Moderna or Pfizer or J&J?

Moderna 1 and 2 for me. About 4 months ago and no major side effects as of now. Arm jus a bit soar for a few days with second dose

That shit scares the hell out of me.

Real Minority Report type stuff, but not with crime (but expect that to come along...)

FWIW, I'm not vaccinated, and I don't intend to (at least not yet). I'll wait and see how this all pans out 6-12 months down the line. I can live another year without the vaccine since I got Covid early on. It was like a bad flu. It sucked, but not so much that I was scared or worried. And while the microchip conspiracy isn't something I fall for (though in today's world it certainly is something that is making us seem more like the Borg as people actually think it's a good idea and test it out - hell, one guy actually had a microchip implanted because he WANTED to be the first - how nuts is that?), it is something that concerns me. I don't like the idea of people who think they are better or smarter than me trying to manage my life. We've fought wars against this kind of thought and ideology - why are people falling for it now?

That said, I'm no conspiracy nut. I'm not an anti-vaxxer. If I get it (and I may), I'll get J&J. No gene therapy for me, thank you. But my guess is the likelihood of me getting again is about slim and none (did the math, saw the #s - very, very few people get it twice, even different strains). If I do get it again, I handled well, and they have better treatments now even if I can't. Is that a risk? Hell, life is a risk. This hobby is a risk. Walking down the street in Manhattan is a risk. This is no bigger risk than any of those things. But the media want to engage FUD and keep you saddled with doubt? Go for it...

Get the vaccines - I told my 85 year old dad to get it. He's got risk factors like crazy. Makes sense. Me? Fuck 'em if they can't deal.

According to my "research", Pfizer had fewer complaints than Moderna. I got the Pfizer and other than a 3-day itch in the shoulder after both shots, no side-effects.

However any personal stories of vaccine problems pales in comparison to the stories of those who contracted COVID-19.

Get the shot!

Really? I don't know anyone who had it that had symptoms much worse than me. I'm not saying there aren't people out there who didn't get it worse. Obese people, diabetics, heart conditions (my father is 85 with bad ticker, so...). But overall, I've heard over 50 personal stories of people (including me) who had it. Bad flu. Now, as I said - I'm not saying it won't be or can't be very bad. It certainly can be. All I'm saying is I have not heard a single bad story personally. Not one. And almost everyone I know got it. Some were health professionals (and they won't get the shot, either), it's a choice and some people SHOULD get it simply because they're at risk. Others should get it because they let their emotions overrun them and let the fear overwhelm them. The damn virus is not an existential threat to humanity. The Delta variant is even less so (viruses mutate all the time, usually to spread more easily because it can't find purchase. In a way, non-vaccinated people help prevent mutation by letting the original spread more widely. But mutation usually makes a virus less deadly and less dangerous - which it seems is true of Delta).
My 85 year old dad is a health professional. Skeptical as he is of it, he knows he's at risk. So he got it and I agreed with his choice. But I have no issue with people who don't get it. It's a choice.

"Moderna or Pfizer or J&J?"

Yes, Just yes.

Have you ever considered a bet? Understand about odds?
Work out the odds of death and of destruction of your life, both for taking the vaccine and for avoiding it.
Then compare those odds honestly.

Then make your choice.

I got covid not long after it first appeared here. Sucked pretty bad. Was off work five weeks. I wasn't going to get the vaccine then I started thinking back about when I had the virus and decided I didn't want to deal with that again. Went and got the Moderna. First shot wasn't bad. Got a bit weak, second shot was worse. Very weak and rundown. Missed a day of work then back to normal.

Exactly my experience...

I think that that was a good thing for you and livinthedream. From everything I have read the harsher the side effects the better the immune response.

I’m curious, how did almost everyone you know contract COVID? Was it at some specific event that they were exposed, or early on before it was understood how to minimize your risk/exposure? I know very few who contracted this disease.

As an aside, i am a health professional, worked in pharma with others on antiviral research for almost my entire career, and I was vaccinated, as were almost all of my colleagues. This was my first vaccine (other than the myriad of vaccinations they give you in basic training) since 1976. I am not pro-vaccine, and believe there are good reasons to not be vaccinated annually, but this virus and it’s side effects is a different situation. And unlike the typical flu vaccines which are typically around 30% plus efficacious, this virus was easy to target and for that reason these vaccines are extremely efficacious.

The two friends of mine who died in the ER would tell you it wasn’t just the bad flu.

I was willing to accept any of the vaccines, ended up with pfizer, no reaction at all for either the first or 2nd injection other than what you would expect from a poke in the arm.

what I am not sure about is if I would allow my child to be vaccinated if I had a baby or toddler, or a a child 5-12. If something untword happened how would you forgive yourself?

Had the Moderna in March.

First shot nothing but muscle soreness in the arm.

Second shot had back inflammation for two days.

