Apparently it was a 'queue room', which doesn't surprise me given the weather.
Sorry just realised there was a typo in my original post: today onwards it is Pfizer.
It now seems anybody in Blackburn over 18 can book a Pfizer jab now. So the surge vaccination seems to be happening, which is a good sign.
Assume they cheered as it was Pfizer? If so such a shame as shows our wonderful media have managed to make another British product look like the pits and yet successive governments have been blamed for fall of certain industries. We are our own worst enemies in this country. Disgusting.
BBC News said:Adults are more likely to report mild and moderate side-effects after mixing doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer Covid vaccines, a study indicates.
...
One in 10 volunteers given two AstraZeneca jabs four weeks apart reported feverishness - but if they received one AstraZeneca jab and one Pfizer, in any order, the proportion rose to about 34%
...
The Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec have both said they plan to mix vaccines in the near future, amid uncertainty over shipments of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab and concerns about rare blood clots.
From past reports on vaccines I recall the science states:
- Pfizer is overall a lot more effective than AZ but AZ is a lot more effective than the Chinese produced vaccine.
- AZ is much cheaper and easier to store.
- The risk of blood clots is very low but it increases slightly for younger people, who have a lower risk of catching serious cases of COVID.
- The UK supply of AZ is being manufactured in many countries including India.
- The risk of side effects after a 1st dose of AZ is higher than with Pfizer but it's the other way round with Pfizer.
This is broadly right, but not 100% from what I recall.
1) The phase 3 trials showed Pfizer was more effective than AZ, but not 'a lot more'. The problem Oxford/AZ had was that mRNA vaccines were far more effective than anyone thought possible. Both vaccines are far more effective than normal seasonal flu vaccines. Real-world studies have shown than AZ is only slightly less effective than Pfizer.
3) The risk of clots is extremely low. The JCVI and MHRA look at a number of factors. These include risk-benefit for different age profiles. I think they are being too cautious given the effects of Covid.
UK AZ vaccines are currently mainly produced here in the UK, but are also produced in the Netherlands and India. India blocked the export of 5 million doses when their cases surged which has slowed our progress somewhat. Our Pfizer vaccines are produced in Belgium, and a new plant in Germany just started a few weeks ago. Moderna vaccines are produced in Spain and Switzerland.
5) From articles I have seen, side effects are highers with AZ after both doses. The Pfizer one is more likely to produce side-effects after the second dose in comparison to their first dose, not compared to AZ.
I just got a text from a friend in London, where she had her vaccine today. Apparently yesterday was their last AZ day; today onwards if Pfizer. When it was announced, apparently many in the queue cheered!
Just tried to book online again after being eligible for nearly 3 weeks, still won't offer me anything anywhere near and it's now offering them in the next category. I'm still not travelling for it.
Sorry, but did you mean to write “does not need…”?I understand Moderna is more likely in lower volume rural centres as does need special low temperature freezers
There's different statistics from different trials. Yes there's one showing a single dose of AZ or Pfizer can have a 70%+ chance of preventing a serious case of COVID e.g. one requiring a hospital admission and with two shots it's over 90% in both cases. However, there's also stats which show two shots of AZ have around a 70% chance of preventing COVID altogether (including mild cases), whereas Pfizer is over 90% but with mutations those figures are subject to change.
It might be the Valneva vaccine produced in West Lothian gets approved in time for the 18-30 age group or possibly for teenagers or boosters, reducing reliance on vaccine imports. It sounds like @Richard Scott would be happy if that happened.
I'm not sure what you are talking about on trials.
The phase three trials for Pfizer and AZ both looked at two doses.
Pfizer - 95% - https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-r...ntech-conclude-phase-3-study-covid-19-vaccine
AZ - 70% (up to 90%) - https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-c...analysis-results-published-in-the-lancet.html
Both were 100% effective in preventing severe disease and death.
Look at it this way if there's 200 people in one workplace all who've had 2 doses of Pfizer and they all get exposed to the virus, then on average 10 will start showing symptoms and will need to go into self-isolation. That might be annoying for the business but probably something the remaining staff can cope with.
The UK’s decision to delay second doses of coronavirus vaccines has received fresh support from research on the over-80s which found that giving the Pfizer/BioNTech booster after 12 weeks rather than three produced a much stronger antibody response.
A study led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with Public Health England found that antibodies against the virus were three-and-a-half times higher in those who had the second shot after 12 weeks compared with those who had it after a three-week interval.
Most people who have both shots of the vaccine will be well protected regardless of the timing, but the stronger response from the extra delay might prolong protection because antibody levels naturally wane over time.
