Page 116 of 371
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:44 am
by dpedin
Sandstorm wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:25 am
Bimbowomxn wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:24 am
Good to see your “long covid” has gone away and one less for the clinics to worry about
Link?
Just Bimbotwat's attempt at a barbed comment or even a joke but who knows? For info - I developed a pulmonary embolism post a bout of covid19 and was hospitalised for 4 days. I made reference to this and the impact of long term effect of covid19 on folks health as being just as big an issue as deaths from covid for our society, NHS and economy. Of course Bimbotwat knew better, why did I think otherwise? However he is now, as he was in the past, just plain wrong! I am physically and mentally very well (I am not sure Bimbotwat can claim the latter) but as a result will be on blood thinners for a considerable period/life due to the impact of covid19 - it wasn't 'long covid', it has not gone away and I have a clinic appointment in January.
Is there a mental health helpline we can refer Bimbotwat too ... for his own good?
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:52 am
by Bimbowomxn
dpedin wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:44 am
Sandstorm wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:25 am
Bimbowomxn wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:24 am
Good to see your “long covid” has gone away and one less for the clinics to worry about
Link?
Just Bimbotwat's attempt at a barbed comment or even a joke but who knows? For info - I developed a pulmonary embolism post a bout of covid19 and was hospitalised for 4 days. I made reference to this and the impact of long term effect of covid19 on folks health as being just as big an issue as deaths from covid for our society, NHS and economy. Of course Bimbotwat knew better, why did I think otherwise? However he is now, as he was in the past, just plain wrong! I am physically and mentally very well (I am not sure Bimbotwat can claim the latter) but as a result will be on blood thinners for a considerable period/life due to the impact of covid19 - it wasn't 'long covid', it has not gone away and I have a clinic appointment in January.
Is there a mental health helpline we can refer Bimbotwat too ... for his own good?
You tried to link your own condition to a discussion about “long covid” and now we thankfully see that it’s clear up with exercise and a “short” amount of time. He just kinda forgot he was so mopeish .
It’s good to see that long 4 days in hospital weren’t wasted and your now able to make diagnosis across the Internet.

Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:01 am
by Longshanks
Please
One and all
Don't make this thread stink
Argue somewhere else children.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:25 am
by Rhubarb & Custard
dpedin wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:44 am
Just Bimbotwat's attempt at a barbed comment or even a joke but who knows? For info - I developed a pulmonary embolism post a bout of covid19 and was hospitalised for 4 days. I made reference to this and the impact of long term effect of covid19 on folks health as being just as big an issue as deaths from covid for our society, NHS and economy. Of course Bimbotwat knew better, why did I think otherwise? However he is now, as he was in the past, just plain wrong! I am physically and mentally very well (I am not sure Bimbotwat can claim the latter) but as a result will be on blood thinners for a considerable period/life due to the impact of covid19 - it wasn't 'long covid', it has not gone away and I have a clinic appointment in January.
Is there a mental health helpline we can refer Bimbotwat too ... for his own good?
A young extremely healthy person in my family was denied giving blood plasma on Monday owing to high blood pressure and slightly erratic heart rate. He was in hospital back a little before Covid, a rugby incident, and there were no problems then with heart rate or BP so there is a known baseline, but he did test positive for Covid back in April/May, and now seemingly he might have some problems. His only symptoms from Covid were comparable to a strong cold for 3-4 days.
Obviously this might not be long Covid, but he looks like the exact sort of person you'd not expect to have heart problems, given recent normal tests and being young, slim, and probably not smashing it on the exercise front since the rugby incident but at least doing moderate exercise. And he's basically been stuck at home eating healthy food and not being able to go out drinking with mates post contracting Covid
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:35 am
by Longshanks
Dido Harding told by Dido Harding to self isolate
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:37 am
by Saint
I see that the test and trace app works for Dido, who is now self isolating. Presumably, things are running much better in her absence
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:37 am
by Margin__Walker
My son's reception year group has been tipped out of school as a staff member in their bubble tested positive.
Going to be a long two weeks.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:39 am
by Slick
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:25 am
dpedin wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:44 am
Just Bimbotwat's attempt at a barbed comment or even a joke but who knows? For info - I developed a pulmonary embolism post a bout of covid19 and was hospitalised for 4 days. I made reference to this and the impact of long term effect of covid19 on folks health as being just as big an issue as deaths from covid for our society, NHS and economy. Of course Bimbotwat knew better, why did I think otherwise? However he is now, as he was in the past, just plain wrong! I am physically and mentally very well (I am not sure Bimbotwat can claim the latter) but as a result will be on blood thinners for a considerable period/life due to the impact of covid19 - it wasn't 'long covid', it has not gone away and I have a clinic appointment in January.
