Coronavirus

[Panda Paws]

if it's easier to use/distribute this could get us much further toward a solution more quickly than something that's theoretically better but a twat to store and distribute.

This is probably the most important part - as you say, even at 70% but a fifth of the price and much easier to distribute it becomes the clear option. They are already producing the vaccine in 10 sites globally, and it's a non-profit venture apparently, so will be huge for second and third-tier countries.

[Batch]

I don’t think the team behind it quite understand why the figures vary so much, so probably why the caution. And/or small sample sizes not statistically significant

Yeah, with 20,000 on the trial they didn't say what the sub group sizes were. I'm guessing not that big.
They also said 2 strong strength doses dropped the numbers to 62%...

It almost feels dissapointing the effectiveness is "only" 70%. I think though the point was made that when they started 70% would be seen as a massively good result.

Presumably it's only 70% effective as it only attacks the virus from three sides?

very good!

[pauld]

Fully agree with the analysis above, but there is something so 2020 Britain with us buying the 70% effective vaccine when others are 20% more effective.

On a dose by dose basis, it may be 20% more effective, but if you can't get hold of it and it's a PITA to store/distribute then it's probably less "real world" effective

[horlock07]

.

[horlock07]

On a dose by dose basis, it may be 20% more effective, but if you can't get hold of it and it's a PITA to store/distribute then it's probably less "real world" effective

I wasn't being entirely serious, hence starting with confirming that I agreed with what was being written above.

[Batch]

Another thing ...

Nobody getting the vaccine developed severe-Covid or needed hospital treatment.

If that's because the vaccine reduces severity in those that still get it - then that really is fantastic news.

If.

[Flashheart]

Finally a light at the end of a shit-storm of a tunnel.

Still a long way to go, mind.

[pauld]

Another thing ...

If that's because the vaccine reduces severity in those that still get it - then that really is fantastic news.

If.

That did seem to be what Professor CleverBloke* was saying on the radio this morning. They still don't know if it stops you spreading it though.


* may not be his real name

[Batch]

OK, yes, maybe you could still spread it.

I think that's true of all the vaccine as things stand isn't it (i.e. they don't know)?

[Jimmy HaveHave]

I'm surprised the government won't make it compulsory as nobody knows how long the vaccine will last and if there are a few million that don't have it then it will never go away

[pauld]

OK, yes, maybe you could still spread it.

I think that's true of all the vaccine as things stand isn't it (i.e. they don't know)?

All the 3 announced COVID vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Oxford AstraZeneca), yes.

[pauld]

I'm surprised the government won't make it compulsory as nobody knows how long the vaccine will last and if there are a few million that don't have it then it will never go away

That isn't true. No vaccine has 100% coverage or even close. Estimates for "herd immunity" (the point at which a vaccine has sufficient coverage in the population that it also provides protection to those who aren't vaccinated) range from around 80-90+%, depending on the disease. Obviously we don't know what the threshold will be for COVID

https://theconversation.com/what-is-herd-immunity-and-how-many-people-need-to-be-vaccinated-to-protect-a-community-116355

[Jimmy HaveHave]

That isn't true. No vaccine has 100% coverage or even close. Estimates for "herd immunity" (the point at which a vaccine has sufficient coverage in the population that it also provides protection to those who aren't vaccinated) range from around 80-90+%, depending on the disease. Obviously we don't know what the threshold will be for COVID

https://theconversation.com/what-is-herd-immunity-and-how-many-people-need-to-be-vaccinated-to-protect-a-community-116355

Good information
Cheers 😃

[horlock07]

Finally a light at the end of a shit-storm of a tunnel.

Still a long way to go, mind.

lets hope its not just a train coming the other way...

 

That did seem to be what Professor CleverBloke* was saying on the radio this morning. They still don't know if it stops you spreading it though.


* may not be his real name

I don't think any of the vaccines will stop you spreading it, that's the fear when the programme starts, that people who are vaxxed will think they can immediately go back to normal, which could lead to a massive spike as those who can't get it but can spread it start circulating spreading it to the non vaxxed.

I am sure someone more intelligent than me will know the answer, but I assume they will be looking for x% of the population to be vaxxed before they relax things.

[Jimmy HaveHave]

Let's hope the vaccine last similar to small pox 3-5 years