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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: Nic. on Wednesday 09 December 20 10:25 GMT (UK)
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I understand that the message to book appointments together with a code for the vaccine are being sent out via text message. My parents both in their 80’s don’t have a phone they can text from, so how will they be contacted. Has anyone else come across this problem.
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Ask their local surgery.
Fair bet it will be the same contact method as they get their flu jab invitation
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From the bbc news
“You will be invited to book an appointment to get a vaccine as soon as it is your turn, probably by letter”
Mike
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Unfortunately the surgery they are registered with was temporarily closed in March because of Covid and all the patients were passed to another branch of the practice. Dealing with this surgery has not been fun. I will phone the temporary surgery and see if reception will give an answer. My father is 87 and in remission.
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My mum and her sister (both over 90) have just received appointments for vaccination next week. The surgery contacted my aunt by phone (she's the older one) and when it was suggested that they visit as a pair it was readily accepted.
The jabs will be done at the surgery rather than trailing 18 miles to the big hospital (which always involves parking problems and walking long distances).
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I phoned the surgery, the receptionist wasn’t sure how they would be contacted as they didn’t have a mobile.
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This is the notice that is from my GPs' website:
Important Update – COVID-19 Vaccine
The NHS will start administering the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available. This is really good news we have a vaccine which is approved for use and we would encourage our patients to have the vaccine.
The first cohort will be patients over 80 years old and the vaccines will not be administered at the surgery as they will be done on a larger scale and a larger venue will be used. Although the practice will not be administering the vaccine it is likely we will be booking the appointments for the selected sites and are currently awaiting the go ahead to do this. Please do not contact the surgery to arrange a appointment for a vaccine as we will contact patients the patients in each cohort when we are advised to. Please note we have not yet been advised how this will be administered to our housebound patients but we have been asked to make patients aware if they are able to be taken to the site for their vaccine wherever possible this would be better due to how the vaccine is stored and it is likely vaccines at the site would be administered sooner.
Add - for flu vaccines and routine checkups, they send text message, phone and/or letters. As we are 76 and 75, I assume that we will be contact by one or more of these methods.
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The ONS tells me there are two and a quarter million over 80s in the uk, with 800,000 doses available now, 400.000 treatments, it’s going to take some time as everyone needs a second dose after approx three weeks.
Plus you cannot deliver the first dose unless you are absolutely sure the second dose is available, not just promised.
Mike
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What has worried them is they live in a row with others who are in their 80s who have been contacted but via text. So they were trying to check how the system is working.
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The ONS tells me there are two and a quarter million over 80s in the uk, with 800,000 doses available now, 400.000 treatments, it’s going to take some time as everyone needs a second dose after approx three weeks.
Plus you cannot deliver the first dose unless you are absolutely sure the second dose is available, not just promised.
Mike
Somewhere I saw the population estimates for each of the vaccine priority groups but I can't find it now. I remember that there were about 5.5 m over 75s but there were also care workers and NHS staff who had to be added in, which was then calculated as about 9 m in the top 3 priorities.
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The ONS tells me there are two and a quarter million over 80s in the uk, with 800,000 doses available now, 400.000 treatments, it’s going to take some time as everyone needs a second dose after approx three weeks.
Plus you cannot deliver the first dose unless you are absolutely sure the second dose is available, not just promised.
Mike
Somewhere I saw the population estimates for each of the vaccine priority groups but I can't find it now. I remember that there were about 5.5 m over 75s but there were also care workers and NHS staff who had to be added in, which was then calculated as about 9 m in the top 3 priorities.
Don’t do the maths, it’s frightening ;D ;D ;D ;D
From what I have seen it doesn’t come in ready loaded syringes, you have to draw dose out from bulk, some people may have to relearn skills they have not used for ages. :) :) :)
Mike
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I am sure I have read that the second dose for those having the first dose is NOT being reserved, there is an assumption that more supplies will arrive before they are required; so all doses in the country can be used for first vaccinations.
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I am sure I have read that the second dose for those having the first dose is NOT being reserved, there is an assumption that more supplies will arrive before they are required; so all doses in the country can be used for first vaccinations.
I read this, which makes more sense, as if a second dose didn't arrive on time for some reason the first dose would be wasted.
"The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer jab, enough to vaccinate 20 million people, as people need to receive two doses.There are 800,000 doses in the first tranche, meaning that 400,000 people will be vaccinated initially.
The vaccines have been stored in undisclosed secure locations to ensure the security of the vaccine and of those storing and delivering it."
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Ask their local surgery.
Fair bet it will be the same contact method as they get their flu jab invitation
This from "The Guardian" 2nd Dec about how to get a Covid-19 vaccination. I've heard the same message on BBC.
Q. "Should I contact my GP or pharmacy?"
A. "No. .... NHS will contact people once it's their turn to be vaccinated."
NHS don't want phone lines clogged up with thousands of people enquiring about Coronavirus vaccinations. It's a case of waiting until you're sent for. A health official person said the other day that over-80's shouldn't be anxious if they don't get an appointment this month.
Logistics of this are far more complex than for annual flu vaccines. The cavalry might have arrived but it's the health service infantry who are now mobilising.
Each consignment from Belgium is electronically tracked. I heard an interview today with an overseer of Belgian ports. The news item was about Brexit. He said freight in & out of Belgian ports was flowing freely as normal, unlike French and British ports. UK gov. has a contingency plan to use M.o.D. to fly in COVID-19 vaccines if necessary.
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Yes it does have to be drawn up from a vial. Each vial has enough for 5 people.
I learnt this yesterday as a friend who has done a lot of volunteering at her local hospital this year was helping with the vaccinations. They were checking temperatures and details of the recipients before it was administered by a medic. At the end of the session once all the bookings had been done there was 2 doses left. The medic in charge asked her and the other helper if they would like to be vaccinated as it would be wasted otherwise. She was surprised and thrilled, well deserved I say with all the volunteering and charity fundraising she’s done this year.
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I think I read that when GP surgeries start giving the vaccine, it will be certain local GP 'hubs' which will do it, not each individual practice.
This would be much more efficient & also if any of the vaccinees (I just made that word up haha) have the virus when they arrive, it contains the spread.
I had my diabetic retinopathy eye check done last week at a medical centre in the town, the young technician said most GP surgeries are not hosting this service at the moment for that reason.
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Yes, that's what the receptionist at my doctor's said when I spoke to her today re arranging a blood test. She said as far as she knew it is at the local hospital at the moment, but other places will be made available as more people are invited to have it. The problem with it being at the hospital is the lack of parking, so most people will have to go by bus. I don't fancy that. Ideally they need somewhere with a large car park.
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For us, they intend to use the local large hall and free parking for those being vaccinated. Volunteers to be recruited to serve as stewards/marshalls. Just announced on local town facebook page.
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For us, they intend to use the local large hall and free parking for those being vaccinated. Volunteers to be recruited to serve as stewards/marshalls. Just announced on local town facebook page.
That sounds ideal.
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I hear our local football stadium is being prepared.
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The neighbour of a friend of mine was contacted by phone last week offering her an appointment with only one hour's notice. The problem was that it was at a large hospital 40 miles from where she lives. She doesn't drive and even if she did the journey would take just over an hour, without counting time needed for parking. She had to decline the appointment as there was no way she could get there in time.
Will she now be recorded as refusing the vaccination? Or will she be offered another (and more realistically achievable) appointment?
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Was that a genuine call Lizzie?
This is from our local site and seems to indicate that there would be room to negotiate a time:
You’ll be called by a staff member from a number starting ****
The caller will identify themselves and say they are calling on behalf of your GP and they are getting in touch about booking an appointment for a Coronavirus vaccine.
The caller will then offer dates and times for them to attend clinic. They will also give the location of the site where you will receive it. This may not be your usual health surgery.
You’ll also be given the time, date and location for the second dose of the vaccination if you are receiving the Pfizer vaccination. It is vital, you return and keep your second appointment 21 days later.
The callers booking vaccinations will not ask for any other personal details other than asking you to confirm your name. They certainly will not ask for any money (we have already been alerted to possible phone scams with callers asking for payment for access to vaccinations).
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My friend thought it was genuine, and certainly no money was asked for.
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Your friend’s own medical practice would hopefully give the best advice. It seems most unreasonable to expect a response with such a limited appointment.
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I’m going to answer my own question.
Their surgery decided to announce via Facebook late on Friday that they would start taking bookings for appointments from Monday. My parents don’t ‘do’ Facebook like many of their generation.
Fortunately I spotted it, they get their 1st shot on Thursday.
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That's appalling, relying on facebook for communication - many of us don't have an account for a plethora or reasons.
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That’s what I thought.
So locally I’m contacting as many I know on the internet so they can pass the word around to anyone of my parents generation or knows people in that age group.
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That seems to go against the official advice I have read so far which asks people not to contact their own surgery as people will be contacted. Whilst our surgery announces news on Facebook, it contacts by other means.
Maybe different areas are operating in different ways.
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My new surgery seems to use Facebook. It has its pros & cons. Not everyone is on Facebook.
It results in people disclosing health information to the world while pleading their case to get a booking for the next flu vaccination clinic. Bookings are even made via Facebook.
There has to be a better way to advertise their services.
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How very strange. I thought that most GP practices had informative websites and had the facility for patients to register online to access their records, make bookings and order prescriptions - such as Systmonline or similar NHS aps.
Mine does.
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Ours too, Gadget.
I can’t imagine that people would /or have to use an open forum for medical needs.
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It appears to this surgeries choice to communicate it’s hours and clinics. But at least you still have to phone to make an appointment.
The problem is that you just don’t know how each surgery is going to choose how to communicate.
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Just this minute announced on the news, you will be contacted by your surgery.
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Ours too, Gadget.
I can’t imagine that people would /or have to use an open forum for medical needs.
I would have thought that it breaches confidentiality.
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People seems to say things quite freely - it's not a good idea. I don't think people realise quite how open Facebook is.
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My surgery has Systemonline which is good but for news & updates the website is dire. Not many surgeries can update their own websites & seem to drag their feet about using [perhaps having to pay] the services of their website designer to communicate 'News' although they have a section supposedly devoted to it.
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Lucky me then - see Reply #6
:)
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I think the current situation has highlighted that many surgeries are not very good at communicating.
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The problem is that all surgeries are very busy. Staff get ill or are needing to isolate just like the rest of us.
They are trying to make sure everyone can get advice and treatment whilst keeping themselves safe.
They are still doing flu clinics and now have to think about Covid vaccinations.
People are phoning them the ask about these clinics meaning that ill people can't get through for advice or an appointment.
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I have just looked at my practice's website, which is probably a good one, and in the section on vaccination it says in red letters:-
"You do not need to contact the surgery until you receive a letter, text or phone call about getting the Covid-19 vaccines."
