Forum search & shortcuts

The Coronavirus Dis...
 

The Coronavirus Discussion Thread.

Posts: 5830
Full Member
 

Lol, can imagine the conspiracy lot going nuts now.
It is simply because the gsk barney site is massive and a sterile fill facility.


 
Posted : 29/03/2021 7:00 pm
Posts: 8469
Full Member
 

Where in the process is Novovax? Still in Ph3? What is a likely date for approval? Boris stated in the presser that they are already making vaccine ahead of approval.


 
Posted : 29/03/2021 7:10 pm
Posts: 17336
Full Member
 

Novavax has been submitted and is undergoing rolling review. This is a company that have never delivered a product, despite over 20 years of trying. Now they have. It should come as no surprise that they need help with delivering product. This is manufacture, fill and finish at risk. But the efficacy for this vaccine looks very very good. As does the (almost) conventional technology.

http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/novavax_seeks_fda_emergency_approval_for_covid-19_vaccine_by_may_1364534

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/ema-starts-rolling-review-novavaxs-covid-19-vaccine-nvx-cov2373


 
Posted : 29/03/2021 7:18 pm
 cb
Posts: 2873
Free Member
 

TiRed - apologies, I couldn't quite understand what your anti-TNF point was.

I'm on Humira (brand name I think rather than drug) - are you saying that the vaccination is less effective for me? I'm no longer taking methotrexate.

Thanks


 
Posted : 29/03/2021 11:02 pm
Posts: 16529
Full Member
 

I see Cuba have developed 2 vaccines as well.👍

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2021/03/29/cuba-coronavirus-vaccines-oppmann-pkg-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn


 
Posted : 29/03/2021 11:30 pm
Posts: 14484
Free Member
 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/global-treaty-needed-to-protect-states-from-pandemics-say-world-leaders

I should have got a sense of optimism from this.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 8:57 am
Posts: 14545
Free Member
 

It's a bit poacher turned gamekeeper.

Those guilty of vaccine nationalism are now saying oh it's bad, so let's work together.

I doubt any initiative will survive longer than their stint in office.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 9:15 am
Posts: 24859
Free Member
 

Now Canada has suspended AZ use for under 55's, report says that clots are potentially as high in 1/100,000, particularly in younger women.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/canada-suspends-use-of-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-for-those-under-55

Still vastly in favour of the benefit vs getting Covid but this'll get those that believe this is rushed and untested all stoked up again won't it?


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 9:22 am
 DrJ
Posts: 14018
Full Member
 

I should have got a sense of optimism from this.

Why? Whatever Johnson says has the same credibility as the smallest whiff of fart gas. It was convenient for him to say at that moment in time, that's all.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 9:23 am
 jag1
Posts: 64
Full Member
 

Does anyone know what the comparison of blood clots is compared to the contraceptive pill? It looks like the pill increases blood clots by about 3x normal and this seems to be taken happily by a lot of people including me.
Personally I can't wait till I get offered the vaccine.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 12:13 pm
Posts: 24859
Free Member
 

I don't, but I'm sure the info is out there somewhere (prob in your patient leaflet with every box of pills you get), but we have to also be cautious of using the absolute comparisons like three times more likely, etc.

After all you're 15 times more likely to be killed by a cow than by lightning; you're still incredibly unlikely to be killed by either.

Don't have nightmares.....


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 1:04 pm
Posts: 17336
Full Member
 

I’m on Humira (brand name I think rather than drug) – are you saying that the vaccination is less effective for me? I’m no longer taking methotrexate.

The data shows that if you are taking infliximab, that the antibody response is reduced (NOT eliminated). I was interested in the role TNF may be playing in the immunogenicity process and adalimumab (branded Humira) is an aTNF that effectively works the same way, except you don't get the six-weekly tea and biscuits at the infusion centre 😉 . Since infliximab is so commonly administered with MTX or another concomitant immunomodulator, the paper notes a lower antibody response with added modulation. Note there IS a response to the vaccine with antibody production and correlations between precise levels of antibodies and afforded protection have not been demonstrated. Importantly, the updated paper summarises:

Vaccination after SARS-CoV-2 infection, or a second dose of vaccine, led to seroconversion in most patients. Delayed second dosing should be avoided in patients treated with infliximab

This link was helpful reading too https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-covid-19-vaccines-in-patient-taking-immunosuppressive-medicines/ with good links.

Your consultant will advise.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 1:57 pm
 cb
Posts: 2873
Free Member
 

Thanks TiRed


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 3:22 pm
Posts: 17855
Full Member
 

I've not really been keeping up with this thread, but have just received my appointment for a first vaccine jab this Saturday...
I'm (not quite) 44, so don't know if this is representative of where we are in the country as a whole of getting people vaccinated. I wasn't expecting anything for a while yet.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 5:17 pm
Posts: 14484
Free Member
 

I'm not far off 43 so maybe not to far away for me then.

