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Explainer: I just got a COVID-19 vaccine. Now what?


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Posted

Explainer: I just got a COVID-19 vaccine. Now what?

By Deena Beasley

 

c19435d034e4d9f3a2ed1902ffd40cfd.jpg

FILE PHOTO: Vials with a sticker reading, "COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only" and a medical syringe are seen in front of a displayed Pfizer logo in this illustration taken October 31, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

 

(Reuters) - Britain will become the first country in the world on Tuesday to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNtech, initially making the shot available at 50 hospitals.

 

The country’s National Health Service will give priority to vaccinating people over the age of 80, frontline healthcare workers and nursing home staff and residents.

 

Here is what people getting the vaccine should expect.

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE GETS THE VACCINE?

 

The vaccine, developed with new messenger RNA technology using a manufactured fragment of the coronavirus’ genetic code, is injected into the arm. The immunization is given in two doses, three weeks apart, and has been shown in trials to protect up to 95% of recipients from contracting COVID-19.

 

Pfizer has said side effects in trial volunteers were mostly mild to moderate, and cleared up quickly. The most severe side effects occurred after the second dose: fatigue in 3.8% of volunteers and headache in 2%. Older adults tended to report fewer and milder adverse events.

 

WHAT KIND OF PROTECTION DOES IT GIVE?

 

The vaccine prevented COVID-19 illness seven days after the second injection - which is about a month after the first shot.

 

Clinical trials so far have not been designed to determine if an immunized person can still spread the coronavirus to someone else. Some vaccines, such as hepatitis A, do provide such protection - known as sterilizing immunity - but others do not. COVID-19 vaccine makers focused trials on determining whether the drug stopped people from getting ill.

 

It will also be several more months before it becomes clear how long the vaccination will protect someone from coronavirus infection.

 

“Until then, it is better to avoid the pub, and other in-person gatherings with many people,” said Dr. Anita Shet, infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

 

DOES THE VACCINE MEAN BACK TO NORMAL LIFE?

 

Since there is no evidence that the immunization prevents transmission of the virus - and no vaccine is 100% effective - scientists call for continued vigilance, including mask-wearing, hand-washing and social distancing.

 

“As with all vaccines, it may work really great in certain patient subsets, but not as well in others ... Does that mean you are free to hop on a plane or have 30 people over at your house? Probably not,” said Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director for infection prevention at Colorado’s UCHealth.

 

She said vaccination campaigns are unlikely to reach “a critical mass” until next spring or early summer.

 

reuters_logo.jpg

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-08
 
Posted (edited)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/health/covid-vaccine-pfizer.html

 

Pfizer’s Vaccine Offers Strong Protection After First Dose

The Food and Drug Administration’s first analysis of the clinical trial data also found that the coronavirus vaccine worked well regardless of a volunteer’s race, weight or age.

 

"WASHINGTON — The coronavirus vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech provides strong protection against Covid-19 within about 10 days of the first dose, according to documents published on Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration before a meeting of its vaccine advisory group.

 

The finding is one of several significant new results featured in the briefing materials, which include more than 100 pages of data analyses from the agency and from Pfizer. Last month, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their two-dose vaccine had an efficacy rate of 95 percent after two doses administered three weeks apart. The new analyses show that the protection starts kicking in far earlier.

...

New coronavirus cases quickly tapered off in the vaccinated group of volunteers about 10 days after the first dose, according to one graph in the briefing materials. In the placebo group, cases kept steadily increasing."

 

Edited by TallGuyJohninBKK
Posted (edited)
6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Pfizer has said side effects in trial volunteers were mostly mild to moderate, and cleared up quickly. The most severe side effects occurred after the second dose: fatigue in 3.8% of volunteers and headache in 2%. Older adults tended to report fewer and milder adverse events.

 

Odd that the NY Times report above based on info Pfizer submitted to the U.S. FDA has what sounds like very different side effect statistics, as follows:

 

"The new Pfizer analysis revealed that many volunteers who received the vaccine felt ill in the hours after the second dose, suggesting that many people might have to request a day off work or be prepared to rest until the symptoms subside.

 

Among those between ages 16 and 55, more than half developed fatigue, and more than half also reported headaches. Just over one-third felt chills, and 37 percent felt muscle pain. About half of those over age 55 felt fatigued, one-third developed a headache and about one-quarter felt chills, while 29 percent experienced muscle pain.

 

“Taking a day off after the second dose is a good thing to anticipate,” Dr. Iwasaki said."

 

Edited by TallGuyJohninBKK
Posted

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/pfizer-vaccine-trial-results/

FDA review confirms safety and
efficacy of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine

...

Pfizer has projected that the United States will receive about half of its global supply through the end of the year — about 25 million doses. Government officials expect about another 20 million doses to be provided by Moderna, which is about a week behind the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine. Pfizer will deliver the balance of the 100 million doses the United States has purchased in the first few months of next year, enough for 50 million people.