There does not seem to be a facebook page - it had never occurred to me that there might be!
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I have just looked at my practice's website, which is probably a good one, and in the section on vaccination it says in red letters:-
"You do not need to contact the surgery until you receive a letter, text or phone call about getting the Covid-19 vaccines."
There does not seem to be a facebook page - it had never occurred to me that there might be!
Similar message on my local health board site and on NHS Inform Scotland website. NHS Inform has a link for leaflets about Coronavirus vaccination to download or send for and a phone number for information. My GP practice website directed me to NHS Inform Scotland site.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine
A GP Facebook page hadn't occurred to me either. Prompted by this thread, I've found the one for my practice but it only has 21 followers and most posts are from the same half-a-dozen patients, basically saying they've gone to the doctor and what's wrong with them. As another post on this thread says, some people give too much information.
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The Times has a calculator for estimating when we'll be vaccinated. It ask for age, postcode, medical conditions, care home res, care/nhs worker.
I was told to expect to be vaccinated next month.
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Interesting that it asks for postcode, a different one I looked at didn't ask for that information which puzzled me - the demographic of the area is bound to be a factor in the result.
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The one I used said between 31/01/2021 and 27/02/2021, fingers crossed that it is right.
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The one I used said between 31/01/2021 and 27/02/2021, fingers crossed that it is right.
My result was the same but millions of people before me :-\
My husband had his on Wednesday with an hour and a half’s notice! I queried that short time earlier thinking it couldn’t happen. ::)
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My husband had his on Wednesday with an hour and a half’s notice! I queried that short time earlier thinking it couldn’t happen. ::)
Hope was able to get there in time - unlike my friend's friend - her TARDIS being in for a service :D.
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Yes, it is only a short car ride. I couldn’t believe it after my query here.
There was an issue which was reported in the local paper. There was a long queue - outside- and altogether he was there about an hour.
Earlier in the day, the weather had been heavy rain and there were several complaints. Some or most of the people were elderly/vulnerable and it was just not right.
His 2nd appointment has been rearranged now to avoid a similar situation.
He is, however, thankful that he has received it.
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Did he have any side effects, heywood, or was it like the flu jab?
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Gadget, he had slight tenderness/stiffness around the site when he raised and waved his arm so guess what - he didn’t do that. ;)
The first night he said he could feel it when he slept on that side so thankfully, really, it has been fine.
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I just tried the calculator, end Jan for me. I presume if the Oxford/Astrozeneca and/or Moderna vaccines get approved soon the 'queue' will get shorter?
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Thanks, heywood :)
As I'm left handed, I'll make sure they give it to me in my right arm.
We must be in the same age group, josey, or you might be a tiny bit younger!
add - just used another calculator and it says the last two weeks in Jan, so we are about the same age ;)
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if the Oxford/Astrozeneca and/or Moderna vaccines get approved soon the 'queue' will get shorter?
One would hope so but there's a finite number of people able to give the jab so I wouldn't get your hopes up.
Something else, starting in about a fortnight there will be people needing jab 2, so if the numbers currently being freshly vaccinated continue at their current level there will be a need to double capacity of healthcare professionals able to deliver it.
Sadly I don't see Boris's earlier assertion that everybody who wants one will be vaccinated by Easter 2021 as being very achievable.
Jane :-)
A mere spring chicken in priority group 7
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My husband had a call from the surgery midweek and had his jab this morning. There were only a few in the well-spaced queue, he felt no pain and was seated for a short while afterwards. We were only out of the house for 1 hour! (I have to wait for mine as I am younger.)
rayard.
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I’m currently in group 9 so along way off.
When it comes down to people trained to give the jab NHS Responder has asked for volunteers to come forward to be trained and give under supervision.
My niece who was trained in a travel clinic many years ago was going to respond. I’ve been doing what I can to help but I don’t think I will be responding to that request. I will continue to be a taxi.
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I suppose there probably are quite a few people qualified to give the vaccine - pharmacists and paramedics for example. Just hope I don't get given mine by a vet, or it might be in the scruff of the neck. ;D
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I agree there are probably many more people currently qualified to deliver the vaccine than are already doing so. The problem is that they are otherwise engaged, doing their day jobs, dispensing medication, answering 999 calls, sticking thermometers into unspeakable places on our furry friends ;)
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When it comes down to people trained to give the jab NHS Responder has asked for volunteers to come forward to be trained and give under supervision.
I heard that today too; I used to give intramuscular injections & take blood as part of laboratory duties so I think I will apply, however they may not consider me suitable because of my age even though I have good health.
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sticking thermometers into unspeakable places on our furry friends ;)
Even more reason to hope you don't get given it by a vet!
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I just tried the calculator, end Jan for me. I presume if the Oxford/Astrozeneca and/or Moderna vaccines get approved soon the 'queue' will get shorter?
I've just tried a calculator - September 2021 for me ::)
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I think I've a bit more faith in our Vet than the doctor ... see the same one each time, at least!
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I think I've a bit more faith in our Vet than the doctor ... see the same one each time, at least!
And a Vet has to undergo longer training than a Doctor. ;D ;D ;D
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I heard that today too; I used to give intramuscular injections & take blood as part of laboratory duties so I think I will apply, however they may not consider me suitable because of my age even though I have good health.
I was in the Red Cross in my youth and I'm sure we were shown how to but can't remember. I think oranges came into it ::)
I would be happy to be trained up but not sure if there's an age limit. :)
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I'm sure the vet will have washed his hands first groom ;D
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I think I've a bit more faith in our Vet than the doctor ... see the same one each time, at least!
And a Vet has to undergo longer training than a Doctor. ;D ;D ;D
Doctors only have to learn about one species though.
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I think I've a bit more faith in our Vet than the doctor ... see the same one each time, at least!
And a Vet has to undergo longer training than a Doctor. ;D ;D ;D
Doctors only have to learn about one species though.
Before Covid my Wife and I went to see our GP regarding a health issue.
When asked why we were not being referred to a Consultant our GP showed us his computer screen where he had called up a Flowchart.
He said that until he had exhausted the tests, checks, and we had tried the various medications listed on the Flowchart he could not refer us to a Consultant.
So yes a GP may only have to learn about one species but they now have to be an IT wizz.
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First Covid vaccinations here, Isle of Man, delayed until the New Year.
But, as we haven't got a Covid problem, then I don't see that as being an issue? ;D
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Matt Hancock has just said that he’s “highly confident we’ll get things back to normal by 2022”
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Plus MH has announced that we now have a second "variation" to deal with.
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Matt Hancock has just said that he’s “highly confident we’ll get things back to normal by 2022”
Only a year to go :(
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Matt Hancock has just said that he’s “highly confident we’ll get things back to normal by 2022”
Only a year to go :(
It’ll soon pass ::)
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It looks as if the two cases of the new mutation found in England have been brought in from South Africa.
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And the Oxford- AZ vaccine is now waiting approval - all data submitted.
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Approval of that will be a real new year tonic.
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the worry is that the Oxford vaccine might only be approved for the under 55s until more data is generated on older age groups.
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That will be good though for that group of people, Lizzie and ease the general situation.
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the worry is that the Oxford vaccine might only be approved for the under 55s until more data is generated on older age groups.
that's all right then, the youngsters can get on with their lives and we'll leave our elderly relatives in their care homes, isolated from family because we live in the wrong tiers and unable to get the Pfizer vaccine because it's too difficult to administer to people who need two carers just to peel back all the layers to expose a bit of arm and will go 'off' anyway because of the tropical environment.
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the worry is that the Oxford vaccine might only be approved for the under 55s until more data is generated on older age groups.
Why is that a worry Lizzie? Particularly as it is we, under 55s, who are more likely to contract Covid (mostly due to our workplaces - there are a whole load of non-healthcare keyworkers who cannot avoid mixing with other people).
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the worry is that the Oxford vaccine might only be approved for the under 55s until more data is generated on older age groups.
that's all right then, the youngsters can get on with their lives and we'll leave our elderly relatives in their care homes, isolated from family because we live in the wrong tiers and unable to get the Pfizer vaccine because it's too difficult to administer to people who need two carers just to peel back all the layers to expose a bit of arm and will go 'off' anyway because of the tropical environment.
Well I would be delighted if my children could go to work with no worries of catching the virus and be able to do their jobs without the rigours and constraints they are currently working under.
I would also be thrilled if my grandchildren could go to school without interruption and be able to mix with their friends, play sports and enjoy their young lives.
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I have just had a text from my doctors to say they are starting vaccinations soon, not that I expect to be high on the list.
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So will I be jabbed by my 76th at the end of February :-\
and it looks like there's going to be a deal announced in the next hour or so!
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What ever age they decide to give the Oxford vaccine to, it will all help to ease the situation for everyone regardless of our age.
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the worry is that the Oxford vaccine might only be approved for the under 55s until more data is generated on older age groups.
Why is that a worry Lizzie? Particularly as it is we, under 55s, who are more likely to contract Covid (mostly due to our workplaces - there are a whole load of non-healthcare keyworkers who cannot avoid mixing with other people).
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heywood et al I'd be delighted also if we could just get back to some semblance of normality and know what the rules are from day to day. I don't begrudge the working population getting their jab ahead of me but whatever vaccine is used the rate of vaccination will be throttled by availability of clinicians rather than availability of vaccine. The Oxford vaccine is cheaper than the Pfizer one and easier to handle. It is much quicker to jab the able-bodied, who can get themselves to the necessary venue, than to take it into a care home, spend a whole day there and still only get round half the residents (and waste the rest of the batch). I can understand it makes perfect sense to make use of a comparatively cheap vaccine to get people back to work and kids back to school, but they still won't be able to hug Granny because she's still vulnerable, and is likely to remain so until an easy-to-handle vaccine is proven to be safe for the elderly.
Whatever we're told, care homes are still way down the list. LFTs and indoor visits yet another unfulfilled hope. Meanwhile staff bring the virus in and mean that scarce visits for family have to be cancelled at the last minute.
Despite losing my Dad to covid in lockdown 1 and my Mum no longer recognising me I've spent the past 9 months telling myself we will get through this, I have a roof over my head and lots to be thankful for, please forgive me for being a bit down today.
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A few of points relevant to the discussion.
1) It's likely that the under 50s will not be vaccinated. In October, Kate Bingham, the then head of the vaccine task force, had this to say on the matter.
Financial Times
04 Oct 2020
Less than half UK population to receive coronavirus vaccine, says task force head
https://www.ft.com/content/d2e00128-7889-4d5d-84a3-43e51355a751
“People keep talking about ‘time to vaccinate the whole population’, but that is misguided,” she said. “There’s going to be no vaccination of people under 18. It’s an adult-only vaccine, for people over 50, focusing on health workers and care home workers and the vulnerable.”
