What is fair? Covid - sudden change of policy!

Tweedle24 that was my thinking too.
My opinion is that NHS staff and the teaching profession should have been the priority.
I also tend to think that any one who has to leave home to work should be next. They have no choice and will have mortgages and families to look after.
It is far easier (in general )for those who are retired to stay safe at home, however much we don’t like it.

PamelaJ1

I got the impression that the longer gap was for the Astra Zeneca vaccine.
I am prepared to be wrong, I often am.

I don't know how true it is, but I have read that some people awaiting their second Pfizer vaccine have already had their appointments cancelled.

I have heard scientists working on the vaccine say that the longer gap between the two doses is likely to have greater efficacy. You can bet your bottom dollar that they are not going to waste money giving the first dose if leaving the second one too long negates the affect of the first.

You might call me selfish but I was glad when I heard the change of plan in order to give more vulnerable people a first dose sooner. I am really hoping DH gets his soon.

As a scientist who worked in immunology am incensed that the government is going against the advice of Pfizer on this matter. Three weeks sounds good to me. The AZ/Oxford one is different and twelve weeks is fine for that. It all depends on how they are formulated. I think the government is playing with peoples lives.

I got the impression that the longer gap was for the Astra Zeneca vaccine.
I am prepared to be wrong, I often am.

Moonlight113

I would get onto someone about that. I know surgeries are saying the "don't contact us" thing, but that seems so wrong. Local MP perhaps?

Chance would be a fine thing, Moonlight! Her local health services shut up shop yesterday and won’t reopen until Tuesday.

When I worked in the NHS, many moons ago, we weren’t allowed to close for two days in a row, hence working some Saturdays mornings and half days on bank holidays.

I think they were surprised at the speed that this particular mutation is able to infect people. The death rates have soared.

i think they should follow the agreed schedule, but realistically there isn't much we can do about it.
so best not to get agitated, raise blood pressure etc.
half a loaf is better than none.
happy new year everyone.

Yes, I'm sure that scientists are well aware of mutating viruses.

SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, and mutations arise naturally as the virus replicates. Many thousands of mutations have already arisen, but only a very small minority are likely to be important and to change the virus in an appreciable way. COG-UK says that there are currently around 4000 mutations in the spike protein.

Sharon Peacock, director of COG-UK, told the Science Media Centre briefing, “Mutations are expected and are a natural part of evolution. Many thousands of mutations have already arisen, and the vast majority have no effect on the virus but can be useful as a barcode to monitor outbreaks.”

From

www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4857

Moonlight113

I think it didn't start out this way because no one new the mutation was on the way.

If the scientists didn't realise that the virus would mutate, they need to go back to school. Every single virus mutates, so they must have known.

Pfizer: “There are no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days".

So it might or it might not.

MamaCaz

Could it be that they can't get any more (or enough) of the Pfizer vaccine soon enough to give the second doses, and are now having to improvise, hoping that we don't realize their mistake?

I'd put money on that being the reason.

I would rather the teachers got a first dose before us oldies get a second.

That meant for SueDonim

I would get onto someone about that. I know surgeries are saying the "don't contact us" thing, but that seems so wrong. Local MP perhaps?

MamaCaz

Could it be that they can't get any more (or enough) of the Pfizer vaccine soon enough to give the second doses, and are now having to improvise, hoping that we don't realize their mistake?

This sounds about par for the course.

It seems unfair that my 93yo mother hasn’t heard as much as a cuckoo about getting her jab when other, less vulnerable, people are having their second.

I read that the second Pfizer jab increases protection from 90% to 94%, which is not a huge increase.

I think that those who have already had their first dose should get the second as planned.

However the system of one dose and a follow-up in 12 weeks for anyone who has not yet had a first dose seems reasonable, because they will anticipate this.

Could it be that they can't get any more (or enough) of the Pfizer vaccine soon enough to give the second doses, and are now having to improvise, hoping that we don't realize their mistake?

I am concerned about this, too, although I have not yet had a vaccination myself. However, this new policy has been approved by all four chief UK medics, including Chris Whitty. I understand that the Pfizer vax gives 90% protection from the first jab and the Oxford vax gives 70% protection from the first jab and this is good - the flu vax we have every year gives less protection than this. Both jabs need top-ups after three months but are effective three weeks after the first jab. We should know within two weeks, according to Jonathan Van Tam, whether or not we are able to carry the infection (ie perhaps pass it on to others) after just one jab and I think that is the clincher. If I am 70% protected after the first jab and not able to become infected and pass on the infection to others I will feel confident to carry on life as normal (if allowed) and not worry that I have to wait three months for the booster. Such worrying times we live in.

I think it didn't start out this way because no one new the mutation was on the way.

This is the only way to get a hold on the virus now this mutation is spreading so fast. They need to give protection to as many people as possible to prevent deaths and to stop the hospitals being overwhelmed.

It's disappointing for us oldies, but it's the best way. The first dose prevents serious disease and the need for hospitalisation. It makes sense when you think about it.

Very frustrating for those in your situation Applegran but I think the policy of the 'greatest good of the greatest number' is the one to be followed.
Certainly we can wonder why this wasn't worked out before.
I feel more nervous that the 12-week follow-up jabs are pie in the sky and will never happen.
News that there are several million doses ready but an insufficient supply of glass vials isn't reassuring.

I think you should have your second shot Applegran. That's what you signed up for and were led to believe would happen. Sorry to say that I don't think this is anything to do with fairness. The country doesn't have enough vaccines and this is a political decision to keep more people quiet.

Fingers crossed for you!