Omnicalculator reckons the next two weeks, even at the lower vaccination rates


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 5:29 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'm nudging 46 and no sign of a vaccine yet. This is in Mid Sussex btw.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 7:43 pm
Posts: 31103
Full Member
 

I don’t think the Dutch government are going to be very popular…

https://nos.nl/l/2374706


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 8:08 pm
Posts: 31103
Full Member
 

47, no vaccine here. I’m assuming May now.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 8:09 pm
Posts: 5830
Full Member
 

Can i get a read out if that article please. My dutch is non existent


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 8:13 pm
Posts: 31103
Full Member
Posts: 5830
Full Member
 

Thank you.
That isn't happy reading for the dutch government


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 8:34 pm
Posts: 17336
Full Member
 

There is a reason why the UK does not have the Moderna vaccine. The US invested significant sums through Operation Warp Speed to invest at risk in the trial infrastructure, manufacturing and development costs for companies that otherwise would not have had the capital to fund the research. That investment became purchasing. Pfizer was big enough to go its own way so can sell to who it wants at its own price. The UK made smaller investments and paid up front at risk, having always stated that a vaccine was the exit door.

Ultimately, this is really very early in the cycle. Vaccination will become mainstream, production will ramp up, there will be many suppliers and the problem will eventually be solved. It's just going to take time.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 8:51 pm
Posts: 728
Free Member
 

41 and had my invite a couple of days ago.

Can’t get it done this week due to commitments, but booked in for Tuesday. In Gloucestershire.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 8:57 pm
Posts: 868
Full Member
 

https://www.politico.eu/article/sebastian-kurz-austria-threatens-to-block-eu-option-to-buy-100-million-coronavirus-vaccine-doses-in-fight-over-distribution/

Oh dear, not looking good in euroland.

Wonder where Austria got the idea to threaten supply.

If you live by the sword........


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 9:05 pm
Posts: 14484
Free Member
 

That does look more like political posturing for a domestic market than anything else.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 9:19 pm
Posts: 5830
Full Member
 

Yeah, definitely some political games, rather like macron ahead of next years elections.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 9:23 pm
Posts: 14484
Free Member
 

ONS report https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveyantibodydatafortheuk/30march2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, antibody and vaccination data for the UK

In England, an estimated 1 in 2 people, or 54.7% of the population (95% credible interval: 49.3% to 60.5%) would have tested positive for antibodies against the coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – on a blood test in the week ending 14 March 2021, suggesting they had the infection in the past or have been vaccinated


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 9:30 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

production will ramp up,

In two to three years, by which time people will be livid if social distancing is continuing in some form or another.

Anyway, any thoughts on this clickbait from Oxfam TiRed?

https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/two-thirds-epidemiologists-warn-mutations-could-render-current-covid-vaccines


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 11:24 pm
Posts: 31103
Full Member
 

Vaccines will need to try and keep up with mutations. “Current vaccines” are not what you’ll be having next year anyway (or even this winter, if you’re in an at risk category).

Keeping prevalence low this year (internationally as well as at home) will buy us much needed time. If we don’t, there is a greater number of opportunities for mutations resistant to (current) vaccines to develop and catch us unready, and for them to spread faster and wider than track and trace can cope with.


 
Posted : 30/03/2021 11:30 pm
Posts: 17336
Full Member
 

Anyway, any thoughts on this clickbait from Oxfam TiRed?

I've said it dozens of times, but the relationship between antibody titer and sterile protection from infection has not been quantified. That being said, there is concern that the reduction in titers (number of times you can dilute serum and maintain viral inhibition) for sera from Ox/AZ when tested against the South Africa variant B.351.1 is concerning. Keeping it at bay is prudent. Serious infections with COVID19 seem to be mitigated even for this strain, however. That is what matters and I have always said the same. Transmission reductions are an upside, because over sufficient time, we will all catch SARS-CoV2 at some point (can you guess I'm a "zero covid sceptic" 😉 )

We are so very early in the coronavirus endemic cycle. Racing, no doubt. But the solution is now an operational rather than scientific one. Production of new vaccine strains and implementation will fall into line. This is NOT influenza and whilst apparently adapting relatively fast to its new very welcoming host, that will eventually come to pass and we can settle down to modest annual strains and vaccinate accordingly.


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 1:06 am
Posts: 3623
Free Member
 

47 nothing heard, my doctor surgery hates me though. Forgot to process a mis diagnosis of cancer, left me hanging for a bit.
Sent me to a+e due to a language barrier after a shoulder dislocation, which I'd been treated for and was holding the x-rays, asking for physio.
Told me I had liver failure which turned out to be acid reflux.
They prob have my age down as 37.
I very rarely visit and keep meaning to change surgery.


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 1:26 am
Posts: 3193
Free Member
 

Love that Dutch article!

"This is not like the butcher: it is not, whoever invests first will be the first to receive vaccines." With that statement by European Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, the battle between AstraZeneca and the European Commission about the supply of corona vaccines started. The EU was furious that it is getting far fewer vaccines than previously promised, while the British were just getting their promised amounts.