2) The covid vaccines may not stop the recipient being infected or transmitting the virus. The vaccines have been tested on the basis of preventing the development of the disease or symptoms.
So recipients would likely still need to adhere to the general guidelines (eg wearing of masks, social distancing etc).
Science News
08 December 2020
Here’s what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-19-coronavirus-vaccines-questions-social-distance-mask-transmission
Can you still get infected, and infect others, if you get vaccinated?
Possibly. None of the vaccines tested so far have been 100 percent effective so some vaccinated people may still catch the coronavirus.
What’s more, neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine trials tested whether the vaccines prevent people from being infected with the virus. Those trials, instead, focused on whether people were shielded from developing disease symptoms. That means that it’s not clear whether vaccinated people could still develop asymptomatic infections — and thus still be able to spread the virus to others.
3) There's a lot of questions about the trials of the Oxford vaccine. And because of the limited demographic of the volunteers it's efficacy for those over 55 is uncertain.
Wired
25 November 202
The AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine Data Isn't Up to Snuff
https://www.wired.com/story/the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-data-isnt-up-to-snuff/
Overall, the Oxford-AstraZeneca trials appear to include relatively few participants over the age of 55, even though this group is especially vulnerable to Covid-19.
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Despite losing my Dad to covid in lockdown 1 and my Mum no longer recognising me I've spent the past 9 months telling myself we will get through this, I have a roof over my head and lots to be thankful for, please forgive me for being a bit down today.
I'm very sorry to hear about your parents familydar. We will get through this eventually, some more scathed than others unfortunately. And I'm sure everyone on these forums fully understands your feeling down.
I hope my previous post on this thread hasn't affected your mood any more for the worse.
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no worries cuffie81
Jane :-)
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Me too, Jane.
I have friends in a similar situation to you and my heart goes out to you. Whichever way we look at it, there are very real problems because of the large scale delivery of the vaccine.
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According to the Health Service Journal:
Ages 80 plus – from mid-December
Everyone aged 70-80 – from late December
Everyone aged 65-70 – from early January
All high and moderate risk under 65s – from early January
Everyone aged 50-65 – from mid January
Everyone aged 18-50 – from late January, but with the bulk of this group vaccinated during March.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/20/covid-vaccine-to-roll-out-to-under-50s-in-the-uk-by-end-of-january-13629232/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
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Was that a pig I just saw fly past my window?
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Are newspapers and American magazines the best source of information?
Metro is part of the daily mail group.
Wired is part of the Conde Naste group, publishers of Vogue, GQ and others.
Mike
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Mike, those targets might be hit or might be missed. A GP in N.E. England on news today. It was intended that his practice start vaccinations this week but now postponed until early January as the specialist IT hasn't arrived. So he's stood down the vaccination staff for a fortnight. Much time of his practice receptionists is taken up with Covid vaccination enquiries. The GP and his receptionists aren't unique in this situation.
I'm in a lower category in Phase 1. I shan't be expecting a January invitation. I'm hopeful for spring.
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Are newspapers and American magazines the best source of information?
Metro is part of the daily mail group.
Wired is part of the Conde Naste group, publishers of Vogue, GQ and others.
Mike
I'm quite sure what relevance the parent company has to do with anything, let alone the parent company's other publications.
The author of the Wired article I linked to is an experienced science writer. But if you're still not convinced then you can read much the same questions being raised in other publications.
New Scientist
27 November 2020
Do Oxford/AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine results stand up to scrutiny?
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2261092-do-oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-results-stand-up-to-scrutiny/
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According to the Health Service Journal:
Ages 80 plus – from mid-December
Everyone aged 70-80 – from late December
Everyone aged 65-70 – from early January
All high and moderate risk under 65s – from early January
Everyone aged 50-65 – from mid January
Everyone aged 18-50 – from late January, but with the bulk of this group vaccinated during March.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/20/covid-vaccine-to-roll-out-to-under-50s-in-the-uk-by-end-of-january-13629232/?ito=cbshare
The Telegraph also has that timetable, and has the highest groups as:
- Group 1 (older care home residents and care home workers; 1.1M) - beginning of Dec
- Group 2 (80+, health workers and social workers; 5M) - from mid-Dec
- Group 3 (75+; 2.3M) - from late Dec
- Group 4 (70+; 3.3M) - from late Dec
Given that the UK has only administered 0.5M doses in 2 weeks (by 21 Dec) it seems unlikely they could vaccinate all of groups 1 & 2 by the end of the month. And using just the Pfizer vaccine it would be impossible, as the UK is only expected to get 5M doses this year. So that timetable seems to have slipped already.
The Telegraph
23 December 2020
Covid-19 vaccine: Latest updates on Oxford, Moderna and Pfizer breakthroughs - and who will get it first?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/0/covid-19-vaccine-moderna-oxford-pfizer-update-coronavirus/
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Our local council posted yesterday (22nd December) that one fifth of over 80s in the town have been vaccinated in the first week.
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The timetable will surely vary depending on the demographic of the area - the fewer over 80s there are the quicker they'll get onto the next group so even if they can make an estimate that's all it's going to be. There will also be other factors that come into play such as how many people are available in each area to carry out the vaccinations.
If people did as they were told and wait to hear from their doctor as to when they would get the jab, the doctors' receptionists wouldn't be overrun with queries.
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My Mrs and I are in Group 4 and so far zilch from our GP or the Local Hospital regarding our vaccinations.
Not that I was expecting anything until late Jan or early Feb.
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I agree there are probably many more people currently qualified to deliver the vaccine than are already doing so. The problem is that they are otherwise engaged, doing their day jobs, dispensing medication, answering 999 calls, sticking thermometers into unspeakable places on our furry friends ;)
There's likely to be a shortage of vets after 1st January. Not enough of them to carry out checks at ports which will be required after Brexit.
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Mike, those targets might be hit or might be missed.
Without a doubt.
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Headline in one of the Sunday rags is that a million vaccines have so far been given.
But it is a Tory paper hence of dubious accuracy.
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That number might be correct Biggles. The number of vaccines given is now included on the UK covid daily summary, under the Healthcare (https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/healthcare) section. As of week ending 20th Dec it states a total of ~617K 1st doses have been given.
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the worry is that the Oxford vaccine might only be approved for the under 55s until more data is generated on older age groups.
Different flu vaccines are given depending on age and other factors.
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My understanding is that a second shot is needed to give maximum protection.
Does it have to be the same vaccine? That could mean a lot of administration to get the procedure right.
I anticipate an invitation end January/early Feb. (Still wondering if my holiday cancelled from April 2020 and moved to April 2021 will happen - but glad we did not go for October 2020, which would have been another cancellation)
FS
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My understanding is that a second shot is needed to give maximum protection.
Does it have to be the same vaccine? That could mean a lot of administration to get the procedure right.
Yes, same vaccine. The licence is on that basis.
Covid vaccination programme is more complex than the annual flu vaccination.
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Latest numbers of vaccines administered in the UK. It looks like the numbers for week ending 20th Dec have also been revised upwards.
People who have received vaccinations
| Week ending date | Weekly: 1st dose | Cumulative: 1st dose |
| 27-12-2020 | 303,423 | 944,539 |
| 20-12-2020 | 610,218 | 641,116 |
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/healthcare
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I had hoped to volunteer as a vaccinator but couldn't get through the NHS site which seemed to go in circles. Have now volunteered as a steward at the village vaccination centre.
They might say that at 76 I am too old..... :(
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Now its three months between each injection of the vaccine.
So instead of a 7 week period to maximum protection it is now 15 weeks!
Pee up in a Brewery comes to mind!
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Biggles,
For the Pfizer vaccine it may be worse than you say. Based on 21 days between the 1st and 2nd dose research suggests it reached 95% efficacy just 7 days after the second dose. So just 4 weeks to 95% efficacy.
The BMJ
Covid-19: Pfizer vaccine efficacy was 52% after first dose and 95% after second dose, paper shows
https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4826
Seven or more days after the second dose, vaccine efficacy then rose to 95% (90.3% to 97.6%), with eight covid-19 cases reported in the vaccine group and 162 cases in the placebo group.
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I can't help thinking this breezy claim by the UK experts that 12 weeks gap is fine, is all to do with the fact they won't be able to actually roll out the programme in less than that (Hmmm sound familiar?Track/test and Trace?)
Especially as Pfizer themselves have queried this assumption in relation to their own vaccine. Only a couple of weeks ago we were being told how essential it was to use the limited stock the UK had to give the double dose.
I still can't get away from the 62% efficacy score for the Oxford vaccine. A higher score was found with the 'accidental' half dose - but as far as I know they didn't wait 12 weeks to give the follow up.
They try to convince us by sayingthe flu vaccine is only 50% effective - but that's mainly because there are so many very different flu viruses & they only jab you for the one they think will be prevalent that year. And anyone who thinks Covid can be compared with flu has obviously slept through most of 2020 so I don't know why they are even talking about the flu vaccine.
We've been waiting for 'the data' for MRHA approval - but as yet I've seen no data that confirms this 12 week gap which has suddenly been announced.
Sorry I'm sceptical at the moment but we've been let down too many times for me to believe anything they say.
Pat
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I think quite a few of us are sceptical, Pat. Cuffie and I raised it on the 'Oxford - AZ Approved' thread
There seems to be little info to back up the 12 week claim. The Pfizer/BioNtech people have said that their data was with the 3 week gap.
I'll still have the vaccine when offered but will still keep to the rules.
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Where in the queue are you ? One example.
For 70 - Based on your profile, there are between 6,029,525 and 9,926,645 people in front of you in the queue for a COVID vaccine across the UK.
Given a vaccination rate of 1,000,000 a week and an uptake of 70.6%, you should expect to receive your two doses of vaccine and be fully protected by between 26/03/2021 and 20/05/2021.
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-uk
Happy New Year Everyone.
Hope its a safe one.
Sandra
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I used that calculator a while ago, when it came up as a link in The Times and other newspapers, and found I'd received my first vaccination at end of January. At that stage, it didn't calculate immunity.
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The dates given in that example are at least 6/7 weeks more than they were even 10 days ago !! Doubt they are any where near correct.
Sandra
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If you adjust the rate of vaccination and the % uptake as well as age, etc., you can get a wide range of possible dates.
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I was just comparing like for like, not adding in anything different.
Sandra
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Yes- it's just that we don't know the actual values -
e.g. I adjusted the rate and the uptake and got this
Given a vaccination rate of 2,000,000 a week and an uptake of 80%, you should expect to receive your two doses of vaccine and be fully protected by between 30/04/2021 and 13/05/2021.
add- and this -
Given a vaccination rate of 600,000 a week and an uptake of 80%, you should expect to receive your two doses of vaccine and be fully protected by between 27/04/2021 and 09/06/2021.