Still rather a poor precedent for those of us who like to travel. It's about time they showed some hard evidence behind these decisions.In much better news internationally, the CDC has issued new guidance saying those who are vaccinated fully no longer need to wear masks in most settings:
The exceptions are as following: "Even vaccinated individuals must cover their faces and physically distance when going to doctors, hospitals or long-term care facilities like nursing homes; when traveling by bus, plane, train or other modes of public transportation, or while in transportation hubs like airports and bus stations; and in congregate settings such as homeless shelters, as well as prisons or jails."
‘We have all longed for this moment’: Federal guidance says vaccinated Americans may go without masks.
Fully vaccinated people only need to wear masks in health care settings, on mass transit and in transportation hubs, and in prisons and homeless shelters.www.nytimes.com
Still rather a poor precedent for those of us who like to travel. It's about time they showed some hard evidence behind these decisions.
So the exceptions are more or less the only places people in less panicky countries would ever consider wearing a mask anywayIn much better news internationally, the CDC has issued new guidance saying those who are vaccinated fully no longer need to wear masks in most settings:
The exceptions are as following: "Even vaccinated individuals must cover their faces and physically distance when going to doctors, hospitals or long-term care facilities like nursing homes; when traveling by bus, plane, train or other modes of public transportation, or while in transportation hubs like airports and bus stations; and in congregate settings such as homeless shelters, as well as prisons or jails."
‘We have all longed for this moment’: Federal guidance says vaccinated Americans may go without masks.
Fully vaccinated people only need to wear masks in health care settings, on mass transit and in transportation hubs, and in prisons and homeless shelters.www.nytimes.com
Indeed, but America has converted to Maskianity. "All hail the mighty snot-rag, invincible protecter from the evil virus"So the exceptions are more or less the only places people in less panicky countries would ever consider wearing a mask anyway
Indeed, but America has converted to Maskianity. "All hail the mighty snot-rag, invincible protecter from the evil virus"
At our place, we have about 60 workers or so, (and quite a few daily visitors to repair and maintain things) in the past 18 months, we have had about 3 confirmed cases, and 10 "I think I might so I am staying off work" (with pay !)This isn't correct because it assumes that if there are 200 people who haven't had any vaccines, then all 200 will become ill. This clearly isn't the case because until January we had no vaccines yet I am not aware of any workplace where every single person caught Covid.
Your other assumption is that we will continue with the self-isolation rules but I don't think this will be the case. The real benefit of the vaccines is that even if a vaccinated person catches Covid, it is likely to be a much more mild infection and much less likely to lead to serious sickness or death. We can see the evidence of that in the UK hospitalisation and deaths statistics. So once most people are protected from serious illness and death, why would we treat Covid any differently to any other mild illness e.g. flu or a cold?
Which has been the government advice right? If you have symptoms then stay home.and 10 "I think I might so I am staying off work" (with pay !)
Not to mention that swinging the lead is not a new phenomenon.Which has been the government advice right? If you have symptoms then stay home.
Which has been the government advice right? If you have symptoms then stay home.
I am posting this because it's great news. I remember back at the start of the year, when the UK extended the interval from 3 to 12 weeks for both vaccine types, there was a lot of alarm in some circles. But the decision has been vindicated by this (and other) research.
I think when we look back on this pandemic, we'll see what a game-changer this decision was. It wasn't without risk (nothing is) but it was clearly a risk that the medical authorities were correct to take.
If this was in the early days the advice was to self-isolate for 14 days even if you just had a persistent cough and not even arrange a test.10 "I think I might so I am staying off work" (with pay !)
It's always been that way though.With the emphasis on if you have symptoms, and staying at home doesn’t include going round your friend’s house or walking the dog. Anecdotal but this has certainly been an issue at my GFs company! Fortunately the offenders are too addicted to social media to get away with it….
I'll never forget someone at work calling in sick two days before we started our Christmas holidays and later that afternoon being caught by two colleagues including senior manager at the airport...
I don't know what happened, but somehow she didn't get fired.
It's always been that way though.
People always have and always will try it on for an extra day off or two.
I'll never forget someone at work calling in sick two days before we started our Christmas holidays and later that afternoon being caught by two colleagues including senior manager at the airport...
I don't know what happened, but somehow she didn't get fired.
Yes, although that was in the 'early' days...... well most of 2020 ! if they call in 'sick' now, they are sent for a test, so their time off is reduced a lot !Which has been the government advice right? If you have symptoms then stay home.
I'll never forget someone at work calling in sick two days before we started our Christmas holidays and later that afternoon being caught by two colleagues including senior manager at the airport...
I don't know what happened, but somehow she didn't get fired.