Wonderful News! (Vaccination trials successful)

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There is an interesting article about the Pfizer vaccine which discusses many of the issues raised in this thread

Some of the facts discussed:

"…But experts have warned a vaccine cleared for emergency use is still experimental and the final testing must be completed.

That’s where phase 4 of Pfizer’s clinical trial comes in. This is when — after a vaccine has been rolled out — ongoing surveillance is carried out to make sure the vaccine is safe, said Kirsty Short, a virologist at the University of Queensland."

later:

"Then there is the issue of storage and distribution: Once manufactured, the vaccine needs to be frozen at about minus 70 degrees.

Even at this temperature, it only remains viable for about two weeks. At fridge temperature, it expires within 48 hours.

Professor Cunningham said the distribution was “doable” in a developed nation like Australia, but he had concerns for countries where there might be delays in transportation or gaps in the cold-chain infrastructure."

It’s a very good read

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So can a vaccine actually bring back normal?

Despite the scientific and practical challenges of delivering an effective vaccine accross the UK and also the world, the good news is that it looks likely the first-generation vaccines will have a significant impact on the global battle against Covid-19.

In the short term they will help prevent the most vulnerable in our communities from developing severe disease and dying, especially older people with pre-existing conditions and front-line health workers.

Pfizer/BioNTech’s announcement that their vaccine appears to protect 94% of adults over 65 years old is an important boost to this work.

The bad news is that it could well take months or possibly years to vaccinate enough of the global population to make the whole interconnected world safe and reach a point where we can all return to full normal.

Era of ‘vaccine plus’

Suggestions that vaccines will be able to take us back to where we were pre-Covid by Easter next year have given people an unrealistic expectation, says Prof Salisbury, and such an outcome, in the absence of the interruption of transmission, is “unlikely”.

Even countries with strong health infrastructure and experience of mass vaccination programmes - like the UK - will find reaching enough people to break the chain of transmission a challenge, he says.

While the outlook for at-risk groups will be “undoubtedly brighter” next year, Prof Salisbury says, the rest of us look likely to be taking extra measures for some time to come, something he refers to as “vaccine plus”.

Prof Ghani agrees and estimates it will take two more years to “to get the whole world back to normal”, but with the process likely to be quicker for high-income countries like the UK.

But she warns that while vaccines will ultimately end the pandemic, they will not “get rid of the virus” and the world will need to “keep vaccinating” just as it does with other diseases.

So with a new era of “vaccine plus” possibly now dawning in the battle against Covid-19, 2021 is likely to require us to continue to dig deep for a number of months to come - and possibly beyond.

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Plus de la même chose … :102:

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Covid: UK vaccination programme getting under way

The first people in the UK are expected to be vaccinated later as rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination begins in what is being called “V-day”.

About 70 hospital hubs in the UK are gearing up to vaccinate the over-80s and some health and care staff.

It marks the start of a mass programme aiming to protect the most vulnerable and return life to normal.

Vaccination will not be compulsory.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “As the programme ramps up in the weeks and months ahead, it is as important as ever to keep to the Covid winter plan - following the rules in your area and remember the basics of hands, face and space.”

Ministers have warned it could be Easter by the time restrictions are lifted in a significant way.

Rapid implementation of the immunisation program is essential - any delays will significantly degrade its’ efficacy … :expressionless:

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Santa should have the vaccine first…
He’s got a lot to do,
And we don’t want him going down;
With Covid or the Flu…:cool:

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Vaccine given to first patients as Hancock hopes restrictions eased by spring

A grandmother has become the first person in the world to receive Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine as the NHS begins its mass vaccination programme.

Margaret Keenan, 90, received the jab at 6.31am in Coventry on Tuesday, marking the start of a phased rollout of the vaccine to older people, NHS staff and care home workers.

It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he hoped coronavirus restrictions will be lifted by the spring and the country can return to normality.

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It was only really a matter of time before all the clever scientists in the world came up with something better but what a relief in sight heh?

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