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I just looked at that and did the straight forward calculation - disappointing. It shows between 26/03/2021 and 20/05/2021.
When I did it earlier, it was end of January - end of February.
My husband is expecting a call from our doctor’s surgery to cancel his second one due next week in view of the recent announcements.
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Is the real problem not that the future supplies of vaccines is by no means guaranteed, so the best use for what we have got is to give a dose to as many as possible.
50% success does not mean half work and half fail, everyone will get some protection, but at a reduced rate, which may enough to keep them alive.
Keeping us alive is the no.one priority, to reduce the burden on hospitals and give us breathing space.
Mike
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Just get the jab when it's offered and keep wearing a mask, keep your distance and wash hands.
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https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/C0994-System-letter-COVID-19-vaccination-deployment-planning-30-December-2020.pdf
Sandra
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Just get the jab when it's offered and keep wearing a mask, keep your distance and wash hands.
That’s just what we will do.
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I just looked at that and did the straight forward calculation - disappointing. It shows between 26/03/2021 and 20/05/2021.
When I did it earlier, it was end of January - end of February.
My husband is expecting a call from our doctor’s surgery to cancel his second one due next week in view of the recent announcements.
I hope your husband can get his 2nd jab next week, heywood :)
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I just looked at that and did the straight forward calculation - disappointing. It shows between 26/03/2021 and 20/05/2021.
When I did it earlier, it was end of January - end of February.
My husband is expecting a call from our doctor’s surgery to cancel his second one due next week in view of the recent announcements.
I hope your husband can get his 2nd jab next week, heywood :)
Bro. In law has had his second appointment cancelled via phone.
Mike
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https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/C0994-System-letter-COVID-19-vaccination-deployment-planning-30-December-2020.pdf
Much the same information is also available on the government's website[1] but it also has some additional detail about the priority groups.
A related article[2] on the BBC News website has details of the priority groups with the numbers in each group. So if you're in one of these groups you should be able to figure out roughly where you'll be in the 'queue' (but not the date as there's numerous variables at play).
In yesterday's The Telegraph there was an article[3] that seems, to me, to sum up the situation fairly well re. the vaccine rollout over the coming months, and details the various variables.
Many of those variables could change in the coming weeks so I'm taking those online vaccine date calculators with a hefty pinch of salt.
[1] Gov.UK: Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation: advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination, 30 December 2020
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/priority-groups-for-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-advice-from-the-jcvi-30-december-2020/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation-advice-on-priority-groups-for-covid-19-vaccination-30-december-2020
[2] BBC News: Covid: Doctors call for rapid rollout of vaccines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55500238
[3] The Telegraph: Welcome to the year of the vaccine. What could possibly go wrong?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/12/31/welcome-year-vaccine-could-possibly-go-wrong/
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One recent positive change is that authorities have changed the guidance for those with allergies.
Previously, for the Pfizer vaccine, people with a wide range allergies couldn't be given the vaccine. The guidance now seems to be that only those that have known allergies to the ingredients used in the vaccines cannot be given the vaccines.
Links [2] and [3] below detail the ingredients in the Pzifer and AZ vaccines.
[1] Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine approved
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/oxford-universityastrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-approved
Additional updates relating to use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
The CHM has also reviewed further data for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as it has become available and has recommended the following changes:
- Allergies - anyone with a previous history of allergic reactions to the ingredients of the vaccine should not receive it, but those with any other allergies such as a food allergy can now have the vaccine.
[2] Information for UK recipients on Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine - GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/information-for-uk-recipients-on-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine
[3] Information for UK recipients on COVID 19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca/information-for-uk-recipients-on-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca
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I know exactly one person who has actually had the first shot - and his 2nd one will now be .... postponed.
I suppose it sounds better to say that X thousand injections have been given, than that halfX people have been treated properly.
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Just get the jab when it's offered and keep wearing a mask, keep your distance and wash hands.
Yes that's what I intend to do, Gadget. Wise advice
Pat
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Just get the jab when it's offered and keep wearing a mask, keep your distance and wash hands.
Yes that's what I intend to do, Gadget. Wise advice
Pat
I quite agree.
I don’t see the point in deliberating over who gets what, how or when. We should just be thankful that they have managed to develop vaccines so quickly, and accept that it’s a massive task to vaccinate the majority of the population.
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My understanding is that a second shot is needed to give maximum protection.
Does it have to be the same vaccine? That could mean a lot of administration to get the procedure right.
"Each person's second dose must be from the same manufacturer as their first dose." (Letter from NHS Chief Executive 30th Dec. , link in Sandra's reply 118.)
There's a special computer programme/app for it.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/C0994-System-letter-COVID-19-vaccination-deployment-planning-30-December-2020.pdf
Sandra
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By the time "they" get round to us, the rules will have changed again, anyway! Totally given up trying to keep up. It all feels as if it's being made up on the hoof.
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Just get the jab when it's offered and keep wearing a mask, keep your distance and wash hands.
Yes that's what I intend to do, Gadget. Wise advice
Pat
I quite agree.
I don’t see the point in deliberating over who gets what, how or when. We should just be thankful that they have managed to develop vaccines so quickly, and accept that it’s a massive task to vaccinate the majority of the population.
It's an emergency situation. The new Covid variation has altered the game-plan again. Priority is to give short-term protection to the greatest number of people at risk of developing serious illness and thereby deliver the greatest impact on reducing hospital admissions.
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When will I get the first Covid vaccine?
OMNI Covid vaccine calculator.
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-uk#atrisk
According to this then I, a reasonably healthy 70 year old can currently expect to receive the first does of the vaccine in the last few days of March.
On the Andrew Marr Show today PM Boris Johnson indicated:-
..... he expects "tens of millions" of Covid-19 vaccinations will be given over the next three months.
Time will tell.
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This is worrying - mix and match?
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/health/coronavirus-vaccines-britain.html
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This is worrying - mix and match?
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/health/coronavirus-vaccines-britain.html
The Telegraph has quotes from various people in government and health authorities, rejecting the claim and stating that it'd only happen on "extremely rare occasions".
All being well it won't come to that so there's little point worrying about something that (hopefully) won't happen.
The Telegraph
Health bosses quash 'mix and match' Covid vaccine claims
02 Jan 2021
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/02/mixing-matching-covid-vaccines-would-last-resort-say-health/
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One of my daughter in laws is a carer for both her parents and, therefore, her name is listed as the person to be contacted. She was contacted to book a vaccination for her mother, a couple of weeks before Christmas (not her father who is older!) and she had to make the appt on line. She tried every day for 3 days - each day they put up more appointments - but was unable to get one. Then she was contacted again by text to say as she'd not bothered to make an appt for her mother, she would now have to wait until the next set of appointments are put on line next week.
Meanwhile, our 3 local surgeries joined together last year, although they keep their separate surgeries, and were able to be one of the first to offer vaccines. They text or 'phone people direct to make an appt, which people have had no trouble doing, they then turn up at the local large health centre, details are taken from them asking if they've allergies etc. then all being well they receive their vaccination. Most of them are having a 2nd vaccination this week, our local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) has agreed they should do this as it would take up too much time and vaccines would be wasted, if they tried to make appts for more people to have first vaccines instead. As the surgery has said "The vaccine programme is a marathon not a spring" and with over 3500 over 80s in our town, not including care home residents, it will be some time before all the over 80s are vaccinated and, of course, every day more residents turn 80, like me on Tuesday.
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Lizzie, that's the kind of story your daughter-in-law's M.P. and local councillor should be told about. An email to Jeremy Hunt, chairman of Health Select Committee too, as the committee can call politicians and officials to account.
My G.P.'s computer has lost my flu jab appointments both years I've been for it.
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Re the “mix and match” yes, hopefully it won’t happen, but I and others I know, wont take any chances. We will be asking which one we are being given at the first appointment, then if a different one is offered for the second one, refuse it. At least that way we will have some protection.
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Lizzie, that's the kind of story your daughter-in-law's M.P. and local councillor should be told about. An email to Jeremy Hunt, chairman of Health Select Committee too, as the committee can call politicians and officials to account.
My G.P.'s computer has lost my flu jab appointments both years I've been for it.
I'll tell my d.i.l. She also works as a carer for another lady, despite not being too well herself and awaiting an operation on her spine - which naturally has been put off for over 9 months.
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Re the “mix and match” yes, hopefully it won’t happen, but I and others I know, wont take any chances. We will be asking which one we are being given at the first appointment, then if a different one is offered for the second one, refuse it. At least that way we will have some protection.
When I went for my flu vaccine last September, they were offering different vaccinations for under 65s. The nurse picked up the under 65 and asked "Over or under?" the lady working on the PC putting info onto patients' notes as they had the vaccine said "Over". I said "I'm over 65" (in fact I'll be 80 tomorrow) and the nurse said "That's why I was asking I couldn't be sure"!!!! and promptly gave me the vaccine for under 65s. I guess I'm covered for some strain of flu, haven't even had a cold so far this winter, so if I'm offered Covid and the 2nd dose is a different make, then I'll take my chances. It could be that a mixture of the vaccines is actually the most effective as they both work differently.
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Re the “mix and match” yes, hopefully it won’t happen, but I and others I know, wont take any chances. We will be asking which one we are being given at the first appointment, then if a different one is offered for the second one, refuse it. At least that way we will have some protection.
It's been demonstrated that there is some protection after the first dose.
The second dose is the "booster".
https://www.cas.mhra.gov.uk/ViewandAcknowledgment/ViewAttachment.aspx?Attachment_id=103741
"Short term vaccine efficacy from the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is calculated at
around 90%, short term vaccine efficacy from the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine is
calculated at around 70% (efficacy estimates are not directly comparable between the two
vaccines)"
Pauline
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Re the “mix and match” yes, hopefully it won’t happen, but I and others I know, wont take any chances. We will be asking which one we are being given at the first appointment, then if a different one is offered for the second one, refuse it. At least that way we will have some protection.
When I went for my flu vaccine last September, they were offering different vaccinations for under 65s. The nurse picked up the under 65 and asked "Over or under?" the lady working on the PC putting info onto patients' notes as they had the vaccine said "Over". I said "I'm over 65" (in fact I'll be 80 tomorrow) and the nurse said "That's why I was asking I couldn't be sure"!!!! and promptly gave me the vaccine for under 65s. I guess I'm covered for some strain of flu, haven't even had a cold so far this winter, so if I'm offered Covid and the 2nd dose is a different make, then I'll take my chances. It could be that a mixture of the vaccines is actually the most effective as they both work differently.
I questioned the difference in flu vaccines when I had mine in September as I was 64 ½ and they were trying to decide which one to give me as I passed the demarcation mark during the year of the vaccine.
