TallGuyJohninBKK

Some Covid Vaccines Are Still Hard to Find Vaccine appointments for kids remain limited, and Novavax shots are hard to come by Nov. 6, 2023 The recently authorized Covid vaccines promised to protect the public against an expected uptick of respiratory illness this winter. But getting shots into arms is still proving challenging. ... The early hiccups with claims and appointments for the Pfizer and Moderna shots have largely been resolved, she said, but other obstacles remain. Doses for children, in particular, have been slow to reach doctors’ offices. ... Some adults have also raised concerns about difficulties accessing the updated Novavax vaccine, which clinical trials suggest has fewer immediate side effects than the Pfizer or Moderna shots and may provide longer-lasting immunity against severe disease. (more) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/well/live/covid-vaccines-novavax.html

The CDC, by the way, also tells us that COVID illness is continuing to kill more than 1,000 Americans every week (even though there's no longer an official U.S. COVID emergency declaration since the spring), with reported COVID death numbers rebounding this fall as shown below: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00 Note: The most recent "gray" colored columns are colored as such because the recency of that data makes it less complete, as noted in an accompanying footnote, and not because those columns mean the most recent weekly tallies are falling. "Data during recent periods are incomplete because of the lag in time between when a death occurs and when a death certificate is completed, submitted to NCHS, and processed for reporting. This delay can range from 1 week to 8 weeks or more, depending on the jurisdiction. The most recent 3 weeks of mortality counts are shaded grey and mortality rates shown as dotted lines because NVSS reporting is <95% during this period.

Tell that to the parents of the 1800+ children who died. And of course, the death numbers don't reflect broader consequences such as hospitalizations, Long COVID symptoms, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), etc. One indicator of the recent, continuing COVID impacts on children in the U.S.: "But a new analysis of federal data from the American Academy of Pediatrics showed hospital admissions among children are rising faster than average. Nearly 1,200 children were admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 during the week ending September 9, marking a five-fold increase over the past three months. ... Children accounted for 6% of all Covid-19 hospital admissions during the week ending September 9, federal data shows. And children under 5 were the most at risk, with about half of all pediatric Covid-19 hospitalizations among those younger than 5, according to the AAP analysis." https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/22/health/covid-hospitalizations-seniors-kids-vaccines/index.html

The CDC has tallied more than 1800 deaths of people age 18 and under in the U.S. due to COVID since the start of the pandemic....until they stopped updating the data last June. Lower numbers than other, older age groups. But still a lot of what should have been needless / preventable deaths. Provisional COVID-19 Deaths: Focus on Ages 0-18 Years https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/Provisional-COVID-19-Deaths-Focus-on-Ages-0-18-Yea/nr4s-juj3

One of the life insurance representatives quoted in the article is someone who in the past has been cited by fact check sites for misrepresenting deaths data in connection with the pandemic.... But it's not clear from the article's website just who exactly prepared that chart / where it came from.

The same CDC website also allows the user to generate charts of weekly deaths based on age groups, and those results for 2023 (the blue line) certainly seem to disagree with the life insurance article chart as the data moves thru the year, showing 2023 numbers trending below those of prior years: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/excess_deaths.htm

The report/data is aimed at examining the impacts of COVID on excess deaths. But the CDC website cited above clearly says at the beginning of the second paragraph of text on the page: "Counts of deaths from all causes of deaths, including COVID, are presented." And for the specific chart I posted above, it clearly says in the headline for that specific chart: "Weekly number of deaths (from all causes)" That particular CDC website has different options that allow the viewer to generate chart data using different parameters, depending on which option is selected.

