I’ve passed my 50th birthday, and my husband is a lot older than me. So, we finally got our second COVID booster shot.

Although the CDC doesn’t seem to be very clear as to when those 50 and over should be doing getting this booster, our area is now seeing both an increase in reported COVID cases and in hospitalizations. St Louis is currently seeing a COVID surge greater than the Delta one of last Summer. Our county is not in the Red Zone yet, but who knows what will be happening tomorrow or the next day? No one here wears a mask. And large gatherings are the rule; not the exception. Even a spark can ignite a forest fire & there certainly are a lot of sparks right now. Unfortunately, our governor has prohibited future local mask ordinances no matter how big any future surge (of any disease) may become. So, everything is now on each individual to be totally responsible for protecting themselves from both possible severe COVID & death and/or from Long COVID.

Those under 50 (and who are not autoimmune compromised) may do okay during this next COVID surge. But others may not. Since Omicron now evades wanning vaccines and seems to be sending equal numbers of the vaccinated to the hospital, I have mixed feelings about getting 4 COVID shots in just one year’s time. Will this 2nd booster really help? I’m counting on the science that says it can with an older population. However, booster vaccines are still the original formulation designed to protect against wild COVID; which Omicron (the variant the US is currently dealing with) has proven it can get past.

After my very first shot which went very smoothly, I’ve had miserable side effects from each of my other COVID shots. With each new vaccination, I unfortunately have ended up in bed for a couple of days. Some claim that pronounced side effects only mean that the vaccine is working, but the latest research doesn’t seem to indicate any validity in that theory. Now with my second booster (4th shot), I’ve been experiencing severe headache, muscle ache, joint ache, fatigue, and have now also have a hint of COVID arm. Ugh. These are all normal, short term, side effects “expected” for a sizable percentage of those have been vaccinated: more so for younger people than older. Although vaccine side effects (for those who experience them) are not pleasant, they are far, far, far better than getting severe COVID!!!

Supposedly, being vaxed and boosted can help keep you from dying from COVID. That’s why it’s so important for “older” folks - with weaker immune systems - to be boosted. Otherwise, I might not have been among the 11% of eligible Americans to get my second booster at this point. Meanwhile, my older husband is at an age where he really does require the extra protection. So, it was wise that I also got another booster at the same time, too. It can only help both of us.

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Protection from Long COVID???

Although I believe in vaccination, I have a lot of questions about how much protection is really gained with another booster. If COVID shots only protect against severe disease and death (but not infection), I now wonder about Long COVID. If you experience a “breakthrough” infection after vaccination, is there any LONG COVID protection from a booster? Those, with the basic 2 shot vaccination, supposedly can come down with Long COVID; just like the unvaccinated can....Research says that Long COVID can affect those who get either asymptomatic & mild case of the COVID virus: not just those who experience severe COVID. So, if this newest, extra booster can keep an individual out of the hospital and prevent their dying from COVID (at least for 8 weeks post booster), will it also protect those who are boosted from developing Long COVID? Or is Long COVID just a crap shoot for anyone that gets the virus???? At this point, no one seems to know. Long COVID is not yet really understood. However, Long COVID is something that no one in their right mind wants to get. The symptoms are horrible and widespread (many completely disabling) and treatments to date don’t exist. Thought now is that many cases of Long COVID may last a lifetime. Long COVID seems to be becoming more & more a long-term problem for a sizable part of the population who have fallen victim to COVID. Maybe that's because more and more people are falling victim to COVID.

Those of you (who prefer natural infection over vaccination) may want to think about the long term. You might be young and healthy and not prone to die (even if you're not vaccinated) if you get Omicron. BUT you also may not escape Long COVID and the long-term suffering that accompanies this syndrome. The more often someone gets infected by COVID, the higher the odds of ending up with Long COVID. In the big picture, this all could mean a long term drain on the medical health care system. On an individual level, surely no one wants to be ill with one of more afflictions for the rest of their life.

That's why I question how vulnerable one may be for Long COVID after being vaxed and double boosted? The vaxed and boosted can still get and spread COVID. Vaccination works in preventing severe disease and death for most, but with Omicron mutating, exactly how well does it really work for everyone?

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May 24, 2022

“More than 1 in 5 Covid survivors (under the age of 65) in the U.S. may develop long Covid, a C.D.C. study suggests. The researchers identified post-Covid health problems in many different organ systems, including the heart, lungs and kidneys. Other issues involved blood circulation, the musculoskeletal system and the endocrine system; gastrointestinal conditions, neurological problems and psychiatric symptoms were also identified in the study.

Long COVID happens with 1 in 4 survivors over the age of 65. The study results “can potentially translate into millions of people with new diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, neurologic problems that they would not have had without COVID. These are lifelong conditions. The study did not look at the vaccination status of the patients ”

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This relatively new virus that China let loose on the World in late 2019 is far more complex than anyone originally would have imagined.

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The Best Vaccine

We keep hearing that an Omicron specific vaccination is right around the corner. Unless another new variant pops up first, such a vaccine would probably lessen breakthrough infections for the vaccinated. And thus, also diminish deaths and Long COVID among the vaccinated. That would be great.

If you don’t get COVID, you won’t die from it nor end up with Long COVID.