I was told that the general vaccine contains 3 elements whilst the over 65 one only contains 2. The reason being apparently is that often the over 65's don't tolerate 1 element of the vaccine very well and often have side effects, hence it is left out. They decided that as I was actually under 65 at the time of vaccination I would be ok with the general one.
Pheno
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So I actually had a better vaccine than my age warranted. I've had absolutely no side effects at all.
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Link to government site explaining flu vaccines, click to enlarge poster:
https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/ViewArticle.html?sp=Sfluvaccinesforthe2020to2021seasonposter
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There were two doctors on the This Morning programme today, they were talking about concerns re people not receiving the second dose for some time. They both said that although the vaccine is not at its full effectiveness in preventing people catching the virus after the first jab, it is 100% effective in preventing people suffering from a serious illness or being hospitalised as a result of catching it. That sounds like great news to me.
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Today is "V"-day on the Isle of Man ;D
The rollout starts today.
Will just have to wait to be contacted, but I don't think it will be long.
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When I looked at the calculator last week for when I would get the vaccines as an “extremely vulnerable” 70 year old it came out as February/March now it is end of March to end of May. My GP’s practice hasn’t even got any vaccine yet! I’m fully expecting to be back “shielding” soon then they can push the “extremely vulnerable” even further down the timeline
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We got the same result, I don't think the calculator had been adjusted to take account of the release of the second vaccine either.
Sandra
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When will I get the first Covid vaccine?
OMNI Covid vaccine calculator.
https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-uk#atrisk
According to this then I, a reasonably healthy 70 year old can currently expect to receive the first does of the vaccine in the last few days of March.
It told me estimated time frame for me to receive 2 doses is late May-late June. There are around 10 million ahead of me.
The calculator will be amended in view of developments.
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Byu the time we get it, will some of us be old enough to have already had it? (Thinking just as clear as Government's seems to be, so - anything's possible!)
Certainly not holding my breath.
AND will "they" have enough sense to send both self and OH, same age, for shots at the same time, and same day, or not? (Could be a good idea, as parking at our GP's so bad, I'll drive and drop and collect him, then he'd drive, drop and collect me... ?)
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I don't think sense comes into it, I've no doubt that these things are organised by computer and unless it's been specifically told to check for the same address it's unlikely to do so. It's my guess that if someone had exactly the same dob as you, they'd be the one you could bet on being there the same day. Having said that, from what I've read there are some surgeries that ask people to go online to book their appointment so if you've both received an invitation to make an appointment you could organise it yourself for the same journey.
*Added - and there's no guarantee that it will be at your own GP surgery.
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Our surgery can only improve on the arrangements they had for the flu vaccine. Very cold day in October and had the over 65 year olds plus, queuing round the car-park, down the side of the building, up the main street. Took well over an hour to get to the back door !! Then they ran out of vaccine so no one else could have a dose !! Absolutely disgraceful.
Sandra
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Our surgery can only improve on the arrangements they had for the flu vaccine. Very cold day in October and had the over 65 year olds plus, queuing round the car-park, down the side of the building, up the main street. Took well over an hour to get to the back door !! Then they ran out of vaccine so no one else could have a dose !! Absolutely disgraceful.
Sandra
I think with this one you have to make an appointment, so they should know how many people are going to turn up.
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This one seems different to the flu jab, the flu jab was turn up, get it and go.
This seems to require a full set of paperwork to be completed, followed by a fifteen minute wait to check for side effects.
Many surgeries do not have the space to socially distance the fifteen minute wait other than one at a time
Slows It down a bit ;)
Mike
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I’ve seen online that our surgery has joined with two others and they’re using a former gp’s surgery premises in one of the areas that closed in the summer as vaccination premises. I presume that might come on stream now the Oxford vaccine is beginning to come out.
I haven’t heard of anyone being called for vaccination yet , other than a relative who lives many miles away from me. As I’m in group 7, I’m not holding my breath as to when I’d get a call to say I’m to get it.
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Our surgery can only improve on the arrangements they had for the flu vaccine. Very cold day in October and had the over 65 year olds plus, queuing round the car-park, down the side of the building, up the main street. Took well over an hour to get to the back door !! Then they ran out of vaccine so no one else could have a dose !! Absolutely disgraceful.
Sandra
I always have to make an appointment for a flu-jab.
Whether at GP surgery or at Boots.
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Hopefully those in the first 4 bands - key workers, clinically vulnerable and over 70 plus should be vaccinated by mid-February. Depends how successful they are with the roll out of the vaccine I suppose.
Sandra
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Our surgery can only improve on the arrangements they had for the flu vaccine. Very cold day in October and had the over 65 year olds plus, queuing round the car-park, down the side of the building, up the main street. Took well over an hour to get to the back door !! Then they ran out of vaccine so no one else could have a dose !! Absolutely disgraceful.
Sandra
Don’t you have to book a timed slot?
We do this, and I’ve never had to wait more than five minutes.
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Not for the flu vaccine - this was for 65 plus - not even sure they had enough to vaccinate all the people in the queue.
If your surname begins with the following for you to attend. 2-3 pm surname A-G. 3-4pm-H-M. 4-5pm- N- T. 5-6pm U-Z.
then they cancelled the under 65 at risk flu walk in clinic the following week !!!
Sandra
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Ours is always by appointment and this last one, we had to enter by the main surgery door at the requested time and after the flu vaccination we were then escorted out through the back door.
My husband, though, had to queue outside for 10/15 minutes for the Covid vaccine and then it was a queue inside. This was a ‘hub’ for several surgeries. It was a bit of a fiasco!
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There was this one in Bristol - Covid patients queue outside in the cold and sleet in Bristol
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/covid-vaccine-patients-queue-outdoors-4851179
Sandra
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We had timed appointments for flu, but the set-up was so efficient they could have got through far more.
In fact, husband was pm and I was am appointment times. We do have different surnames and age brackets.
He just waved his invitation letter, which we had to have with us, they did not check names just took the letter with the details on, and jabbed our exposed shoulders.
Medic was not aware of any shortage of vaccine at the date.
We had ours outside at a local school. Really impressive.
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Already there is a scam circulating ,elderly people being telephoned and being told they can have the vaccination in their own homes !
It has just come on “ What’s on in Ramsbottom “ by our MP. Jim Daly .
So glad the babies are coming on well.
Well The Hunchback of Ramsbottom ,that is me, pulled a muscle in my right shoulder last night ,reaching for something on a high shelf ,used little step,stool but needed step ladders really .
So ouch!
Better after a hot shower but could not turn over in bed last night.
When I did part of my training in a Day Nursery ,the little toddlers used to be “ pottied” at regular intervals, their pants ,u pants and panties would be rolled up in a ball, stuffed up the back of their jumpers etc ,so they got their own clothes back, well to see twelve or so little beings sitting on potties with seemingly , hunchbacks , singing Nursery Rhymes ———— ;D
A bright clear day here ,but very cold.
Putting the decorations away I thought, I have not pulled a cracker this year ,so feeling rather foolish I did, well do you know ,I immediately remembered the time I peeped in a cracker before Christmas ,about 75 years ago and the prize was a snitchy little Charlie Chaplin type moustache ,well, there was one in the cracker I pulled today , I mean ,how long must I be punished for that misdemeanour all those years ago ?
“ Be sure your sins will find you out “, I slept with that over my bed for all the time I was an evacuee ,always some one watching me and watching over me considering our playground was a disused mine site ,with nothing safely capped off!
Baked a cheese and onion pie today ,will freeze half .
Had no cauliflower or broccoli but did have some dark green celery. It was really nice with the cheese sauce.
Got a “ round robin” letter ,from Belgian friends, well opened it today - It had been here for days .
Friends, went to Italy for a holiday ,got Covid 19, mildly and hired a car to drive back to Belgium !Not a day’s drive !
Stops for food, sleep etc
It beggars belief!
Hope everyone is well ,and keeps well,.
Well , kitchen to bed then me and hopefully a better night’s sleep .
Cheerio everyone.
Viktoria.
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I don't quite know how the covid-vaccine appointments are organised in this area. My friends who are about ten years younger than me had their appointment date sent to them before Xmas.
Maybe the lists are organised by alphabet; Their surname is at the beginning of the alphabet and mine is halfway through the alphabet.
Or maybe each GP surgery has to wait in line until its their patients turn.
It certainly can't be organised by who has an ailment/ They're as healthy as a butcher's dog and I've got a saggy lung problem
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Just read this on local news.
IoM is sticking to the 3 week gap between vaccinations.
315 vaccinations were done yesterday - day 1 of our program.
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My dad (88) has got his appointment for his first jab on Saturday :)
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This was mentioned about France on a programme this morning:
'The world's most vaccine-sceptical nation had only administered around 430 of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab as of Sunday afternoon, a week after vaccinations began, according to French data website CovidTracker.'
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We can’t be too complacent , we got the AstraZeneca 8 days ago and are only just starting now.
Personally I would be quite happy to stick my arm out of the car window in tes...s car park and be done by an intelligent 10 year old. (Since the alternative is death, sorry to be blunt)
Mike
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I don’t understand either, I was given an appointment for my vaccination December 29 th and the follow up on January 19 th.
Both were cancelled, by phone and I was to be informed when it would actually happen.
Seemingly there was a problem with the vaccine , ,
A neighbour who works for Bury Council said the new vaccine would be at our Dr’s surgeries on Jan 21 st .
I am in my 84 th year with a heart condition so thought I would be not too far down the line for getting vaccinated but I will give it a few more days ,not sure how long the surgery was closed and it goes against the grain to mither the staff but from past experience they are often woefully lax as regards repeat blood tests due etc etc ,repeat prescriptions .Then conversely they can be so helpful and obliging .
Perhaps it is a personality thing.
So I might phone at the end of the week if I have heard nothing .
Viktoria
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That makes two of us then, viktoria, we only need one more and we can set up a committee.
We will contemplate and cogitate
Discuss, debate and delegate
We’re noted for our oratory, but mostly for obscurity
pontificate, procrastinate
Publish our findings to the nation
For their erudite contemplation
And finally when all is lost, we send the bill in for the cost
Mike
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We can’t be too complacent , we got the AstraZeneca 8 days ago and are only just starting now.
Personally I would be quite happy to stick my arm out of the car window in tes...s car park and be done by an intelligent 10 year old. (Since the alternative is death, sorry to be blunt)
Mike
I think the powers that be should have organised diabetics, who are experienced in injecting themselves daily, to help get the vaccination numbers down.
Whilst I'm posting - did anyone else hear about the large batch of vaccine phials that we lost due to the fridge they were stored in breaking down? How ancient was the fridge?
