Covid Vaccinations

[Lady Liebe]

Anything and everything you want to say about Covid vaccinations.

The protocols, the side effects, allergic reactions etc.

Very inconsistent': 2 allergic reactions in the UK to COVID-19 vaccine puzzle researchers:

https://www.usatoday.com/...accine-allergic-reaction-
uk/6505867002/

Two British people with severe allergies apparently had allergic reactions to Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, raising questions about whether it is safe for people with preexisting allergies.

In response, British regulators advised those with severe allergies to avoid the vaccine.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the allergic reactions. There are no preservatives or animal products in the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which have been known to trigger reactions with other types of vaccines.

[Chandrasekhi]

mRna vs Adenoviral Vector

https://www.acsh.org/news...s-astrazenecaoxford-15170
Comparing COVID Vaccines: Pfizer vs. Moderna vs. AstraZeneca/Oxford

....
Explaining the Chart

Technology. Both Pfizer and Moderna are using experimental technology that employs mRNA. There is currently no vaccine on the market that uses mRNA, so these vaccines are a world-first. The AstraZeneca vaccine is based on time-tested technology that employs a harmless cold virus (called adenovirus) that has been genetically modified to stimulate an immune response against the coronavirus.

Efficacy. Much to everyone's surprise, the experimental mRNA vaccines are most effective (95%), while the time-tested adenoviral vector vaccine shows only 62% to 90% efficacy.

Storage temperature. Pfizer's vaccine poses a logistical problem. It has to be stored at -94° F, which is an obscenely cold temperature that requires specialized freezers. Moderna's vaccine can be stored in a normal freezer, while AstraZeneca's can be stored in a regular refrigerator.

Shelf-life. Once again, Pfizer's vaccine poses a unique challenge. Once it's out of the deep freeze, it's only good for 5 days. Moderna's does better at 30 days, while AstraZeneca's can last 6 months.

Price per dose. As shown, both Pfizer and Moderna plan to profit from the vaccine. (There's nothing wrong with that.) AstraZeneca does not (yet), which is why its vaccine is so cheap. However, the company says that it will seek profits after the pandemic ends.

Doses by end of 2020. Here, there's no contest. AstraZeneca can deliver the most doses the fastest. (Note that all three vaccines require two doses.)

So, Which Vaccine Is Best?

As shown, it's hard to answer this question. A 95% effective vaccine is better than a 62% to 90% effective vaccine, but 200 million doses is better than 20 million to 50 million doses. In short, Pfizer and Moderna are producing fewer but more effective (and pricier) vaccines, while AstraZeneca is making a greater number of less effective (and cheaper) vaccines.
....

[fairy]

So basically we will indeed get a vaccination elite: those who can afford and will get their hands on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and can thus enjoy a much higher immune status and those who can not and will only get the cheaper and less effective version. Then there are the millions who will get nothing.

[anastasia beaverhausen]

So basically we will indeed get a vaccination elite: those who can afford and will get their hands on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and can thus enjoy a much higher immune status and those who can not and will only get the cheaper and less effective version. Then there are the millions who will get nothing.

True. I was very impressed by Morocco’s king stating that vaccines will be provided free of charge.

[GoodGollyMissMolly]

So basically we will indeed get a vaccination elite: those who can afford and will get their hands on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and can thus enjoy a much higher immune status and those who can not and will only get the cheaper and less effective version. Then there are the millions who will get nothing.

True. I was very impressed by Morocco’s king stating that vaccines will be provided free of charge.

Yea - the pricing will only really apply to non insured Americans.

Also, right now, the issue is not who gets what vaccine - it's getting people to get the vaccine in general. Something that's looking like it's going to be a monumental task in the US.

[Lady Liebe]

The National Guard has been assisting with distribution of the flu vaccine and also using mock ups to practice how to break down the vaccine shipments quickly (to keep it cold) for distribution to smaller settings - nursing homes etc.

Ohio's plan for the first phase of vaccinations:

Priority will be given to vulnerable individuals who live in close proximity and those who care for them.

• Healthcare workers and personnel, who are routinely involved in the care of COVID-19 patients
• Residents and staff in nursing homes
• Residents and staff in assisted living facilities
• Patients and staff at state psychiatric hospitals
• People with intellectual disabilities and those with mental illness, who live in group homes or centers, and staff at those locations
• Residents and staff at our two homes for Ohio veterans
• EMS responders

[luvcharles]

So basically we will indeed get a vaccination elite: those who can afford and will get their hands on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and can thus enjoy a much higher immune status and those who can not and will only get the cheaper and less effective version. Then there are the millions who will get nothing.

That will depend on your country.

In Australia we will all be able to get the vaccine at no cost to us at point of getting the vaccine (covered under medicare). Australia has also bought enough doses to ensure that many Pacific and poorer Asian countries will also be able to get the vaccine for free (paid for by Aussie taxpayers).

New Zealand is also giving the vaccine free of charge to everyone at point of service. The UK is also free at point of vaccine.

[lilyrose]

The National Guard has been assisting with distribution of the flu vaccine and also using mock ups to practice how to break down the vaccine shipments quickly (to keep it cold) for distribution to smaller settings - nursing homes etc.

Ohio's plan for the first phase of vaccinations:

Priority will be given to vulnerable individuals who live in close proximity and those who care for them.

