Blaire

[pete50]

I don't like Tony Blaire. The bluest Labour leader ever BUT this is what needs to happen and it can happen if the bunch of idiots running the show pull their fingers out from their nether regions.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...eleration-of-programme/ar-BB1c9lTh?li=BBoPWjQ

 

[sxturbo]

I agree with this

But

Aren't we limited to what Pfizer are able to produce and the timescale to get it to us.

Also if the Oxford vaccine doesn't get approved the Pfizer vaccine is very hard to get down to a local level due to the way it needs to be stored, so generally can only really be done in hospitals, at the moment.

If the Oxford vaccine gets approval then we are into a winner the local doctors can start dishing them out

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

the Pfizer vaccine is very hard to get down to a local level due to the way it needs to be stored, so generally can only really be done in hospitals, at the moment.

I understand it is fine at fridge temperatures for several hours, long enough to be distributed and used at local level.

 

[charliegolf]

I understand it is fine at fridge temperatures for several hours, long enough to be distributed and used at local level.

Better. 3-5 days.

 

[IT Minion]

All true so far, but the normal vaccines we use are good for weeks at fridge temps. Only 3-5 days is incredibly short and the need to have it at -70 is really really rare.

Can it be made to work? For some of the country yes, but the AstraZenica and Moderna ones are far easier to distribute, which means you can get people vaccinated faster.

 

[transam]

The UK has vaccinated more people per capita than Aby other country in the world

 

[IT Minion]

The UK has vaccinated more people per capita than Aby other country in the world

Yep, could be better as half the hospitals in the UK don't have any access yet, but progress is being made.

The sooner we get the vulnerable groups covered the better.

 

[SirGalahad]

I agree with this

But

Aren't we limited to what Pfizer are able to produce and the timescale to get it to us.

Also if the Oxford vaccine doesn't get approved the Pfizer vaccine is very hard to get down to a local level due to the way it needs to be stored, so generally can only really be done in hospitals, at the moment.

If the Oxford vaccine gets approval then we are into a winner the local doctors can start dishing them out

Where you been living?

GPs have been vaccinating people in the community.

 

[sxturbo]

Where you been living?

GPs have been vaccinating people in the community.

Only those that have the ability to store the vaccine, which is very few and far between, it has so far been mostly done in hospitals.

 

[JohnD]

Only those that have the ability to store the vaccine, which is very few and far between, it has so far been mostly done in hospitals.

I know why you think that, but it's not right.

See the second sentence. For BioNTech/Pfizer:

"Storage requirements: Must be transported at minus 75C. Has a lifespan of five days when refrigerated at between 2C and 8C."

Millions of bottles of milk are delivered, stored and consumed every day all over the country (and the world) like that five-day window.

.

.

 

[JohnD]

Other vaccines are even easier. We are entering the "second" race.

The Moderna one stores easier than frozen peas.

"Storage requirements: Must be transported at minus 20C. Has a lifespan of 30 days when refrigerated at between 2C and 8C."

Again, millions of packs every day.

And the Astra Zeneca/Oxford University one, as easy as a pack of cheese.

"Storage requirements: Needs to be refrigerated between 2C and 8C but does not expire."


The country is littered with refrigerated trucks and supermarket cold stores that could easily handle 65 million doses a week, if necessary.

 

[SirGalahad]

Only those that have the ability to store the vaccine, which is very few and far between, it has so far been mostly done in hospitals.

Are you involved in a roll out? The vaccine comes in vials and then is diluted down and has to be used within 3.5 days. You don't need special fridges to store it once it has thawed but has to be used within 3.5 days.

 

[sxturbo]

Are you involved in a roll out? The vaccine comes in vials and then is diluted down and has to be used within 3.5 days. You don't need special fridges to store it once it has thawed but has to be used within 3.5 days.

Fair enough.

 

[JohnD]

By chance, the "first" vaccine is relatively difficult to store and distribute.


If the Johnson & Johnson version passes trials,

Storage requirements: Can be transported and stored at between 2C and 8C for three months. Will last for two years if kept at minus 20C.

And Novavax

Storage requirements: Transported and stored at 2C to 8C. Expected to last at least six months at those temperatures, though work on this area is ongoing.


Not all vaccines will be successful. A lot fail during development and trial, so it will be a while before we know which is the best, cheapest, easiest to handle.

Our current challenge is organisation, implementation and rollout. Government organisations are often incompetent at large projects.

 

[sxturbo]

organisations are often incompetent at large projects.

One would hope that the pandemic might make those civil servants have a vested interest in getting it right.

Unfortunately all the evidence so far suggests not,

But I do believe the current roll out to be at least a good start