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Todays figures :'(
60,916 new coronavirus cases
830 deaths
Sandra
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Horrendous - but then for some people this is all just a "myth". :o
Not an excuse, but we all know that the death figures are higher on Tuesdays!
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1 in 50 have the virus apparently, but the good news is 1.3 million have already been vaccinated.
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1 in 30 in London apparently:-(
Romilly.
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"Have" or "have had"?
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One in 30 have the virus , I read it as - an update, following on “ one in fifty have the virus apparently,.”
Shocking , truly shocking.
Viktoria.
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It is shocking Viktoria...
Down to the new varient, I would imagine. It’s far easier to pass on than the original one was:-(
Romilly :o
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It is shocking Viktoria...
Down to the new varient, I would imagine. It’s far easier to pass on than the original one was:-(
Romilly :o
You're right Romilly. I've had my ears cocked every time I hear about the virus because I'm curious whether it's the original virus that has naturally mutated itself, as most influenza virus do, or if it's another new virus that's escaped from a laboratory, or the back of beyond.
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Todays figures :'(
60,916 new coronavirus cases
830 deaths
Sandra
And we're probably just beginning the Christmas day spike in cases
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I think this subject has been done to death. All the speculation in the world, let alone misinformation, isn’t going to alter the situation.
I think we should all just obey the rules, sit tight and wait and see the results of the vaccination program, which won’t be fo some time.
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World Health Organization refuses to back UK move to space Pfizer Covid vaccine doses by 12 weeks because there is no proof it will work.
The WHO yesterday said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term.
But it did not attack Britain's decision not to do this, admitting the Government had been forced to make a difficult decision because of spiralling infections and deaths in recent weeks.
Sandra
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I thought the WHO was discredited right at the start, saying it was unlikely to become a pandemic.
Mike
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Todays Figures
62,322 new cases
more than 1,000 deaths.
Sandra
Figure was 1041
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Todays Figures
62,322 new cases
more than 1,000 deaths.
Sandra
Just seen that, too.
I thought the number admitted to hospital didn't seem to have risen too much, then saw it was the figure for 29 December.
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The World Health Organisation has been negotiating with China for one year trying to gain admittance to inspect the site where Covid-19 Virus emerged. Permission was given but now retracted. WHO officials are dismayed due to travel arrangements already been made and two WHO members are already in transit.
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Clap for Carers now under the name CLAP FOR HEROES.......
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=842446.msg7090418
Sandra
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I thought the WHO was discredited right at the start, saying it was unlikely to become a pandemic.
Mike
Timeline. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/who-declares-covid-19-pandemic/
31st Dec. 2019 China informs WHO of several flu-like cases
26th Jan. 2020 Global risk raised from moderate to high
30th Jan. Public health emergency of international concern
21st Feb. Window of opportunity to contain the outbreak is narrowing
11March WHO declared a pandemic. "This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus."
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I thought the WHO was discredited right at the start, saying it was unlikely to become a pandemic.
Mike
Timeline. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/who-declares-covid-19-pandemic/
31st Dec. 2019 China informs WHO of several flu-like cases
26th Jan. 2020 Global risk raised from moderate to high
30th Jan. Public health emergency of international concern
21st Feb. Window of opportunity to contain the outbreak is narrowing
11March WHO declared a pandemic. "This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus."
Hi
It is claimed we had Covid-19 before Christmas December 2019, when it is claimed Peter Attwood of Chatham, Kent, England, became ill.
He died 30th January 2020. A later Inquest established Covid-19 from Lung Samples kept.
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-daughter-of-uk-man-who-died-from-covid-19-in-january-attacks-china-for-cover-up-12067060
Mark
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My area has 1,964 cases since March but 499 of them reported in the last week! That doesn't look right at all whichever way you try to fathom it.
Granted I'm an hour south of Edinburgh so any cross border xmas visits went through the area but even so. I've shielded almost the entire time as I'm advanced Stage 4 COPD and have heart problems but months on my own in a flat overlooking the main street and gardens hasn't helped. I have a wander out after office hours when it's quiet now but the months of doing little have seen the muscles wither away and I really have to work hard on the breathing now. I managed 400 yards today which is a step up from last week. I wouldn't chance daylight, too many wandering about in groups and blocking footpaths, lockdown doesn't seem to have hit home for a hardcore of people from my lofty penthouse viewpoint.
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Boris brings in the army. PM to reveal Covid vaccine battle plan at 5pm press conference with GPs told to focus on immunisation drive.
Sandra
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It is really frightening now , I have kept quite positive and upbeat and am not depressed but sad and worried for my family, one thing seems to contradict another .
The whole toll of this can not be counted in deaths alone, shocking though they are.
People are for example dropping children off at school gates and driving off whether they are key workers or not .
Children have regressed to forgetting how to use cutlery ,some even back in nappies!
What does that say about the parenting skills of some people?
It must be hard ,stuck in with children but we have many of us done it, one child got measles,then another etc pre vaccination days , you just stayed in away from friends ,quarantine was quite long and with several children it could be quite a while you were your own .
I know the outside world was not as now, but this is no one’s fault ,but the spread is partly due to people being selfish and irresponsible .
So who seems to complain the most.?
Well,admittedly from a limited vantage point ,to me it is the ones who are making things worse.
Hope you all are and keep ,well.
Viktoria.
None of this is easy but some make it harder for everyone by their sheer selfishness .
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Viktoria,
The conditions for school places is much broader, I understand, than the previous lockdown.
It is reported, for example, that children without access to laptops are eligible - classed as ‘vulnerable’ children.
My relative told me it is very difficult to keep up with the demand for places this time and in their words, ‘what difference is there in having 25 children in my class rather than 30’. It isn’t going to help much in the use of space etc.
It sounds as though it could be lip service to the notion of lockdown/ closing schools and may not have much effect.
Heywood
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The problem is, the government promised thousands of laptops to schools and this didn't happen. Once again the general public are stepping in and offering old laptops, tablets etc to schools. However, as was pointed out on the radio this morning, these have to be properly wiped and tested before being handed out and most schools can't do this. I believe in Wales that every child is given a laptop when they go to Secondary school, so why not in England? Although of course none of that is any good if the house doesn't have broadband, or in the case of some areas,, broadband that is fast enough to cope with downloading what the children (and those working from home) need.
Next week CBBC is broadcasting 3 hours of educational programmes each day for Primary Schools and BBC2 ( I think) is doing the same for Secondary schools, so that may help those without access to the internet.
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It was funny as I said to my husband that I thought they should broadcast some educational programmes on the television. Then it was announced. (I must practise my telecommunication skills a bit more ;) )
I told my 40 something daughter who fondly reminisced about the television being wheeled out of the stock room as they settled to watch ‘How we used to Live’. One of the main characters was ‘Avril’ and my daughter loved the name and the wartime clothes :)
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I told my 40 something daughter who fondly reminisced about the television being wheeled out of the stock room as they settled to watch ‘How we used to Live’. One of the main characters was ‘Avril’ and my daughter loved the name and the wartime clothes :)
That programme is brilliant, we used it when teaching WW2. There was also a follow up one into the 60s - odd watching that as it covered things I did when I was young!
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It was funny as I said to my husband that I thought they should broadcast some educational programmes on the television. Then it was announced.
The BBC did used to have educational programmes. I remember there used to be French and Spanish lessons. There was a time when we didn't have a TV and I was most surprised at the latest programme. There was a Russian language class on TV and my mother was learning to speak Russian.Unfortunately the only thing that stuck in my mind was Niet and Da,
Sometimes it's like listening to a foreign language on TV theser days, most announcers and discussion leaders and their guests seem to favour only uttering the first syllable of a word and we, the listeners, will either be young enough to know what they're saying or have to fathom it out ourselves.
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Diction is terrible, and in children’s programmes they seem really
bad.
Come back Valerie Singleton.
Such mis use that is not even in the English language officially.
What on Earth does “ I would of “ mean?
I would of......I would have !
Some people on TV seem to just slur along ,and the last time I had my eyes tested a hearing test was also done and all was OK.
So not my hearing.
Viktoria.
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My husband gets so cross at the politicians who constantly refer to ‘kids’ in discussions re education.
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My husband gets so cross at the politicians who constantly refer to ‘kids’ in discussions re education.
It makes them sound like a heard if goats ;D
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Diction is terrible, and in children’s programmes they seem really
bad.
Come back Valerie Singleton.
Such mis use that is not even in the English language officially.
What on Earth does “ I would of “ mean?
I would of......I would have !
Some people on TV seem to just slur along ,and the last time I had my eyes tested a hearing test was also done and all was OK.
So not my hearing.
Viktoria.
Even people who have had an expensive education don't seem to know the difference between "bought" and "brought". This week I watched the Antiques Roadshow and one woman said "I've bought this to show you. It's been in my family for generations". Obviously she hadn't paid money and bought the object - she'd brought it in her car to have it assessed.
I hope one day to not hear the verb "ask" uttered as "arks" - or maybe it's deliberate as they don't want to say "arsk"
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What on Earth does “ I would of “ mean?
You could also ask that of quite a few people who post on Rootschat!
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More gripes “I haven’t got no” or even worse “I ain’t got no.”
“At this moment in time” instead of now.
Why when asked a question do people always begin their answer with “So”?
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Jebber
My gripes are ‘very unique’ and ‘extremely unique’.
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Elderly Britons are REFUSING to take Pfizer's Covid vaccine because they would rather 'wait for the English one' with the POLICE getting leftover doses so they don't go to waste..................
Over-80s have turned their noses up at the Belgian-made shots in Stockton-on-Tees and insisted on having the Oxford jab, according to Dr Paul Williams who is administering the vaccine to residents.
Missed appointments led to up to 10 police officers receiving their first doses in Nottingham to prevent vital supplies going to waste............................
Sandra
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But language would never evolve otherwise. We would still be talking like our folk of yesteryear whose writing we can't read anyway and often have to ask for a meaning.
Pheno
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But language would never evolve otherwise. We would still be talking like our folk of yesteryear whose writing we can't read anyway and often have to ask for a meaning.
Pheno
I struggle with my own scribblings. The 5th generation scans of old photocopied family documents from 1800 are easier to read ;D
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Missed appointments led to up to 10 police officers receiving their first doses in Nottingham to prevent vital supplies going to waste............................
I'm sorry but I think in this case if people make an appointment but then don't turn up, they shouldn't be offered another one. Luckily it didn't go to waste, but it might have done.
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Missed appointments led to up to 10 police officers receiving their first doses in Nottingham to prevent vital supplies going to waste............................
I'm sorry but I think in this case if people make an appointment but then don't turn up, they shouldn't be offered another one. Luckily it didn't go to waste, but it might have done.
But that defeats the object of making it safer for the rest of us! All that needs to happen is that the appointment call/letter/text needs to specify the vaccine and then it can be accepted or declined.