Probably an early Jan trade show, followed by sales conference within 2 weeks of that. Heavy China presence at the first show. By mid-March many of the people I work with had already had it. I got it mid March 2020. Out of all my friends, by about midsummer almost all had had it. By 2 weeks past new years, all had. My wife, oddly enough, never contracted it despite multiple exposures. I'vd had multiple exposures as well...yet no contracting it again. So I'm fairly certain I'm good to go.

My wife got the vaccine...my sons did too. Only one of my sons had contracted it with no effects. My other son, like his mother, was resistant despite living with his gf who had it (and likely may have gotten it from me due to a visit right before we knew I was sick).

I am very pro-vax. As the son of a physician, who worked at the CDC and is well aware of Fauci and his egomania, I take vaccines seriously. I got my shingles vaccine because 3 people in my family have gotten shingles...so...probably not a bad idea. However, this one is very different. VERY different.

I won't debate the efficacy. I won't tell you that your friends who died had just a bad flu. If you read what I wrote, I acknowledge all those things. However, let's state facts:
1. this is NOT an existential threat to humanity. It's not small pox, hell it's not even polio. Even my father laughs at the lies and BS on TV.
2. 90% of people will have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. As I said to someone who said "you're lucky it wasn't bad", No - I WAS STANDARD. I am the epitome of what happens when you get it. Literally.
3. Of the remaining 10%, there will be varying degrees of how bad it can be. My brother had a case worse than mine, but he's got at-risk qualities. The main difference between me and him was the length of time. His lasted 3-4 full weeks. Mine was about 2 weeks. He is taking part in a clinical study - so far, no long-term effects for him. Me? I walked in a fog for a month and a half until I got the opportunity to get outside and get exercise. Once I was out in the sun and exercising regularly, the fog lifted. The fog wasn't so bad - I had short term memory issues and while I was afraid they could be long-term, the exercise cleared the head and I've been great ever since. In fact, I've lost 10 additional pounds and improved my stamina. I'm in better health now than I was prior to.
4. The variant is more contagious (maybe) but likely less deadly. Viral outbreaks mutate, but typically mutate to be less deadly and spread more easily - because kiling your host is not a good way to propagate. It's worth noting there's less mutation if there are more opportunities to spread. In other words, my non-vaccination (assuming I can be infected again, though this seems a long shot) is helping the vaccinated - it's not hurting them.


It's not like I entered my decision lightly. I took into account numbers, information and data that most people have no interest in really following up on. Most people watch the news and think they are informed and know what's going on. I know what the reality is, and while there is some reality on TV, most of it is fear-mongering for ratings and pursuit of political agenda-setting.
I said at the start this who thing was likely a test to batter down the anti-vaxxers...it seems to be true. I'm not an anti-vaxxer, so I'm amazed how people react when facts and honesty are presented to them. When my personal physician recommended the vaccine to me, I told him everything I said here. He smiled and said "you're better informed than most - I'll give you credit for doing your homework."

you convinced yourself. Good luck.

I'm the only person who has to be convinced. Of course, I convinced my doctor. He hasn't gotten it. Nor has any of his nurses. He only recommended it - it's his duty to do so.
I don't need luck. I'm healthy. I haven't ever said people shouldn't get the vaccine. I do laugh at the fear though. It simply is NOT that dangerous unless you have risk factors.
You have to ask yourself one question - who benefits from all this and who is injured?
1. The crony pharmas and their political buddies shoveling money at them. Free vaccines - all paid for by debt with money we don't have, saddling our grandchildren with debt they'll never pay off. Shutting down an economy for a virus that, if adjusted population levels are taken into account, is not much worse than the 1957 flu.
2. Political power mad idiots who want to control peoples' lives with their nanny-state BS.

At no point did I argue vaccines are bad. At no point did I say don't get them. At no point did I say anything of this nature - I'm merely making a point. And it's that not getting the vaccine is perfectly legitimate and persecuting people who don't (as is happening) or offering people money to get them (as is happening - which means people who were responsible are not rewarded, only latecomers are...brilliant!) is discriminatory and not in line with our nation's values or beliefs.

But spread the fear. Go ahead. It seems to keep people happy. Just know that it's not necessarily just the unvaccinated who are contracting the virus...and of those unvaccinated, how many are illegals who crossed the border and not only weren't vaccinated, but helped start this process all over again. This has been overly politicized to the point that there is no reality and you have to start using common sense. But it helps to have a background in statistics, as I do.

https://www.documentcloud.org/docum...-public-gatherings-massachusetts-july-30-2021

Was that true when most of the infections during Memorial Day and the Fourth of July nationwide were predominantly healthy under-35's? Is it still true when there is a wealth of evidence to support the Delta variant being two times as infectious as the original virus? You do realize that the Delta variant is as infectious as chickenpox, and the reason why the latter is not an issue these days (unless you're an anti-vaxxer trying to start a local outbreak) is because of the vaccine that you took as a little snot in the 2nd grade.

