Second vaccine dose timing

Well said Alegrias, thank you.

Esspee

The vaccine was trialled and approved for use based on a two dose regime.
At no point has any manufacturer suggested that one dose would work long term, or that spacing out doses would be harmless.
What if protection declines rapidly after a single dose and four months down the line those who had the initial single dose end up more prone to a virulent mutated virus?
We are being used as guinea pigs in an unethical experiment.
I’m with GagaJo on this.

The vaccine was trialled and approved for use based on a two dose regime. - It was approved by the MHRA based on two doses. Your point?

At no point has any manufacturer suggested that one dose would work long term, or that spacing out doses would be harmless. Oxford Zeneca have done exactly this.

What if protection declines rapidly after a single dose ...
i.e. what if our own immune systems work differently in this case to anything that has happened before in the history if the world? Possible, but rather unlikely.

So which scientists do we believe?
I'm not being facetious; I genuinely don't understand who are the people to trust on this?

None of that was rude NotSpaghetti, it is all factual and I know I was shouting, but really. Day after day, unfounded and ill informed comments about non existent "manufacturers' instructions" from people who have no idea how the approvals process works. Laying the blame at the feet of the government when its the recommendation of the scientists as a way of getting us out of this situation as quickly as possible.

I think its wicked and self serving to keep bringing up these ill founded concerns based on half-truths we read in the press, and it could dissuade people with sincere vaccine hesitancy from taking the vaccine, then what kind of mess will we be in?

There have been many posts here with evidence about how the extended dose is the right approach, but all we get is "Well Pfizer didn't support it". Why is no-one pointing out that Pfizer said they have 52% effectiveness but Israel are only seeing 33%? (Becuase their trial base is older probably, if you are interested) The manufacturer's comments are only valid when people think they support their own world view.

And Daisymae - have you got any examples of the Horror that these scientists are showing? Because I have plenty of examples of scientists saying its the right thing to do in our circumstances.

Georgesgran. The people who are getting the vaccination without being assured that they will get the second one in line with manufacturers instructions, are the ones who should have to sign to say they are aware they are taking an untested product.

The vaccine was trialled and approved for use based on a two dose regime.
At no point has any manufacturer suggested that one dose would work long term, or that spacing out doses would be harmless.
What if protection declines rapidly after a single dose and four months down the line those who had the initial single dose end up more prone to a virulent mutated virus?
We are being used as guinea pigs in an unethical experiment.
I’m with GagaJo on this.

Scientists abroad are horrified at this decision. I think we're really in unknown and dangerous territory.

Well said Gwyneth and the above. Some (any) degree of protection is surely better than none? People who refuse the vaccine should sign a disclaimer and donate their dose! As for JB - I’m sure I read she’s having memory problems or something similar. Not joking, but didn’t she go off on holiday leaving her car engine running!

I don't think you need to be rude Alegrias1

What Alegrias1 said

Gagajo well then the answer is simple don’t have the first vaccine and let someone else have it. The government are doing the right thing in giving people some protection and preventing severe symptoms requiring hospitalisation. Eighteen hundred people died yesterday.

Aaaarggggg!

IT WAS THE SCIENTISTS WHO MADE THE DECISION!

I know I'm shouting, but really, reasoned argument is getting us nowhere. Ill informed comments from people who have no idea how scientific decisions are made commenting on manufacturers recommendations at nauseam, and now we have references to the real world evidence, which I assume is the half hearted, pre-publication numbers from Israel?

If it's that important, go and support Dame Joan on her little crowdfunder for the scientifically and statistically challenged.

In direct response jainainsworth, I would prefer that the advice of the scientists, the makers of the vaccine and the real world evidence were followed. Not decisions made by people who are just giving everyone the first injection just to have a good political soundbite.

I would rather NOT have the first vaccine if I can't have the second one within the correct timeframe.

There’s already a long thread about this, gagajo and the issues have been discussed ad nauseam.

www.gransnet.com/forums/coronavirus/1290154-Joan-Bakewell-vaccine-legal-challenge
Joan Bakewell is applying for permission for a Judicial Review into the legality of delaying the second dose.
You could contribute to her legal fees if you feel that strongly.

How would you feel if she was granted permission and that suspended the vaccination programme for everyone else?

I agree with Calendargirl surely it’s better that a greater number of people have some degree of protection than fewer people have more protection.

I hope there isn’t a petition. I think we need to accept this is the way forward, and get as many people vaccinated ASAP.