As I understand it, the “Oxford” vaccine is not made like a flu vaccine is (i.e. by growing the proteins in eggs first). It’s made in giant cauldron-type vessels - no eggs involved. In any case, there have been questions raised over the 70%/90% effectiveness because the scientists do not understand why a ½dose followed by a full dose gives a much improved response.
The Australian Government has described the emergency approval of a COVID-19 vaccine in Britain as an “important step for the world” but is standing firm on its timeline for vaccinations against coronavirus in Australia to start from March next year.
Interesting comment from the head of Australia’s TGA:
Before the British Government announced the news regarding the approval of the Pfizer vaccine, head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, John Skerritt, told ABC RN Breakfast the UK and US were operating on a very different timeline to the Australian Government because of the stark contrast in the coronavirus caseload.
“They’re not approvals that those two countries are talking about, they’re emergency use authorisations, and they’re really reflecting the desperate situation of those countries,” Adjunct Professor Skerritt said.
“We have to remember on many days, day after day the US is having more deaths than we’ve had in the whole year of the pandemic here in Australia, so it reflects the desperate situation of those countries and these authorisations require the delivery of the vaccine to be very tightly and closely monitored.”
I wish everyone would get vaccinated quickly, because I’m not having the vaccination, and I’m relying on you guys to keep me safe by eradicating Covid before it gets to me…
I was listening to the phone in on Radio Scotland this morning, it was about getting the vaccine…Or not. According to some High Up or Other it seems that those who refuse to have it could be excluded from some places. IE, certain shops, theatres, leisure centres, Hotels, flights, tours ect, the list went on. So it seems we are maybe to be Blackmailed into having it…
I’m not sure how they will be able to implement that Roxy. It’s not as though people are going to get a vaccine certificate. There’s no vaccine passport. Plus anything like that could be forged etc. My guess is that you will be asked to tick a box and if you say yes they will let you book a theatre ticket etc. Such organisations have no permission to access our medical history. So yes the media could speculate to high heaven on this, but the practicalities of implementing such checks are way beyond our current laws and system capabilities. It’s interesting that they are saying this as if it’s going ahead. When it’s in the “too difficult” box in reality.
It seems the EU’s regulatory body is poo-pooing our peoples’ decision to fast-track approval of the Pfizer vaccine saying that we have taken a big risk rather than their slower “more facts based” approvals system. What a load of bovine excreta that is. It just goes to show how slow moving the EU’s bureaucracy really is.
I thought that the US also criticised our approvals process.
I don’t know either maybe something on your phone, everything else seems to be there. I hope that isn’t the road it goes down, it will cause a lot of bother.
That’s awful, talk about being bullied into it.
Well the guy did say could, not would. Project Fear again? To scare you into having it…maybe. 
Surely if most of the cinema goers have had the vaccine what have they got to fear if the odd covid infected person joins them in the audience?
Also, by blackmailing people into having the vaccine will ensure that even more people will decline the vaccine and dig their heels in, considering it an attack on their human rights and freedoms?
Hi
It is a personal choice, but with consequences.
No vaccine, you are putting others at risk.
So if you exercise that right, you pay the consequences, no treatment.
It is your choice, but it is not your right to put others at risk.
That is sheer arrogance
No vaccination, out of the system, if you get it specialist hospitals with volunteer staff.
You also pay the full cost of treatment.
Your choice, your decision, you pay for it,
Do not expect others to pay for your decision.
How does that work then Swim, if everyone has had the vaccine how am I putting others at risk. The only people who will be at risk according to you, will be those who have not had the vaccine.
If the government told you to put your hand in the fire, would you do it? Even though you know it would be bad for your health? Well I think the vaccine will be bad for my health. And being as you are not a doctor, your advice is not valid.
Covid-19 is bad for your health as well OGF.
I think it’s wrong to try make someone feel bad or guilty for not taking the vaccine.
This is personal choice and not mandatory…yet.
If someone wants to take it then fine but if someone doesn’t no one has the right to make them feel bad for their decision.
This vaccine is a trial and error, hopefully that trial works but no one knows yet for sure.
I totally understand why some people are hesitant to have the vaccine.
Oh leave people be Swims.
The last thing the government want is for everyone to want it … now …immediately … and start squabbling over who gets it first.
Someone said to me the other today that over 80’s shouldn’t get it first, nor vulnerable people with other health complaints because if it truly was a case of survival of the fittest and getting the country back on its feet those are exactly the ones who can’t help so shouldn’t be given it.
Horribly mercenary as it sounded I couldn’t argue with the Spock-like logic.
Me, I’m happy to wait and see if anyone who has it grows two heads.
Good post Morti, especially your last sentence. 
I don’t see the logic in saying by not having it we are ’ ‘putting others at risk’ because if the vaccine works as well as they say, those that have been vaccinated will be protected - not put at risk.
My limited understanding of the biontech vaccination is that it stops you from developing a severe illness and prevents you from having symptoms. But it doesn’t stop you infecting others if you are affected.
It works as long as everyone has a vaccination. The unvaccinated are not protected. The vaccine does not carry any inactive covid virus. It carries a programme to tell your cells to attack and destroy the virus on contact. I guess it would depend on the viral load as to whether you would remain infectious despite not getting sick yourself.
As the main aim is to stop people getting a severe illness it’s a real breakthrough but it is not a panacea.
And the big unanswered, because it is as yet unknown, … is how long will any of the vaccines provide protection for?
The risk there been that the first batch of guinea pigs find their immunity has faded and require another shot before the whole population has even received its first dose.
2021 promises to be a year with as many trials as 2020.
I asked the same in the other vaccine thread we’ve got Mort.
Still so much we don’t know, yet many are jumping in and to hell with it.
I am very concerned, and need to know more before I commit.