The best vaccine news we could hope for

Suziewoozie, you’ve just agreed with me?. The oldest and most vulnerable ARE the ones at most risk of dying!!

Lucca

Far north why are you worried about that ? Are you concerned about possible side effects ?

I'm worried that those most vulnerable to the disease might also have a bad reaction to a vaccine.
That might be because I don't understand vaccines, tho.

I hope it’s all what you are hoping for the government and the scientists don’t sound as confident as when it was first announced
I would be more excited if they had found medication that would stop it going into danger hospital mode I believe they are working hard at that side of things too

This is all excellent news. It s particularly interesting that it uses a new concept based on genes; it could hold promise for lots of other illnesses.

Let us hope that it will eventually unlock us from this covid impasse.

Another good reason to encourage science teaching in schools and respect for scientists.

Vaccine from Belgium.

Let’s hope nothing happens in January to delay the transport of this fragile vaccine from Belgium to the U.K.

Don’t forget it has to be approved by the European Medicines Agency that relocated from the U.K. to Europe.

Oopsminty

I agree about getting medical staff vaccinated as soon as possible

And then the old and vulnerable should get theirs. Fact is the average age of death with Covid is 82

So I'd say that age is a huge factor in deciding who gets vaccinated first

They are more likely to be hospitalised so far better to try to keep them safe from virus which in turn keeps others safe

I agree plus high rates of hospitalisation of older people means less health care availability for everyone else.

Thanks Alegrias for some informed perspective.

I’m a scientist. Not in the field of medical science, but in physical sciences. I’m used to people who read stuff on the internet and feel that they now have an insight and need to share their ill-informed opinions on chat forums.

People are scared of vaccines, especially this one, because they don’t understand how we got to where we are so quickly. Its natural, I suppose, to fear things you don’t understand. There is a vast misunderstanding of risk, as shown by the old chestnut of vaccines causing harm in the past. So I did some sums.

Look at the Pandremix vaccine, which caused an increased risk of narcolepsy in children of 1 in 50,000. Even if the COVID vaccine has a similar risk (which is unlikely, but never mind….) then if everyone in Scotland, where I live, has the vaccine, around 100 people would have some side effect. More than 100 people have died in Scotland in the last 5 days. I’ll take my chances with the vaccine, thanks.

I agree about getting medical staff vaccinated as soon as possible

And then the old and vulnerable should get theirs. Fact is the average age of death with Covid is 82

So I'd say that age is a huge factor in deciding who gets vaccinated first

They are more likely to be hospitalised so far better to try to keep them safe from virus which in turn keeps others safe

I won't be having the vaccine. Not because of all the crap put up RE Bill Gates is the spawn of satan ? You have to laugh at that one.
No, it's because ( for me) it just doesn't feel right. I can't explain but I've always gone along with the adage: when in doubt, leave it out.
I have the utmost admiration and respect for the scientists who are working on this.
I also respect and accept everyone's choice

I don’t think anyone on gransnet is stupid enough to take Bluebellewould’s comment literally, most of us would get the gist of what she meant.
My opinion is that the first vaccines should be given to the front line, doctors, nurses, care home workers. Followed by teachers, posties, bin collectors, check out operators, delivery drivers and many more. Us oldies can wait for the second batch because we are most able to stay at home.

I’m so happy about this news, I’m expecting to be among the first offered but if others need it more that’s OK too.

Can't wait!! Mind you I'd prefer to be in the middle to get it!!
We will so appreciate our freedom if/when we get it!!
Mind you I have heard while we are all being careful, there are fewer cases of flu and colds?? Maybe we should tread carefully?

Bluebellwould

Dearest suziewoozie, I put cure because I couldn’t be bothered to type out the longer definition of what a vaccine could do.

Well that clearly shows the contempt in which you hold us on here - you can post whatever you want without any effort to ensure it’s correct. The problem is some people will be influenced by you - you should be ashamed

Dearest suziewoozie, I put cure because I couldn’t be bothered to type out the longer definition of what a vaccine could do.

Bluebelle FGS - a vaccine does NOT CURE COVID. I absolutely despair / you haven’t even got the basic concepts right

Or even result in many people not getting Covid19.

Any vaccine that can cure COVID is worth billions to the producers unless they are giving it away for free, which I doubt. Where there is big money there is pressure to be the first and I’m not saying they did this, but that pressure could lead to corners being cut, results being enhanced or matters glossed over.

If they were wanting to sacrifice the vulnerable and old for the sake of herd immunity, they wouldn't have told them to keep away from others - they'd have recruited all of them to nurse patients with a positive diagnosis, and stocked up well on coffins for them.

I will take the risk as soon as I am invited to. It can't lead to anything worse than exposure to the virus would - and we do that every time we meet another human being, even with all the hand-washing and mask-wearing.

The delay is about technicalities and legalities.

DiscoDancer1975

I tend to agree with you Bluebellwould. It sounds wonderful, but I think we should tread cautiously. It’s right to start with the oldest and most vulnerable, and work down, to better secure the herd immunity. I’m happy to wait for now, not because I want others to take the risk, I don’t, but I have no say in that. I just want to be more certain myself.

They are not starting with the oldest and most vulnerable first and working down the better to secure hers immunity. I’m sorry but that’s nonsense. The plan is to start first with those most at risk of dying from the virus and needing hospitalisation.

I’m not sure either. The phrase “ too good to be true”, has been in my head since hearing about it. We shouldn’t rush in. There can’t possibly have been enough safety checks. I’d rather stay semi isolated for now, as we have been.

I tend to agree with you Bluebellwould. It sounds wonderful, but I think we should tread cautiously. It’s right to start with the oldest and most vulnerable, and work down, to better secure the herd immunity. I’m happy to wait for now, not because I want others to take the risk, I don’t, but I have no say in that. I just want to be more certain myself.

I understand the optimism surrounding a vaccine but we should remember soldiers returning from the Gulf War with terrible symptoms caused by Gulf War Syndrome - not all PTSD - but likely caused by vaccines rushed out to 'protect' them. I know a very well respected medical physician who says he wouldn't go near the Covid vaccine until he has seen documented evidence of its safety.

Crossed posts, Suziewoozie on the abuse of science and scientists shown in the accusation that it is all a placebo.

Many people have died of this virus, despite heroic work by medical staff. If someone said that THEIR efforts were "all a huge placebo to keep people happy" they would be lynched. Why denigrate the work of people in other fields?