The United States approached Pfizer to buy another 100 million doses this past weekend, but was informed the supply may not be available until late June, The Washington Post reported. That raises questions about whether the U.S. goal to create enough vaccine for the entire population by the summer could slip.

 

Posted
15 hours ago, BumpheadParrotfish said:

Thailand will never allow those with vaccines to stroll in. There's too much money in all the nonsense. 

 

Guaranteed three years from now it will be at minimum 3 days and 10k thb at some marginal hotel owned by police / government flunkies.

And if that is the case, there will be no tourism industry in Thailand. Meanwhile in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia etc, tourism will be booming!

  • Like 1
Posted
10 hours ago, Walkabout said:

. . . lies, dam’ lies and statistics . . .

Without speaking of the side effects of the vaccines nor on reduction of the severity of the illness if one catches it, the manufacturers are playing with the numbers . . .

End November, Pfizer says it recorded 170 covid-19 cases (in 44,000 volunteers), with a remarkable split: 162 in the placebo group versus 8 in the vaccine group. Meanwhile Moderna says 95 of 30,000 volunteers in its ongoing trial got covid-19: 90 on placebo versus 5 receiving the vaccine, leading both companies to claim around 95% efficacy.

This nice figure of 95% used for PR is a relative risk reduction figure but does not show the absolute risk reduction of less than 1%. Taking the Pfizer example: (22000-8)/22000 or 99.96%of the vaccinated did not get Covid; (22000-162)/22000 or 99.26% of the unvaccinated (placebo group) did not get Covid. The difference is 0.7%, the real efficacy of the vaccine!!!!
.

What good are these vaccines for? I’ll pass . . .

I fully agree. 

Another example: diabolic plague is 100 % deadly but can be reliably cured with antibiotics.

99.9999% of people never get diabolic plague.

Only .0001% of people ever get it (and these .0001% all die from it).

With antibiotics,  .0000% of people die from diabolic plague.

The difference is .0001% (dead w/o antibiotics) - .0000% (dead with antibiotics) = .0001%, the real efficacy of these antibiotics!!!!

 

What good are these antibiotics for? I’ll pass . . .

  • Sad 1
Posted
6 minutes ago, Kiujunn said:

I fully agree. 

Another example: diabolic plague is 100 % deadly but can be reliably cured with antibiotics.

99.9999% of people never get diabolic plague.

Only .0001% of people ever get it (and these .0001% all die from it).

With antibiotics,  .0000% of people die from diabolic plague.

The difference is .0001% (dead w/o antibiotics) - .0000% (dead with antibiotics) = .0001%, the real efficacy of these antibiotics!!!!

 

What good are these antibiotics for? I’ll pass . . .

I think you're playing with numbers. Antibiotics cure 100% of those who contract the disease. What more do you want? It's nothing to do with the treatment, that 99.9999% never get it in the first place is it?

  • Like 1
Posted
10 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Odd that the NY Times report above based on info Pfizer submitted to the U.S. FDA has what sounds like very different side effect statistics, as follows:

 

"The new Pfizer analysis revealed that many volunteers who received the vaccine felt ill in the hours after the second dose, suggesting that many people might have to request a day off work or be prepared to rest until the symptoms subside.

 

Among those between ages 16 and 55, more than half developed fatigue, and more than half also reported headaches. Just over one-third felt chills, and 37 percent felt muscle pain. About half of those over age 55 felt fatigued, one-third developed a headache and about one-quarter felt chills, while 29 percent experienced muscle pain.

 

“Taking a day off after the second dose is a good thing to anticipate,” Dr. Iwasaki said."

 

 

Maybe one is reporting on severe side effects, the other on mild side effects ,eg, mild chill vs high fever lasting longer than 24 hours.  As with the flu vaccine, there will be side effects in the majority of people.  Interestingly, people in the placebo group also report mild illness too.  My take is that we can become rather over-aware of our body state.  In a given period we all suffer head aches, raised body temperature, sore throats, etc, but this has nothing to do with the vaccine. 

Posted

We do not know what the placebo group did receive, the vaccine less the active Covid ingredientperhaps? People in the placebo group report reactions to the other ingredients such as adjuvants, . . .

Posted
17 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

The world will be guinea pigs it appears.

Russia & China have been for several months already... (But at least they're not using mRNA vaccines...)

Posted
11 hours ago, EricTh said:

Why should UK be given priority? Shouldn't it be apportioned equally to all countries?


Let them go mate. 
While I am not a believer of all the anti vaxxer nonsense, a couple of their points could be valid.

 

Thankyou to the Brits to take it on the chin and be the human guinea pigs for everyone else. 
 

Good luck, I hope it all works out.

Posted
12 hours ago, Walkabout said:

. . . lies, dam’ lies and statistics . . .

Without speaking of the side effects of the vaccines nor on reduction of the severity of the illness if one catches it, the manufacturers are playing with the numbers . . .

