New vaccine concerns

[gardeninglady]

We are told that with the astrazeneca vaccine authorised for use today that people MAY GAIN UP TO 80% effectiveness after the 2nd dose, 12 weeks from the first. Has anyone heard whether this was tested on people with serous lung conditions and what its effectiveness will be? I am concerned that it may not give me enough protection from covid when I eventually mix with non-vaccinated people. Can we be prioritised for the Pfizer vaccine at 95% effectiveness?

[2greys]

The efficacy is over 90% with a 12 week gap between doses. I have no concern taking it at all and I have serious lung conditions: very severe Emphysema, Lung Cancer (in remission) and extensive Lung scarring, plus a few other comorbidities like Ischaemic Heart Disease.

Unfortunately it is recommended that you will still have to be very careful over mixing with others for quite a while afterwards, especially with this new strain.

[Ian1967 in reply to 2greys]

That’s good to hear 2greys, I was getting quite concerned when they changed it from three weeks to three months, but as you say we’ll have to be careful until we’ve had the second dose.

I just hope the government don’t mess this up, the way they have with this pandemic, I also hope no private companies are involved in this!

[Badbessie]

From my reading I would have no concerns taking this vaccine. Six months ago scientists were stating that they would take a vaccine with 50% efficiency. To have three which are well above that level is fantastic. From my understanding there are volunteers on this forum who have taken part in the various trials.

[Lemon7]

I am diagnosed mild copd and volunteered for vaccine trials. I took part in a trial for novavax, not oxford trial. However, the site I attended was doing trial work for both these vaccines. Staff there told me that no corners were cut, trials were thorough and prioritised over regular drugs trials. The work in 2020 has almost exclusively been covid19 trial work. They also believe a vaccine with 70% efficacy is a good result. My own reading up about vaccines found out oxford vaccine saw no one ill with severe infection after having had their vaccine in trials. Hope this helps your decision making.

[Oshgosh]

I appreciate your concern,as I also have lung disease,auto immune conditions as well as asthma. Y rheumatologist is very kefir me to have the vaccine. After several sleepless nights I’ve decided that I just have to trust the system. Take. Care

[Martinack59]

Take it the normal yearly flu vaccine has an average of around 40% cover this vaccine is an incredible ache

[Martinack59]

Achievement I meant

[Jandm]

I’ve read and watched the video that was kindly recommended by 2grey. What it states is that it is effective up to 80% at preventing serious illness but it’s only up to 70% effective in preventing the contraction of this virus. Unfortunately, we do not have a choice as to which one we get

[Marlsboy]

I was looking at some tables yesterday which compared about 8 vaccines. Of the three main ones (Pfizer, Moderna and Astra Zeneca) . For effectiveness the figures were:- Astra Zeneca between 52 and 70% effective, both Pfizer and Moderna were 95% effective. I will be at the front of the queue for any, but am crossing my fingers it's one of the American ones.

[Hidden]

As I mentioned elsewhere I am somewhat concerned that very few elderly people were included in the Oxford trial. That's not to say that there were many in the other trials, but Oxford have been a little more transparent. However their figures have been very confusing: just over 60% effective, but then much better if only half the dose is given second time around...( a happy mistake)... but most of the participants in the uk part of the research were under 60 because they chose to target health care workers first.Like Marlsboy I would be happy to have any vaccine but would prefer to have the Pfizer one as a 76 year old with lung problems.

[Mavary]

I’m just concerned that we are only going to have the first dose then the second three months later. What happened to having the second three weeks later. Is the one going to cover us enough. If people are already vulnerable then surely any infection whether it’s mild or not can be a risk if your immune system is not good.

[Jct1 in reply to Mavary]

My mum of 89 has had the first dose and gets the second dose next week and it is 95% effective. I hope I get the same one. With lung problems and cancer waiting three months between doses is worrying. I hope I get the same one as my mum jct1

[Echoblue]

The Oxford-Astra Zeneca one improved its effectiveness when a smaller dose was given first then larger dose at second vaccination, this was actually done in error but found to increase effectiveness hence why initial results showed 60% on same dose size for each vacc but went up dramatically to nearer other vaccinations when protocol was changed.

What is also interesting to note is that NOT ONE person who did get COVID had symptoms serious enough to need hospitalisation even after just one dose of the Oxford AZ. I would therefore be very happy to get even first dose of any of the vaccinations and dramatically improve my odds should I contract COVID 🤞🏻🙌🏻

[Hidden]

Check all details here: gov.uk/government/news/seco...

If it wasn't safe for all groups they would not be listed in order of priority.