Ask The Doctor Archives

January 16, 2022

As a patient, am I unreasonable to expect a hematologist/oncologist to be on top of and ready to assist patients when such unusual circumstances as this pandemic place them at risk, even if the cause may be peripheral to a standard hematology practice?

Ask the Doctor Question: I am Stage 0, three years after diagnosis, COVID vaccinated 2/2021. I began loosening the strict isolation I had maintained a month after being vaccinated, only to learn that the vaccine might not protect me (own research, not from hematologist/oncologist). I immediately requested an antibody

January 16, 2022

Mother not responding to the vaccine. What should be the steps moving forward? Should she get revaccinated?

Ask the Doctor Question: Our mother has had CLL for almost 20 years and has not yet needed treatment. We recently had her tested (from two different labs) and she is showing zero immunity to the COVID vaccine. What should be the steps moving forward? Should she get revaccinated?

January 16, 2022

Ask the Doctor: I have had my second dose of Pfizer. I’m wondering whether anyone has asked the question as to whether a third dose is necessary to obtain the immunity of someone who does not have a compromised immune system?

Question: I have had my second dose of Pfizer. I’m wondering whether anyone has asked the question as to whether a third dose is necessary to obtain the immunity of someone who does not have a compromised immune system? Answer: There are no data yet indicating a COVID booster vaccine

January 16, 2022

In general, you think someone in my position should be running out and getting this booster – or – should wait for more studies to be done on CLL patients re: effectiveness and safety. Since we don’t make antibodies well, I’m wondering if we are like a bucket with a hole in it?

Ask the Doctor Question: With the new authorization for the immunocompromised to be able to get a third COVID-19 booster, do you recommend I get this right away or wait until studies are done on CLL patients to see if a third shot is safe and/or effective for our

January 16, 2022

Ask the Doctor: If the immunocompromised who are fully vaccinated are at a HIGHER risk of the stated problems including death, WHY is the booster only “highly recommended?” I am not understanding what appears to be a very dangerous contradiction. Can you clarify this for me?

Question: I am not understanding this information: The fully vaccinated immune-compromised are at much higher risk for breakthrough infections and are at especially higher risk for hospitalization and death compared to the general population who have been vaccinated. If the immunocompromised who are fully vaccinated are at a HIGHER

January 16, 2022

Ask the Doctor: Will the third vaccination be of any value for me to get if the booster shot is the same as the first two?

Ask the Doctor Question: I have CLL and have been on Imbruvica for the last five years. I’m enrolled in the LLS Citizen Program, and they also have access to my medical records through the LLS Registry. LLS had me get a blood draw for B cells and T

January 16, 2022

Ask the Doctor: Why not get the regular COVID-19 vaccine again?

Question: Why not get the regular COVID-19 vaccine again? Answer: At this time, CLL Society is encouraging all chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients who received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines to promptly arrange for a booster unless otherwise directed by their healthcare team. In general, additional doses of vaccines do not pose significant

January 16, 2022

I received the original Pfizer shot in 12/2020. How do I get the booster shot? I am confused. Can I just go to Walgreens?

Ask the Doctor Question: I received the original Pfizer shot in 12/2020. How do I get the booster shot? I am confused. I am in Traverse City, MI. Can I just go to Walgreens? Answer: We just wrote a piece on this subject that can be found here. We are beginning to

January 16, 2022

Ask the Doctor: In a CLL Society article you mentioned, “A fourth jab is not recommended.” Can you tell me why?

Question: In a CLL Society article you mentioned, “A fourth jab is not recommended.” Can you tell me why? I also wanted to know how the booster ingredients are different from doses 1 and 2. Lastly, why is it recommended that if you got the Pfizer vaccine that you

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Ask The Doctor

As a patient, am I unreasonable to expect a hematologist/oncologist to be on top of and ready to assist patients when such unusual circumstances as this pandemic place them at risk, even if the cause may be peripheral to a standard hematology practice?

Mother not responding to the vaccine. What should be the steps moving forward? Should she get revaccinated?

Ask the Doctor: I have had my second dose of Pfizer. I’m wondering whether anyone has asked the question as to whether a third dose is necessary to obtain the immunity of someone who does not have a compromised immune system?

In general, you think someone in my position should be running out and getting this booster – or – should wait for more studies to be done on CLL patients re: effectiveness and safety. Since we don’t make antibodies well, I’m wondering if we are like a bucket with a hole in it?

Ask the Doctor: If the immunocompromised who are fully vaccinated are at a HIGHER risk of the stated problems including death, WHY is the booster only “highly recommended?” I am not understanding what appears to be a very dangerous contradiction. Can you clarify this for me?

Ask the Doctor: Will the third vaccination be of any value for me to get if the booster shot is the same as the first two?

Ask the Doctor: Why not get the regular COVID-19 vaccine again?

I received the original Pfizer shot in 12/2020. How do I get the booster shot? I am confused. Can I just go to Walgreens?

Ask the Doctor: In a CLL Society article you mentioned, “A fourth jab is not recommended.” Can you tell me why?

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