# COVID-19 Vaccine Info
**URL:** https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756
**Category:** Share
**Created:** [January 12, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756 "2021-01-12T14:31:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/1 "2021-01-12T14:31:51Z")
> **[What You Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines and Diabetes](https://diatribe.org/what-to-know-covid-vaccine-diabetes)**
>
> COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for use in the United States and around the world. We’re here to answer questions for people with diabetes. Are the vaccines safe? Does it matter which vaccine I get? What are the side effects, and how will the...
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### Author:  [@bkh](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/bkh)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/2 "2021-01-12T17:25:20Z")
Can someone elaborate on the difference between the current emergency usage approval and an FDA fully-approved vaccine? Several months ago my endo suggested it would be prudent to wait for either full approval, or wait 3-months after the start of public administration to see if there are relatively rare but serious side effects that show up with widespread use. Now that the CDC is advising the states to open vaccination to a broader spectrum of the public, whether to wait 3 months (mid-March) is becoming a real question.
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/3 "2021-01-12T17:38:31Z")
That’s a really good question! All I can say is that my husband has gone ahead with the vaccine (retired physician but still on staff) and just got his second dose. He has a different autoimmune disorder but reviewed the evidence and felt confident proceeding.
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### Author:  [@TiaG](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TiaG)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2021, 12:27am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/4 "2021-01-13T00:27:13Z")
I wouldn’t worry about waiting 3 months; in a month I’m guessing 20+ million people will have been vaccinated and rare side effects will be readily apparent.
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### Author:  [@bkh](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/bkh)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2021, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/5 "2021-01-13T16:59:07Z")
I found a plausibly trustworthy Q&A article that tells me when to trust a covid vaccine. The bottom line answer for me seems to be to wait 6 weeks after the start of widespread distribution. In other words, maybe wait until February.
> **[Q&A on COVID-19 Vaccines - FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2020/12/qa-on-covid-19-vaccines/)**
>
> Two COVID-19 vaccines are now authorized in the U.S. and more are likely to follow. In this story, we answer some common questions about the shots.
The tidbits of interest to me are these.
The current vaccines have an EUA (emergency use authorization) rather than an approved BLA (biologics application). Usually an EUA would require the FDA advisory committee to judge that the vaccine _may_ be effective, and evidence shows that it’s safe enough to declare the benefits outweigh the risks. But for the COVID vaccines, they used a higher standard, almost equivalent to the BLA, namely that at least one proper phase 3 clinical trial shows safety and efficacy in a clear and compelling fashion, plus at least 2 months of post-trial data on at least half the trial population. (For a BLA they normally require 6 months of post-trial data to show safety and effectiveness.)
And this: “ ‘When vaccines cause serious and occasionally fatal adverse events, they invariably occur within six weeks,’ said Offit, who serves on the FDA’s advisory committee."
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### Author:  [@TiaG](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TiaG)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2021, 4:04am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/6 "2021-01-14T04:04:59Z")
If you are able to get a vaccine before Thanksgiving, more props to you! I’m thinking it’ll be months and months for most people my age, although I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my 82-year-old dad and 74-year-old mother can get it in the next month.
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### Author:  [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2021, 4:25am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/7 "2021-01-14T04:25:24Z")
@TiaG California (I’m assuming your relatives are there, apologies if not) just opened up Tier 1b phase 1 and lowered the age requirement to 65. They expect to open Tier 1b phase 2 in late Feb.
T1 diabetics are now listed in California as Tier 1c so possibly early Spring?
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### Author:  [@Jan](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jan)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2021, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/8 "2021-01-16T22:56:07Z")
In Montana, our original vaccine schedule, announced by at the time Gov. Bullock, was: “Phase 1b includes an estimated 90,000 Montanans, such as persons aged 75 years old or older, frontline essential workers, those residing in congregate care and correctional facilities, and American Indians and other people of color who may be at elevated risk for COVID-19.”
“Phase 1c are those aged 65 years and older, person aged 16-64 at high risk due to underlying medical conditions, along with essential workers.”
So, people of color had priority over white people with underlying medical conditions. And whites with medical conditions were of no higher priority than everyone 65 years plus. I was shocked when I read it. Sound racist to you?
Fortunately, newly elected Gov. Greg Gianforte has revised the schedule. Phase 1b now prioritizes people over 70 years of age and those with specific medical conditions. Essential workers including first responders, teachers and grocery store clerks have been reassigned to Phase 1c.