It was true then and it's still true now. More infectious does not equate to more dangerous or more deadly.
Chicken pox? Seriously? It's a huge problem if you're an adult. I had that, and mumps, as a kid. My kids had both, as well. Neither are an existential threat. They are just annoying. Unless you're an adult. Comparing the infection rate to chicken pox makes me laugh. But let's be clear - ask yourself a question that nobody asked.
The CDC had that information internally a week ago. Supposedly, all along, they've been releasing tons of data and information to keep us "updated" and aware of all the information they have.
But, for some bizarre reason, this information was NOT released and had to be "leaked".
Oh, I know someone will come up with some BS excuse as to why they were still "studying" the infection rate, etc. But the lack of common sense being employed in most of these informational 'updates' frightens me more than the information itself.

BTW, if you read my posts, you might understand something.
You're writing as if I'm an anti-vaxxer. I'm not. I get mine (mentioned that I recently got my shingles vax - due to the fact I had chicken pox when I was younger, and other members of my family had shingles and THAT IS debilitating. 3-4 weeks out of work and severe rash/nerve pain. I can do without that. Comparatively, covid was a walk in the park for me and my son.) I'm aware of the importance of vaccines. My father is a physician, I studied to be one for a while, didn't deal with blood and other people's nastiness well. I have a shitty bedside manner, and I admit it, so I found a new path. My father spent time at the NIH, too. With Fauci. So he's no ignorant fool.

I'm also not saying people shouldn't get the vaccines. In fact, I encourage people to get them if they have risk factors.
But here's the problem. When I got covid, I was on a business call with my team and let them all know that I'd be working through it. You'd have thought they believed I was going to die. They acted as if they could get it through zoom, then they spent time saying all kinds of things like "OMG you need to go to the hospital, etc." I replied, No. My doctor reviewed my status. I'm breathing well, drinking fluids, taking my vitamins and reducing my sugar (which is critical). He told me it would be a bad flu. Guess what? It was. And I'd had the flu not 2 weeks earlier. This was a little worse. The worst part? The 3 week long headache...but it wasn't all that bad, to be honest. Just annoying.

It's a question of how healthy you are, how well you take care of yourself and what you're willing to deal with. My sons ran out and got the vaccine, and I didn't tell them they shouldn't. They're healthier than I am, and one had covid....I just kind've think if you're up for that kind of thing, then go for it. Me? Nope. Not a chance. mRNA is not a real vaccine and the one of the doctors who invented it has serious questions about how it was rolled out. Which is why I said in my posts that IF I get the vaccine (and I may since the social construct at this time - based on people like you and your reaction - is such that tyranny and oppression to conform is very heavy handed), I'll get J&J. It's a standard vaccine, not mRNA. But it was also rolled out faster than a standard vaccine - and while I believe our guidelines in the US are too strict, I'm a firm believer in long-term test analysis, which we have none of yet.

If, and when, I get a vaccine, it will be at least a year to 18 months after everyone else does.
In the meantime, I have no problem with people who chose to skip it or avoid it. They're doing us all a favor -IF you understand how viral mutation operates. It sure doesn't operate the way the news explains it, and not the way our politicians explain it. And Fauci is NOT "science" as he claimed.

You may "not be anti-vax", but you're certainly anti-science. Could it be that it's more likely that instead of a conspiracy to control people's behavior and spread disinformation, scientists are just trying to keep people safe? Your position is also pretty selfish. Your symptoms may not have been that bad, but what of the millions of HEALTHY people that have either died or are currently suffering from long-term covid?

Medroogies: millions have died in india and US and around the world. I have lost family and friends to covid. With a little bit of knowledge, we are more dangerous … it is great that you have great immunity and thanks for taking one for the team (vaccination). It is the right thing to do and it is irresponsible to not take it.

FWIW, in 1957 1.1mm people died of the flu worldwide. Population level was 2.8bb. That's .04% of the total population, not too different from this. But, for some really (not so) bizarre reason, nobody got their panties in a twist trying to shame people or force them into certain behaviors.

Knowledge and perspective are critical. You seem to think I have none. I may be wrong, but I suspect you haven't taken a look at previous pandemics and rates. Covid's mortality rate, along age lines, mirrors the standard rate of death by age. That's a bit odd. After all, the Spanish Flu took many more lives of young people than old. Covid is a pretty typical viral outbreak insofar as it is worse for the sick and feeble. Doesn't mean it's not dangerous, and I never - ever - said it wasn't. I defy you to show me something I've written that implies that everything is fine and nobody needs to be vaccinated. I never said that anywhere.

I just have a more relaxed attitude regarding civil liberties and I don't need KARENs or nanny-staters telling me how to live my life and take care of myself because they have some misguided notions of policy based on the fear mongering that has taken place.

I was clear. Very clear. Some should get the vaccine, particularly if at risk. Or if they are truly fearful. That's their call.
I was also clear I MAY get it. Maybe not. Depends on how this all plays out. But if I do, I'll get J&J. For obvious reasons. In the meantime you getting or not getting the vaccine has no impact on me or my life anymore than whether you choose to go to CCP or ASNY or PH or anything else and engage in dangerous behaviors. We all know the risks of this hobby....and of life.