Good News Part 5. For science, positivity, puffins and daffodils. For anyone who isn't coping with gloom and doom.All aboard Boaty McBoatface!

[FuzzyPuffling]

New thread for the positive crew. Oldies, lurkers and newbies all welcome. Keep the science and positivity coming.

Yes as far as I understand it, if we all needed vaccinating again in a year like the flu jab then they could change the recipe slightly but it looks like our immunity will last longer than for flu so it would be more a case of tweaking it as needed and we all get our boosters every 5 or 10 years like tetanus. Or once the NHS is no longer under stress they only booster vaccinate the elderly and vulnerable like flu. The long immunity to Sars and the slower mutation rate compared to flu suggests it won't be a back to square 1 in a year situation.

DM phoned last night to tell me that she and DF will be getting their "jags" on Friday. They're both over 80 and live 120 miles from me, so I've only seen them 3 times since Christmas 2019, and that was outdoors. Its a small piece of good news in the grand scheme of things but for the first time in months I woke up optimistic.

Thanks for this great thread!

Thank you everyone, that makes complete sense. I love this thread

My friends Dad is getting his first jab today, he's 78, as a PP said, its good to see the ages are getting lower. Happy Thursday all!

@LJC1234

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but I got an email overnight from ASDA to say they are going to be vaccinating in their pharmacies for the government! That seems like amazing news . They are starting later this month

Great news. I feel this is the start of the mammoth roll out. It’s going to gather pace very quickly.

My Dad over 80 still hasn’t been called for vaccination yet, but I’m hopeful it will be soon.

@DobbyTheHouseElk there doesn't seem a great deal of rhyme or reason to how they are doing the jabs, an old gentleman I shop for each week is 88 and is still waiting for his first one, but my partner's Mum (82) had her second one last week. I'm guessing it's down to the individual surgeries and how they are working through their patients.

Here's hoping your Dad is called for his very soon.

More likely it's vaccine availability.

Unfortunately a lot of GP's declined to get involved. Many can't due to restrictive sites, however, many also just didn't WANT to do it, believe it or not. Hence the monetary incentive now being offered to GP's to get them into care homes. Don't forget, GP's are effectively private companies, they often get to choose what they do (or don't).

Glad the pharmacies are starting to get used. I think it will really help with coverage in the community.

The idea of 24 hour jab centres is fine but pharmacies will reach more people initially. Especially whilst we are doing the older age groups.

Very reassuring that they have said we already have 21 million doses in the country.

Did they say 40% of 80s and over are now done. I will be jumping up and down when we get to 50%. Let alone 100%.

I've said this before but I feel the need to say it again, please can we desist from the "my (insert loved one here) is getting their jab tomorrow" type comments?

I absolutely know it is a source of joy for individuals, but it increases anxiety and difficulty for people who are in areas where vaccine roll out is much slower.

It should be more or less even across the country, but it is very clear that it is not.

I missed the briefing last night, I'm not sure if there was an update but I'm pretty sure 40% was the day before yesterday. I think the big drive is care homes this week or it is my my local area. It would be interesting to know what proportion have been offered a vaccine in that setting because it will save so many people from the worst of this virus.

DM's care home has many cases at the moment..... including DM and her husband (they are there together). What I don't know is whether they can go in with active cases in the home? I know you can't have the vaccination within three weeks of being positive, so I would think, but obviously don't know, that if there are a lot of cases in a home, they can't do that home??

In my area they are doing all over 80s in the community this weekend, and all care homes next week. They have already said to over 75s and over 70s to look out for messages about appointments from Monday 25th.

@FuzzyPuffling

I've said this before but I feel the need to say it again, please can we desist from the "my (insert loved one here) is getting their jab tomorrow" type comments?

I absolutely know it is a source of joy for individuals, but it increases anxiety and difficulty for people who are in areas where vaccine roll out is much slower.

It should be more or less even across the country, but it is very clear that it is not.

Yes I’m ok with not having this

Sorry, only just read the request not to post about vaccines!

Thanks Marsha.

I understand it might just be me, and that's fine if that's the case. I just thought there might well be others like me, feeling the same. I really don't want to have to hide this thread too!

I love hearing about people getting their vaccines!

I love hearing about people getting their vaccines!

Maybe start an "I've had my vaccine" thread?

I'm not the thread police - I can't define what people post or don't post, but I feel things should not be causing undue anxiety on a positivity thread. Obviously, if there's an overwhelming "bog off Fuzzy, we like it" I shall defer to a majority decision! :)

I think it’s useful to get a sample of the sorts of ages being vaccinated and to see that the general trend is going down in age already but can see how this may cause anxiety for others.

Sorry if I caused upset posting about grandads vaccine. It really wasn't intended that way.

Just to be clear. Are you saying all news about vaccines or just personal experiences?

It is both hopeful and stress inducing to me at the same time!