Oxford Vaccine

[BlueBlancmange]

I am optimistic about vaccines in general. However I am concerned about the Oxford Vaccine and the two cases of Transverse Myelitis that have occurred. It is claimed the first case was related to a diagnosis of MS in the volunteer and nothing to do with the vaccine. However they seem to be being quite vague about the second case, and trials have not resumed in the US although they have elsewhere.

I have heard if there is another case that is pretty much the end for this particular vaccine. But surely it's possible that the vaccine has caused the reaction, but there doesn't happen to be another case of it during the trials. How can it simply rest on whether or not one more case of Transverse Myelitis shows up? Surely we need to know for sure that the vaccine isn't causing it. And if another one does happen then that is pretty much the end of it. It just seems worrying either way.

[IcedPurple]

I have heard if there is another case that is pretty much the end for this particular vaccine.

Where have you heard this?

[ssd]

Oh god don't. This is the only think keeping me going.

[StephenKong]

. Is this true?

[BlueBlancmange]

@IcedPurple

I have heard if there is another case that is pretty much the end for this particular vaccine.

Where have you heard this?

Dr John Campbell mentioned it in his Youtube video today, saying another one or two cases would probably end it. I have seen elsewhere that one more case would end it but I can't remember where, sorry.

[SheepandCow]

Could it possibly be the US wants to promote its own vaccine?

Worse case, Oxford is just one of a number of vaccines (and treatments) being worked on. How are the other trials going? I'm sure I read we've signed up to receive doses from alternative vaccine makers. Is that correct?

[jasjas1973]

I've never put too much faith in any particular vaccine, 4 out of 5 end in failure plus they take years, you can't shortcut a medicine you plan on giving to billions of people.

[BlueBlancmange]

@SheepandCow

Could it possibly be the US wants to promote its own vaccine?

Worse case, Oxford is just one of a number of vaccines (and treatments) being worked on. How are the other trials going? I'm sure I read we've signed up to receive doses from alternative vaccine makers. Is that correct?

I believe it is correct.

[jasjas1973]

I'm sure I read we've signed up to receive doses from alternative vaccine makers. Is that correct?

Yes. As have every other country in the world, we'll go in line to which ever manufacturer is successful.

[Sunshinegirl82]

The U.K. is signed up to I think 6 different vaccines so I'd be hopeful that at least 1 will prove safe and effective.

I wouldn't write the Oxford vaccine off just yet. The trials are ongoing, let's wait to see the results.

[BlueBlancmange]

@jasjas1973

I've never put too much faith in any particular vaccine, 4 out of 5 end in failure plus they take years, you can't shortcut a medicine you plan on giving to billions of people.

I think to be honest if we have to wait years we are in a great deal of trouble. People say we will just need to learn to live with it, but I don't really see how that is possible long term with this particular virus. It's capable of too much destruction.

[Oly4]

This vaccine has been given to thousands of people now with no ill effects. They are still investigating the two - rare - reactions to see what was the cause. Let’s not jump to conclusions or scaremonger.
As for the idea they’ve rushed through the safety trials, the actual technology has been around for a long time.
There is lots of reading people can do on this as well as listening to all the interviews with those from Oxford.
There are other vaccines in the pipeline too. About seven in total with not too dissimilar timelines. As for the US, they are still looking at it but that doesn’t mean they won’t restart

[roses2]

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/20/human-trials-oxford-vaccine-hold-us-spinal-cord-disease-fears/amp/

After reading this article no way am I accepting any vaccine until it is fully licensed even if that takes years

[tootyfruitypickle]

Surely with the numbers of people in the trial you are going to get any number of different things like this happen . They get checked out and logged but unlikely to be caused by the vaccine - just due to sheer numbers. I guess the key is whether the prevalence per xxx is higher amongst vaccine subjects

[EmMac7]

Acquiring Transverse Myelitis naturally is very rare, a 1 in 250,000 chance. For 2 out of 8,000 recipients to have it since being vaccinated is highly concerning.

[caoraich]

Where did you hear this? I had my 28 day follow up from my booster today (intial dose in the summer, booster last month) and they specifically said the trial was continuing- they pause if there are reportable incidents and investigate - if another cause e.g. MS is found they continue.

