Pfizer vaccine works!! 90% effective

[WindChimeTinkle]

Fucking brilliant news. I could cry.

I'm not CV at all and am in my 30s with no risk factors. I would still have it as would my immediate family (when it's our turn). Because everyone who has it, protects people that just can't have it. Like any vaccine. It's the socially responsible thing to do, if you can (also don't fancy catching COVID much, although chances are we'd be fine).

It is good news! Finally a chink of something positive.

I'm very pleased, although a bit puzzled and concerned about the need for the vaccine to be stored at such a low temperature - way below freezing. How will they achieve this - liquid nitrogen tanks perhaps? Will the vaccine have to be thawed out for a while before it turns to liquid? If it's left at room temp for too long would it cease to be effective? This side of things is making me anxious that precious vaccine doses could be invalidated/wasted, if NHS staff are too busy to follow complex, time critical instructions, in a pressured environment. (Not meaning that as any criticism of NHS staff, but they are under immense strain right now and mistakes do happen.)

I would doubt that this vaccine is the only pharmaceutical product ever that has to be stored at ultra low temperatures. There are literally expert logistics companies who deal with this kind of supply chain issue the world over. There will be solutions in place.

It's such a fantastic step forward.

My mum is one of the priority groups and has been told she'd be in first round of vaccinations when comes comes out.

She doesn't have many years left. It'll be great if the time she has can be spent having contact and not having to shield as she's on 6 months on and off chemo cycles.

@PurBal Have a look at 'Covax'. Although I'm struggling to find where or not Pfizer is part of it. I've only found that they expressed an interest in supplying to Covax back on June.

“I'm very pleased, although a bit puzzled and concerned about the need for the vaccine to be stored at such a low temperature - way below freezing. How will they achieve this - liquid nitrogen tanks perhaps? Will the vaccine have to be thawed out for a while before it turns to liquid? If it's left at room temp for too long would it cease to be effective? “

There are challenges but it doesn’t sound insurmountable. Specialist freezers probably in specialist distribution centres and hospitals/labs. Potentially transported in dry ice, they’ve been designing special cold “suitcases” for the vials. Plus the CEO of Biontech seems to think it can be kept in the fridge for a few days after defrosting, maybe even two weeks. They’ll know more in Dec. But I don’t think it’s going to go off in five minutes!

And this from September:

As well as agreements with governments, Pfizer and BioNTech intend to potentially supply to the COVAX Facility, led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and World Health Organization (WHO).

I am cautious not worried about taking the vaccine just will celebrate when it gets passed fingers crossed x

Chris Whitty can lead the conga......we’ll all be guided by the science

I'm tired & worked 9 hours today (which is a lot for a thinking job) so please indulge me...

What is it 90% effective at? 90% of possible infections were prevented? Or 90% of severe illness was prevented? Or something else, 90% of what?

Was it equally effective for people age 70+ as people age under 50?

How long after being vaccinated were people monitored for -- at least 3 months, I guess?

oh here it is! 90% effective in preventing symptomatic Covid disease

why so hard to find that info...

Right, don't thank me now but I've solved the frozen issue.

What they should do is build vaccination centres beside the vaccine factory, and lay on transport. Bring the mountain to mohammmed so to speak.

I also fixed the need for sliding poles in fire stations (build bedrooms downstairs).

This was always going to happen ( despite all the doom mongers who seemed to think no vaccine would ever be developed or that it would take years and years ) so I am in no way surprised but I am very pleased .

It is amazing news! We won’t go back to normal immediately and we won’t all get the vaccine to start with but it is the start of the end of this pandemic! More vaccines due to come on stream soon too if rumours are to be believed

DH and 18y Dd aren't CV like I am but both are keen to have it so that it can help protect more people, including those who can't have the vaccine.

Why happy to hear the news? It's a tiny bit of light, a glimmer that we can work towards a way out of this year.

In a year when I've lost three people close to me, albeit bit from Covid, and have had some much rubbish going on, I just want to be able to see my parents, my brother and sister, my nieces and nephew, my friends ...

And if I can avoid getting Covid again in the future then even better! Not sure my blood pressure can cope with another bout just now!

I can't tell you how happy this news has made me. Honestly this has given me the hope I needed today.

@NullcovoidNovember

Huge advancement and wondeful news but what about the mink mutation.

I know, it's so depressing that no sooner have they found a vaccine than this mutation is out there.

@FourTeaFallOut

Biden...an effective vaccine...looks like I'll be winning the lottery this week for the hat trick.

I feel like this too. Optimism for the first time in a while!

I'm hope it's true. I worry with Boris' track record, that it isn't as ready to go as he made out and that just like with testing there will be huge logistical and supply issues. He's just trying to get good news out, to deflect from the mess.

He's not managed to get anything right so far...and I don't think I want to be near the front of a queue for something that is claimed ( super quickly) to be safe.

Fingers crossed though.

[quote Hugosmugo]@RuthW
'You all seem very keen to have it. Are you all from the very vulnerable group'

You do realise it isn't just about us though? I want it in a heartbeat. I won't be offered it, at least not initially, but it is really important that those who can, do.

Can't stand all the negativity. This is great news.[/quote]
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