The Vaccine

GrannyRose15 you are demonstrating that you haven’t done your research if you don’t consider yourself vulnerable at the age of 64, because you are, that’s why you’re in one of the vulnerability categories, and you will be offered the vaccine early next year (about February probably). You can of course make your own decision, this is a democracy - but I’m surprised at your statement, most people would consider that protecting the NHS by having the vaccine is a key factor in their decision, as protecting the NHS means protecting our own and other people’s lives, and not just from Covid.

It is a serious topic and needs careful thought. I am 80 next month and disabled since I was 46. I have never had the flu jab because I have GBS/CIDP and have reacted to some meds in the past and am reluctant to put into my body something new and unknown, but I have not seen my children this year and I miss them. I have been housebound since my husband died in 2009 and do not go out alone. (the pavements here are too narrow for my wheelchair anyway).

Today, my youngest baby (52) is undergoing surgery. I cannot see her for two reasons, the lock down and the distance.

If having the flu jab enables me to see my children, then I would take any risk to do so. It would be heart breaking not to see them again. That is the only reason that I would have the coronavirus jab.

Probably not.

Deedaa, that is quite possible but the discrimination is starting already before the vaccine is even ready. Qantas for example will require a vaccination certificate to board a plane. They will not be alone.

People within this group are very clear about their opinions and expectations of others. Employers may start issuing requirements in respect of expectations. It's actually very frightening.

Alegrias2

Reading conspiracy theories on the internet does not constitute doing research.

Listening to people who know what they are talking about is a good idea though.

The problem is how do we know you know what you are talking about? There are lots of comments on this site that I wouldn't trust, on both sides of the argument. Mostly it's the ones that say "of course it is a personal choice but if you don't have it you are being selfish/foolish/ reckless. Delete where appropriate. It is my choice to have a vaccine or not because only I know my personal circumstances. How dare anyone try to make me feel guilty about my decision.

Daftbag1 I think you may well find that your medical team will advise against you having the vaccine.

Lazyriver all your family will happily be vaccinated, so what does it matter to them if their carer / teacher / dentist etc are not?

This is what terrifies me, the discrimination against those who for whatever reason make a decision not to be vaccinated. Even before the vaccination is available we are being judged, and effectively threatened. I do not believe in conspiracies, I have the flu jab annually, I've had the pneumonia jab.

I'm not anti vaccination per se, I don't believe that the majority of people not ready to have the vaccination are, and I have nothing but respect for the volunteers who have tested what is a completely new vaccination, I just don't believe that there has been adequate testing within the timescales. A couple of hundred volunteers is a very small number for a vaccine that is to be given to billions of people.

What I know as a fact is that when I have to start a new medication, I always have side effects which sometimes are not only unpleasant but dangerous (e.g. I have a documented allergy to Warfarin which landed me in hospital for 7 days). With 21 drugs to combine with, I do not feel confident that there is enough information to allow another chemical which is largely untested to be added to that mix.

We are 77 and 78 and have vulnerable health issues so will both have the vaccine asap when it is available for our age group.

Feel hugely grateful to the scientists who have worked so hard to develop the vaccine and just hope there is a big take-up of it.

Alegrias, you are doing a great job, don’t be put off by tiny blip which was understandable in your haste to put the facts out. You continue to give good sound facts and figures and to instil confidence in the worriers and doubters.
The more of us that have the vaccination the safer we’ll all be

I shall have it as soon as I can. I think that it will be the only way that we get our lives back.

My DD said that the vaccines originate in research for a SARS vaccine. That didn't turn into the predicted pandemic, so the pharmaceutical industry stopped putting money into a possible vaccine but the universities went on researching. So the Covid vaccine hasn't sprung out of nothing but emerged from that research. It seems that, if we do manage to stop this virus, it will be thanks to unknown, not particularly well-paid scientists, working away in university labs. But the important thing is that the vaccines do have a lot of research behind them.

Protecting the NHS is a very poor reason for deciding to have a vaccine or not. At 64, I'm way down the list but am happy to wait until all those who are terrified of catching Covid19 and all those who are actually at risk of death if they catch it (a very small proportion of people) have had it before I get it myself. That way it will be well tested when I have my jab. Always of course relying on them telling us the truth about the outcome of vaccinating vast numbers of people who have either had the disease or aren't at risk from it. What are the chances of that I wonder.

I'm not an anti vaxxer but I am concerned about the length of time for testing and I know that several professors have said that the vast majority if time is waiting around waiting for money, permissions, reviews etc. I think the bit that concerns me most is the amendments the government made to the Medecine Regs here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/distributing-vaccines-and-treatments-for-covid-19-and-flu/consultation-document-changes-to-human-medicine-regulations-to-support-the-rollout-of-covid-19-vaccines Paragraph 5.