Is there a mental health helpline we can refer Bimbotwat too ... for his own good?
A young extremely healthy person in my family was denied giving blood plasma on Monday owing to high blood pressure and slightly erratic heart rate. He was in hospital back a little before Covid, a rugby incident, and there were no problems then with heart rate or BP so there is a known baseline, but he did test positive for Covid back in April/May, and now seemingly he might have some problems. His only symptoms from Covid were comparable to a strong cold for 3-4 days.
Obviously this might not be long Covid, but he looks like the exact sort of person you'd not expect to have heart problems, given recent normal tests and being young, slim, and probably not smashing it on the exercise front since the rugby incident but at least doing moderate exercise. And he's basically been stuck at home eating healthy food and not being able to go out drinking with mates post contracting Covid
Actually just found out my cousin, she's 38, who had it about 6 weeks ago has developed some severe lung problems, can't even walk down to the shops etc. Bastard thing.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:44 am
by SaintK
Longshanks wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:35 am
Dido Harding told by Dido Harding to self isolate
........................and never to return!!!!
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:49 am
by Bimbowomxn
SaintK wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:44 am
Longshanks wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:35 am
Dido Harding told by Dido Harding to self isolate
........................and never to return!!!!
And quite wonderfully shows the app took 5 days to find her
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:55 am
by Saint
Bimbowomxn wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:49 am
SaintK wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:44 am
Longshanks wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:35 am
Dido Harding told by Dido Harding to self isolate
........................and never to return!!!!
And quite wonderfully shows the app took 5 days to find her
I think it shows that it's taken 5 days for whoever was infected to get their positive test result and post it on the app. They possibly took a test on Monday, got the results yesterday, enetred them on the app last noght, which triggered her alert based on being in contact with them 5 days ago
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:56 am
by Insane_Homer
Longshanks wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:35 am
Dido Harding told by Dido Harding to self isolate
John Penrose too then...?
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:59 am
by Paddington Bear
Slick wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:43 am
Paddington Bear wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 7:51 am
JPNZ wrote: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:07 pm
Really feel for the UK posters who look like they will be having a lockdown Christmas this year. That Dec 2nd date will surely be extended on current numbers.
F
or some of us, not having to see our extended families is a blessing...
Joyous big family Christmas gatherings have always struck me as very Hollywood.
I can understand that for you
You haven't met his brother...
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:03 am
by Saint
Insane_Homer wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:56 am
Longshanks wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:35 am
Dido Harding told by Dido Harding to self isolate
John Penrose too then...?
He had a notification at the weekend. As I understand the rules, you don;t have to self isolate if someone you live with has had a notification to self isolate.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:05 am
by Longshanks
Saint wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:03 am
Insane_Homer wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:56 am
Longshanks wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:35 am
Dido Harding told by Dido Harding to self isolate
John Penrose too then...?
He had a notification at the weekend. As I understand the rules, you don;t have to self isolate if someone you live with has had a notification to self isolate.
Which is logical considering the incubation period
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:08 am
by Longshanks
Immunity to the Coronavirus May Last Years, New Data Hint
Blood samples from recovered patients suggest a powerful, long-lasting immune response, researchers reported.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/heal ... unity.html
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:11 am
by Insane_Homer
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:11 am
by dpedin
Bimbowomxn wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:52 am
dpedin wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:44 am
Sandstorm wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:25 am
Link?
Just Bimbotwat's attempt at a barbed comment or even a joke but who knows? For info - I developed a pulmonary embolism post a bout of covid19 and was hospitalised for 4 days. I made reference to this and the impact of long term effect of covid19 on folks health as being just as big an issue as deaths from covid for our society, NHS and economy. Of course Bimbotwat knew better, why did I think otherwise? However he is now, as he was in the past, just plain wrong! I am physically and mentally very well (I am not sure Bimbotwat can claim the latter) but as a result will be on blood thinners for a considerable period/life due to the impact of covid19 - it wasn't 'long covid', it has not gone away and I have a clinic appointment in January.
Is there a mental health helpline we can refer Bimbotwat too ... for his own good?
You tried to link your own condition to a discussion about “long covid” and now we thankfully see that it’s clear up with exercise and a “short” amount of time. He just kinda forgot he was so mopeish .
It’s good to see that long 4 days in hospital weren’t wasted and your now able to make diagnosis across the Internet.