Pheno
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Over-80s have turned their noses up at the Belgian-made shots in Stockton-on-Tees and insisted on having the Oxford jab, according to Dr Paul Williams who is administering the vaccine to residents.
Sandra
Ungrateful. They should go to the back of the queue.
Sandra
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Missed appointments led to up to 10 police officers receiving their first doses in Nottingham to prevent vital supplies going to waste............................
I'm sorry but I think in this case if people make an appointment but then don't turn up, they shouldn't be offered another one. Luckily it didn't go to waste, but it might have done.
Much the same with GP appointments and telephone consultations. My GP knows my mobile is welded to my side until he calls, the last time he phoned he remarked the previous 6 patients hadn't answered.
I had a cardiology appointment last week, just 4 patients booked for the afternoon and I was the only one to attend, the others didn't notify the department.
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Over-80s have turned their noses up at the Belgian-made shots in Stockton-on-Tees and insisted on having the Oxford jab, according to Dr Paul Williams who is administering the vaccine to residents.
Sandra
Ungrateful. They should go to the back of the queue.
Sandra
Why should they? Everyone should have a choice and I would rather them be vaccinated to increase my safety than not at all or not for a long time. Find out in advance which they would prefer and give the Belgian one to those that will have it. Quite simple really in theory - probably not easy for the NHS to put into practice.
Pheno
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But language would never evolve otherwise. We would still be talking like our folk of yesteryear whose writing we can't read anyway and often have to ask for a meaning.
Pheno
My writing is deteriorating with age ann neuropathy, even I have a job to read it. ::) ::) ::)
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This story has been reported in The Daily Mail (which gives the impression that hordes of over 80’s are refusing it) and in The Metro.
https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/07/elderly-patients-refuse-pfizer-vaccine-to-wait-for-the-english-one-13865537/
The people doing this are wrong, of course, but my feeling is that they are likely actually a very small minority.
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Good afternoon,
In west Sussex it was announced that 9 surgeries would be doing the vaccinations. That is on top of the larger locations such as Claire hall in Haywards Heath, hospitals etc. But the surgeries are all the larger primary care centres which offer many more services than a normal practice.
Our local surgery is one of these so hopefully OH and me will only have to walk up the rd for it.
John915
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Sadly those people who refused might end up not being around to get the Oxford vaccine.
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The people doing this are wrong, of course, but my feeling is that they are likely actually a very small minority.
Why are they wrong - of course?
Pheno
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":NHS medic Paul Williams said a number of ‘nationalist’ patients had declined the American and German-produced jab, instead choosing to wait until the Oxford vaccine becomes available in their area."
I wonder how true that is - do they never buy or eat anything unless it is made in the UK?
However there is a difference between refusing the vaccination because they want to wait for the Oxford one than in making an appointment and not turning up.
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Perhaps those who were brought up during the war years do not want to accept the German one.
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Todays Figures
62,322 new cases
more than 1,000 deaths.
Sandra
Figure was 1041
Todays figures
52618 new cases (that's down on yesterday - good)
1162 deaths ( not good) :'(
Sandra
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My parents had their second vaccine this afternoon. Said it was extremely busy, that they hadn’t seen so many old people in one place for ages. Both of them are in 85+ 😀
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The people doing this are wrong, of course, but my feeling is that they are likely actually a very small minority.
Why are they wrong - of course?
Pheno
I will re-phrase.
In my opinion they are wrong.
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This story has been reported in The Daily Mail (which gives the impression that hordes of over 80’s are refusing it) and in The Metro.
https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/07/elderly-patients-refuse-pfizer-vaccine-to-wait-for-the-english-one-13865537/
The people doing this are wrong, of course, but my feeling is that they are likely actually a very small minority.
I wonder if they shop at ALDI or LIDL?
Or drive an AUDI or VW car?
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This story has been reported in The Daily Mail (which gives the impression that hordes of over 80’s are refusing it) and in The Metro.
https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/07/elderly-patients-refuse-pfizer-vaccine-to-wait-for-the-english-one-13865537/
The people doing this are wrong, of course, but my feeling is that they are likely actually a very small minority.
I wonder if they shop at ALDI or LIDL?
Or drive an AUDI or VW car?
I wonder whether they have checked the source of medication they have previously been prescribed or bought
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The people doing this are wrong, of course, but my feeling is that they are likely actually a very small minority.
Why are they wrong - of course?
Pheno
I will re-phrase.
In my opinion they are wrong.
That's better - its a good job we do all have different opinions on things or the world would be a very boring place.
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My husband gets so cross at the politicians who constantly refer to ‘kids’ in discussions re education.
Etymology online has "kids" for children going back to at least 1590, and well established by 1812.
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Elderly Britons are REFUSING to take Pfizer's Covid vaccine because they would rather 'wait for the English one' with the POLICE getting leftover doses so they don't go to waste..................
Over-80s have turned their noses up at the Belgian-made shots in Stockton-on-Tees and insisted on having the Oxford jab, according to Dr Paul Williams who is administering the vaccine to residents.
Sandra
According to the Daily Fail.
They like nothing better than to divide people and whip up righteous anger.
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My husband gets so cross at the politicians who constantly refer to ‘kids’ in discussions re education.
Etymology online has "kids" for children going back to at least 1590, and well established by 1812.
I understand that and have to confess I use it myself. It’s more the context- or perhaps the messenger, Mr Williamson. :-\
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Elderly Britons are REFUSING to take Pfizer's Covid vaccine because they would rather 'wait for the English one' with the POLICE getting leftover doses so they don't go to waste..................
Over-80s have turned their noses up at the Belgian-made shots in Stockton-on-Tees and insisted on having the Oxford jab, according to Dr Paul Williams who is administering the vaccine to residents.
Sandra
According to the Daily Fail.
They like nothing better than to divide people and whip up righteous anger.
Is that "in your opinion"
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Elderly Britons are REFUSING to take Pfizer's Covid vaccine because they would rather 'wait for the English one' with the POLICE getting leftover doses so they don't go to waste..................
Over-80s have turned their noses up at the Belgian-made shots in Stockton-on-Tees and insisted on having the Oxford jab, according to Dr Paul Williams who is administering the vaccine to residents.
Sandra
According to the Daily Fail.
They like nothing better than to divide people and whip up righteous anger.
Is that "in your opinion"
No, not just my opinion.
https://www.researchsnipers.com/daily-mail-flagged-as-not-secure-site/ (https://www.researchsnipers.com/daily-mail-flagged-as-not-secure-site/)
If that paper told me my name was Mike and I lived in Cumbria, I'd go and fact check it.
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what comment do you have on this one.................
https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/07/elderly-patients-refuse-pfizer-vaccine-to-wait-for-the-english-one-13865537/
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I see two newspapers taking at face value what one GP has tweeted. Lazy journalism, intended to whip up division.
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I thought that they were both part of the same group - DMG Media
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMG_Media
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But language would never evolve otherwise. We would still be talking like our folk of yesteryear whose writing we can't read anyway and often have to ask for a meaning.
Pheno
Did you dis somebody today? Do you mind being dissed?/dist? How many words in the English dictionary start with the letters DIS?
How could we interpret "He was dissing him"? This is a shortened word I've often heard spoken by various people on TV programmes.
He was discussing him
He was disparaging him
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Over-80s have turned their noses up at the Belgian-made shots in Stockton-on-Tees and insisted on having the Oxford jab, according to Dr Paul Williams who is administering the vaccine to residents.
Sandra
Ungrateful. They should go to the back of the queue.
Sandra
Well conversely, as an over 80 ,given an appointment for December 29, th and the follow up on Jan 19th,,at a venue quite some way from me,bus journeys etc, only to be told they were cancelled as the Vaccine was not satisfactory, this was the Belgian one, so it is not unreasonable the vulnerable age group want the Oxford one.
I personally feel very grateful my age group ,even those like myself with underlying complications ,heart problems etc.are being prioritised, I could fall,break my hip( osteoporosis)and the vaccine could be wasted,as the recovery rate for people who have such conditions and then have serious accidents is not good.
We stay isolated, keep our distance even from next of kin if they do not live with us, no hugs for Christmas or New Year ,no social life whatsoever - what more can we do?
To refuse a vaccine with complicated storage requirements ,when much has been wasted according to reports ,is not as ungrateful as it at first may seem.
I can see why the elderly would prefer the more easily distributed Oxford vaccine, with better shelf life and so more certainty .
Also many of the places where the vaccinations are now to take are more
accessible to non drivers and those who cannot walk long distances in the cold weather at this time of year.
The venue for me was a half hour’s bus ride away and then a queue in the cold on a steep flight of external steps !
There is more to the refusals than at first meets the eye , and as for ingratitude!
Do you watch 24 Hours in A&E?
The very elderly, polite, grateful ,patient, compliant and respectful, with life threatening injuries and conditions,- the young? A cut finger or broken nail, foul language and no courage in the face of needing a plaster ,no gratitude very often.
Viktoria.
I
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Reply to Rena #233
I think the (mostly) youngsters who use this kind of language will know exactly what sentiment is being expressed. Generally I think us oldies can only make guesses.
Changes occur with every generation and often the oldest don't pick them up and run with them. For example my parents often referred to the 'wireless' (and they didn't mean bluetooth) but I have only ever called it the 'radio'. Don't know what my children call it - I doubt if they ever listen to it.
Pheno
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Well said viktoria, our doctors gets 24 hours notice of his share of appointments, how is he supposed to contact his over 80s to advise them turn up at a centre20 miles away with no public transport available and voluntary transport only available if you have a computer to book it.
Mike
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My husband gets so cross at the politicians who constantly refer to ‘kids’ in discussions re education.
Etymology online has "kids" for children going back to at least 1590, and well established by 1812.
I doln't like using a baby goat to describe a child.
Since James1/VI exchanged his grandchild Sophie for a patch of Germanic land (Kingdom of Hanover), I think "kid" is a lazy corruption of an imported word and derives from the German for child, which is "kind".
.... and if my grandfather's WWI corruption of French had been adopted I would have asked if you "polly vous francy?" (Parlez vous Francais? = Do you speak French?)
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Interesting as this is, what does it have to do with the topic of the Covid vaccination?
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Listening to Boris and the other two with him, it is looking more hopeful that all those over 70 (i.e. the first 4 groups) will have received the first dose by the 15th February. Also that it will be within 10 miles of home and most will be from local GP hubs. Interesting as well how much the army are involved.
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I see two newspapers taking at face value what one GP has tweeted. Lazy journalism, intended to whip up division.
I agree, Mike.
A doctor has tweeted that 'some local patients have turned down an offer....of getting a covid vaccine'. No doubt this is true, but he has given no indication how many.
