I for one would like to say a big thank you to Oxford and Astra Zeneca

[MarcelineMissouri]

Oooh I hate the tone of so many of the threads on here about this vaccine.

I’m 41 and I had my first dose last week. I am incredibly grateful to have had it.

Let me be clear, I’m not a diehard patriotic fan of the British vaccine. It’s not the best vaccine that’s been created, that is clear. But it is a highly effective and safe vaccine. The main reason people are turning away from it is because we are so incredibly fortunate that the other even better vaccines were also created. If we didn’t (which was a high possibility) then I rather imagine people would be able to better put the tiny risks into perspective. But we have alternatives and we are so lucky to be in that situation. If you want to wait for Pfizer or moderna then go for it but please stop being so incredibly dramatic over the risks relying to the Oxford vaccine!!!

This vaccine is one of the main reasons we are now in such a good position as a country, and it will go on to help many other countries get out of this as well. If we’d been relying on Pfizer and moderna we would be so much further behind. I can well foresee in this country that Astra Zeneca will end up getting phased out as the immediate danger of the pandemic passes and that’s ok. But it did a job and it did it well, and it is needed in many other countries.

And I for one would like to acknowledge what an amazing job they have done. The work and pressure involved must have been immense. And now to see people acting like they’d be getting a dose of poison and guaranteed death if they get this vaccine must be so hard. Never have we been in this situation were millions and millions of people are getting the same dose of something in such a short period of time. If we’d been seeing the tiny number of clots come in over the course of years, again I think it would be much easier for people to rationalise the numbers.

So thank you to the team that created this. I appreciate all you have done. Thank you for getting us to this position where we can hopefully begin to put our lives back together again. Thank you for being willing to supply this amazing vaccine so cheaply that poor countries can afford to use it unlike the others. Thank you.

I agree. The whining does my head in.

Pfizer and moderna have made billionaires, it's pretty easy to join the dots to what's went on behind the scenes imo.

Hear hear.

I took the pill for 20+ years. I didn't hear anyone bleating about the (far, far greater) risk to me then.

My friend worked on this trial, many people worked very hard for this, not to mention the volunteers who trialled it. I am very grateful to them for helping us all get back to normal.

I too am extremely grateful. I only know 2 people who have had Pfizer, which I am also very grateful, as one of them is my DH who has a heart condition.

I’ve had 2 doses of it and currently have Covid 19. However I would be feeling much worse without it and for that I am grateful.
My DH is negative after 2 doses, grateful for that too.
My parents who we have only seen very briefly are so far OK as well and praying their 2 doses keep them safe and well.

I’m very thankful for and impressed by AZ (indeed it’s circulating my body right now!)

The boss is getting a 650%bonus on his 1.3million salary - I hope the scientific team who were behind the technology are generously rewarded too. Maybe down the line there should be a Nobel prize in it. It’s not only lower cost but it’s ease of storage makes it far superior to Pfizer&Moderna for widespread distribution. Research isn’t the best-paid work but it’s so important.

I really pity Sanofi, people on here speak of it like something they scraped off their shoe, but they were doing the same work and unfortunately didn’t quite get there. I’m still incredibly grateful to them.

I'm am very grateful to the people who volunteered for the vaccine trials. I'm grateful for the people who worked to create the vaccine. I'm grateful to have received the first vaccine for free. I'm incredibly grateful DH has received the vaccine; I was so worried about him catching Covid. However, it's not a perfect vaccine. I'm still recovering from the side effects of the first dose, which I received three weeks ago. I haven't had any side effects from any other vaccines. I don't think conversations about the pros and cons should be muted.

Well said. I am incredibly grateful to them too.

Amazing how quickly it was all done too. I remember when they were saying it could be years before anyone made a vaccine (if ever, as vaccines for corona viruses weren't a thing) and that 50% would be effective enough for it to be considered a success. Look where we are now!

Well said.

Agreed.

I've had both doses and am incredibly grateful.

I am also so grateful. I’m in my 30s and had my first dose in March. I am looking forward to getting my second.

Agree with the OP. Grateful to the researchers and volunteers who made it possible. Thank you!

Me too, so grateful my parents are protected with it.

Totally agree. I've had my two vaccinations. Very grateful.

They have done a great job, really they have, but I don't think it is 'whinning' if people are concerned.

The risk profile continues to change, the plans for administering it continue to change, and entire countries have completely different advise around who should have it. All based on medical expertise. All with different outcomes. I dislike the dismissing nature and superiority of people who can't acknowledge this.

Absolutely.
They have saved and will save millions of lives.

Agreed. I'm early 40s and have no regrets about having the first dose of AZ. Yes, a different vaccine might have been a tiny bit safer but I'm just grateful to have a vaccine at all so soon. I'm also hopeful that the real life data from the uk will be helpful when it comes to the roll out in countries where Pfizer and moderna are less feasible.

Me too!

Well said OP

I agree! We’re seeing light at the end of the tunnel, fewer deaths, NHS returning to normal, and the Oxford vaccine played a HUGE part.
Good job we’ve got some very clever people! (And at Astra Zeneca too, I’m not being nationalist!).

What a lovely thread. I agree, OP.

They have done a great job, really they have, but I don't think it is 'whinning' if people are concerned.

The risk profile continues to change, the plans for administering it continue to change, and entire countries have completely different advise around who should have it. All based on medical expertise. All with different outcomes. I dislike the dismissing nature and superiority of people who can't acknowledge this.

Absolutely true.

It's possible to appreciate the amazing work that went into the AZ vaccine, and be grateful for the huge role it has played to date, while also acknowledging that there is a safety issue affecting certain cohorts. It's not whining to take that seriously.

I had my first AZ yesterday. I'm might currently be feeling like the walking dead but I am incredibly grateful to have received my AZ jab

Hear hear! Well said!