MHRA approves Pfizer jab for use in UK

[AuntieStella]

News just breaking on BBC

Yes, just watching now

They say that immunisations could begin in the next few days.

This is the guidance on priorisation that was published last month pending approval. Still logistic questions about how the vaccine will be moved around and stored, and whether it will be administered mainly/entirely in hospitals in the early days

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/939119/Greenbook_chapter_14a___provisional_guidance_subject_to_MHRA_approval_of_vaccine_supply_.pdf

So pleased!

The UK has become the first western country to license a vaccine against Covid, opening the way for mass immunisation with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to begin in those most at risk.

Fab news shame there are so many people that won't take it and don't realise that although it takes years usually (due to funding etc) and there has never been such massive funding /scientists working night and day etc

This is good news

I’ve switched on BBC Breakfast, who have just reported that NHS England have confirmed jabs will start next week (no word from the devolved yet)

@wildbarnet

Fab news shame there are so many people that won't take it and don't realise that although it takes years usually (due to funding etc) and there has never been such massive funding /scientists working night and day etc

Demand will far outstrip supply.

NHS staff will take it I’m sure.

I think the Pfizer vaccine is being administered to hospital front line staff first due to the storage requirements and difficulty moving it around. This, and the twice weekly self testing some Trusts are doing, should mean more staff able to work instead of self isolating.

I'll probably be last to get it, but I would be first if it means it protects my children and the wilder community.
I miss my old life and this is one step nearer to getting it back.

Care homes remain first priority, but jabs might start with second priority (NHS and other social care staff) for logistic reasons

I hope they find a way to transport it safely to the first priority recipients very soon

@Castiel07

I'll probably be last to get it, but I would be first if it means it protects my children and the wilder community. I miss my old life and this is one step nearer to getting it back.

I utterly love the typo in this

Hurrah! Hopefully this is the beginning of the end.

NHS staff will take it I’m sure.

On the ward I work on, staff in general are not keen at all to have the vaccine.

Maybe it’s because we don’t work with Covid patients though....

Fantastic news.

@ThornAmongstRoses

NHS staff will take it I’m sure.

On the ward I work on, staff in general are not keen at all to have the vaccine.

Maybe it’s because we don’t work with Covid patients though....

How come?

Has the vaccine actually arrive in the UK (from Belgium?) yet?

I have many friends and family who work in the public sector, nurses too and they can’t wait to have the vaccine. I think the uptake will be good.

NHS staff will take it I’m sure

@MarshaBradyo I think that’s doubtful. Anecdotally I know many nhs workers who won’t be taking it.

Also this: “ A poll of readers of Medscape UK found that of 308 UK doctors, 4 in 10 would not get a COVID-19 vaccine” www.medscape.com/viewarticle/941492

I literally have tears rolling down my face.
It really does feel like this never-ending crapfest is going to end.

I'm utterly terrified of injections and medication, and even avoid the flu jab (which is probably daft), but even I'll do this. Anything to feel less worried and get back towards a normal life.

@ThornAmongstRoses

NHS staff will take it I’m sure.

On the ward I work on, staff in general are not keen at all to have the vaccine.

Maybe it’s because we don’t work with Covid patients though....

But you could transmit the virus into hospital.... That's really disappointing from an NHS worker tbh

I think uptake will be very good.

After all, as a lay person, if a whole dead virus is safe to use as a vaccine, why on earth wouldn't the use of just a bit of its corpse be safe?

How come?

Look into who is on the board at MHRA and what competing interests they might have.

More people will take it over time when it becomes seen as safer I'm sure.

@MarshaBradyo I imagine because it has been rushed.

I'm quite relieved I'm bottom of the list.

But you could transmit the virus into hospital....

That might happen even if immunised. It's not yet known whether it stops you catching it at all, or if it's action is to render it such a mild illness that it becomes trivial