Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs effective against Indian variant - study

[JanuaryJonez]

I was really buoyed up when I saw this headline, but then read that two doses gives just 60% protection against the Indian variant, as opposed to Pfizer's which gives 88%. Disappointed

Covid: Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs effective against Indian variant - study [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57214596]]

* [Title edited by MNHQ]*

Who cares

@Stinkywizzleteets yes I agree. This means if the Indian variant really spreads, we could still see a reoccurrence of high deaths amongst the older and chronically ill.

@Stinkywizzleteets

I was reading a lot of this on Twitter last night and someone had commented what it could mean for the clinically extremely vulnerable, specifically those with suppressed immune systems who weren’t expected to have a full immunological response to the vaccine (in the same way as non CEV would have a more full response) and that as the majority of Clinically Vulnerable were given AZ, did this mean we still have to shield or that CEV were still in an extremely Precarious position with regards to relying on vaccinations to protect them.

It’s fine for perfectly healthy people to celebrate even 60% protection (similar to the Flu jab iirc) but yet again nobody is talking about what this means for those with lowered immune systems such as the elderly and the unwell.

Maybe if they’ve had AZ they should get a Pfizer booster.

I predict that Vaccines for Covid will be discarded in a years time.

Chasing variants will become impossible.

@Dustyboots

I predict that Vaccines for Covid will be discarded in a years time.

Chasing variants will become impossible.

Are you willing to get back to us in a year's time to see if you were right?

Sounds good to me! I'll take it (I already have). Ready to get back to living.

@TheQueef

Perspective!

Last seen in 2020

@osbertthesyrianhamster

Sounds good to me! I'll take it (I already have). Ready to get back to living.

Same here! This just appears to be another AZ bashing thread.

@HSHorror

Not good news. But worse is only 33% after 1 jab!

Imo anyone who had az needs to be offered the pfizer boosters in sept.
Otherwise i think there will be even more issues with testing compliance. As mainly AZ people will be off work isolating or kids off.

Yes this is why the change to Pfizer and Moderna for under 40s. There definitely should be Pfizer/Moderna (or possibly Novovax) boosters for those given AZ.

Like a PP says, the millions of elderly and clinically vulnerable given AZ will be at risk - AND also all people given AZ will be higher risk for Long Covid.

Most Long Covid sufferers haven't yet had access to scans. Of those who have, heart, lung, kidney, and other organ damage has been found. It's also been linked to the development of diabetes (in previously healthy people).

More attempt to discredit AZ? Sigh.

Most Long Covid sufferers haven't yet had access to scans. Of those who have, heart, lung, kidney, and other organ damage has been found.

In my experience this isn't accurate or perhaps I am lucky. I had covid in march. Have been getting palpitations and chest pain the last 6 weeks or so which both me and my doctor said was likely my anxiety. However since I had had covid my doctor sent me for a CT scan, an ECG and blood tests as a precaution. This was all done in the space of a fortnight (and all normal thankfully!) Whilst I was having my ECG the nurse told me they have been running clinics for people post covid

They deny it but there really are people who don’t want this to end. What I can’t fathom is why? We are so much further forward than we were last year and people still find things to moan about even when we have effective vaccines. Variants and long Covid are a dream to these people

@RedcurrantPuff

They deny it but there really are people who don’t want this to end. What I can’t fathom is why? We are so much further forward than we were last year and people still find things to moan about even when we have effective vaccines. Variants and long Covid are a dream to these people

Yes. The ones screaming and having tantrums about any containment measures. I agree, some must secretly want this to drag out.

OliveTree75 it's really good that some doctors are taking it seriously (although sorry you've been suffering). Unfortunately lots of patients have faced a battle.

This article is about America but the same has been happening here too. It's no surprise. Patients with various issues have experienced this for years - way before Covid. It's just that Long Covid means it's a large number of people all suffering at the same time.

www.statnews.com/2021/04/21/long-covid-patients-struggle-to-get-care-for-their-symptoms/

@Dustyboots

I predict that Vaccines for Covid will be discarded in a years time.

Chasing variants will become impossible.

Interesting angle.

I think people’s strong desire to take vaccines for covid may wane once it becomes clear how impossible the variants will be to control. Right now they’re lining up to take them on the promise of freedom and potential lowered risk.

What do you mean by “screaming and tantrums”? People being concerned about their livelihoods?

I suppose I should feel sorry for the people who want to keep this going by rubbishing vaccines and wanging on about variants and long Covid. They are clearly just scared and this is what they think will scare other people too and stop them wanting to get their lives back.

Mac N Chise is always worth a read. After reading her explanation I feel confident in my two AZ jabs and I am CEV and immunosuppressed.

People being concerned about their livelihoods?

Indeed. Many Long Covid sufferers are facing great financial uncertainty and long term (possibly permanent) loss of their livelihoods.

There's also the families who've lost one (sometimes the main) breadwinner to Covid. One of the 150,000 dead.

Heartbreaking - and so very unnecessary. We know the UK economy has been hit so much worse than in the countries who took effective containment measures.

I've had two AZ doses.

I'd rather be in that position than still waiting for my first dose of Pfizer/Moderna.

@Stinkywizzleteets

I was reading a lot of this on Twitter last night and someone had commented what it could mean for the clinically extremely vulnerable, specifically those with suppressed immune systems who weren’t expected to have a full immunological response to the vaccine (in the same way as non CEV would have a more full response) and that as the majority of Clinically Vulnerable were given AZ, did this mean we still have to shield or that CEV were still in an extremely Precarious position with regards to relying on vaccinations to protect them.

It’s fine for perfectly healthy people to celebrate even 60% protection (similar to the Flu jab iirc) but yet again nobody is talking about what this means for those with lowered immune systems such as the elderly and the unwell.

It's why we need as many people with the jab as possible (including children IMO). So many people go on about "I'm young I'm at minimal risk so I'm not taking the vaccine" and it really epitomises our culture of only thinking about ourselves. Healthy people getting the jab reduces their chance of both catching the virus themselves, and passing it on to someone who has a poor immune system and hasn't responded well to the vaccine. Especially since they may not even have symptoms, or may have symptoms but keep it quiet because they can't afford to be off work. Basically it builds up herd immunity, which then protects those who cannot protect themselves. If the Indian variant means more jabbing is required to achieve herd immunity then everyone needs to step up and do their bit for the good of everyone.

@Stinkywizzleteets this 100%!! My mum is immunosuppressed and was given AZ!! This should not have happened she should have been given Pfizer. Im so annoyed about it.

Don’t worry OP. I’m sure when the trials have actually concluded the % difference will decrease. Better to have been jabbed than not!!

And, with reports of heart inflammation following second dose of Pfizer, who knows what the next screeching headline will be.

I'm only just reading all these replies - thank you, as I was out.

@ajmouse I agree, Dr John Campbell is a very good source of information.

I've had 2 jabs of AZ and am very grateful. The UK is very fortunate to have a great vaccine programme in place.

I think people’s strong desire to take vaccines for covid may wane once it becomes clear how impossible the variants will be to control. Right now they’re lining up to take them on the promise of freedom and potential lowered risk.

"Impossible to control"?

Yet they are in fact, being controlled?

This is proof that the @RedcurrantPuff was spot on when she said that some people are enjoying this and dreading it coming to an end. Cue indignant denial.

RedcurrantPuff I'm certainly NOT in the rubbishing vaccines camp - I was just expecting the AZ to be a bit more effective than 60%!

I'm certainly not dreading restrictions coming to an end either, as my family and most of our friends have been leading relatively normal lives for months now.