Oxford vaccine approved!

[Rosehip10]

Good news

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-approved-for-use-in-uk-12155958

It makes me wonder if restrictions would be continued for longer as Hancock et al will tell us that people aren't sufficiently protected yet for the government to be able to unlock society?

Everything needs to be redirected to vaccinating now, 24hrs a day. 1m a week is not enough people - all healthcare professionals stop anything that isn’t life and death and vaccinate. It’s the only way, surely. They need to be at more like 10m a week.

This is excellent news- even better that they are now focussing on getting the first dose to as many people as possible. I've actually found things more tough since the Pfizer vaccine rollout, thinking of the younger ECV who really should have been a priority, along with people in their 60s/70s. Health workers and teachers too.

I really hope this means that the younger vulnerable are vaccinated far sooner.

@CeeJay81

Am I the only one that can't get excited excited about a vaccine that could only be 62% effective. The vulnerable should have the Pfizer one at least.

Yes! Wonderful news! Well done Oxford team and AZ. I'm glad they've decided on the 3 month gap as well, that means more people will have a chance to be protected. I expect this will be good news for India as well.

I was on the trial for this vaccine, when I got the jab back in April (I still don't know whether I got the placebo or not) this day seemed a long way off. It helped me feel less powerless, being able to contribute to beating the virus in a very small way.

Let's celebrate the tremendous achievements of the scientists who have delivered not one but three vaccines in under a year

@ILookAtTheFloor

It makes me wonder if restrictions would be continued for longer as Hancock et al will tell us that people aren't sufficiently protected yet for the government to be able to unlock society?

Without doubt and rightly so in my opinion. We have two vaccines approved, not two vaccines fully administered.

I am expecting today

• more areas going into Tier 4
• secondary schools delaying opening
• no areas having their Tiers reduced

Maybe also a possible new Tier 5 level announced

I think this announcement of an approved vaccine today is great, with one dose it will dramatically reduce risk of hospitalisation. But we are still (at least a few) months, not weeks away to seeing any real impact

@CeeJay81 In clinical trials Oxford's vaccine was 62 per cent effective at preventing a coronavirus diagnosis if given as two doses, and 90 per cent when one half dose was given followed by a further full dose.

The difference, experts say, may be because a smaller dose the first time allows the body to create a better picture of what the virus will look like before it attempts to launch a full-scale attack, as with a full dose, giving quality first and then quantity later.

Please could someone explain more about this?

I'm reading on Sky News:

"A statement from the Department of Health said: "The JCVI has advised the priority should be to give as many people in at-risk groups their first dose, rather than providing the required two doses in as short a time as possible.

"Everyone will still receive their second dose and this will be within 12 weeks of their first. The second dose completes the course and is important for longer term protection."

Source:
news.sky.com/story/covid-19-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-approved-for-use-in-uk-12155958

So this vaccine is said to have a 62% efficacy with two full doses and up to 90% with half a dose followed by a full dose which was a random discovery. Is the latter how it was approved for use by the MHRA?

If so why is it recommended to have one full dose asap (presumably it is one full dose) and this is the main focus?

Also if the efficacy is 62%, what does this mean in practice? That it prevents 62% of vaccinated people from getting ill with COVID-19?

Amazing news! Just to have that silver lining over the horizon is good enough for me.

Well done to all of the people who have contributed to this vaccine.👏❤

There isn't enough data on the one dose method. It happened by mistake. I think they need to do more trials with this cause it would be amazing if one dose was just as effective, if not more.

The responses on here go to show what a poor job Oxford has done with their PR.

The 12 week gap means that those who are vaccinated on January 4th will not be fully protected until Easter.

Restrictions are here to stay going into the summer, I believe.

@LittleFir it means more people can get their first vaccination in good time. I see this as a good thing, but I guess it depends on your POV.

If so why is it recommended to have one full dose asap (presumably it is one full dose) and this is the main focus?

Because it is 100% effective at reducing severe illness and death?

A chink of light.

Very proud of my nephew who took part in the vaccine trials.

@LittleFir

The 12 week gap means that those who are vaccinated on January 4th will not be fully protected until Easter.

Restrictions are here to stay going into the summer, I believe.

Oh joy. Another scaremonger!

Noone knows what is going to happen yet with regards to restrictions but the government know there is a limit as to how long the population will comply with restrictions for, for many good reasons too, so I would imagine that this is also forefront in their minds when deciding how the vaccine is rolled out.

@middleager

A chink of light.

Very proud of my nephew who took part in the vaccine trials.

What a dude to do that

This is wonderful news.

Congratulations to the amazing 🇬🇧 & international scientists, volunteers and everyone else involved in the trials.

A safe, highly effective vaccine which costs the same per dose as a cup of coffee, can be manufactured at vast scale using existing processes and distributed & stored at normal fridge temperatures is a true game-changer.

My sleeve is rolled up & waiting

Thank goodness. Fantastic news. What an amazing job the team have done.

[quote Chaotic45]@LittleFir it means more people can get their first vaccination in good time. I see this as a good thing, but I guess it depends on your POV. [/quote]
I think it's an excellent thing and I cannot understand the mentality of some who think the Oxford vaccine is poor if the percentage is 62% or whatever. If it completely stops severe illness and means that those who do contract it only experience something akin to a normal cold, that is excellent, and effectively all we need a vaccine to do. Prevent severe or ongoing illness and stop the pressure on the NHS.

I've just thanked him Spirated he is one dude indeed!

Because it is 100% effective at reducing severe illness and death?

This doesn't answer my questions.

What is your source for this as well, please?

Brilliant news!

Do people not understand that this is the only way out of the pandemic? We are lucky that there is a vaccine that actually works and is effective. We have been through some truly dark times thinking that there might never be a vaccine for this coronavirus. This is marvellous news and is the only way out of this nightmare!

Science is ace!

My source? Professor Sarah Gilbert.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/08/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-has-70-efficacy-full-trial-data-shows

Brilliant! Well done to everyone involved. I’m glad to see them going for one dose first strategy as it will get some protection to a wider number of people quicker. One rise gives the bulk of the protection and also protects against severe disease. It’s good enough for the majority of people and will greatly reduce deaths and hospitalisations.