Hello my MPN buddies
I came across this update on the status of coronavirus vaccine development in respect of blood cancer sufferers. It was published by the Blood Cancer charity and in my humble view it is well worth a read - not least because it's a good news story on the midst of all this doom and gloom
bloodcancer.org.uk/news/cor...
Enjoy and keep safe
John
That sound really promising! Thank you for posting as this will cheer everyone up.x😻
Yes, and the news from the Oxford and Southampton trials today is even more promising. If only we could fast track other drug development as quickly as this! Perhaps this will be the new model going forward - I'm always the optimist😉
John
It's encouraging news indeed - and I don't want to spread pessimism - but the only virus to be completely eradicated by a vaccine is smallpox.
Jenner developed the vaccine in 1796 - the last recorded death from smallpox was in 1978, in Solihull of all places!
So, if there's any anti-vax people out there, get your brains back into gear for the good of us all please.
I hope the vaccines work and it sounds encouraging and also that the take up is effective. But it’s worth remembering that risk exists in relation to the development of fast track medicines The Yale School of Medicine found in a study that nearly a third of medicine approved from 2001 through 2010 had major safety issues years after they were widely available to patients.
Seventy-one of the 222 drugs approved in the first decade of the millennium were withdrawn, required a “black box” warning on side effects or warranted a safety announcement about new risks
I agree with you, I am quite uncertain about even being vaccinated for this, always said I wouldn't take part in any scheme. Not at all sure of the way forward.
Its positive news, but there also seems to be lots of positive news about drugs that can help minimise the effects if you do catch covid-19. Ruxoltinib also keeps poppings its head up although it seems that potentially could be used to treat serious cases, whereas there seems positive news on drugs that will potentally make covid just like having a cold.
Obviously as with all treatments it wont work for all, i guess the same is said for the flu jab and so on.
I think the key will be really limiting the numbers that require hospital treatment so those that are unfortunate to need it have the best care possible.
Hi Thank you for this - it is amazing news and looks like Oxford are working closely with Imperial College re the longer lasting booster vaccine as well for longer immunity. I have an appointment with my consultant next Friday and will be asking about medications as obviously still unknown about which medications may reduce effectiveness in the vaccine if they compromise your immune system too much . I think our research teams have been amazing and obviously working day and night to get a vaccine and also really appreciate the people volunteering for the trials. How is everyone feeling about shielding being over from the 1 August? Take Care Becky
Hi, I saw this too yesterday but I don't know how to transfer a link onto this forum. Will have to find out. Thank you for posting it. Like a few of us, if it is offered to us, I have my reservations! Fran
I would love to have an antibody test first as there is a change I did have it but I cant be sure. Its great to hear that they are moving forward with these trials and the rate could come down as a result
Thanks for posting, John. Looking hopeful.
Thanks for sharing John. Hope you’re keeping well.
Thank for posting Ovingite,
I’m not at all keen on most vaccines, since they’ve caused so much damage to my daughter, nephew and so many others I know. I only get the ones I deem absolutely necessary to me after own deep research. There are so many people who are immune compromised, especially among the young!! A vaccine‘s development, that’s being pushed so quickly can harbour hazards. There’s is an immense amount of money being invested here, which brings me to the following point.
I have a strong circle of close doctor friends (researchers and university professors of medicine), who are at the Center of Covid19 treatment at the general hospital in Vienna. The latest news that I have is that the virus is apparently getting weaker.
Although there are more cases, since loosening the lockdown, there are less patients in need of hospitalization and less are dying from the virus. If this is true and Covid19 continues to weaken, there won’t be a need for a vaccine. But what about those Invested billions? Of course the vaccine will continue to be pushed onto the market, just like the measles vaccine in the 40s, although almost no one was dying of measles at that time, just like in the west today. The only deaths have been among those who were (ie) really sick in last stages of cancer.
The blog that you sent is even talking about getting 2 vaccines for more complete coverage. Hm.
The other point I’d like to make is that there are cases of people who’ve had Covid19 and they now have it again. At some point after the first infection, the antibodies were no longer present. This is a non-precedented virus that makes developing a vaccine even more difficult.
In the ski center, Ischgl in Austria, the center of the outbreak in Austria, every single resident was tested two weeks ago:
50% of the town’s population had antibodies to Covid19, 85% of those who had it, had never even suspected being ill. Those are crystal clear numbers we can work with.
The collective Covid19 terror caused by the media: not on Austrian TV or in most countries, but running rampant in the United States, less so in Britain. I personally am no longer fearful, despite my long history of bronchitis and pneumonia, but I am careful and I am living my life happily despite Covid. I’ve also booked my flight to Greece at the end of August.
I hope we will continue to see a change for the better. If there will be a good vaccine available, then it should only be given to those who are susceptible and not forced on the rest of the population, especially not on the kids!
Just a bit of something to contemplate.
Stay safe everyone and don’t forget that every day in our lives is precious and we should be grateful and happy no matter what faces us!
🙂 Anag
Anag,
Thanks for your reply. It is clear that there are many different interpretations of how to tackle Covid 19, and I understand your reluctance to trust in a vaccine. However, my personal view is that the vast majority of scientific opinion supports vaccination (if an effective vaccination can be found), so for now at least that is the way I intend to go.
There was an article published by a professor of virology at Birmingham University today which confirms that the virus is continuing to mutate and that the latest form (type G) retains its potency but is more likely to cause stronger transmission leading to hotspots. Maybe the next report may say something different,
I hope you stay safe whichever approach you decide to take.
Hi Ovignite,
Just a bit of clarity for my point of view. 3 of 4 pediatric orthopaedics didn’t not recognize my 2 year old’s rheumatism For 6 months, 3 of 4 eye doctors did not recognize killer uveitis cells destroying her optical nerve (complication of her rheumatism) for four months and 6 doctors didn’t see my ET although I was at 500-758 thrombos for 7 years! My third TIA brought A diagnosis, but only after I refused to leave the hospitals emergency room without a proper diagnosis. Thrombos were at 823.
These are just some of the examples of what doctors have shown to me to be their wisdom. I have lost almost all trust in them and also in the usage of most vaccines. Some haven’t been updated for over 40 years,
Regarding Covid, it’s good to have more info from Birmingham. It would be interesting To know if this or any virus undergoes various mutations in different parts of the world or if it’s mutation progression is the same everywhere?
The biggest sadness I feel is the thought that 100x more people worldwide will face a famine death than will die from Covid, due to stopping the globalization wheels.
I’m staying safe and enjoying my family being off the fast train. There’s a reason for everything I guess. Cheers!
Anag
Thank you so much for that ....an easy to understand appraisal of how the situation stands now . Very pleasing to read that the virus appears to be getting weaker. Let’s hope that continues to be so.
Also good to hear you have booked a holiday....that instils me with even more optimism .
Regards Sandy.
You’re welcome Stevesmum!
I believe we’ll be ok. Past generations have gone through much much worse!
All the best!
Anag
Hard work getting vaccine 
Vaccine 
Besremi and vaccines 
