Good News stories

[Serial_Apologist]

I think it would be unwise, in the extreme, for him to attempt such. Memories of his part in extending her incarceration are strong and would be used to denounce him roundly if he tried, I hope and think.

From his sheepish expressions yesterday, someone had advised him to keep his mouth firmly shut. But now....?

She is on the way to the airport as I write - no last-minute "hitches", we now really have to hope.

[oddoneout]

I think it would be unwise, in the extreme, for him to attempt such. Memories of his part in extending her incarceration are strong and would be used to denounce him roundly if he tried, I hope and think.

Unwise or ill-advised actions are a hallmark of the PM, and I'm sure that he'll find some way of getting a (totally undeserved) share of the credit as he always does. His fan base will believe it of him and think he single-handedly went out there and rescued her...

[oddoneout]

Didn't know where best to post this, but I think it could be counted as a good news story that someone discovered Britten's music and now has such pleasure from it. A happy read in unhappy times.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/17/joe-cornish-peter-grimes-benjamin-britten-opera-addict

[Pulcinella]

I think that this is good news: my partner and I have just been invited by our GP surgery to make an appointment for a pneumonia vaccination.

I've heard though that there is a better vaccine than the free NHS one that is available: anyone had or know anything about either of them?
Are they compatible (as in, if I get the free one now could I decide later to get the one that's not free)?

[oddoneout]

I think that this is good news: my partner and I have just been invited by our GP surgery to make an appointment for a pneumonia vaccination.

I've heard though that there is a better vaccine than the free NHS one that is available: anyone had or know anything about either of them?
Are they compatible (as in, if I get the free one now could I decide later to get the one that's not free)?

I don't know about whether there is one that is better than the NHS one, but the two offered to eligible individuals differ according to whether they are for an adult or child. This came up in conversation with a friend recently, but looking it up just now I see that it looks as if in the US they have a different approach and give both to adults over 65. Whether you could get the extra one through for instance the Superdrug route https://healthclinics.superdrug.com/...occal-vaccine/ I don't know - I suspect not as I think it is just intended for those who would like the jab but don't fall in the NHS categories to be offered one.

[LHC]

I think that this is good news: my partner and I have just been invited by our GP surgery to make an appointment for a pneumonia vaccination.

I've heard though that there is a better vaccine than the free NHS one that is available: anyone had or know anything about either of them?
Are they compatible (as in, if I get the free one now could I decide later to get the one that's not free)?

Unless the ‘more effective’ vaccine was ridiculously expensive, I can’t see why the NHS would choose to provide a less effective vaccine. NICE and MHRA approve treatments primarily on the basis of clinical efficacy. As far as I am aware different vaccines are given to different age groups because that is the best approach based on the evidence provided by clinical trials.

It may be that there are different vaccines that essentially do the same job, one of which has been chosen by NICE, while the other is the one that is generally available commercially.

[Pulcinella]

There's some information about the two different vaccines here:

https://lloydspharmacy.com/pages/pneumonia-vaccination

I'll certainly take the free NHS offer up (appointment booked for next Saturday) and consider getting the other one later.
A pharmacist neighbour has also advised getting a shingles vaccination (free for age group 70–79, apparently), so I'll ask about that too.

[Bryn]

There's some information about the two different vaccines here:

https://lloydspharmacy.com/pages/pneumonia-vaccination

I'll certainly take the free NHS offer up (appointment booked for next Saturday) and consider getting the other one later.
A pharmacist neighbour has also advised getting a shingles vaccination (free for age group 70–79, apparently), so I'll ask about that too.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccin...l-vaccination/ is also worth attention, I feel.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I was offered the pneumonia vaccination by a nurse, but she had no information about any risks or appropriateness against my medical record. I looked up the patient info. leaflet and later happily took it.

A friend in his 60's has suffered a painful run-in with shingles over some months. I've considered paying for the vaccination because its a few years before I reach eligibility on the NHS at 70. I've no recollection of having had chicken pox and there is no-one else who would know - he told me to assume I have had it.

[Bryn]

I was offered the pneumonia vaccination by a nurse, but she had no information about any risks or appropriateness against my medical record. I looked up the patient info. leaflet and later happily took it.

A friend in his 60's has suffered a painful run-in with shingles over some months. I've considered paying for the vaccination because its a few years before I reach eligibility on the NHS at 70. I've no recollection of having had chicken pox and there is no-one else who would know - he told me to assume I have had it.

A little cautionary tale for you. Back in the late 1960s, having been given 30 minutes notice at Durion Hard Chrome for attending a job interview at the adjacent Heating and Ventilation Research Association, I spent the 3-week hiatus working on a local farm, mucking our the cowsheds, trimming hedges and 'dressing' freshly killed hens. A couple of days into the new job at the HVRA I developed hives from the soles of my feet to my chest. Despite my advising my GP of my recent work history, I was diagnosed and suffering from an allergy of some sort. I accepted that diagnosis and attended a concert at the QEH. Several decades later, I developed shingles. Guess what, the early case had been chickenpox, misdiagnosed as an allergy. When offered the NHS pneumonia vaccine in the autumn of 2020, I also went for the shingles vaccine at the same time. I'd suggest taking advantage of the offer of both the NHS pneumonia and shingles vaccines.

[french frank]

Turned off the central heating yesterday and gas used so far today: 18p

(Bad news: it looks as if it might get quite cold again at the end of the week )

[Serial_Apologist]

Turned off the central heating yesterday and gas used so far today: 18p

(Bad news: it looks as if it might get quite cold again at the end of the week )

Quite cold - hmm. They're talking about it being cold enough for snow from Wednesday night into Thursday morning hereabouts. And the wind remaining in the northern quadrant up to the weekend at least. It hasn't been warm enough to switch off the heating, either yesterday or today.

But my good news is, I've just booked online for my second anti-Covid booster (injection No 4), and it's to take place tomorrow morning, at my favourite local chemist's, where I get my "lifesaving" prescriptions. I think that's pretty good in terms of efficiency.

[french frank]

Quite cold - hmm. They're talking about it being cold enough for snow from Wednesday night into Thursday morning hereabouts.

Yep, Thursday-Sunday it's down to 0º-1º overnight. I may have been a bit hasty with the heating.

But my good news is, I've just booked online for my second anti-Covid booster (injection No 4), and it's to take place tomorrow morning, at my favourite local chemist's, where I get my "lifesaving" prescriptions. I think that's pretty good in terms of efficiency.

Not sure whether I have to wait for my invitation (as previous 3 times) or just go ahead and book.

[kernelbogey]

But my good news is, I've just booked online for my second anti-Covid booster (injection No 4), and it's to take place tomorrow morning, at my favourite local chemist's, where I get my "lifesaving" prescriptions. I think that's pretty good in terms of efficiency.

Were you responding to a (text) invitation to book - or did you take the initiative?

[Serial_Apologist]

Were you responding to a (text) invitation to book - or did you take the initiative?

An NHS emailed invitation came my way this morning, KB.