I commented on the consultation at the time. it allows unlicensed, but not untested, medicines to be used. Although I agree the test times may be shortened I would like to know what the legal difference is between licensed and unlicensed. I'm not likely to be in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd tranche so maybe I'll feel better about it after that.

growstuff

Why do all conspiracy theorists say "do your research"?

What they mean is, look on Google which is what they’ve done. Some research! ?

I was ready to blast you Alegrias-----you're too quick !

rizlett

*I'm not to worried about safety or who actually administers the vaccination.*

I am because with every vaccination there's a chance of going into anaphylactic shock ~ hence the need to wait for 15mins afterwards.

Adrenaline must be given very promptly should this happen so our question might be how efficient would the vaccine administrators be at delivering this in time to save your life.

There will be highly trained health care personnel at every venue. I know because I am one. Even if the actual injector isn’t a qualified nurse or other HCP, which some won’t be, there will be appropriately registered and skilled practitioners overseeing the operation that will be able to respond to any adverse reactions or other health issues.

Whichever vaccine they give me will not be 100% which I'm more than happy with. However, the little bit of me left uncovered, would expect all the health professionals that I may come in to contact with, to have been vaccinated. Likewise my dentist, osteopath, optician and any one else supposed to be caring for me.
If I had elderly parents, I would expect their carers to be vaccinated. And I would not expect my daughter, who is a carer, to look after someone who didn't fancy a vaccine in case it gave them an itsy bitsy headache. I understand there are people who cannot have a vaccine, so don't shout at me. Just that my daughter has had Covid and it's horrible and has left her with a load of nasty aftershocks.
If I had a severly disabled child, I would expect the teacher to have had the vaccine.
I would expect you to have had the vaccine so you don't give it to my young hairdresser, who in turn gave it to her nan who couldn't have the vaccine.
I think you get my drift.
Quite frankly, if you chose not to be vaccinated and it affected only you, then I wouldn't care much. Your choice. I'm really not interested in all your stupid Bill Gates nonsense, so you can bang on about it as much as you like. Your choice.
However it affects everyone else, so forgive me if I'm less than sympathetic.

I owe it to the rest of world to have the vaccine .

jenni123

It has not been tested for long enough for me to feel safe. Also the vaccine has to be kept at a very low temp, I think it was -44, only industrial freezers get this low so how are GP's going to store it, or how can they get it safely to people like me who are housebound and has nurses come to give jabs. I am not at all confident in it. my son who works in NHS says the whole system is a nightmare.

Your son, who works in the NHS says the whole system is a nightmare? What whole system would that be then? Is your son talking about the NHS? He can’t be talking about the ‘whole system’ of the vaccine roll out as that hasn’t begun yet. So what precisely is he referring to? Do tell.

I’ve thought already that the roll out will be slower than hoped - I now wonder if the increase in infections after the Christmas jolly will slow it down as staff are away ill/ self isolating

Saggi and all the others who keep repeating the same query about how they've managed to get the vaccine so quickly. It has been explained many times on this thread and in the media. This video clip explains in straightforward terms.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUTRaOOblI8&utm_source=South+Gloucestershire+Council+resident+update&utm_campaign=4400739d47-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_24_09_50&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fb4bc0c59a-4400739d47-406170405

I will have the jab.... but you can’t help thinking how they’ve managed to get this so quickly! AIDS sufferers have been champing at the bit over thirty years!! Surely if it’s possible for this virus ....it should be possible for all viruses?! Can’t help thinking us oldies may be ‘guinea pugs’... not that I mind that!

Good post GrannyOwl5!

EllanVannin, the Oxford vaccine can be stored in an ordinary fridge. It's the Pfizer one which needs -70 or -80º. I don't imagine that we will get any choice anyway. Can't really see being offered a choice of 3 vials, and then would you get to sample them, like tasting wine in a restaurant?

Alegrias2

Please, please check your facts before posting. The Moderna vaccine needs to be stored at -70 deg C. Getting that wrong makes me wonder about tbe rest of your post

No, sorry it's me that's wrong. Many apologies EV

Like so many others, DH and I will be in the queue when our turn comes.

There are several posters on here who have either been actively involved in the trials or have friends/relatives who have. I think they deserve our thanks and gratitude for the part they have played in the development of these vaccines as do the scientists who have worked so tirelessly to do something that is going to benefit all of humanity: they will never have to wonder in their old age if their lives have been worthwhile or if they have achieved anything of value!