theguardian.com/world/2020/...
I thought I'd put this link up - the article gives a good account of the work that has been done since January 2020 and goes a long way towards explaining how the vaccines could be created so quickly.
It is heartwarming to see that good science can still transcend politics - one of the privileges I have had for many years has been being part of an international group of scientists. Sometimes the language struggles - but science has its own language.
PMRpro You mentioned being part of an international group of scientists. May I asked you what role you played in that group? Were you a researcher?Thanks from the Guardian article explaining why the vaccines were produced rapidly. However no one has yet been able to reassure the category of very vulnerable people having autoimmune diseases and treatment with strong immunosuppressants and steroids, that any vaccine is safe for them because it’s the only group that hasn’t been trialled. This group needs to know whether it is safe or not to be inoculated. Once this has been established then it will be so much easier for this group of people.
I still don’t understand why some doctors are reluctant to be vaccinated while they recommend others should be vaccinated. Could it be they want to see what possible side effects could arise in the next few months on those who have been vaccinated? That does concern me.
All the medics I know are queuing up to get the vaccine!
My husband did the research stuff - I worked as part of his group for a time but for many years we were the scientific and technical editors for the Proceedings. I attended the meetings - and the sessions.
Doctors being reluctant to be vaccinated is news to me. Any I know are desperate to get the jag. Where are these doctors from and how did you find out about them?
Actually, it was one of the GPs at my surgery who told me she was not sure she would want to be inoculated just now. It does make one think, especially if one is in a group that has not yet been trialled. I simply can't wait for this to be done and be reassured about the safety of vaccines for this category of people. Naturally, for anyone who does not have a complex health history of several autoimmune diseases then it is sensible to be inoculated.
Sorry, I wasn't being critical, I was genuinely curious as to whether they were from a specific country or specialism or whatever. I'm currently on my lunch hour at work and any posts done at work tend to be done quickly and on looking at my response again it is badly worded and does appear brusque. If you felt that, I do apologise.
Thanks for getting in touch. I live in England. It’s difficult for people who don’t have a complex medical history to understand the situation and they often appear to be critical because they are not living with those conditions. It’s normal, experience only helps in understanding.
I am pro vaccines and only wish I could be inoculated but need the evidence of safety before going ahead. My rheumatologist advised I should wait.
Best wishes.
I think it`s shocking that a doctor would say that to a patient, it would make you question it yourself if they do....not ethical methinks....
To be honest I did express my concerns regarding my conditions and asked her whether she would have the jab. At least she was honest, something I prefer. Naturally it shows that not all doctors feel safe about the vaccines just at the moment while recognising the need for vaccines, just needed to know more about how it may or may not affect a person weeks or months later. I do hope the vaccines will prove to be mostly reliable and help us all in time.
JGBH I concur with you, your doctor was candid and honest, and you are lucky to have her as your GP.
It just so happens that her response only strengthens my reluctance to be vaccinated, not just yet, not enough data.
I am not an antivax; vaccines ARE life savers for sure.
But there have always been a controversy regarding certain adjuvants in vaccines, some of which may contain aluminium compounds, which may do some harm in the long run.
Not all vaccines contain them.
Would like to see more data.
Stay safe, pigeon.
Indeed vaccines are life savers and we must not forget that. Hope is on the horizon now for us all but some of us need to be cautious regarding the possible side effects and need the evidence, after trials on the very immunosuppressed people - not yet carried out - that it will be safe. So patience and carry on being sensible.
It was refreshing to hear a GP speaking so honestly. Rare...
Stay safe too.
As far as I know the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine has no adjuvants. This article
blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeli...
doesn't mention it but the author replies to the first question in the comments with "mRNA vaccines are thought to sort of have their own adjuvant effect by themselves, partly by virtue of being foreign nucleic acids. I don’t think any of these candidates (from any company) have an adjuvant dosed with them"
and another commentator adds
"Usually an adjuvent is combined with a protein or polysaccharide antigen in a vaccine. In contrast, the mRNA based vaccine versions (coated with a lipid (liposome) to protect and deliver them to cells) enter the body cells (muscle, etc.) and encode the viral antigen which is then made by the host cells and presented to the immune system. As Derek pointed out, the mRNA itself has a tendency to activate the innate immune system, and the mRNA in this series has been modified to tamp this response down."