The U.S. CDC website on excess deaths, with data that continued through September 2023, looks only slightly different and seems to corroborate the NYT version above: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/excess_deaths.htm

Just a look at the U.S. part of this, which seems at odds with the graphic from the OP article: Overall U.S. Death Rate Back to ‘Normal,’ COVID Pandemic Over "July 18, 2023 -- In the worst periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, 30% more Americans than normal were dying each day. But now, that percentage of “excess deaths” has bottomed out and is “no longer historically abnormal,” as The New York Times put it. ... The improvement is due to three main factors, The Times reports: About 75% of adults have received at least one vaccine shot About 75% have had COVID, and received natural immunity from future symptoms Treatments for infected people have become widely available." https://www.webmd.com/covid/news/20230718/overall-u-s-death-rate-back-to-normal-covid-pandemic-over

October 20, 2023 Damning evidence of war crimes as Israeli attacks wipe out entire families in Gaza As Israeli forces continue to intensify their cataclysmic assault on the occupied Gaza Strip, Amnesty International has documented unlawful Israeli attacks, including indiscriminate attacks, which caused mass civilian casualties and must be investigated as war crimes. The organization spoke to survivors and eyewitnesses, analysed satellite imagery, and verified photos and videos to investigate air bombardments carried out by Israeli forces between 7 and 12 October, which caused horrific destruction, and in some cases wiped out entire families. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/damning-evidence-of-war-crimes-as-israeli-attacks-wipe-out-entire-families-in-gaza/

I'm not taking a personal side in this dispute/war and which side is entitled to what.... but... My news updates today say the latest death toll reported in Gaza has now exceeded 10,000. And my update from the Washington Post today talks of Israeli strikes hitting refugee camps, hospitals, schools, water towers, etc. "Entire families have been killed; infants are buried with their parents in mass graves. Strikes have hit water towers and bakeries, schools and ambulances. Human rights groups have flagged a growing number of strikes as potential war crimes and urged an international investigation." https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/05/israel-strike-targets-gaza-civilians-hamas/ and yet Netanyahu is talking above about 'operating in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents"... Huh????

How long will the COVID-19 vaccine last once I have had 2 doses? "Protection against getting infected does appear to wane over time. Protection against death and severe disease also drops over time, but more slowly. You can increase your protection by getting a booster from 6 months after your primary course. All adults can get a booster if it’s been 6 months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever is most recent) for additional protection against severe illness from COVID. This is particularly recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness, including: everyone 65 years and over everyone 18 years and over with medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs." https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/is-it-true/is-it-true-how-long-will-the-covid-19-vaccine-last-once-i-have-had-2-doses

Yes, you're clearly missing something: The public health authorities around the world have been very clear in stressing that two original COVID vaccines, so-called primary vaccination only, typically given long ago one to two years ago or more at this point, are going to have very minimal protection against the current Omicron variants, especially when it comes to just reducing infections (though supposedly somewhat better against serious illness). As they've said repeatedly, to be well protected, you ideally need to have your original vaccinations PLUS a third booster shot, typically with last year's 2nd gen bivalent vaccines.... and now are recommending additional vaccination with the newest monovalent vaccines keyed to the latest circulating XBB descendant strains. I'm guessing the share of the Australian population that meet the criteria of those kinds of vaccinations is pretty small, especially since the new monovalent vaccines haven't been made publicly available yet in Australia. "In October, the Therapeutic Goods Administration assessed and provisionally approved new monovalent COVID-19 vaccines, but further assessment is ongoing. Availability dates have not yet been made public, but the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is expected to provide updated advice in the coming weeks." https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/covid-19-cases-are-rising-around-australia-are-we-in-an-eighth-wave-of-infections/y9fn676a7 It's very much like the flu vaccine. Getting vaccinated two years ago or last year really isn't going to help so much for this season's flu. COVID vaccines are likely going to become an annual thing, and seem headed toward being combined with annual flu vaccine shots.

And that's not including the other well-informed folks who believe the Moon landings were faked or that the Earth is really flat. And in another measure of just how bogus this Rasmussen claim is, last time I checked in Google search, their supposed poll results basically have been widely ignored by major news outlets based in the U.S. -- national wire services, major newspapers, mainstream TV network news, etc. ( cue the "it's all a conspiracy" claims... 😞 ) According to Google search, for the most part, just this AseanNow thread created by an avowed anti-vaxer on the forum, and a lot of non-credible alt-right websites that wouldn't even be allowed as news sources here.

