Oxford vaccine approved!

[Rosehip10]

Good news

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

Press conference on tv now!

@PuzzledObserver

As already said, it is unethical to test new medicines on pregnant women. However, it is inevitable that some women who receive the vaccine will be/become pregnant soon after, even if not actively ttc. I imagine it will be from them that information will eventually be accumulated which in time may lead to it being approved for this group after all.

JVT said as much - no pregnant women were included in the trial but a few did become pregnant after receiving the vaccine, and “we have seen nothing alarming”. However, the numbers are so small they can’t be relied on to say it is safe.

Re under 50’s - I am almost certain they will be vaccinated in due course, otherwise why would we have bought so many doses? It’s just they are trying to vaccinate the most at risk first.

I believe there are now trials of one of the vaccines in over 12’s, I can’t remember which one, sorry.

@PurplePansy05 in case you missed my explanation earlier

Partial immunity at day 22 after 1st dose.

Also not completing ruling out pregnant women having the vaccine. Advising to weigh up the risk/benefits with doctors.

But how many pregnant women do you think would willingly volunteer to participate in a trial, if there is even a chance of something going wrong? Would you?

I said above that I would have the vaccine, yes. But no one's given me the freedom of choice. Expecting mothers make choices every day, in what they eat, what the do and how healthy they are, all of which may have impact on the baby, known or unknown. But apparently we're not allowed to choose on this occasion and we just have to suck up the risk of getting Covid and associated risks, to us and to the baby, instead.

Woo hoo they've just said on the briefing on bbc that you are to discuss with your Gp the risks and benefits to having the vaccine if breastfeeding

@Notthemessiah

Did you read anything trustworthy or are you just basing all this on your own feeling?

60 odd percent efficacy to prevent infection.

100 percent efficacy at keeping people alive / out of hospital.

I don't think it's about trying to rush everyone back to normal life.

And Oxford can be given to those with food allergies.

Pregnant and bf women

@PuzzledObserver I disagree in principle, there should be freedom of choice IMO. Still hoping for someone to explain the reasoning for having to postpone TTC for so long as well.

Both vaccines they have said pregnant and breastfeeding women can maybe have it following discussions with doctor. That's great news. I have been referred for fertility treatment at the end of Jan and was worried about not being able to have the vaccine or having to delay treatment to get the vaccine.

Yea it's brilliant! I'm so happy!

I know that people complain about how none of the logistics are working fast enough, but I'm actually impressed at how much has been done in a short time with constantly changing ifnromation.

This.

@Notthemessiah and nobody is bandying about 90 percent -every report I have seen has emphasised the 60

@PurplePansy05 because they just don't know about it and will, understandably, be looking to cover their back in terms of litigation. I'm with you, I'd probably have it pregnant or not.

@FourTeaFallOut

And Oxford can be given to those with food allergies.

And Pfizer now too.

@LemonSherbetFancies

By March everything should be pretty much back to normal. So very pleased.

Not likely. We currently have no idea how long immunity from the vaccine will last. Will it be 6 months, a year, a decade, longer. No one knows. Restrictions and social distancing will no doubt continue in some form into 2022 whilst the scientists continue to collect and analyse the data.

@Char2015 That's great news indeed. I think many posters completely fail to appreciate the position some of us have been in in respect of TTC/baby loss/infertility issues, Covid risks and the vaccines. Good luck to you with everything

Both vaccines they have said pregnant and breastfeeding women can maybe have it following discussions with doctor.

But what does the average GP really know in terms of the effect this vaccine could have on an unborn baby? I doubt they’re suddenly all experts in the brand new vaccine.

Restrictions and social distancing will no doubt continue in some form into 2022 whilst the scientists continue to collect and analyse the data.

[quote PurplePansy05]@PuzzledObserver I disagree in principle, there should be freedom of choice IMO. Still hoping for someone to explain the reasoning for having to postpone TTC for so long as well.[/quote]
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-women-of-childbearing-age-currently-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding/covid-19-vaccination-a-guide-for-women-of-childbearing-age-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding

It's really clear here, they just don't have enough information to know what the impact might be - but ultimately people do have a choice as they could still conceive against the guidance

And it's only focussed on the Pfizer vaccine so it does say people may be able to have one of the others instead

Best news ever

looking to cover their back in terms of litigation

And here it is, you've the hit the nail on the head @sonicbook. Only I and many others with long history of TTC/baby loss won't be able to postpone things. Whatever happens, pharma companies need to make sure they have sufficiently deep and well protected litigation funds and this is the reason for certain recommendations.

people do have a choice as they could still conceive against the guidance

TTC wise yes, but pregnant women haven't been given a choice, unless it is now changing based on what's just been said earlier on here.

Bloody brilliant Thank goodness!!

[quote sonicbook]@Notthemessiah

Did you read anything trustworthy or are you just basing all this on your own feeling?

60 odd percent efficacy to prevent infection.

100 percent efficacy at keeping people alive / out of hospital.

I don't think it's about trying to rush everyone back to normal life. [/quote]
As I said, I think this is definitely good news and certainly better to have this vaccine than nothing at all, but I am concerned about the mixed messages regarding it's efficiency and the changes in doses and timings and the fact that these seem to have been discovered more by accident than design.

It undermines the whole message about the rigourous standards and science that are meant to reassure us about the speed of the vaccines approval.

It's important to say though that at the moment I have no qualms about the safety of either vaccines, which seems to be fine (so no reason not to be vaccinated). Purely the efficacy and level of protection.