• Healthcare workers and personnel, who are routinely involved in the care of COVID-19 patients
• Residents and staff in nursing homes
• Residents and staff in assisted living facilities
• Patients and staff at state psychiatric hospitals
• People with intellectual disabilities and those with mental illness, who live in group homes or centers, and staff at those locations
• Residents and staff at our two homes for Ohio veterans
• EMS responders

I live in Ohio and I wonder where teachers will feature on the second priority list. We are currently virtual until MLK Day but parents are losing their minds (although I have parents claiming they're overwhelmed with all the work and their kid has done absolutely nothing, even with repeated attempts to contact and work with them to get it done, so who knows  ) and we are under a lot of pressure to be back in person for 5 full days when we do come back.

[Lady Liebe]

They've not announced anything past the first one - though I know there was a question on Monday about essential workers being in the second tier. They are using guidelines from  - and this a quote off the Ohio Covid website:

This distribution will be guided by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).

So maybe have a look at the CDC website for guidelines?

Also there is the fact that we don't know when the vaccine will be available to children/teens either.

I know it's no consolation, but we have friends and a niece who are teachers and they share your frustrations and concerns.

I listen to the press conferences so if I hear the Gov mention anything or the press asks a question I'll let you know.

[Ellie]

The vaccine wasn't tested on anyone younger than 16, but that age group isn't at risk unless you have severe, severe problems where even getting a cold could kill you. I wouldn't want my child to get an experimental vaccine (you bet we're all vaccinated over here!).

I already had it but I was told by my physician I'm up on the list, technically, after the elderly and healthcare workers, because of my lung disease. I get sick with respiratory viruses, multiple ones, a year; usually bronchitis - but I got swine flu and also have been hospitalized for regular flu. I get pneumonia easily. This wasn't bad though. I got immunity the old-fashioned way!

[Chandrasekhi]

Here, in South Africa, the estimated roll-out of the vaccine is the 2nd quarter of 2021. Our government has shot itself in the foot trying to be a bigger player on the world stage than it really is.

First Shocker: South Africa has been categorized as an upper middle income country  with e.g. Canada and the UK, (really??!!) for vaccine procurement through the COVAX facility. This means we pay the same/similar price for the vaccines as  these countries. In reality, because we cannot afford it, the rollout will be slower (we have committed to purchase 10% for our population vs 20% required to part of the COVAX facility). Are Bill & Mel or Xi going to bail us out?

Which daft and comfortable bureaucrat/politician agreed to this insanity?  
(Small businesses closed, Big businesses retrenched but the fat cat bureaucrats and politicians retained their salaries).

Comparative exchange rates as of this morning:
   ZAR:Canadian $ = 11.7018
   ZAR:British Pound= 20.0020
 
Second Shocker: we participated in 4 vaccine clinical trials, one of the benefits of which would have been leverage in bilateral negotiations with the vaccine developers for preferential procurement. According to one of our leading virologists, govt sources say this has not occurred. Whoppeedoo!

From the  late 1980 to 1992, South Africa was one of few countries producing vaccines. Now we are at the mercy of the global community.

Our people have made the sacrifices but our government has squandered the opportunities created by that sacrifice - the anthem of our "democracy".

[Thistle]

Vaccination here will start in the first week of January, with the Pfizer vaccine because is the one already available. Our government and EU did protocols with all three.

The vaccine will be free for everyone here. And there is a defined plan for vaccination, with three tiers:

1st Tier (starting around January 3rd)
Health care and care centers workers
Elderly that reside at a care center facility
Elderdy with respiratory/heart diseases
Security forces (police + military)

2nd Tier (Early Spring)
+65 citizens without any underlying condition
+50 citizens
All citizens, from all ages, that have conditions that put them in a risk group (diabetes, cancer, auto-immune diseases, etc)

3rd Tier (June / July)
General population

I am on tier 2 due to my auto-imune, and yes I will take it.

[fairy]

As far as I know the EU has not agreed to a waiver. The pharma companies have demanded a waiver, asking the  buying countries to take over the responsibility should there be any medical repercussions and consequences. Considering that those vaccines have not undergone the usual and regulated trial periods, the companies are afraid of billion dollar lawsuits and like the pushing governments to shoulder this burden of risk.
But again, as far as I heard, the EU has not yet agreed to do so.

[Lady Liebe]

Edit:

FDA advisers recommend authorization of Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine

https://www.cnn.com/2020/...ccine-eua-vote/index.html

The US Food and Drug Administration's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted Thursday to recommend the agency grant emergency use authorization to Pfizer and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine.

Seventeen members voted yes, four voted no and one abstained.
This vote doesn't mean the vaccine will be authorized immediately.
The FDA will now decide whether to accept the recommendation but has signaled that it will issue the EUA for the vaccine.

Then, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices must meet to decide whether it recommends that the vaccine be deployed for use. ACIP has a meeting scheduled for Friday, and expects to vote during another meeting, scheduled for Sunday.
Operation Warp Speed officials say they will start shipping the vaccine within 24 hours of FDA authorization.

[Aubiette]

I was surprised to learn at work last night that none of my co workers want to take the vaccine. I’m a nurse in a large hospital. I had thought they would force us but at this early stage at least, it’s optional. Everyone is worried about all of the unknowns, long term consequences and the like. I also learned that they did a trial with the Pfizer vaccine at my hospital and the nurse in question was very sick for a week after getting it. No info on others, just word of mouth on the one. It’s all something to think about. I work with Covid pts frequently so I was planning to get the vaccine.