In the last reporting period, COVID-19 numbers increased in all Australian states and territories. Experts say it marks the beginning of a new wave of infections. 2 November 2023 ... "According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, surveillance indicators suggest COVID-19 transmission has been gradually increasing since mid to late-August. In the week ending 24 October, 6,550 cases of COVID-19 were reported across Australia, an average of 936 cases per day. This marked an increase of 23.6 per cent nationally. In the same period, the number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 increased by an average of 17.5 per cent to 1,245." (more) https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/covid-19-cases-are-rising-around-australia-are-we-in-an-eighth-wave-of-infections/y9fn676a7 A video news report on the same: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-06/evidence-suggests-covid-cases-are-climbing-again/103069502 AND "...it's also important to note that these graphs only chart confirmed COVID-19 cases, which may be much lower than the actual number of cases due to a drop in mandatory reporting." Victorians advised to wear a mask "On October 26, Victoria's acting chief health officer Christian McGrath announced community transmission of COVID-19 had increased to levels not observed since May. Dr McGrath has suggested all Melburnians consider donning masks again in public places." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-03/covid-wave-incoming-case-figures-reporting-booster/103054678

Thailand MoPH Weekly COVID report for Oct. 29 to Nov. 4: --304 new COVID hospitalizations --1 new COVID death --63 COVID patients hospitalized in serious condition --43 COVID patients hospitalized requiring intubation to breathe. https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/?dashboard=main

Regarding the relevance and expected effectiveness of the new monovalent COVID vaccines against the currently circulating HV.1 variant, as has been previously noted in another thread where you made the same kind of comments as above: My response: Fortunately, both of the more recent primary COVID variants are descendants of the XBB family variant that was/is the basis for the newest monovalent vaccines, so there's expected to be continuing protection. "Both are descendants of the XBB variant. The updated Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which became available last month, target a different XBB descendant, called XBB.1.5. But disease experts say the new shots should offer cross-protection against the currently dominant strains. Dr. Scott Roberts, an infectious disease specialist at Yale Medicine, said that although the vaccine is not a "perfect match" for HV.1, "it’s still a good match because it’s still within the same family of variant." https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-covid-variant-dominant-slow-vaccine-uptake-rcna122361

Over 15 million Americans got updated COVID vaccines so far November 2, 2023 "WASHINGTON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Over 15 million people in the United States, around 4.5% of the population, had received the updated COVID-19 shots by Oct. 27, a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson said on Wednesday, lagging behind last year's vaccinations. Close to 23 million people had received updated boosters as of Oct. 26 last year, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows. The 2022 fall vaccination campaign started around 10 days earlier than this year's. ... The updated shots from Pfizer (PFE.N) and BioNTech (22UAy.DE), Moderna (MRNA.O) or Novavax (NVAX.O) are single-target vaccines aimed at the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, which was dominant in the U.S. for much of this year but has since been overtaken by other variants as the virus evolves." (more) https://www.reuters.com/world/us/over-15-mln-americans-got-updated-covid-vaccines-so-far-2023-11-01/

Thailand doesn't have any of the newer, monovalent boosters that have been rolled out recently in the U.S., UK and elsewhere... However, particularly for people at higher risk for COVID such as the older folks and those with chronic health issues, even last year's bivalent boosters from Pfizer and Moderna should help restore some of the protection that's waned since a person's last prior shot, likely many months prior. One reason to wait, of course, would be if the person had any expectation of being able to obtain the newer monovalent vaccines anytime in the near future, and/or prior to any activities that would put them at extra risk, such as community holiday and family gatherings, etc etc.

