topic Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first?? in Community Chat

Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 12:55:17 GMT

I had my first vaccination yesterday and things went fine until I was given an appointment for March 22nd for the second dose. I said to the scheduler that I thought it was supposed to be 21 days later. She said the vaccination could be valid four days earlier as well as a week or so later than 21 days. So I accepted the appointment but after googling, I only saw this said about twice so I'm not feeling comfortable about 17 days....four days early.

Anybody get their second dose after 17 days or know anyone that did?

By the way, I had a bad headache all night and still feel weird this morning. Maybe I shouldn't have but I took ibuprofen after trying to ignore it but gave in.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Latonya — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:06:18 GMT

My husband and I received the Moderna vaccine yesterday. Our 2nd is scheduled for April 6th.

A friend received the Pfizer vaccine 3/3. His second is scheduled on 3/25. My understanding is Pfizer's 2nds can be scheduled sooner than Moderna's.

ETA - I experienced an instant headache and elevated heart rate. The headache lasted all day and is gone now. The heart rate was temporary.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:11:23 GMT

@Latonya @Yes Moderna is a 28 interim and Pfizer is 21. Never heard of 17 day interim before yesterday. I'm thinking about trying to reschedule cause this isn't sitting well with me.

A retired nurse friend told me that some of her nurse friends that are still working say are getting second doses at a two week interval but why isn't this publicized I'm wondering.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

NicksmomESQ — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:15:29 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie Both DH & myself recieved the Pfizer Vaccine. We were both given 21 day appointments for the second dose. I would call my doctor or local health department & ask them.

I did hear a few days later than 21 days is ok. I never heard about taking it sooner. I would check into it. If you still feel uncomfortable I would call & reschedule.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Latonya — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:18:49 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie Try to reach someone where you received your vaccine or the place you are scheduled to receive your 2nd one, if that's a different place. See if you can reschedule.

Your nurse friend's info re 2nds being scheduled in 2 weeks would make me feel better but I would reach out to the facility who gave you the first vaccination or the facility where you are scheduled to receive your 2nd one, if it's a different facility.

Information is constantly changing with these vaccines.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

KingstonsMom — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:18:41 GMT

My first Moderna vaccine was 2/3 and my second was yesterday, 3/5.

So far, just some site soreness, no other side effects (knock on wood!).

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Justice4all — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:21:08 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie

Perfectly fine to take painkillers after

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

KingstonsMom — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:21:28 GMT

DH's first was Pfizer and his second is scheduled for 21 days later.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

geezerette — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:21:41 GMT

From cdc dot gov:

Interval between mRNA doses

The second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible, but not earlier than recommended (i.e., 3 weeks [Pfizer-BioNTech] or 1 month [Moderna]). However, second doses administered within a grace period of 4 days earlier than the recommended date for the second dose are still considered valid. If it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval and a delay in vaccination is unavoidable, the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. Currently, only limited data are available on efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered beyond this window.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Yahooey — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:22:48 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie

i'm sorry that you are feeling anxious

i got this from the CDC and take what you will from it

perhaps you can reschedule - i know that can be very difficult

i wish you the very best

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

morganjen — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:30:29 GMT

My second Pfizer shot was scheduled back in February, three weeks after the first. I never went, because of the bad weather.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Jersey Born — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:48:01 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie - You need to do what makes you feel most comfortable regarding the scheduling for your 2nd dose. That said, I wonder if there is now an issue bringing the quicker timeframe for the 2nd dose in your geographical location. We all know that many thousands of people are scheduling their shots at multiple locations, all in the hopes of getting the quickest possible appointment for their first dose. Perhaps once people finally get notice of their first dose appointment, they are not cancelling their name from all the other sites where they registered at other locations, and then they become "no-shows" when the other sites finally select their names and schedule their appointments elsewhere, freeing up more shots to the public, on any given day. Maybe registering at multiple locations is what is is shortening the expected time from 21 days to 17 days? Or, perhaps your area was notified they are getting in many more shots than they previously expected. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to manage so many people in so many different locations with so many shots. This has never been attempted before on this enormous scale.

Only the people working at the site where you got your first dose know the reason, and I hope that you are able to get a satisfactory answer.

I hope you feel 100% back to normal immediately, too.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

LindaSal — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:50:54 GMT

My hubby was told not to take ibuprofen and to take Tylenol if needed and stay away from aspirin related products. Not sure why as I googled it and the answer was you could take aspirin?? Who knows, but I went with the Tylenol as his vaccine was administered by a physician.

As far as the 4 day thing, I wouldn't be too concerned about that. It's not that much off schedule and I'd rather get it done and over with, can't see how that would change the effectiveness. My hubby was scheduled the 21 days, he had the Pfizer one.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Meowingkitty — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 14:16:02 GMT

We had our second Pfizer 24 days apart. About 18 hours after the second shot I had chills and had to use a heating pad to finally get warm. That only lasted about 90 minutes. Husband only had some minor aches. If you don't feel comfortable with 17 day try to reschedule but don't cancel the first one until you have scheduled a replacement.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:11:09 GMT

@LindaSal , when I got up in the middle of the night, I did google to see what to take. Most sites said OTC pain meds were ok but there were a couple of sites that said check with your doctor to advice. My discomfort level overrode my patience to wait to call my doctor knowing that on a Saturday, he might be unavailable. He's an every other Saturday doctor.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

KatieB — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 14:21:52 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
I had my first vaccination yesterday and things went fine until I was given an appointment for March 22nd for the second dose. I said to the scheduler that I thought it was supposed to be 21 days later. She said the vaccination could be valid four days earlier as well as a week or so later than 21 days. So I accepted the appointment but after googling, I only saw this said about twice so I'm not feeling comfortable about 17 days....four days early.

Anybody get their second dose after 17 days or know anyone that did?

By the way, I had a bad headache all night and still feel weird this morning. Maybe I shouldn't have but I took ibuprofen after trying to ignore it but gave in.

@Mmsfoxxie Yes, 17 days is fine. For Pfizer vaccine, the CDC states "Second doses administered up to 4 days before the recommended date (17 or more days after first dose) are considered valid. "

BTW, you could have found this online yourself, if you were/are really that worried.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

FranandZoe — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 14:21:07 GMT

Don't worry about it. They wouldn't have scheduled you 17 days from the first if they shouldn't have. I wouldn't reschedule - you might have a hard time and end up with a date that's too long from the first.

My second is scheduled 20 days from the first. A few days sooner or later isn't going to matter.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 14:25:46 GMT

@KatieB , I forgot to mention it but I did find it myself, several times but predominantly, I found the 21 day standard with no mention of 17 days. For me, the more people I see verifying 17 days, the more it legitimizes it being ok to do the 17 day interval. I live on the Google site...I'm an over thinker sometimes, I guess.

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 14:32:25 GMT

@FranandZoe, you're so right about the possibility of having to wait longer for a rescheduled appointment. After 'hearing' from you guys, I feel better about keeping the appointment; prior to yesterday, I'd never heard of less than 21 days and wondered why.

Another place canceled on me twice and one in the hand is worth two in the bush, as the saying goes so I'll probably leave things as they are.

Thank you!

Re: Second Pfizer vaccination scheduled for17 days after the first??

NJ QVC Fan — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 14:35:37 GMT

I am in NJ. My husband and I are scheduled to take our second Pfizer shot 21 days after the first dose.