What Kyriakides did not add: London not only stood in line at the proverbial butcher earlier, but was also willing to pull out the wallet and put down hefty sums before it was clear whether the butcher would have meat at all. And the Netherlands had the chance to stand next to the British in April and May last year .


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 2:01 am
Posts: 14484
Free Member
 

.


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 7:02 am
Posts: 5803
Free Member
 

Almost 48 here, no invite for a vac yet and was thinking it'll be late April or after.
Wife with asthma for her first recently, very smooth and swift.


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 12:57 pm
Posts: 31103
Full Member
 

This is looking good…

https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-biontech-announce-positive-topline-results-pivotal

In participants aged 12-15 years old, BNT162b2 demonstrated 100% efficacy and robust antibody responses, exceeding those reported in trial of vaccinated 16-25 year old participants in an earlier analysis, and was well tolerated


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 1:02 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I’ve said it dozens of times, but the relationship between antibody titer and sterile protection from infection has not been quantified. That being said, there is concern that the reduction in titers (number of times you can dilute serum and maintain viral inhibition) for sera from Ox/AZ when tested against the South Africa variant B.351.1 is concerning. Keeping it at bay is prudent. Serious infections with COVID19 seem to be mitigated even for this strain, however. That is what matters and I have always said the same. Transmission reductions are an upside, because over sufficient time, we will all catch SARS-CoV2 at some point (can you guess I’m a “zero covid sceptic” 😉 )

Agreed, but the epidemiologists who were asked - were not worried about current strains but worried about the increased risk of selection for new strains at current vaccination rates in the developing world. What I took away from that article is that they, like me are worried about our ability to supply vaccines in a timely manner.

But the solution is now an operational rather than scientific one. Production of new vaccine strains and implementation will fall into line

The operational solution has always been the hardest one to solve. The point that some epidemiologists have been raising that whilst the developing world has very low vaccination rates, the risk of a vaccine resistant strain being selected for increases. In the short term we are far from being able to rapidly manufacture new vaccine variants for the West at the supply rates required to fully vaccine Europe and America in a timely fashion let alone for the developing world.

Keeping prevalence low this year (internationally as well as at home) will buy us much needed time. If we don’t, there is a greater number of opportunities for mutations resistant to (current) vaccines to develop and catch us unready, and for them to spread faster and wider than track and trace can cope with.

Which gets back to my point from a number of pages back, people are expecting this to be over once the vaccine is fully rolled out by the end of July. They are not expecting continual measures to keep prevalence low in the medium term until we build the requisite manufacturing capability.

How happy do we think the public are going to be with continuing attempts to keep prevalence low until 2023, when they expected it to be over by the summer?


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 2:02 pm
Posts: 14545
Free Member
 

Travel in and out of Wales allowed from 12th April . 👍


 
Posted : 31/03/2021 10:23 pm
Posts: 14545
Free Member
 

I guess I'm the only person excited about being able to go to Wales soon ...


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 2:37 pm
Posts: 5689
Free Member
 

Only just seen that.....I'm fairly happy about it, although the bits that I'm familiar with were hellish last year when we went in September.

Only just returning to mtb and fancy some trail centre action. I'm guessing they'll be best avoided for a while?


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 2:41 pm
Posts: 6935
Full Member
 

I'm 56 and Mrs DB 54 - not a sniff of a vaccination letter, locally looks like Grampian Health are well behind the curve and we have a big spike in local cases. Now they're saying mid-April to be notified, so might not get it before the end of the month.
I'm healthy but the risk of long COVID is still significant and we're still staying clear of anyone.


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 2:50 pm
Posts: 2877
Free Member
 

Travel in and out of Wales allowed from 12th April

I live 750m from the border so its kind of difficult not to walking the dog or having a run but so far the border guards haven't shot me.


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 3:14 pm
Posts: 8332
Free Member
 

Surprised under 50s are getting invites when communication went out recently from nhs chiefs that none were to be booked in before may due to the shortages

45 year old asthmatic here, I’m hopeful of getting a jab by end of may at earliest. Much better position to be in than other countries so can’t complain, however the accessibility of the jab does appear to vary massively by location.

On a side note.... just went to shops and the number of folks wearing masks that don’t cover their nose is astounding. Are these people deliberately doing that, or just a bit thick?


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 3:15 pm
Posts: 868
Full Member
 

@dovebiker

You can book yourself a jab at the link below....
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 3:54 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

48 here and nothing yet - i'm expecting early May now.


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 3:57 pm
Posts: 4838
Full Member
 

I guess I’m the only person excited about being able to go to Wales soon …

Me too. April last year, my "what do you want to do when lockdown is eased" answer was "ride at afan". Between lockdowns, injury to the mrs, and managing to get to france for a week last summer, we've as yet been unable to do so.

I'll have waited a year for it when it happens. Can't wait.


 
Posted : 01/04/2021 3:57 pm
Page 615 / 887