[BlueBlancmange]

@Oly4

This vaccine has been given to thousands of people now with no ill effects. They are still investigating the two - rare - reactions to see what was the cause. Let’s not jump to conclusions or scaremonger.
As for the idea they’ve rushed through the safety trials, the actual technology has been around for a long time.
There is lots of reading people can do on this as well as listening to all the interviews with those from Oxford.
There are other vaccines in the pipeline too. About seven in total with not too dissimilar timelines. As for the US, they are still looking at it but that doesn’t mean they won’t restart

Thanks I'm not trying to scaremonger, it's just that I was really optimistic about the Oxford Vaccine and this has dampened that somewhat.

I still believe it sounds hopeful for a vaccine or vaccines, and I am very worried about what will happen if they don't find one. I don't mean that to be scaremongering either, but I just don't see how our society can continue to function long term along side it.

[jasjas1973]

@BlueBlancmange Well, vaccines normally take many years before given regulatory approval.
Though if the Chinese vaccine proves to work, then that might be our best and quickest hope? but then that might raise a few awkward questions.....
But perhaps history can teach us a lesson?

www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/health/coronavirus-plague-pandemic-history.html

[tobee]

I'm confident that any vaccine will not be allowed if it's not safe and effective.

Regarding Oxford I saw that about it being finished if there is another case. Although I have noticed US publications slagging it off for months. Not sure why. Maybe they are right? Maybe they aren't.

However, Pfizer looks promising to give a result one way or the other soon.

Be a bit sad if vaccine is trashed because I've been following it for a while (like lots of us). But there are many others in last stage trials, and over a hundred in earlier stages of testing. They have different methods of working and manufacturing. Some are likely to be better for vulnerable and elderly people too.

[Sunshinegirl82]

We won't need to rely on the Chinese vaccine, there are plenty of candidates and plenty of articles/interviews/podcasts with the various scientists developing the vaccines that explain why things are moving more quickly than you would usually expect.

[tobee]

Only a few weeks ago WHO, the U.K. government, Dr Fauci in US etc were all advocating caution about any vaccine. Now I've noticed they've been practically saying one/some will come.

[tobee]

@tobee

I'm confident that any vaccine will not be allowed if it's not safe and effective.

Regarding Oxford I saw that about it being finished if there is another case. Although I have noticed US publications slagging it off for months. Not sure why. Maybe they are right? Maybe they aren't.

However, Pfizer looks promising to give a result one way or the other soon.

Be a bit sad if vaccine is trashed because I've been following it for a while (like lots of us). But there are many others in last stage trials, and over a hundred in earlier stages of testing. They have different methods of working and manufacturing. Some are likely to be better for vulnerable and elderly people too.

Bit a bit sad if Oxford Vaccine is trashed that should say.

[lunar1]

Sadly with the way the vaccine industry works in the USA, they will be highly motivated to be 'first' and sell their products to the rest of the world. Scaremongering over other vaccines is in their interest.

They won't give the ok to an unsafe vaccine, there are so many in development that is wouldn't make sense.

[jasjas1973]

@Sunshinegirl82 You may be right but scientists on programs that rely on v generous Govt funding are not likely to say their vaccine will take years etc.
China was probably the source of the infection and it may be that they have a head start on the west?

Would be foolish to rule it out just because of misplaced pride.

They like Russia have vaccinated vast numbers of their frontline workers and military.

[hoppingleg]

I am optimistic about vaccines in general. However I am concerned about the Oxford Vaccine and the two cases of Transverse Myelitis that have occurred.
Huh? Where did you read that the first case, the patient contracted transverse myelitis? I've been following closely the Oxford vaccine progress, and I've not read this anywhere?????
I believe that that the First Lady in question was since diagnosed with MS, but no further details were released.

[Oly4]

I agree with Sunshine, there’s plenty of explanations as to why the vaccine is being done quickly.. none to do with skimping on safety.
If Oxford doesn’t work, another one will.
Pfizer and Moderna are frontrunners. Imperial in London hope theirs will be available in first half of next year.
But we don’t know the Oxford one is ruled out yet, there’s a lot of data to process.
EMMac, actually transverse myelitis is between five and 25 times more common in people with MS and one of the participants had MS.