And now the bloody vaccine trial is paused due to a potential severe side effect

[Worriedmum999]

As if this week could get any worse. Cases up! Deaths up! Heading back to more restrictions and potentially lockdowns with the second wave.

I have had a really down few days. I’m vulnerable and scared of leaving my children without a mother. I’m scared that they are going to school and we can no longer shield. I’m scared of what more isolation will do to them.

I was pinning my hopes on the Oxford vaccine. Probably stupid I know. There has been no glimmer of light with this pandemic. Everything has gone wrong and turned to shit. Now it looks like we’ll have no vaccine in the near future. At least we were front of the queue for the Oxford one. If we have to wait for some from another country we could be in this hell for years...and that’s if any will even work.

So down tonight

@TheKeatingFive

I thought the whole point of phase three trials was to involve people with existing conditions to understand effects on them.

Interesting from the POV of being pregnant. Would anyone sign up to any vaccine trial if pregnant? Yet surely that’s an important cohort.

No ethics committee would allow pregnant participants at this stage.

There isn’t going to be a vaccine.

No ethics committee would allow pregnant participants at this stage.

So what then? You just don’t get the vaccine if you’re pregnant? Because how can you if they don’t know it’s safe?

@TheKeatingFive

No ethics committee would allow pregnant participants at this stage.

So what then? You just don’t get the vaccine if you’re pregnant? Because how can you if they don’t know it’s safe?

That’s right. That’s why most drugs say they should only be used in pregnancy if the need outweighs the risk.

@Timeforanewone

There isn’t going to be a vaccine.

Here is some positive vaccine news to cheer people up a bit

apple.news/AQYujwD4pS7Sp3KuwHixNEA

That is good news- but is it one of the vaccines the UK government have reserved?

Looks like the vaccine will go to the US and EU.
Shame about not being in the EU anymore...
Guess we can join the queue (happy to be proved wrong)

@Hereinthesticks

That is good news- but is it one of the vaccines the UK government have reserved?

Yes - 30M doses

www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-agreement-united-kingdom-30

As I've pointed out before on Mumsnet Prof Sarah Gilbert of the Oxford Vaccine herself predicted that it was likely that several vaccines will be available and used throughout the world. That's why I bridle at people saying "the vaccine".

They are many different ways of developing a Covid vaccine, which will have different efficacy in different types of people, with different side effects, doses etc. For example some will have to be stored at -70 degrees and others, like the Oxford one, at fridge temperature. Which will be taken into account for worldwide distribution etc.

@Timeforanewone

There isn’t going to be a vaccine.

Ooh, look, a world renowned scientist has stopped by to tell it like it is!

@ButteryPuffin😆

@thelaststarfighter that would be good news but the first article linked to doesn't mention UK, hopefully an omission.

Also if the UK is in line already for this particular vaccine, why wasn't it mentioned at the press conference today by CW and why did CW say next year for a vaccine?

@TheAdventuresoftheWishingChair

You are panicking and catastrophising. I get it, this is so scary and we're all wrung out and stressed and bloody knackered. I can totally understand why you've posted but please take a big step back. It's not that bleak.

It's a precaution to pause things. It's likely a pause of a few days only while they check over this one individual (who it's possible has something else completely random wrong with them). Bear in mind the vaccine has already been assessed for safety (up to a point) and lots and lots of people have been vaccinated (thousands, in fact) and been absolutely ok. I'd be optimistic about saying they will confirm this is a random health issue and get on with the trial. There will be a vaccine and likely relatively soon. That's what all the experts are saying. And it's not even just about a vaccine, we have got so much better at helping people who are seriously affected. It's not like in March at all.

And no, the rise in cases doesn't necessarily mean a second wave, it's only the tiniest increase in deaths so far too (well below what many were expecting). We absolutely won't be living like this for years, I promise. Deep breaths. You are quite within your rights to feel scared but it's also worth sorting out what is anxiety and what is reality. for you and I'm sorry that you're vulnerable. That makes things so much harder.

Well said

[quote Hereinthesticks]@ButteryPuffin😆

@thelaststarfighter that would be good news but the first article linked to doesn't mention UK, hopefully an omission.[/quote]
That’s wierd . When I open that link it starts “ PFIZER AND BIONTECH ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR 30 MILLION DOSES OF MRNA-BASED VACCINE CANDIDATE AGAINST SARS-COV-2” and goes on to detail of “we would like to thank the UK government for their confidence ...” etc

@Hereinthesticks they wouldn’t mention it specifically because there are no guarantees for this vaccine either! It too could get paused tomorrow for an adverse effect. None of the scientific or medical advisers are going to stand there saying we will should have a vaccine this year because they just don’t know! The U.K. are signed up to quite a few vaccines and I have every confidence we’ll get one at some point but realistically next year is the most likely, this year is not out of the question but is really an absolute best case scenario. Patrick Valance is not going to stand there and say we’re likely to get one this year because it’s more likely that we won’t.

Yes @TheLastStarfighter that’s what I see too.

@TheLastStarfighter No the first one from apple.com not your one

The one marcelline linked to that said a vaccine could be available next month, apple.news

@Hereinthesticks

Also if the UK is in line already for this particular vaccine, why wasn't it mentioned at the press conference today by CW and why did CW say next year for a vaccine?

Did they not say today there are options for the British government on several vaccines?

Seems worth mentioning that one in particular might be available next month

@Hereinthesticks but that wasn’t an article about all the countries that have signed agreements with Pfizer, it only mentioned the US and the EU anyway, maybe because they’re the 2 biggest deals. They have agreements with several other countries eg Japan that aren’t mentioned on there either, but we definitely do have a deal with them.

@Hereinthesticks it’s not going to be available next month. The article says it MAY be ready for regulatory review next month. I’m as optimistic about a vaccine as the next person but there is not going to be a vaccine being rolled out in October.

@MarcelineMissouri ok, that is hopeful then.

Obviously I want it to be true, just the government have increased restrictions and said no vaccine till next year. I think it will be hard to see other countries get a vaccine before the UK.