Coronavirus (Non-Politics)

[blueblueblue]

Our older daughter (36) got a text yesterday asking her to book a vaccine slot.* No problem with that, as I've long argued that teachers -and she's a ft teacher at the LFB -are essential workers ,who should be vaccinated ahead of other age groups (and anyone in the Spanish Health System, Police or Army in Spain already has been vaccinated ).

We're talking about the Oxford AS vaccine, of course.Ironically Spain was due to announce yesterday that they'd be using the Oxford vacccine with over 65's (following on from Germany 's and France's lead in this regard).However Denmark's decision (along with a couple of other Scandinavian countries) to supend using the Oxford vaccine has thrown a monkey -wrench in that plan, in Spain at least.

Without wishing to get into a vaccine nationalism debate I can't see it's going to be easy for the Spanish Govt. (and to a lesser extent France) to fulfil their pledge to vaccinate all their adult citizens by the summer.Especially since vaccination of the over 65 age groups hasn't started yet in Spain.Clearly the UK will, almost certaintly, achieve this goal.

*Even more ironically our daughter apparently intends to wait until she's heard how a few of her collegues get on with their jab before rushing to sign up for it herself.

Any reason why Scandinavian countries are against it? It seems to be the more favoured choice here in the UK. Maybe it's trusted more because it's a UK vaccine that's produced in the here.

Is your daughter in the UK or in Spain with yourself?

 

[GNH]

I see there's a piece on the BBC today about rates of decline slowing in some areas of the UK and that the cases went up in yesterday's figures.

What of course they fail to mention is that there were over 1.5m tests done yesterday, over triple the average amount for the weeks previous which was at the time the highest amount ever.

Why oh why do they only report half a story with everything?

 

[blueblueblue]

I see there's a piece on the BBC today about rates of decline slowing in some areas of the UK and that the cases went up in yesterday's figures.

What of course they fail to mention is that there were over 1.5m tests done yesterday, over triple the average amount for the weeks previous which was at the time the highest amount ever.

Why oh why do they only report half a story with everything?

That's actually a good point. Kids have gone back to school so we shouldn't be suprised that numbers have gone up, bearing in mind they're testing twice a week.

 

[londonblue]

Having my first jab on Sunday.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

1.Any reason why Scandinavian countries are against it? It seems to be the more favoured choice here in the UK. Maybe it's trusted more because it's a UK vaccine that's produced in the here.

2.Is your daughter in the UK or in Spain with yourself?

1.Think it's supposed to be a blood clot issue.

2. She's in Guinardo (the other side of Parque Guell) with her partner and our 3 year old grandson.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I find Scandinavian ducking out of using the AS vaccine a bit strange considering it's been developed in part by a Swedish company, or have I got that wrong?

Think it was actually developed by a husband/wife team at Oxford but you're right it's manufacured by AZ in Sweden,apparently.

 

[RHB]

Any reason why Scandinavian countries are against it? It seems to be the more favoured choice here in the UK. Maybe it's trusted more because it's a UK vaccine that's produced in the here.

Is your daughter in the UK or in Spain with yourself?

Around 5 million Europeans have already received the AstraZeneca jab.
There have been about 30 cases in Europe of "thromboembolic events" - or developing blood clots - after the vaccine was administered. There were also reports that a 50-year-old man had died in Italy after developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

 

[blueblueblue]

1.Think it's supposed to be a blood clot issue.

2. She's in Guinardo (the other side of parque Guell) with her partner and our 3 year old Grandson.

Blood clot, that's the first I've heard.

I agree with you mate, all front line staff should get the vaccine first. I'm happy to sit in my home (away from Covid) as long as those who are on the front line get it first.

 

[blueblueblue]

Around 5 million Europeans have already received the AstraZeneca jab.
There have been about 30 cases in Europe of "thromboembolic events" - or developing blood clots - after the vaccine was administered. There were also reports that a 50-year-old man had died in Italy after developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

It's a difficult one isn't it. Every vaccination comes with risks with some people. Taking a headache tablet comes with risks, we see the warning pamphlet when we buy any medication.

Sadly 30 people have had a reaction to the Oxford jab BUT it's now protecting Millions of other people around the world.

 

[jackj13]

I see there's a piece on the BBC today about rates of decline slowing in some areas of the UK and that the cases went up in yesterday's figures.

What of course they fail to mention is that there were over 1.5m tests done yesterday, over triple the average amount for the weeks previous which was at the time the highest amount ever.

Why oh why do they only report half a story with everything?

Completely agree with this. Also I saw in todays death figures are deaths from last March, April and June!

 

[Ali Shrimper]

That's actually a good point. Kids have gone back to school so we shouldn't be suprised that numbers have gone up, bearing in mind they're testing twice a week.