Since the OP is referencing the BKK area, the best course probably is to contact your nearest district Ministry of Public Health center and ask what nearby government hospitals, if any, are still providing the vaccines. Or do the same directly if you have a government hospital in your area. This below is the last public thing I've seen re Bangkok as of mid Oct. If the hospital below isn't still giving vaccines, the staff there reachable at the contact phone number might also know who is. Luangphor Thaweesak Chutintharo Uthit Hospital Open for vaccination service COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer (walk in) October 2023 - Adults and children over 5 years old, Thursday 12, 19 and 26 October. - Children aged 6 months - 5 years, Thursday 12 and 26 October At the Social Security inspection room from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the hospital's UMSC Center. 0-2429-3575 to 81 press 0 (on business days and times) Source: Luangphor Thaweesak Chutintharo Uthit Hospital https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/pfbid0FPBFtHAv4wn8zxRUUCiPgabjPo6p1LbcMMn8qhQpjt3wVHGGdteXxA1tp7cA9CBBl The Thai Ministry of Public Health should be communicating about such things. But they don't appear to be doing so at all these days, with the recent election and turnover in government leadership and the minister in charge of MoPH.

Physicians linked to COVID-19 misinformation rarely disciplined Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 "Physicians who provided medical misinformation that affected patient's care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have seen few consequences, The Washington Post found. ... The Post analyzed disciplinary records from medical boards in all 50 states. At least 20 doctors nationally were disciplined for complaints of COVID-19 misinformation between January 2020 and June 2023. Five of those physicians lost their medical licenses, with one revoked and four surrendered." https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/physicians-linked-to-covid-19-misinformation-rarely-disciplined.html

1. The study I cited on preventable COVID deaths in the U.S. was done by a respected Ivy League U.S. university, and had absolutely nothing to do with the Neil Ferguson UK researcher you cite. 2. As to the actual findings, other separate, prior U.S. research has made similar findings. But if you think the Brown University research is not credible, feel free to try to find any credible science or fact check site that says their methods and research were wrong. "The national number of vaccine-preventable COVID deaths calculated by Brown and Microsoft exceeds an earlier analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation, which put that number at 234,000. Cynthia Cox, director of the Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker and a co-author of that analysis, tells NPR that differences in methodology may explain the discrepancy. Unlike the KFF analysis, the new analysis included data on how many Americans were boosted — so the vaccine-preventable death total includes people who never got vaccinated, along with those whose vaccine protection had waned and who had not received a booster." In other words, a likely more accurate projection than the earlier KFF one. But still delivering the same basic message and conclusions. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/05/13/1098071284/this-is-how-many-lives-could-have-been-saved-with-covid-vaccinations-in-each-sta

Asking such a question referring to Australia's vaccines regulator, instead of coming right out and promoting misinformation, still means you're wrong. Spike in deaths in Australia from COVID illnesses, not vaccine "While a recent analysis found that the country saw a higher than expected number of deaths in 2022, it also concluded coronavirus vaccines weren’t the cause. Government officials and experts in Australia concur, saying the rise in deaths is largely the result of COVID-19 infections, not vaccine-related deaths." https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-covid-coronavirus-vaccine-australia-125014733236

Of course, the doctor wasn't suspended for anything she did in the way of treatment of her patients, at least according to the news reports. She was suspended for loudly and publicly proclaiming and promoting a bunch of nonsense anti-vax misinformation and COVID conspiracy theories. And according to the news reports, showing absolutely no remorse for the damages she likely caused for people who followed her advice.

Research studies have estimated that had 100% of American adults been fully vaccinated, the COVID death toll just between January 2021 and April 2022 could have been cut in half, and nearly 319,000 lives saved just during that period alone. And among those who still would have died, a lot of those would have been because you can't suddenly vaccinate a country of 300+ million people overnight. The vaccine rollout took time to reach the population. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/05/13/1098071284/this-is-how-many-lives-could-have-been-saved-with-covid-vaccinations-in-each-sta