When can we start to see the vaccine saving lives?

[notevenat20]

We are told 88% of covid deaths come from groups 1-4. Already 11 million of those have been vaccinated and pretty much all of them will have been done in a weeks time. Full protection comes in about 21 days after vaccination but there is some protection from about day 14. This is all to say, should we expect deaths to plummet this month? I am really hoping so.

@Sunshinegirl82 yes I read that interview this morning. Very good to hear the ins and outs of the approach.

@Sunshinegirl82

[[https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/07/news/kate]]binghamminterviewvaccinesscovidastrazenecaaukcoronavirussjohnson-286384093/

Interesting article here with Kate Bingham

I’ve just finished reading this. It was such a good read - very interesting. This woman is simply wonderful!

For what it's worth, WHO seem to be saying our delayed second shot decision is vindicated.

Did Pfizer not choose 3 weeks because there was no point doing it sooner as antibodies would have sufficiently developed. So the data is from the soonest response, rather than using a longer period of time?

Bear in mind that Pfizer is a commercial company. You can imagine why they are not not keen on people delaying the second shot as it reduces their income, at least over the short term.

Did Pfizer not choose 3 weeks because there was no point doing it sooner as antibodies would have sufficiently developed. So the data is from the soonest response, rather than using a longer period of time?

Yes I think that is right.

Yep about Pfizer

Also I don't like saying as people may worry and there is nothing to worry about because Pfizer works well.

However I simply don't trust their own data. They first changed their efficacy to match moderna. After announcing a 5% lower one originally. Also they only have data on more elderly because they were willing to risk testing an untest vaccine on the vulnerable. Oxford told AZ not to do that because it would be unethical. Then the real life effectiveness against infection seems to be very similar to AZ results so far anyway.

@tobee

Did Pfizer not choose 3 weeks because there was no point doing it sooner as antibodies would have sufficiently developed. So the data is from the soonest response, rather than using a longer period of time?

Yes, this is my understanding. It's no coincidence that the second dose comes just as the immune response from dose 1 is kicking in. There would be no point in boosting before it has, and the shorter the interval between the doses then the shorter time it takes to generate results.

Come back @PrincessNutNuts please and answer the question posed by Trulymadly and Blessex. Given your unwavering stance, I’m sure you must have a great answer.