Coronavirus

[jfman]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

South Africa are considering selling theirs so this could be an opportunity for some countries.

The emerging data will inform quite a lot of countries strategies going forward. Where the SA variant is already prevalent and cannot be controlled this will mean extended restrictions.

The fact it has shown up in the Alps is probably a sign it's too late for many Central European to lockdown, test, trace and isolate their way out quickly.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine recommended for adults of all ages, say scientists advising the World Health Organisation
https://news.sky.com/story/oxford-as...ation-12214373

For all ages, in all countries (even those where variants predominate) and incidentally, the extended gap between doses is also recommended as it increases efficacy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56011981

---------- Post added at 17:49 ---------- Previous post was at 17:41 ----------

Originally Posted by jfman

Can also be read as "it's better than doing nothing, but not much better than doing nothing in South Africa".

For someone who claims to follow the science, you have a very hard time following the science.

The safety, efficacy and dosage of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine just keeps on being reaffirmed by study after study ... sooner or later you’re going to have to stop offering Corbynesque wishes for the success of all vaccines of whatever origin, and accept that the vaccine most closely tied to British government policy represents a major policy triumph.

[1andrew1]

AstraZeneca agrees German manufacturing deal to fill vaccine hole

AstraZeneca has enlisted German drug producer IDT Biologika to assist increase manufacturing of its Covid-19 vaccine and deal with provide shortages in Europe.

Both companies will invest to expand manufacturing capacity at IDT Biologika’s production site in Dessau, building up to five 2,000-litre bioreactors able to produce tens of millions of doses a month of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

The new capacity is forecast to be operational by the end of 2022, but the partnership also said it was looking at other ways to increase output from the second quarter of this year.

https://www.newsworldexpress.com/202...l-vaccine-gap/

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

South Africa are considering selling theirs so this could be an opportunity for some countries.

Are they allowed to resell it, as the original purchase will have been on a cost-only basis?

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by jfman

The emerging data will inform quite a lot of countries strategies going forward. Where the SA variant is already prevalent and cannot be controlled this will mean extended restrictions.

The fact it has shown up in the Alps is probably a sign it's too late for many Central European to lockdown, test, trace and isolate their way out quickly.

Has the SA variant been proven to give a more serious illness and/or be more deadly?


I'll answer that for you, no it hasn't.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by nomadking

Are they allowed to resell it, as the original purchase will have been on a cost-only basis?

I suspect any resale would be done in conjunction with the supplier and they wouldn't be allowed to profit from the situation. More details here
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-...ccine-12214352

[jfman]

Originally Posted by Chris

For someone who claims to follow the science, you have a very hard time following the science.

There was a slight exaggeration for papa's benefit, acknowledged by the wink.

The safety, efficacy and dosage of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine just keeps on being reaffirmed by study after study ... sooner or later you’re going to have to stop offering Corbynesque wishes for the success of all vaccines of whatever origin, and accept that the vaccine most closely tied to British government policy represents a major policy triumph.

Preferably sooner and not later, then I can get back to the pub. I'm not sure anyone has ever questioned the safety and the dosage was put into question themselves and contradictory analysis on whether it's the dosage or the gap that caused the benefit.

Efficacy against the South African variant is proven to be low, and the hypothesis that it prevents severe cases is just that.

Not sure what you've got against vaccines in other countries the global economy and supply chains won't return to normal (and I won't be able to get on my holidays) until the majority of people here and there get a functional vaccine against the prevalent strains.

---------- Post added at 21:37 ---------- Previous post was at 21:33 ----------

Originally Posted by Pierre

Has the SA variant been proven to give a more serious illness and/or be more deadly?

I'll answer that for you, no it hasn't.

Has the opposite been proven? Until it has I don't see Governments taking the gamble but feel free to clutch at that straw for the time being.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by jfman

Efficacy against the South African variant is proven to be low, and the hypothesis that it prevents severe cases is just that.

No it isn’t and no it isn’t, but apart from that you’re right on both counts.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Pierre

No it isn’t and no it isn’t, but apart from that you’re right on both counts.

Efficacy against the South African variant may not meet your burden of proof test, but it does for the South Africans who are looking to swap or sell their Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-...ccine-12214352

With the current low level of cases in the UK of the South African variant, we're obviously fine with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK.

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Efficacy against the South African variant may not meet your burden of proof test, but it does for the South Africans who are looking to swap or sell their Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-...ccine-12214352

With the current low level of cases in the UK of the South African variant, we're obviously fine with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK.

The SA decision came before the more recent evidence.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Efficacy against the South African variant may not meet your burden of proof test, but it does for the South Africans who are looking to swap or sell their Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-...ccine-12214352

With the current low level of cases in the UK of the South African variant, we're obviously fine with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK.

Let’s face it Pierre has no “burden of proof” test. After all 99.2% recover from this illness as he keeps reminding us. Governments are over egging this for more power and control. They want their population scared.

The big pointer for me is whether the Government suspends door to door testing in areas where the SA variant and Kent variant are spreading. If they don’t it suggests that they’re working internally closer to my view than more positive interpretations.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by nomadking

The SA decision came before the more recent evidence.

Which evidence in particular are you referring to?

[jfman]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Which evidence in particular are you referring to?

My guess is it's the WHO announcement. The WHO who famously denied airborne transmission until June.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52945210

The WHO in offering their 'interperatation' have to consider a multitude of factors including confidence in worldwide vaccination programmes, current spread of variants, availability of vaccines.

On balance of course it makes sense at a global level to distribute the AZ vaccine to all age groups. As we sit today, you're far more likely to catch the older variants than the new ones in almost all territories in the world. You're probably more likely to be offered an AZ vaccine than any other. Should people not get vaccinated and wait? Of course not, that's patently ridiculous. It's better in arms than in the bin.

That said, as the race to ease restrictions here and abroad presses on the other variant questions become more important. I do note the shift from reaching the "herd immunity threshold" to "preventing severe disease". If that's not possible I'm sure the PR spin will move on to how it's a race and good that we've scaled up infrastructure for the Autumn booster. Which is actually true, I'd just not be getting my hopes up for a quick end to restrictions unless test, trace, isolate gets the SA/Kent variants under control and border measures keep the Brazil variants out.

Isnt this topic great - I love knowing that Cable Forum has so many all knowing, all seeing, virus experts to keep us all safe, I dont understand why all the worlds leaders, the WHO, and scientists are not logging in daily for their advice.

[jfman]

Too busy siphoning off billions of taxpayers funds to their pals, I suspect. A political career is short and not very lucrative.

Got to tee up those directorships, consultancies and well paid after dinner engagements to pay the bills in later life.