The Vaccinated, The Unvaccinated and Us

The Vaccinated, The Unvaccinated and Us

By: Stefanie Sandler Billette, M.S., ACE-CHC

Health Researcher, Health Writer, Food Entrepreneur

www.TakeBackYourBody.com

We are the red-headed step children of the Covid-19 vaccine program. In the trifecta of immunity, we are the third wheel -- the awkward offspring that is only mentioned as an after-thought. As with any trio of children, one is often forgotten. Recent articles that discuss Covid boosters posit questions such as “should we all get a third dose?”, seemingly forgetting that millions of us have only received one dose because we got Janssen/Johnson & Johnson.

For a short period of time, Janssen/J&J was hailed as potentially superior to the “other two” due to the fact that it was approved later and therefore had included some variants in its trials. But, Janssen/J&J fell from grace rather quickly, upstaged by its more reliable siblings.

My husband, my parents and I all received the Janssen/J&J jab in the Spring. My husband and I had flu-like symptoms afterward and were convinced our immune systems had done what was asked of them. By getting vaccinated, we felt we were doing our part for ourselves, our families and our communities. Yet, three months later, we all showed negative (i.e. zero) antibodies for Covid-19. How was this possible? Was the antibody test flawed? Or is Janssen/J&J ineffective?

We are told not to rely on antibody tests as there is no way to know what levels of antibodies are protective against this new virus. Well, I think we can all agree that an antibody level of ZERO is NOT protective!

I polled friends and families – and all of them had received one of the mRNA vaccines. Of those who subsequently had their antibodies tested, all of them tested positive! I have spent hours on the phone with Janssen/J&J and have filled out copious forms for them regarding our negative antibodies. Thus far, they have given no explanation as to why ours were negative and those who received mRNA vaccines had positive antibodies.

We want to know where we stand. Our two siblings seem smarter and stronger, but we are told that we have our own strengths. Please stop telling us that we’re just as good as them. Give us some proof. Give us some evidence that we too can be successful. Or just tell us the truth—that our siblings are going to Harvard and we are junior college material.