The Mail appears to have turned this into 'Elderly Britons are REFUSING to take Pfizer's Covid vaccine because they would rather 'wait for the English one'.....'
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Reply to Rena #233
I think the (mostly) youngsters who use this kind of language will know exactly what sentiment is being expressed. Generally I think us oldies can only make guesses.
Changes occur with every generation and often the oldest don't pick them up and run with them. For example my parents often referred to the 'wireless' (and they didn't mean bluetooth) but I have only ever called it the 'radio'. Don't know what my children call it - I doubt if they ever listen to it.
Pheno
Prior to the "wireless" there was the "cat's whiskers", which is what my grandfather made and used. All three models used different technologies and patents, which is why they have different names.
Like you, I have no idea what word my grandsons use, nor what my great grandchildren will use in a few years time when they reach their teenage years - which is when I and most people I know tuned in to the station that played the "in" music of the day.
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I see two newspapers taking at face value what one GP has tweeted. Lazy journalism, intended to whip up division.
I agree, Mike.
A doctor has tweeted that 'some local patients have turned down an offer....of getting a covid vaccine'. No doubt this is true, but he has given no indication how many.
The Mail appears to have turned this into 'Elderly Britons are REFUSING to take Pfizer's Covid vaccine because they would rather 'wait for the English one'.....'
Correct me if I'm wrong. First Pfizer innoculation then the second one in a fortnight's time. However, I think there's been some talk of using the Pfizer for the first innoculation then using the other Oxford one for the second vaccination. The reason this action (might) be taken is that we bought X doses of Pfizer (divide by 2 for two doses per patient) but we could use all those X doses as the first jab, which would double the number of people protected against the virus and then use Oxford as the 2nd booster jab.
I don't think I'd feel secure mixing different vaccines, I'd rather wait and have two doses of the same vaccine.
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We have two topics running here! Maybe the language one needs to be split onto a different thread.
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Interesting as this is, what does it have to do with the topic of the Covid vaccination?
Apologies - Due to (failed) eye operations, I can't see normal size script. I have increased the size of the words on my screen and don't usually see the subject heading.
Due to the above, I'm afraid somebody else will have to organise the moderator for deletion or some alternative
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This is over the 20 pages anyway so perhaps needs to be closed and two new ones started.
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Its early days, when the second vaccine was only approved a few weeks ago. There will be more local vaccination centres, hospital hubs, drive thru and even mass vaccination at sports stadiums but also locally in GP surgeries, hopefully receiving more vaccine in the days and weeks to come.
The supply has been a problem, how quickly they can get the Astrazeneca vaccine into vials. (shortage of Vials) Then the next process of how quickly the regulator can carry out the safety checks. Rome wasn't built in a day.
The PM did seem confident there is enough supply to do the first four priority groups by mid- February. Having been a carer for my husband for 15 years we look forward to which ever vaccine might come first.
It was also reassuring to hear that there is a new treatment breakthrough with two life saving covid drugs and they have stocks of those. The claim is that they also speed up recovery and reduce the length of time that critically-ill patients need to spend in intensive care. That is extremely good news, its been harrowing watching the intensive care units coping these last few days.
Sandra
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My son (a nurse in A&E) had his first jab today, which is quite a relief. His partner, who works in a GP surgery may be getting hers next week.
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That is good news Mike , I am grateful we oldies are being considered but the frontline workers are more important .
Viktoria.
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I am in my eighties but my local GP practice has, as yet, published virtually nothing on Covid vaccination other than vague reference to the NHS arranging it and not to contact the surgery. As far as I can make out mass vaccination will take place at the racecourse in Epsom probably next week, altough this has not been stated officially. The local practice will not be doing any. I consider it would have been more helpful to the elderly if use had been made of local theatres and football stadia.
The surgery telephoned me today to make an appointment for a blood test. I asked about the vaccination programme and was simply told that the NHS will be in touch. I am none too impressed especially as Boris Johnson keeps announcing dates which seem to be continually changing.
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Correct me if I'm wrong. First Pfizer innoculation then the second one in a fortnight's time. However, I think there's been some talk of using the Pfizer for the first innoculation then using the other Oxford one for the second vaccination. The reason this action (might) be taken is that we bought X doses of Pfizer (divide by 2 for two doses per patient) but we could use all those X doses as the first jab, which would double the number of people protected against the virus and then use Oxford as the 2nd booster jab.
I don't think I'd feel secure mixing different vaccines, I'd rather wait and have two doses of the same vaccine.
Unless plans have changed again, that's not correct.
The emergency plan is to give 1 dose of a vaccine to as many people as possible on the priority list as quickly as possible. Aim (for England) is for top categories on priority list to receive 1 dose by mid February. The reason for this strategy is to give short-term protection to groups of people most likely to be admitted to hospital and overwhelming capacity of NHS if they caught Covid.
The 2nd dose will be given any time up to 12 weeks after 1st dose instead of 3-4 weeks as originally intended.
Lower categories on priority list should receive a 1st dose before summer (aim is by May).
2nd dose is the booster which gives long-term protection.
Guideline from Public Health England is for 2nd dose to be same vaccine as 1st dose. I may have quoted it and put a link to that statement earlier in the thread.
Discussion with 2 scientists about the strategy on "Inside Science", Radio 4 today.
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That was my understanding of it too.
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That is good news Mike , I am grateful we oldies are being considered but the frontline workers are more important .
Viktoria.
My thoughts exactly, Viktoria - we are lucky to be reasonably fit, can walk the dog each day, do our shopping online & stay at home till we can have the jab. The health and social care workers followed by so many other key workers need to be protected or the rest of us are snookered. Although I do think the residents in care homes should be protected so they can see at least one relative.
Pat
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That was my understanding of it too.
I couldn't find the statement or letter again saying that 2nd dose should be same as 1st dose. A letter to heads of NHS trusts contained a sentence instructing that supplies of Pfizer vaccine already in stock should be given as 1st doses instead of being reserved for 2nd doses.
If there are regular and reliable supplies of both vaccines and if IT record systems work properly, I assume each person will receive 1st & 2nd doses of the same vaccine.
U.K. is the first country to ever launch a rapid mass vaccination programme for the majority of adult citizens. There are drawbacks to going first. Other countries will learn from us.
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That is good news Mike , I am grateful we oldies are being considered but the frontline workers are more important .
Viktoria.
My thoughts exactly, Viktoria - we are lucky to be reasonably fit, can walk the dog each day, do our shopping online & stay at home till we can have the jab. The health and social care workers followed by so many other key workers need to be protected or the rest of us are snookered. Although I do think the residents in care homes should be protected so they can see at least one relative.
Pat
I agree with all that.
Plus the designated relative/partner/friend of a care home resident should be on the priority list like a person who cares for a relative at home. Some may already be in a priority category due to age.
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Maiden Stone, I meant that my understanding is the same as yours. I'm going to try and post an image of the letter you may be referring to, will see if it works.
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I can't attach it but have copied the relevant part, am pasting it below:
Official
Publications approval reference C001559
Skipton House
80 London Road
London
SE1 6LH
To:
Chief Executives of all NHS trusts and foundation trusts
All PCNs and all GP practices
Copy to:
CCG Accountable Officers
All Local Authority Chief Executives
NHS Regional Directors
Chairs of ICSs and STPs
Chairs of NHS trusts and foundation trusts
30 December 2020
Dear Colleague,
COVID-19 vaccination – for immediate action
You will have seen this morning’s welcome announcement that a second Covid vaccine
(from Oxford/AstraZeneca) has now been authorised by MHRA for use in the United
Kingdom.
JCVI has not advised a preference between the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca
vaccine in any specific population, stating that “both give very high protection against
severe disease…and both vaccines have good safety profiles”.
Updated guidance from JCVI and the UK chief medical officers has also been published
today on increased spacing of second vaccine doses for both the new Oxford/AstraZeneca
vaccine and the current Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (detailed below). Each person’s second
dose must be from the same manufacturer as their first dose.
The combined effect of these two decisions is that we are now able substantially to
accelerate vaccine delivery. We expect to have access to more vaccine supply in
than in December, and more supply in February than in January, and so on. Based on
current supply forecasts, by late spring it should be possible to have offered vaccination to
all vulnerable groups.
The aim, of course, is to vaccinate at-risk groups as fast as supply makes possible, in li
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Roobarb, that's the letter I meant.
"Each person's second dose must be from the same manufacturer as their first dose."
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The Belgium one does protect against the two new variants ,it has been proved,so good news there ,has anyone heard about the efficacy of the
Oxford one in that respect?
Best wishes to everyone , hope you are all well, not heard from Erato for a little while , or have I not looked properly .?
Nor PharmaT,
Quite a few others too, Jeffcock, Phillip , ?
Might send PMs .
Cheerio
Viktoria.
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Yesterday I received by email the latest letter for the “extremely vulnerable” advising me to once again shield.
This part makes interesting reading especially the last sentence beginning, “ we expect”.
The clinically extremely vulnerable will get priority access to vaccination against COVID-19 before the general population and in line with the priority ordering set by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). You will be contacted again by the NHS with more information on when and how you will be invited to get the vaccine.
The vaccine is likely to make an important contribution towards protecting you from COVID-19. We expect to have been able to offer the first dose of the vaccine to you by mid-February.
My surgery hasn’t even begun vaccinations yet as they and others in the same area haven’t received any vaccine.
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My husband has had his 2nd vaccination this morning.
We expected it to be cancelled after the announcement last week but there was also a mention that the BMA would support doctors who intended to do both vaccines.
As the weather forecast was not good (and was right) we contacted our surgery yesterday to make sure and was told ‘yes, turn up’.
Perhaps the confused messages account for some people not keeping their appointments.
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I have just had a telephone call from my son in laws aunt. Her GP phoned her yesterday with an appointment for her first vaccination this Monday. Not at the Surgery but a nearby Church Hall.
She is a bit apprehensive but will be taking the jag. Grand lady who will be 92 at the end of the month.
Stay safe everyone,
Dorrie
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The Pfizer vaccine is the one that has to be stored at -70C - not many GP surgeries have that kind of freezer ;D
Also, once a tray has been started, the whole tray must be used - you can't re-freeze.
This may account for the delays or lack of vaccinations?
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The Pfizer vaccine is the one that has to be stored at -70C - not many GP surgeries have that kind of freezer ;D
Also, once a tray has been started, the whole tray must be used - you can't re-freeze.
This may account for the delays or lack of vaccinations?
They said on the news yesterday that the Oxford one is the one that will be rolled out to GPs, so presumably most of us will receive that one.
I know as well that some GPs are sending out nurses to those who are housebound, and they will receive their vaccination that way.
Moderator Comment: Topic Locked as it's getting so long - new topic:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=842548.0