Vaccines and Other Musings...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

One think I don’t understand. The UK is planning to order a total of 355,000,000 doses of vaccine, including those already ordered. They are planning to give, eventually, two doses to every UK citizen over the age of 16. Surely around 105,000,000 should be more than sufficient.

[teamsaint]

One think I don’t understand. The UK is planning to order a total of 355,000,000 doses of vaccine, including those already ordered. They are planning to give, eventually, two doses to every UK citizen over the age of 16. Surely around 105,000,000 should be more than sufficient.

And then there are the annual/ 6 month boosters.
And no doubt any excess quota capacity can be sold on.......

[richardfinegold]

So today an email at work announced vaccination plans to get us vaccinated in two weeks time. Obviously I am glad that I have had my first.
It’s interesting that the same issues are occurring in the U.K.

[Frances_iom]

So today an email at work announced vaccination plans to get us vaccinated in two weeks time. Obviously I am glad that I have had my first.
It’s interesting that the same issues are occurring in the U.K.

At the moment the UK appears to be running on bluster + false hopes from Johnson - but like the transport between UK and our nearest neighbours there will be self-inflicted 'bumps in the road' - these I suspect will be the temporary graves as seen being prepared last year in New York parks.

[Dave2002]

Here's the Full Fact conclusion, including on Ivor Cummins.

"Some science supports Mr Cummins on some points, in other words, but a great deal—which he does not mention—contradicts him."

Thanks - that's interesting. I note that some people dismiss the delaying effect too - with some claiming that lockdowns may simply delay the inevitable. Yes - that's possible, but while most of us would prefer not to get coronavirus at all, if the alternative were to be clear of it for (say) at least six months which could be enjoyed before getting it, then surely that would be preferable for many people. Dismissing the shortening of life of older people "who were going to die anyway" because of comorbidities - no - who is to say that they might not have enjoyed even a relatively short period of extra time on this earth?

The delaying effects have clearly been useful for the development of therapeutics, management of cases, and for the development of vacccines, which hopefully will prove effective.

[DracoM]

Had jab this a.m. Asked docs when 2nd round was coming - shrug / smile / open hands the answer!

[Bryn]

Had jab this a.m. Asked docs when 2nd round was coming - shrug / smile / open hands the answer!

We septuagenarian spring chickens will probably have to wait a month or so for ours. Severely limiting visits to supermarkets 'till then.

[Frances_iom]

Had jab this a.m. ..

May I ask how much notice you were given of the appointment which suggests that you are in the over 80 group

[french frank]

We septuagenarian spring chickens will probably have to wait a month or so for ours. Severely limiting visits to supermarkets 'till then.

It seems to depend on your practice/where you live. My brother is over 80 and so far has heard nothing; but my hub is now doing over 75s. An 80+ friend (same practice as me) had his first 3 weeks ago and is getting his second today. I don't know where the appointments are being allocated- was it my practice? was it some central system? Was it the hub where I had to go for it? I can understand people not knowing if asked by an individual, but given the efficiency of the operation yesterday, I'm expecting three weeks.

[french frank]

May I ask how much notice you were given of the appointment which suggests that you are in the over 80 group

In my case (butting in), my practice rang me on Wednesday and offered the appointment for yesterday, so two days. They also texted me to confirm it a few hours later.

[richardfinegold]

Israel is an interesting contrast to our Countries. A childhood friend of mine that emigrated there 40 years ago got his the first day that it was available. He did have Heart Surgery a year ago and his wife is an ICU Nurse so I wasn’t to surprised, but now, he was pumping gas in his car and as he went to pay, a Public Health official was in the pay area offering it to patrons. I believe they have vaccinated about 20% of the country at this point.

[Frances_iom]

Thanks FF - I am beginning to think that the 75+ group may well be mostly hung out to dry as the clamour for teachers and other key workers to be vaccinated gains traction - however vaccination takes maybe 3 weeks to take effect so I expect the NHS to be at or near meltdown in the SE sometime towards end of next week as the Xmas bubble works thru.

[Bryn]

Israel is an interesting contrast to our Countries. A childhood friend of mine that emigrated there 40 years ago got his the first day that it was available. He did have Heart Surgery a year ago and his wife is an ICU Nurse so I wasn’t to surprised, but now, he was pumping gas in his car and as he went to pay, a Public Health official was in the pay area offering it to patrons. I believe they have vaccinated about 20% of the country at this point.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/01/denying-covid19-vaccines-to-palestinians-exposes-israels-institutionalized-discrimination/

[richardfinegold]

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...iscrimination/

I doubt that situation will be permanent. If nothing else, it is in the Public Health interest to get everyone vaccinated. I will wager the average Palestinian gets vaccinated before the average American does

[DracoM]

May I ask how much notice you were given of the appointment which suggests that you are in the over 80 group

No, I am not in that age group! And I was given a week's notice.