Single Covid vaccine dose in Israel 'less effective than we thought'
Israel’s coronavirus tsar has warned that a single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine may be providing less protection than originally hoped, as the country reported a record 10,000 new Covid infections on Monday.
In remarks reported by Army Radio, Nachman Ash said a single dose appeared “less effective than we had thought”, and also lower than Pfizer had suggested.
By contrast, those who had received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine had a six- to 12-fold increase in antibodies, according to data released by Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer on Monday.
My nephew, who is a doctor in his 40s, has had both Pfizer jabs. Sore arm with the first one, and flu-like symptoms with the 2nd, which suggests the 1st one has primed the immune response to the second. Of course, these injections were taken 3/4 weeks apart (as recommended by the manufacturer) but, despite the lack of data on a 12 week gap, I believe there is some value in the 1st jab, even though protection is lower during the 12 week wait. If it keeps people out of hospital and, more importantly, from dying, then it may be preferable for the initial vaccine to be offered to the majority.
I have 'liked' the article but it certainly raises serious concerns that I hope the government will examine in detail and act swiftly upon to clarify or correct the current pfizer vaccine roll out.
This has been denounced as inappropriate and insufficient evidence by a number of senior U.K. scientists. They’re not saying it’s outright not true, but that the evidence doesn’t support the conclusion due to the observational nature and that the data doesn’t distinguish between asymptomatic covid and those with severe illness/fatality. It’s purely based on positive testing. The flu jab doesn’t eradicate illness, but it does reduce mortality by 40 to 60 percent.
Until there is proper data regarding those who are CEV I believe we should remain extremely cautious. The scientist who designed and manufactured the vaccine themselves are not happy with the second dose being delayed. The Israeli report only mentions the general population, not those that are CEV. Even Patrick Vallence said that it needs monitoring more closely as the numbers of vaccinated increases. They simply do not know.
Why jump a red traffic light if you don't know what is coming the other way? I have spent 317 days continuously shielding, a huge investment. I am not about to blow it, on the policies decided by politicians who have a record of ignoring their own scientific advisers.
Not disputing that at all 2greys, or necessarily disagreeing, just saying it’s important to have a balanced view when it comes to media output. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as unbiased reporting, so until I have something more than a weighted piece from an organisation that is potentially more concerned with profit than it is communicating scientific fact, a la every single news and media outlet in existence, including PSBs like the BBC, I’m reserving judgement. That said, I would like to think that if there were sufficient scientific concerns about the gap dosing strategy currently being employed, more senior scientists would be speaking up rather than appearing to blindly support it as an appropriate course of action.
I do get your point. The story has appeared in most of the major news sources. As for the scientists, none of them really know, how could they it is still early days , but Israel has vaccinated the highest proportion in the world so far and their results have to hold more merit than the other countries who haven't.
I saw it on the BBC website first thing this morning, but that’s exactly my point: the guardian is historically considered to be Labour leaning, the BBC is supposed to be neutral (although rarely ever is imo), and both are giving different slants as to what this observational data means for current U.K. strategy. And unless I’ve misunderstood what data is involved, it still comes back to vaccines don’t always prevent illness, some just reduce severity of illness, so base covid infection rates are not a valid stat for comparison. The BBC article stipulates that Israel haven’t been recording outcomes regarding case severity, only whether or not someone became infected.
I really am beginning to question the voracity (and intentions!) of anything that isn’t a peer-reviewed paper at this point.
Edited to add: I’m not disputing the need to continue shielding after the first vaccine at all, simply questioning the various interpretations of the same set of facts.
"What we know from a clinical study is... if you take everything from day zero, the moment you get the vaccine, to day 28 then the overall figure is something like 50% protection," Sir Patrick said.
It says "a reason to remain shielding" but personally I will remain shielding until I see a huge fall in the number of new cases and deaths. Admittedly I am old (77) and also on treatment for Leukemia so I may get some, if any, protection from a vaccine. They really don't know how people with blood cancers will respond as it's not been tested on us specifically. It's pretty certain that given my age and vulnerability I wouldn't stand much chance if I caught it.😢
My husband and I have had the first dose and will get the second Feb. 12th. We will stay masked and sheltering until we see stats changing. I see less caution in the general public already and it worries me. Less people are wearing masks at the grocery store and at activities.
I was concerned about this delay when we first heard about it a few weeks ago. Let's face it, a lot of people had to be reassured given the short time that elapsed for the vaccines to be passed by the regulators and now they've changed the rules again, set by those who are eminently more qualified than Tony Blair. Why are they listening to this person, he's had his day and as I recall the last time he was listened to we ended up in an illegal war!
Why are we surprised? Their track record for listening to the knowledge hasn't been great so far, so why do we expect that to change. I fear there will be tears at bedtime!
Hello I recently spoke to my asthma nurse friend who told me the information they have been given which is after the first jab you get UP TO 89% protection then the second jab 12 weeks later gives you up to 96%. This first jab takes 3 weeks to become fully effective. 🤔
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Mycophenolate instead of Perfinedine or Nintenanib? 
Oxygen and100 yard challenge
My Cancer and other health issues update.
update: tomorrow I’m at the hospital for suspected head & neck cancer