Both my children have been tested twice this week at a Rayleigh secondary school, over 2,500 test done and not one positive case. Very encouraging news. A huge amount to organise, whilst trying to teach as well. Hats off to all the schools.??

 

[GNH]

It's a difficult one isn't it. Every vaccination comes with risks with some people. Taking a headache tablet comes with risks, we see the warning pamphlet when we buy any medication.

Sadly 30 people have had a reaction to the Oxford jab BUT it's now protecting Millions of other people around the world.

This Thromboembolic issue is a bit of a non story.

From that particular batch/area there were 22 blood clot issues in the 3 million people that had the vaccine with no causal link to it being the vaccine that caused it. I looked into normal levels of expected blood clot issues in a random sample of 3 million people, the answer....around 300 expected cases regardless of vaccines for a sample of that size for the same time period.

That though won't make a good headline

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

1st dose jabs today down at 280k, still a very good number.
I am guessing that 2nd doses are now being given in bigger numbers as the 1st jab figure is a big fall from recent weeks where 4-500k have been vax.

 

[Holy Joe]

The opening up of hairdressers in Germany a few weeks ago doesn't appear to have worked out that well. Let's hope circumstances in the UK are different

‘Third wave has already begun’: Germany records sharp increase in Covid-19 cases

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recorded a 20 percent rise in new coronavirus cases compared to a week ago on Thursday, leading its director to warn that a third wave of infections had started.

www.thelocal.de

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

The issue in Europe is the negativity they've created around the vaccine has really backfired on them. if we take Germany 10.4% vaccinated with our 35.9%

 

[Holy Joe]

The issue in Europe is the negativity they've created around the vaccine has really backfired on them. if we take Germany 10.4% vaccinated with our 35.9%

Absolutely - as I say I hope our circumstances are different enough. But just shows the risk of easing too early/quickly

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

100% agreed Matt

 

[rigsby]

Good news Thursday:

10 million new vaccine doses available - aiming for all over 50s and all underlying health conditions by end March. 40-49 early April, 30-39 late April and 18-29 starting in May.
Enough supply for the 2nd doses for people already jabbed to run concurrently.

UK has up to 10 million extra Covid jabs, as surge in supply means NHS can ramp up second doses

Wales's First Minister said a 'dip' in vaccination numbers has now come to an end with greater supplies available across Britain

inews.co.uk

Also, massive news on the therapeutic front, GSK/Vir's VIR-7831 appears to be a highly effective early treatment for people with high risk of severe COVID-19. Massive treatment effect at avoiding hospitalisation and/or death. Follows other similar mAbs that have been granted EUAs.

Vir, GSK to seek emergency use clearance for COVID-19 antibody therapy

Vir Biotechnology and Britain's GSK plan to seek emergency use authorization for their experimental COVID-19 antibody therapy after interim data from a study showed 85% reduction in hospitalization and deaths among patients, the companies said.

www.reuters.com

Would be wonderful if schools took the opportunity to teach children about the great achievements of our past. How we have had to lead the way as a nation in times of world crisis. The success of the vaccine roll out should be used to inspire all young people growing up in the 21st century Britain to take the brilliant opportunities that will now be presented to them. From football to the olympics, we do it better than the rest, if everyone is on board.

 

[Tinks]

We have again had a very busy week and I have noticed that we have been vaccinating a lot younger people and I had a few teachers in also this week.
Everyone is grateful to have the vaccine and in actual fact the clinic was a joy to do this week.

We have been told that the next few weeks are likely to be hectic and very busy as we have to now start completing the second vaccine (although to be fair we have already started) alongside ensuring we also keep up the numbers for the first. I have also been told that the Cliffs Pavilion site will most likely close in May as they are scheduled to re-open.

Luckily, we have a very good team of nurses where I work and everyone is willing to do extra to accommodate the extra work (remembering that we also have to keep up to date with our regular work to) that is coming.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

We have again had a very busy week and I have noticed that we have been vaccinating a lot younger people and I had a few teachers in also this week.
Everyone is grateful to have the vaccine and in actual fact the clinic was a joy to do this week.

We have been told that the next few weeks are likely to be hectic and very busy as we have to now start completing the second vaccine (although to be fair we have already started) alongside ensuring we also keep up the numbers for the first. I have also been told that the Cliffs Pavilion site will most likely close in May as they are scheduled to re-open.

Luckily, we have a very good team of nurses where I work and everyone is willing to do extra to accommodate the extra work (remembering that we also have to keep up to date with our regular work to) that is coming.

Keep up the good work Tinks! I walked past the Highlands Surgery vaccination site yesterday and there was a good mix of ages in the queue. I did consider tagging on and taking my chances but I didn’t ;)