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### Author:  [@John58](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/John58)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/9 "2021-01-17T01:40:42Z")
> **[Huge turnout for Sequim’s first COVID-19 vaccination clinic | Sequim Gazette](https://www.sequimgazette.com/news/huge-turnout-for-sequims-first-covid-19-vaccination-clinic/)**
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> Sequim’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts may turn out to include a camping element.
A local tribe donated the excess from their allotment to the locals over age 65. Sequim is basically a retirement community. The tribe was not subject to the delay imposed by WA before seniors (70+ per WA) are allowed to get vaccinated. The tribe made the right call.
The rest of the state needs more local leadership to step up like the tribe did.
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/10 "2021-01-25T15:03:26Z")
> **[Merck Stops Developing Both Of Its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates](https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/25/960294852/merck-stops-developing-both-of-its-covid-19-vaccine-candidates)**
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> Merck, which previously made an Ebola vaccine, had been seen as a serious contender in the worldwide race to come up with an answer to COVID-19.
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### Author:  [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/11 "2021-01-25T16:17:39Z")
Seems pretty cool that out of the 6-8 top contenders, it looks like at least 4 are going to be safe and effective. That is great odds when the next pandemic hits. Hopefully they figure out how to shorten the timeline even further from this one.
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/12 "2021-01-25T17:58:25Z")
> [@Chris](#):
>
> That is great odds when the next pandemic hits.
An ominous but realistic prediction. 🙁
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### Author:  [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/13 "2021-01-25T18:10:04Z")
Not really trying to be ominous, just realistic. Pandemics have played a large role in human history, thankfully we currently have tools that can help with pandemics we encounter. It is honestly a good time to be alive from the medical standpoint.
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/14 "2021-01-29T15:48:30Z")
> **[Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Is 66% Effective In Preventing Moderate To...](https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/29/961887796/johnson-johnson-vaccine-is-66-effective-in-preventing-moderate-to-severe-covid-1)**
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> The vaccine did better at preventing disease in this country – 72% — and less well in South Africa – 57% efficacy. The efficacy seen in Latin America was 66%.
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### Author:  [@cardamom](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/cardamom)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2021, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/15 "2021-01-29T16:40:48Z")
I think even the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are supposedly less effective (though still reasonably so is my impression) against the new South African strain, which is already in the US…
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### Author:  [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/16 "2021-01-29T20:13:43Z")
With world travel the way it currently is, I think we can safely say that no country that allows for international travel without enforcing a 14 day quarantine on the way in is going to miss out on any of the possible variants. The two countries that have fared really well (Australia and NZ) have the benefit of a limited number of ports of entry to watch, and have been really strict on the 14 day quarantine into the country. I can’t see that being enforced in the US or Europe in any meaningful way.
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### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/17 "2021-01-29T22:26:11Z")
So explain that J&J thing. It is not as effective, but because it does not require the extreme refrigeration and only requires a single shot, they are still going to roll that one out to us, right?
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/18 "2021-01-29T23:04:30Z")
I think the fact that extreme refrigeration is not required means it will be easier to distribute in parts of the world that do not have the infrastructure support the others require.
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### Author:  [@TiaG](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TiaG)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2021, 11:26pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/19 "2021-01-29T23:26:46Z")
I think the other part is that some people will only get one of their two shots. When you model a vaccine’s effectiveness (which is basically its real world performance, not the ideal efficacy in the trial) you probably have to account for the fact that a two-shot regimen won’t have 100% compliance. If like 10 to 15% of people don’t get their second shots, the effectiveness of the J&J and Moderna/PFizer might be similar.
Also, what the health department people care about at this point is severe disease and hospitalization. Transmission would be great to get under control with the vaccines, but we don’t yet know how much asymptomatic spread it’s going to stop and right now herd immunity is a ways off. All these vaccines are doing a decent-to-excellent job of stopping severe disease, so just getting more people vaccinated with anything will be better than nothing.
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### Author:  [@cardamom](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/cardamom)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/covid-19-vaccine-info/10756/20 "2021-01-30T01:30:17Z")
Well many vaccines aren’t nearly as effective as the Moderna and Pfizer ones. No flu vaccine is effective as those. It’s great that they are as effective as they are, and an amazing breakthrough in vaccine tech, but not the standard at which we judge vaccines to be effective or not. If it takes until late 2021 to get everyone one of the mRNA vaccines, we potentially save many lives by rolling out the J&J vaccine in the meantime. But it drives home the point that getting vaccinated does not mean a person can drop all precautions, especially given that they may well still be able spread the virus regardless of efficacy.
Also some people are being super weird about the mRNA thing and refuse to take it, so they could instead opt for the less effective, viral vectored one. I’d definitely prefer the mRNA one if given a choice, but would take whatever I can get first.
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