End November, Pfizer says it recorded 170 covid-19 cases (in 44,000 volunteers), with a remarkable split: 162 in the placebo group versus 8 in the vaccine group. Meanwhile Moderna says 95 of 30,000 volunteers in its ongoing trial got covid-19: 90 on placebo versus 5 receiving the vaccine, leading both companies to claim around 95% efficacy.

This nice figure of 95% used for PR is a relative risk reduction figure but does not show the absolute risk reduction of less than 1%. Taking the Pfizer example: (22000-8)/22000 or 99.96%of the vaccinated did not get Covid; (22000-162)/22000 or 99.26% of the unvaccinated (placebo group) did not get Covid. The difference is 0.7%, the real efficacy of the vaccine!!!!
.

What good are these vaccines for? I’ll pass . . .

 

I do agree that it's really a pointless exercise for many cohorts, such as the young.

 

Nevertheless, these vaccines appear very effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalization and death- and that's what it's all about really.  

 

In the UK, excess deaths stand at 70,000 this year, and it's beyond dispute that thousands have entered hospital in a dreadful state.  Had they been vaccinated perhaps 60- 80% wouldn't have died (of covid19 anyway).

 

In my opinion anyone over 60, in ill health, or otherwise at risk, should be strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. 

 

Really, we're talking about real life rather than equations.

Posted
1 hour ago, Walkabout said:

We do not know what the placebo group did receive, the vaccine less the active Covid ingredientperhaps? People in the placebo group report reactions to the other ingredients such as adjuvants, . . .

Usually saline solution. ie. Salt Water

Posted

The tests do not show the efficacy at reducing severe illness, hospitalization and death and are even not designed to show these aspects.

The commercial release of Pfizer vaccine or its authorization is much to fast to show efficacy and safety, specially for a completely new design (mRNA).

Even an ex-Pfizer head of respiratory research, Dr. Michael Yeadon, request more serious tests than what is done at the moment ( ref.: https://www.globalresearch.ca/dr-wodarg-dr-yeadon-request-stop-all-corona-vaccination-studies-call-co-signing-petition/5731458 ).

  • Like 2
Posted
3 minutes ago, Walkabout said:

The tests do not show the efficacy at reducing severe illness, hospitalization and death and are even not designed to show these aspects.

The commercial release of Pfizer vaccine or its authorization is much to fast to show efficacy and safety, specially for a completely new design (mRNA).

Even an ex-Pfizer head of respiratory research, Dr. Michael Yeadon, request more serious tests than what is done at the moment ( ref.: https://www.globalresearch.ca/dr-wodarg-dr-yeadon-request-stop-all-corona-vaccination-studies-call-co-signing-petition/5731458 ).

You are actally quoting Dr Wodarg who has been a well known conspiracy theorist since spring. 

I would be glad if I had the income he gets from YouTube.

Posted (edited)
13 hours ago, EricTh said:

Why should UK be given priority? Shouldn't it be apportioned equally to all countries?

 

It didn't say that the UK was being given priority.

Edited by Qualibus
Posted
2 hours ago, stretch5163 said:

 pre order just like any other country can do

You meant to say: just like any other rich country can do

 

BTW not every rich country pre-ordered blindly.

Some just wait a bit and see what works, then buy. This way, they don't get the best price and they are not the first to be vaccinated,  but on the other side,  you get proven quality. 

Posted
2 hours ago, Kiujunn said:

I fully agree. 

Another example: diabolic plague is 100 % deadly but can be reliably cured with antibiotics.

99.9999% of people never get diabolic plague.

Only .0001% of people ever get it (and these .0001% all die from it).

With antibiotics,  .0000% of people die from diabolic plague.

The difference is .0001% (dead w/o antibiotics) - .0000% (dead with antibiotics) = .0001%, the real efficacy of these antibiotics!!!!

, do 

What good are these antibiotics for? I’ll pass . . .

 

I've heard of bubonic plague and I've heard of pneumonic plague but 'diabolic plague' is a new one for me. What are the symptoms, do little devils with toasting forks sit on one's shoulder?

  • Haha 1
Posted

UK was one of the first countries to approve a vaccine for use. Others will be approving the vaccines within days or weeks.

 

UK does not have priority over anyone. It pre ordered and approved the vaccines for use. The

Russia is also giving its citizens a vaccine. You want to ask the same question of them?

 

<deleted>.

Posted

I'll wait for a couple of years before thinking of getting the vaccine. The more I wait, the more I'll be able to make an informed decision.

Clinical trial results from the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine reveal two study participants died from what were classified as “Serious Adverse Events".
https://healthandmoneynews.wordpress.com/2020/12/08/breaking-fda-announces-2-deaths-of-pfizer-vaccine-trial-participants-from-serious-adverse-events/

Posted

To answer Swimfan. "Usually saline solution. ie. Salt Water". No, it is seldom a neutral placebo. It is most often the same product less the active ingredient. Reason: it shows the effect of the active ingredient (and allows statistic manipulations to show less severe reactions than the total vaccine - active ingredient, adjuvants, preservatives, ...).

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