to decline an upcoming work function as there will be unmasked dining. My work does not require vaxxing (though I work pretty much exclusively remote) so there is no way I am hanging out with a bunch of potential carriers, but my sense from interactions with my colleagues is they largely don't care.. anything for a free meal I suppose in some circles.

I remember reading the Moderna booster on top of J&J was something of a top-tier option, but that it also waned after 10 weeks. 12 weeks in I'm not feeling so confident, particularly on top of what was an (I feel) inferior vaccine to start with.

[imaginary girl]

1. Can totally relate to how you feel.

So much of what you read refers to the need to be triple vaxxed. I've essentially had one and a half doses (initial J&J plus half a regular Moderna for the booster). I keep thinking they will eventually come out with more info for us, but never see it addressed. The way they are begging people to get triple vaxxed, I think, "well I'd love to be, but am not allowed!"

[luv2fly]

7. Yeah the whole "triple vaxxed" narrative seems to ignore J&Jers

But I know it isn't personal

[lagomorph777]

2. My understanding of recent J&J results is that the vaccine is OK, but should have been 2-dose.

As a 2-dose regimen, it's quite comparable to Pfizer or Moderna.

Not of much interest to you now, though.

I have turned down many office lunches through the pandemic. We are almost all working from home. Supposed to return 2 days a week starting Feb 28th, but no masks or vaccines required, so I will not. If they try to force me, I will have to quit. Can't afford to bring COVID home to my very immunocompromised and sickly wife, who is too frail to vaccinate.

[JT45242]

3. Same boat as you ...

I feel confident that the JJ with a moderns boost will keep me alive if I get it which was the primary goal of the vaccine.

Terrified of people with no masks because I am a lot More worried about long Covid and brain fog. I have switched back to working from home even though all my coworkers are likely vaccinated because my HS age son goes to school masked every day and I don't want to risk getting an asymptomatic case and giving it to a coworker.

I don't think any cocktail can completely prevent omicron from getting you if you engage in risky behavior, which is basically being anywhere inside where not everyone is masked and overwhelmingly vaxxed.

I have gone back to all curbside delivery because of the unmasked in the grocery store.

Will Covid be like shingles, herpes, etc that flair up again. Could it damage my brain? I am too old to go back to menial labor.

So I feel a lot like you.

[luv2fly]

8. I try and grocery shop Wed late mornings

Seems to be a quiet time at my local smallish (not a chain) grocery store. If I do see someone unmasked or inadequately masked I just turn around and go the other way. So far it is working!

I'd so curbside but they don't offer it any more.

[Cairycat]

4. My husband got the Pfizer after the J&J

but what I understand about the boosters is after the 10-12 weeks they are still effective at preventing serious illness, but contracting it, not as much. But until/unless a second booster is recommended, it's the best you can do.

My husband is working in person, as he has throughout the pandemic. He wears a cloth mask, though I've tried to get him to wear the KN95s we have. We are pretty careful about masking in public and don't go out to eat, etc. Neither he nor I nor our grown son who lives with us have gotten Covid. I should note that I work in an elementary school lunchroom, so fairly risky.

[lagomorph777]

6. What's his objection to wearing a real mask?

Is he just stubborn for fun?

[Cairycat]

9. Stubborn for fun?!

Pretty much! He doesn't like change, and finds the cloth mask comfortable. Yeah, he's weird

[bluecollar2]

5. I assume the unmasked

Are carrying the virus so I try to avoid unmasked social interaction.

Social distancing is my fallback. I try to interact outdoors as much as possible.

I would have done the same.

[LizBeth]

10. I have a son with J&J, booster. Read that was good like you and others.

He got covid end of Dec but little to no symptoms. Young but still. Pretty good about masking and not going out. He knows where he got it. Broke down and went out on a Friday night with friend that had gotten dumped by girl and depressed.

[Dial H For Hero]

11. I got J&J last March and a Moderna booster in September and currently have Covid.

Thankfully, the symptoms are quite mild so far, no worse than a cold.

[Freddie]

14. My daughter has Covid, 2nd time for her

She got it fall 2020 before vaccines. She was pretty sick for a week (she has asthma) but recovered completely. Got both Pfizers but never got around to a booster. She says this time is just like a bad cold. I’m in the same boat as many here - J & J last March, Moderna booster in Nov. Unfortunately I’m around my daughter a lot (I watch her kids) so we’ll see how effective this combo is. So far I feel fine. Her husband and the 2 older kids are vaxxed, keeping an eye on the 3 yo but she’s fine so far. I only go to the grocery store (masked of course) and church. My church is following county guidelines - masks required, every other pew roped off, sit 6 feet apart except for family groups, no singing even with masks, no passing the plate (drop $ in on the way out but I give electronically) and Communion with the little disposable cups. There’s also online services.

[hamsterjill]

12. We are absolutely SOL as far as information

I read everything I can get my hands on and so many articles don’t even mention those of us who got J&J. I got it because I have needle phobia and I wanted to be “one and done”. I recently got a Pfizer booster.

What I’ve read about J&J that gives me some hope is that initially, the shot didn’t reach the same high percentages of efficacy as the MRNA vaccines. BUT the J&J was in line with other vaccines; it’s just that the MRNA vaccines reached such a higher percentage of efficacy. Initially, they is. The MRNA vaccines wane in efficacy faster than the J&J. The J&J doesn’t start out as high, but it holds on to its punch longer - if I’m understanding what I’m reading. They always give J&J good marks for T-cells. So, I’m okay with having gotten the J&J.

When I decided to get a booster, I got a Pfizer because it was what was being given at the medical clinic that I wanted to go to because of my phobia.

Anyway, I hope we all have some lasting protection. I will continue to mask, distance and wash. And hope for the best.

[luv2fly]

13. I agree, info is hard to find

I look now and then as well, part of the reason I posted this question. Thanks!