WTF?
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:25 am
by Openside
Ymx wrote: Sun Nov 15, 2020 9:07 am
The anti bimbo rhetoric is so unbelievably lame these days.
I agree, it was mind numbingly obvious what was meant by 'Good news' but the lets abuse Bimbo bandwagon is so out of control they couldn't help themselves but jump aboard...
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:32 am
by Openside
JPNZ wrote: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:07 pm
Really feel for the UK posters who look like they will be having a lockdown Christmas this year. That Dec 2nd date will surely be extended on current numbers.
Prof Gabriel Scally, a visiting professor of public health of the University of Bristol and a member of the Independent Sage group of experts, said he had little hope that the latest lockdown will quash the spread of the virus, given the spring lockdown had little effect in reducing infection levels in some parts of England.
“We know that the [last] and even more severe lockdown did not get the virus under control, so how can we expect that this will bring the virus under control given that some things have not changed?” he argued.
“How can we be in a good place by Christmas? I think it is impossible,”
Yeah, like that is going to happen. they are already talking about a 5 day 'mixing households bubble' over Christmas. its that or criminalise the whole of the UK

Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:50 am
by SaintK
Nah, ain't going to happen, not in these Cronyvirus times
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:01 pm
by Longshanks
Cronyvirus
Very good
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:14 pm
by Raggs
Pfizer vaccine looking very safe
"BREAKING—Updated results from Pfizer said it’s #COVID19 vaccine is 95% effective (vs 90% in previous early results) and had no serious side effects. 94% effective in older adults. Of 170 cases, 162 in placebo. Of 10 severe, 9 in placebo. This is HUGE!!"
Basically suggesting that it's all likely placebo in that trial. OK, no doubt there's going to be more when it gets bigger, but that's an awesome result. Does anyone have a breakdown of how many doses of each vaccine the UK has already bought (if it comes with info on how far up the queue we are too that'd be nice...).
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:27 pm
by Insane_Homer
I'm guessing the degree his daddy bought him wasn't in Mathematics.

Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:57 pm
by Rhubarb & Custard
Insane_Homer wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:27 pm
I'm guessing the degree his daddy bought him wasn't in Mathematics.
Knowing there a two more series in one number than the other is fairly advanced, and still he's moved that decimal place along for one of those extra zeroes so frankly he's 50% correct
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:13 pm
by Insane_Homer
yup, in a Blackadder sort of half right.
Darling: You know what the penalty is for disobeying orders, Blackadder?
Edmund: Umm.. court-martial, followed by immediate cessation of chocolate rations?
Darling: No, court-martial followed by immediate death by firing squad.
Edmund: Oh, so I got it half right.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:15 pm
by Saint
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:14 pm
Pfizer vaccine looking very safe
"BREAKING—Updated results from Pfizer said it’s #COVID19 vaccine is 95% effective (vs 90% in previous early results) and had no serious side effects. 94% effective in older adults. Of 170 cases, 162 in placebo. Of 10 severe, 9 in placebo. This is HUGE!!"
Basically suggesting that it's all likely placebo in that trial. OK, no doubt there's going to be more when it gets bigger, but that's an awesome result. Does anyone have a breakdown of how many doses of each vaccine the UK has already bought (if it comes with info on how far up the queue we are too that'd be nice...).
AstraZeneca - 100m doses. Effectively first in the queue
Pfizer - 40m doses, first couple of million delivered possibly before Christmas
Novavax - 60m doses, currently in Phase III, results not expected till Jan/Feb
Valneva - 60m doses, delivery in H2 2021
GSK/Sanofi - 60m doses, expected to move to Phase III in December
Jansen - 30m doses
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:16 pm
by dpedin
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:14 pm
Pfizer vaccine looking very safe
"BREAKING—Updated results from Pfizer said it’s #COVID19 vaccine is 95% effective (vs 90% in previous early results) and had no serious side effects. 94% effective in older adults. Of 170 cases, 162 in placebo. Of 10 severe, 9 in placebo. This is HUGE!!"
Basically suggesting that it's all likely placebo in that trial. OK, no doubt there's going to be more when it gets bigger, but that's an awesome result. Does anyone have a breakdown of how many doses of each vaccine the UK has already bought (if it comes with info on how far up the queue we are too that'd be nice...).
Excellent news!
'In the trial, 42% of all participants are from diverse ethnic backgrounds and 41% are aged between 56 and 85 years old.'
This should reassure Bimbo?