Unfortunately, so far, the research doesn’t seem to be working out to formulate a vaccine that proves to be more efficient and longer lasting than the current shots and boosters (designed to target wild COVID). Lately, I’ve been again hearing talk about how there may be an improved, more efficient COVID vaccine sometime in 2023. That is if a new variant doesn’t pop up; which would change everything. Based on history, however, a new variant is highly probable. So does that mean 2023 will then turn into 2024 before COVID can be brought under better control? Or 2025? Or 2030? Or 2100?

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The goal post of a light at the end of the tunnel keeps moving.

Meanwhile, we just do what we can do. My husband and I timed our second booster for this week based on a rise in local infection. Getting vaccinated now will also space out a 3rd booster (which may be recommended for those over 50 in the Fall). Current predictions for COVID infections and deaths this coming Fall and Winter in the USA are dire. Truthfully, I hate the idea of still potentially another shot, but that would be 100% better than what COVID can do.

I've gotten my annual flu shot every year since I was a teen and have not had the flu since I started to do so. I have gotten all kind of travel vaccinations (including multi dose ones) up the gazoo. I can't say I'm thrilled about getting all these shots. But if that is what is needed to keep one alive and healthy, I do it. I believe in science. Hopefully, science will eventually lessen all major risks for everyone from COVID in the future.

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220.9 Million (about 66% of all Americans are vaccinated are fully vaccinated
102.7 Million (about 46% of those who are vaccinated) have received a first booster dose
12.9 Million Americans (only about 11% of those eligible who are currently eligible) have received a second booster dose. That puts us in the minority.

Most people that I know who are eligible for booster #2 want the second booster. However, CDC guidance has left them questioning "when" they should get it. Now or in the Fall?

We live in a low vaccination state. Only 45.1% have gotten 1 vaccination dose in the county where we live. Several other counties in the state have a vaccination rate in the low 20%’s (meaning an 80% non vaccination rate there). Plus, a large percentage of more counties have vaccination rates just in the low to mid 30%. This is rather akin to many Third World Countries where vaccines are not readily available. Nevertheless, there have been vaccines available for everyone in our state. People just have chosen to not get vaccinated. Then, the vaccines go out of date and have to be thrown away. What a waste to the World who needs those vaccines.

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It's Up to Each Individual

Our taking personal action to protect ourselves against COVID has been a necessity. Others in the community aren’t going to help protect us. Being an older gentleman, my husband is especially vulnerable to a potentially bad outcome from the disease. So, we have gotten booster shoots (that hopefully will help protect both of us) and continue to mask up indoors when around strangers.

COVID is never going to go away. BUT hopefully, it will someday become more manageable for those who are older and/or immune compromised. Hopefully, science will really help us all from ever getting seriously ill & even prevent Long COVID. But we aren’t there yet. COVID unfortunately mutates. As a result, the world now needs improved, longer lasting vaccines. Vaccinating every few months (with annoying temporary side effects: although harmless) has been difficult.

Anti vaxers are going to dwell on the idea that vaccines have side effects: no matter how mild. They will also dwell on the fact that the effectiveness of current vaccines do wane. On top of it all, even those, who are pro vaccination, are growing weary of repeat shots that may make them feel unwell for a day or so. PLUS, after Omicron arrived on the scene, the current vaccines also now don’t seem to be super long lasting in their peak efficiency. Each new mutation of Omicron seems to be significantly more contagious and also getting better at evading immunity from vaccinations and from prior infections.

The situation is what it is. So far, we’ve remained COVID free. Still, it’s been a battle to remain so with more and more and more contagious variants that can also reinfect even the same individuals many, many times. Virus acquired immunity doesn’t last very long. Vaccine induced immunity (that also diminishes with time) still is the best. Because we all hate wearing a mask, most individuals have totally dropped their masks - in all settings. With COVID levels again rising, this may have been premature. This pandemic really hasn’t gone away; no matter how much everyone wants to believe that it has.

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COVID and the Human Brain

Supposedly, each and all COVID infections (including mild and asymptomatic ones) can affect the brain to the point of decreasing IQ points. Although some individuals’ infections may not seem that severe, COVID has still changed them in a negative way. Early dementia could be part of the future for COVID victims. No one knows yet. Nevertheless, all COVID victim’s brains have been changed. COVID isn’t like the common cold nor like the flu. This disease is much more complex. The more we learn about it, the worse SARS CoV 2 seems: even if you don’t develop severe illness or die from an infection.

The best overall scenario is not to ever have this virus inside your body… However, that goal is a daunting taste with the virus’s level of contagiousness; plus, a sizable portion of the World population unwilling (or unable) to take precautions currently available to limit the spread. Humankind often seems to be their own worst enemy.

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Anyhow, my husband and I are now both vaxed and double boosted with the exact same vaccine that we received back in early/ mid 2021. That should help us some; at least in the short term. Who knows what the Fall may bring? Or even next week. Hopefully, we didn’t get our 2nd booster too soon. Hopefully, a more effective booster will be available in the Fall when we go to get our Flu shots. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully.

One thing is for sure. As much as people may wish it, the COVID World Pandemic is not over. Plus, Long COVID is real with no cure. But after 2½ years of trying to cope with COVID-19, we now all must do whatever we feel is acceptable for us as individuals. For some, that will be totally ignoring COVID unless it hits them personally in some outward, really negative way. For others, it is still trying to prevent ever getting the virus. That is our viewpoint. We chose vaccination and still mask up indoors whenever with strangers. Hopefully, that will continue to work.

Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully.