HFNC Covid-19 Vaccine Statement
HFNC does not provide medical advice and encourages you to consult with your hematologist or primary care doctor regarding all medical decisions.
March 25, 2021
In May 2020, As HFNC Medical Advisor and Camp Hemotion Medical Director, I made the difficult decision to cancel Camp Hemotion for the summer of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That pandemic still exists and continues to kill people daily. In person Camp Hemotion will not be held until the number of COVID-19 infections in Northern California drops dramatically. Camp Hemotion 2021 will be held virtually June 13-19.
Three mitigating strategies have been promoted by the CDC, health care providers, virologists, and epidemiologists. These are:
- Wear a mask
- Wash your hands
- Watch your distance, i.e. keep 6 feet away from others.
The latest mitigating recommendation is to get vaccinated with one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines. Attached is a chart comparing the vaccines. Note they are not approved for children yet.
It is the recommendation of the Northern California Hemophilia Foundation that all members of the bleeding disorders community should be immunized when offered the opportunity. This includes adults, young adults aged 16 +, older counselors, directors, and all infirmary staff planning to attend Camp Hemotion.
Vaccines are approved to be given intramuscular (IM) so there might be a risk of bleeding into the muscle. You should check with your bleeding disorder provider to see if you should take a dose of factor or other clotting agent before receiving the vaccine. MASAC has issued recommendation #221 regarding this issue. MASAC RECOMMENDATIONS ON ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH BLEEDING DISORDERS.
ASK THE DOC: MARION KOERPER MD
Question: WHO SHOULD GET A COVID BOOSTER SHOT?
ANSWER: IT DEPENDS
Everyone should get the initial two shot series of COVID vaccine shots to provide immunity from serious disease with COVID. Once vaccinated, everyone who meets the eligibility criteria below should get the one shot booster. This is necessary because the immunity from the first series of shots wears off over time. The booster boosts that immunity again. The FDA is now recommending boosters for ages 16,17.
All of the approved vaccines, including Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer have been approved for boosters. Previously it was thought that you should not mix vaccine types, but now it is felt that in some instances, it is good to mix. Especially if the first vaccine was Johnson & Johnson, THE IMMUNE RESPONSE MAY BE GREATER WITH A BOOSTER OF ONE OF THE OTHER VACCINES.
CAUTION: Women who are pregnant and women aged under 50 should not get Johnson & Johnson because of risk of blood clots.
Eligibility criteria: You must meet one of the following:
Aged 18 years and older
If you meet any of these qualifications, you should get the appropriate COVID booster. The immunity from the original set of one or two shots declines over time, so the booster will boost it up again.
How long should I wait after my vaccine series? Six months.
Can I get the flu shot at the same time? Yes, but in different arms.
How long should I wait to get the shingles shot? Six weeks after booster
Should I take factor before getting these shots? YES! Take your usual prophylactic dose.
If I already had COVID-19, do I need the booster? YES, the immunity from having the disease also declines over time, so you need to boost your immunity too.
Have the vaccines been approved for children? YES! Pfizer has been approved for children aged 5-17. FDA is now recommending boosters for ages 16, 17.
For more information, visit CDC.gov /COVID
References
Recommendation #221 MASAC RECOMMENDATIONS ON ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH BLEEDING DISORDERS.
CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/