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:26 pm
by dpedin
Saint wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:15 pm
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:14 pm
Pfizer vaccine looking very safe
"BREAKING—Updated results from Pfizer said it’s #COVID19 vaccine is 95% effective (vs 90% in previous early results) and had no serious side effects. 94% effective in older adults. Of 170 cases, 162 in placebo. Of 10 severe, 9 in placebo. This is HUGE!!"
Basically suggesting that it's all likely placebo in that trial. OK, no doubt there's going to be more when it gets bigger, but that's an awesome result. Does anyone have a breakdown of how many doses of each vaccine the UK has already bought (if it comes with info on how far up the queue we are too that'd be nice...).
AstraZeneca - 100m doses. Effectively first in the queue
Pfizer - 40m doses, first couple of million delivered possibly before Christmas
Novavax - 60m doses, currently in Phase III, results not expected till Jan/Feb
Valneva - 60m doses, delivery in H2 2021
GSK/Sanofi - 60m doses, expected to move to Phase III in December
Jansen - 30m doses
It is all looking very good with vaccine supply. Major problems will be logistics, particularly if vaccines have a significant storage requirement or shelf life, and workforce.
Logistics should be sorted out if army get involved, please don't let Deliottes anywhere near it!
Workforce is a major problem - NHS is already under pressure due to increased number of cases of covid19 during winter, they have the usual winter pressures to deal with plus are trying desperately to catch up with huge backlog patients built up during the first wave. Also many staff are just burnt out, need time off and have built up significant backlog of annual leave they have been unable to take this year. Difficult choices will have to be made about where/how to deploy staff - there was already a significant shortage of staff prior to the virus.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:31 pm
by Paddington Bear
I'm assuming the Army will run the UK roll out - they seem to be the most competent of anyone in the public sector.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:35 pm
by Saint
Paddington Bear wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:31 pm
I'm assuming the Army will run the UK roll out - they seem to be the most competent of anyone in the public sector.
The Army might co-ordinate some logistics, but that's as far as it would go - administering the vaccine will need to be handled by nurses/doctors/trained pharmacists
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:46 pm
by Paddington Bear
Saint wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:35 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:31 pm
I'm assuming the Army will run the UK roll out - they seem to be the most competent of anyone in the public sector.
The Army might co-ordinate some logistics, but that's as far as it would go - administering the vaccine will need to be handled by nurses/doctors/trained pharmacists
Yes of course, that's what I meant.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:54 pm
by Rhubarb & Custard
Paddington Bear wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:31 pm
I'm assuming the Army will run the UK roll out - they seem to be the most competent of anyone in the public sector.
If you have faith in something that's good thing, just perhaps don't look into any army procurement, cover up of racism and rape, the odd wrong person killed and that sort of thing.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:59 pm
by Raggs
When is the AZ vaccine expected? It was one of the furthest ahead wasn't it, not heard much on it recently? That'll be the game changer for the UK you'd think.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:05 pm
by Bimbowomxn
dpedin wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:16 pm
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:14 pm
Pfizer vaccine looking very safe
"BREAKING—Updated results from Pfizer said it’s #COVID19 vaccine is 95% effective (vs 90% in previous early results) and had no serious side effects. 94% effective in older adults. Of 170 cases, 162 in placebo. Of 10 severe, 9 in placebo. This is HUGE!!"
Basically suggesting that it's all likely placebo in that trial. OK, no doubt there's going to be more when it gets bigger, but that's an awesome result. Does anyone have a breakdown of how many doses of each vaccine the UK has already bought (if it comes with info on how far up the queue we are too that'd be nice...).
Excellent news!
'In the trial, 42% of all participants are from diverse ethnic backgrounds and 41% are aged between 56 and 85 years old.'
This should reassure Bimbo?
The upper age range certainly does.
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:50 pm
by Saint
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:59 pm
When is the AZ vaccine expected? It was one of the furthest ahead wasn't it, not heard much on it recently? That'll be the game changer for the UK you'd think.
Imminently is the word. All 3 entered Phase III at roughly the same stage, but I think Pfizer and Moderna may have recruited test subjects faster (also, AZ started in the UK when there wasn't much Covid around - the other 2 were in the US where they've had much higher amounts of Covid all the way through, so they were more likely to reach the threshold numbers for the trial faster).
Assuming AZ is succesful; it's a global game changer - significantly cheaper (around a 10th of the price), simpler logistics, etc.
