4 European countries have signed agreement to have oxford vaccine by the end of the year

[Blueberryham]

There must be a lot of optimism that this vaccine will work. I thought this was good news.

I imagine the countries that have signed up may well actually produce the vaccine too under license in order to get the numbers out. So in that sense it might matter less how many each group have signed up for in terms of impacting on supply in other countries.

I will find out at end of trial if i had the covid vaccine or a meningitis one. It was randomised and even the doctor that administered it to me did not know

There will have a system to break the blinding to monitor safety and if any more extreme level of results, but the researchers won’t know the outcome of the trial until it has been run (or it could bias the trial)

@Aesopfable

I will find out at end of trial if i had the covid vaccine or a meningitis one. It was randomised and even the doctor that administered it to me did not know

There will have a system to break the blinding to monitor safety and if any more extreme level of results, but the researchers won’t know the outcome of the trial until it has been run (or it could bias the trial)

Yes i have a little card i carry with me and my own unique number incase i need to find out or the doctors do. It is a very well run trial, i have absolute fairh in them and really hope it works!

@sashagabadon, that is reassuring. What info were you given about the potential risks of the vaccine? They must be sure of the safety of the ingredients to be able to get it to human trials so quickly.

If the UK have signed up for 100m doses for a population of 67m, does that mean you need 2 doses to be fully protected?

There will be some people who can’t have it for medical reasons, and some who will refuse it. About 1/4 of MN, from what I’ve seen on some threads.

That’s interesting @sashagabadon and @Aesopfable I did think there must be some way of knowing eventually whether you’ve had it or not

@PuzzledObserver

If the UK have signed up for 100m doses for a population of 67m, does that mean you need 2 doses to be fully protected?

There will be some people who can’t have it for medical reasons, and some who will refuse it. About 1/4 of MN, from what I’ve seen on some threads.

I had read that sometimes in other vaccines, some people such as the elderly sometimes need double the dose. I had also read something similar for this vaccine but that is why they are now trialling the vaccine in this group. It may be with this vaccine everyone will need two doses. Only time will tell.

I wonder how they’ll tell? I was vaccinated against hepatitis B some years ago - that was 2 injections, I think, but then a blood test to check that I had developed enough protection.

It's all been very well explained by the others on here that on the trial. It's vital that neither those giving the vaccine or those receiving it know which one it is. They've chosen meningitis rather than just saline in order that both options have a similar likelihood of a small reaction.

You're not supposed to have an antibody test once you've had the injection as it might alert you to which you've had. If it becomes essential (if work requires it for immunity passports or something) then you have to let them know.

If the vaccine rolls out, then obviously the guinea pigs will be told and the meningitis lot will get the real thing (I don't know if they'll have any priority).

Like @Aesopfable I'm really hoping for the real thing.

This all sounds very promising. I have no doubts that the extremely accomplished Oxford researchers know how to conduct a randomised double blind trial. Bless them all and their fantastic efforts.

@Crimples

That’s interesting *@sashagabadon and @Aesopfable* I did think there must be some way of knowing eventually whether you’ve had it or not

Yes the scientists obviously will no. But what i mean is the doctors and nurses doing the blood tests etc don't. So when i send off my weekly covid swab i attach a sticker i habe already been given that has my unique number on and same when i go in next week for the blood tests next week. My results match up to my number. The doctor said they will email me at end of trial or i can ring up. I get a weekly email with a unique link for me only to fill in my exposure. E.g what i have been doing etc. Any symptoms etc. Plus they are weekly covid testing me and 3 weekly antibody tests too. It seems v thorough to me and i can ring them at any time. I have no concerns at all and v happy to be doing it.

@PatienceVirtue

It's all been very well explained by the others on here that on the trial. It's vital that neither those giving the vaccine or those receiving it know which one it is. They've chosen meningitis rather than just saline in order that both options have a similar likelihood of a small reaction.

You're not supposed to have an antibody test once you've had the injection as it might alert you to which you've had. If it becomes essential (if work requires it for immunity passports or something) then you have to let them know.

If the vaccine rolls out, then obviously the guinea pigs will be told and the meningitis lot will get the real thing (I don't know if they'll have any priority).

Like @Aesopfable I'm really hoping for the real thing.

I had an antibody test during screening to check i had not already had covid. Before i had the jab. I would not have been allowed to take part if i had antibodies. I do get antibody screening 3 weekly but i do not get the results. I do get the covid test results though like everyone as if i do get covid postitive i have to self isolate etc plus i have to call the team ( or they call me)

Well done to you all that are doing trails xxx