Hello and thank you for your common sense helpful comments in exercising caution regards the current vaccine for the current corona virus. I too am very concerned that the most vulnerable groups like us have been excluded from the trials, and I am extremely grateful to the two nurses who had this vaccine which alerted the UK population to the fact that this vaccine caused these two EpiPen carriers to have an allergic anaphylactoid reaction. My doctor has advised me not to have the current vaccine, as I am an EpiPen carrier. Scientific articles are only as good as the latest development allows them to be, and Corona is a fast moving target, as evinced by this mutation which may (or may not ) compromise the efficacy of the current vaccine. As always, time will tell, and in the mean time, the Human Race will be forever indebted to the scientific world for their sacrifice and dedication in striving, second by second, to keep us all safe and protected, in the full knowledge that this is an ever evolving enemy, and their sharpest instrument is accurate up to date precise research and communication. I'm sure you will make the right decision for yourself when you are fully armed with the most up to date info and situ, as will I as , hopefully a vaccine will be created for EpiPen holders... until then, we will keep safe, and use our common sense, just as we have done since March. Kindest regards and thankyou again for your sharing caring concern and comments, Grandmother Polly.
Hello
Thank you for getting in touch.
I am not advising people not to have the new vaccines, just to be cautious if one falls in a specific category whereby no trials have taken place yet. It is up to anyone to decide what action to take, as you are aware. I will follow my RA consultant’s advice until such time I get some evidence I can go ahead with inoculation and I honestly can’t wait for that.
It would be wonderful if they were safe for us... fingers crossed for data results on new trials. That would mean we could return to some kind of freedom whilst still being careful with our actions.
We are all grateful to all the global scientists who have worked so hard in order to find a way to free us from the virus. Can you imagine a world without scientists? I certainly can’t.
Kindest regards to you and keep on “keeping safe”!
I think it is wrong to say we have been excluded from the trials. It is perfectly normal procedure but some of the trials have been done on over 65s which is also not usual. It is common for allergic reactions to be found once the large scale use of a vaccine is initiated - it just so happens there is not the media scrutiny and so you don't hear about it. It is the reason that the initial widescale use is done with a 15min or more supervision period after the vaccine is administered. As soon as such an event occurs it is also normal practice to flag it up - as has been done.
Great article. Encouraging and interesting.
Very interesting, especially the RNA vaccine helpline the future with cancer....thank you....
There was a very good Panorama Program about The Vaccine on the BBC last night if you can download it or catch up on the iPlayer.
I'll echo this. It's well worth a watch.
Thanks Angela. I have just watched it and it is excellent
Too late I think - I can see/record UK terrestrial TV but only the same day and iPlayer hasn't got a passport ... Shame
It seems to be on again on Saturday on BBC2 - but at 02.15 - maybe you can record it?
A very interesting read, thanks.
Really good, thank you
Fascinating and thankfully not too technical for the layperson. Thank you, PMRpro.I foresee a film being produced in the not too distant future.
I’m sure there will be several films. I also hope (and I hope this allowed to say) there will be an enquiry into our government’s handling of the pandemic.
Good article, thanks! I do have a question, has anyone read anything about how the vaccines will address the Covid mutations?From reading this it sounds like they are occurring.
There have been mutations in the virus approximately every 2-3 weeks all along. So far they don't seem to have been of the sort that affects the vaccines - of course that could change. Then it depends on the vaccine and where the mutation is. As I understand it, the mRNA technology will allow speedy adjustment of the vaccine, but again, I may be wrong.
Thanks for the article. Scientific articles are only as good as the latest development allows them to be, and Corona is a fast moving target, as evinced by this latest mutation which it has now been reported, may or may not , compromise the efficacy of the current vaccine.Scientists did not know until they deployed the current vaccine , that two nurses who are EpiPen holders, suffered allergic reactions to this vaccine in the form of anaphylactoid shocks . Scientists could not have know this, because this current vaccine was not tested on EpiPen holders. In light of this adverse reaction, my Doctor has advised that, as an EpiPen holder, I do not have the current vaccine. I'm hopeful a new vaccine will be developed which will allow us EpiPen carriers to be protected, safely with no side affects.As always, time will tell, and in the mean time, the Human Race will be forever indebted to the scientific world for their sacrifice and dedication in striving, second by second, to keep us all safe and protected, in the full knowledge that this is an ever evolving enemy, and their sharpest instrument and weapon is accurate up to date precise research, testing all groups, and communicating their findings worldwide to fight this pandemic.
Thanks for this Pro. I am in complete awe of these scientist and just wonder what could be achieved if politics was always kept out of the science. My family and are are with the science and will remain that way until the pandemic is under control.
Tightness across the chest (NOT a 'hearty')
Covid vaccination and onset of PMR
"How Can It Be A PMR FLARE?" 