The mRNA stuff though is the long term game-changer for all vaccine development, as well as potentially an answer to Cancer
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:13 pm
by Biffer
Saint wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:50 pm
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:59 pm
When is the AZ vaccine expected? It was one of the furthest ahead wasn't it, not heard much on it recently? That'll be the game changer for the UK you'd think.
Imminently is the word. All 3 entered Phase III at roughly the same stage, but I think Pfizer and Moderna may have recruited test subjects faster (also, AZ started in the UK when there wasn't much Covid around - the other 2 were in the US where they've had much higher amounts of Covid all the way through, so they were more likely to reach the threshold numbers for the trial faster).
Assuming AZ is succesful; it's a global game changer - significantly cheaper (around a 10th of the price), simpler logistics, etc.
The mRNA stuff though is the long term game-changer for all vaccine development, as well as potentially an answer to Cancer
You know more about this than me so - am I right in saying that trial length isn’t a certain amount of time, it’s determined by the number of infections in the trial group? And that’s why the AZ trial starting in the UK when rates were lower will take longer?
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:21 pm
by Longshanks
Biffer wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:13 pm
Saint wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:50 pm
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:59 pm
When is the AZ vaccine expected? It was one of the furthest ahead wasn't it, not heard much on it recently? That'll be the game changer for the UK you'd think.
Imminently is the word. All 3 entered Phase III at roughly the same stage, but I think Pfizer and Moderna may have recruited test subjects faster (also, AZ started in the UK when there wasn't much Covid around - the other 2 were in the US where they've had much higher amounts of Covid all the way through, so they were more likely to reach the threshold numbers for the trial faster).
Assuming AZ is succesful; it's a global game changer - significantly cheaper (around a 10th of the price), simpler logistics, etc.
The mRNA stuff though is the long term game-changer for all vaccine development, as well as potentially an answer to Cancer
You know more about this than me so - am I right in saying that trial length isn’t a certain amount of time, it’s determined by the number of infections in the trial group? And that’s why the AZ trial starting in the UK when rates were lower will take longer?
He's answered that in his post
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:31 pm
by Saint
Biffer wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:13 pm
Saint wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:50 pm
Raggs wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:59 pm
When is the AZ vaccine expected? It was one of the furthest ahead wasn't it, not heard much on it recently? That'll be the game changer for the UK you'd think.
Imminently is the word. All 3 entered Phase III at roughly the same stage, but I think Pfizer and Moderna may have recruited test subjects faster (also, AZ started in the UK when there wasn't much Covid around - the other 2 were in the US where they've had much higher amounts of Covid all the way through, so they were more likely to reach the threshold numbers for the trial faster).
Assuming AZ is succesful; it's a global game changer - significantly cheaper (around a 10th of the price), simpler logistics, etc.
The mRNA stuff though is the long term game-changer for all vaccine development, as well as potentially an answer to Cancer
You know more about this than me so - am I right in saying that trial length isn’t a certain amount of time, it’s determined by the number of infections in the trial group? And that’s why the AZ trial starting in the UK when rates were lower will take longer?
Basically, yes. I'm unsure about the exact criteria used to determine how many infections are needed (it's partly a function of the size of the trial group). but that's how it works - they need to get to x number of infections, at which point they un-blind the trial and see how many had the vaccine and how many the placebo. You can under certain circumstances un-blind early but it's risky - once un-blinded the trial is over, so if the numbers aren't definitive then you start from scratch and throw the data you've already got away. So AZ started in spring in the UK as numbers were rapidly tailing off, they added Brazil, India, Japan, South Africa and the US - but the US trials didn't start till August, and it's a double dose 4 weeks apart so even for the first US volunteers they're only a month or two into the immunity (also worth noting they had trouble restarting in the US after the hold due to an issue with presenting data to the FDA in the correct format). Also the scale for the AZ trial is huge - they have more participants in the US than Pfizer had globally for instance
There is some un-blinded work being done on the safety data with the AZ vaccine, where that's being independently analysed already, so as to short circuit the approval process assuming the trial is successful - but they don't have access to the actual success or otherwise of the vaccine, they're just analysing side effects, age groups etc
Re: So, coronavirus...
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:35 pm
by Sandstorm
Saint wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:35 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:31 pm
I'm assuming the Army will run the UK roll out - they seem to be the most competent of anyone in the public sector.
The Army might co-ordinate some logistics, but that's as far as it would go - administering the vaccine will need to be handled by nurses/doctors/trained pharmacists
The GPsin West Berkshire have been sitting at home offering vague diagnosis and half-hearted patient care over the phone since April.
No reason why they shouldn’t head into the surgery and work overtime to administer these new vaccines.