Covid Vaccines

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I was just wondering about these as I've been getting them but not sure if I'm eligible this time. The NHS text thinks I am but I'm not sure if I actually I have a weakened immune system (I've messaged the doctor!)

But anyway this led me down a rabbit hole. As a country each time we're increasingly restricting who we give them to.

Are they not that effective. Or is it not cost effective?

My friend in Australia says they're still getting them every year for everybody. And every 6 months if you're in certain categories.

I know for most people covid isn't a big thing and I've had it a few times now but is it like flu on the sense that a lot of people are immunised each year but for everyone else it's fine. But if so less people are eligible for covid jab than they are for flu this time.

I'm curious about the different countries stance too.

-to be clear I know we're all back to work with covid and it's been and gone in many respects so not trying to start a debate on that I'm more specifically talking bout the use of vaccines and the different approaches /why.

I’m not really sure what you question is. The text offered you a vaccine, take it or don’t take it. Apparently you will be able to buy one soon, like a flu jab.

We have been extremely lax about Covid and it will come back to bite us on the arse. Covid damages every organ in the body, it is much worse than flu. I'll take every vaccine I can get.

@DustyLee123 I'm not worried. It was more interest about covid vaccines and different approaches - where Australia is offering the whole population free every year, and vulnerable adults every 6months, and we're reducing who is eligible each time

(The nhs text said I had to have proof of weakened immune system/would have to state this at the vaccination which Im not sure Ive actually got this but I'm not overly worried - it was just what sparked the conversation wtih a friend and made me curious about the relative perspective on the efficacy of the jab. )

@Woohow yes I've taken all the jabs so far but may no longer be eligible. I'll happily vaccinate - just curious it seems the UK no longer sees it as cost effective/worth doing for most people.

Is it because the jabs no longer do much? Or is it that its not cost effective.

The same reasons why everyone doesn't get a free flu vaccine. Costs vs benefits. Being vaccinated does not stop you getting or passing on covid, it just reduces the severity of symptoms. For most healthy people under 60 covid is a mild infection, so continual vaccines are not really worth it for them.

Better to target limited money and resources at those most at risk from severe symptoms.

I'd like to know if long covid / sick leave costs are included in those calculations and why different countries seem to be getting different answers

There is probably something published by the JCVI if you are interested.

Ah

Quick search ( limited network on holiday)

Seems to be based on hospital admissions only - limited thinking

Yes I do get that its weighing up costs vs benefits.

But curious that 2 similar countries have come to very different conclusions about this and wondering what the different reasoning is.

Ginmonkey - but even the flu vaccine is available to a far wider group of people than the covid one is this time. Flu is available to asthmatics/ carers for example and covid this time is just for those with weakened immune system.

Im curious whether they think that previous vaccines still work for longer/ or the virus has weakened or it the vaccine has built up in our system etc.

Or just that most people are fine and not cost effective for those more vulnerable.

Whereas Australia wants to vaccinate everyone. Why?

Why do we pay our doctors so badly and Australia so well? I'm guessing Australia's government prioritises s a healthy population.

The last one I had, the nurse said that it would probably be like the flu vaccine in future. Once a year, free if you’re in certain categories and paid for otherwise.

The criteria is the same as last spring - over 75s and immunosupressed. In autumn it will be over 65s, health workers, carers, clinically at risk eg diabetes etc, same as last autumn.

Oh I must have just attended last spring without questioning the immunosuppressed bit then!

So we ARE doing annual jabs for those similar to the flu jabs but in autumn.

But we ARE NOT doing them for everyone like Australia does.