Have you?

[excoriator]

Got offered a prick at the local sports centre this Friday. I think it's a spectator sport now! Sounded most efficient 10.35 - none of your 'About Arfast ten'. I got the impression that you got shoved to the back of tehn queue if you were late or early.

I'm even more leery about it if it's the Pfizer vaccine because the EU is playing tit-for-tat over AZ letting them down. They are threatening not to release any Pfizer vaccine to the UK which means in 12 weeks, will there be any available for a second dose?

I read a piece by some doctors in the BMJ claiming a second dose of the Oxford vaccine would work just fine! They cannot know this of course as nobody has tried it. Vaccines are produced to fight diseases, not for political convenience. Still, thats doctors for you!

Unless I am misjudging them of course. BMJ could stand for Boris Moron Johnson I suppose.

[jonjel]

Jan 26, 2021 21:45:35 GMT excoriator said:

Got offered a prick at the local sports centre this Friday. I think it's a spectator sport now! Sounded most efficient 10.35 - none of your 'About Arfast ten'. I got the impression that you got shoved to the back of tehn queue if you were late or early.

I'm even more leery about it if it's the Pfizer vaccine because the EU is playing tit-for-tat over AZ letting them down. They are threatening not to release any Pfizer vaccine to the UK which means in 12 weeks, will there be any available for a second dose?

I read a piece by some doctors in the BMJ claiming a second dose of the Oxford vaccine would work just fine! They cannot know this of course as nobody has tried it. Vaccines are produced to fight diseases, not for political convenience. Still, thats doctors for you!

Unless I am misjudging them of course. BMJ could stand for Boris Moron Johnson I suppose.

I am testing the system tomorrow, but if the experience of two friends is anything to go by I don't think you should have any problems Exco. They were actually slightly early and were out before they were due to go in!

The EU are getting their knickers in a twist simply because the UK ordered vaccine months ago, and they didn't and are now shouting 'snot fair'. They are also suggesting the reason they have not got the vaccine is because Astra Zeneca are selling to the highest bidder, which is NOT true. It is down to them being slow out of the blocks, a polite way of saying incompetent. They are just cheesed off that we in the UK have vaccinated around 6 million people, a remarkable achievement.

And having the second dose from a different supplier has been tested Exco, but it will take several months to see if that works. I have my doubts as the two work in different ways

[excoriator]

And having the second dose from a different supplier has been tested Exco

I guess you mean someone has had the second shot and didn't die from it. But distilled water for teh second dose would supply the same result.

But my definition of 'testing' involves maybe 10,000 people getting a different dose compared to another 10,000 given the same dose in a proper double-blind trial, and seeing how many get the virus in the two groups.

Obviously there has been no time for that.

Years ago at work I recall the first Xerox machine arriving. A group of us stood around watching it and someone said "How does it work?" Before anyone could delve into electrostatic attraction of toner particles etc, a secretary said "Oh it's easy! You just put what you want copying here and press this button and its done!" The question could be answered at a number of levels.

[jonjel]

I have already said I have my doubts. However proper clinical trials would determine the facts and until then I am pretty sure people will be given the same dose first and second time around.

A friend took part in the original trials but I have not had time to talk to him about it yet. (I know he survived - I saw him pass my house in his car yesterday!)

[skylark]

Jan 26, 2021 11:15:30 GMT jonjel said:

Jan 26, 2021 7:20:49 GMT skylark said:

Good luck. Settle down with a good book and a cup of something soothing before you dial.

Are you within easy reach of a mass vaccination hub? I had an idea that letters are only being sent out to the over-70s if they are. We are not.

Far from it Larkers. I was on the telephone - this morning as things got busy yesterday, for 4 minutes, and was offered one of three sites all within around 10 miles. I declined the ones in Central Bristol and have my first one booked for this Thursday. And the second one on 16th April, at Ashton Gate Stadium. A bit further away but a doddle of a journey and dead easy to park.

That's great. Our local neighbourhood forum is full of complaints from people who have had letters but then find that they have to make a 75 mile round trip to get the vaccine. They should get it in the fullness of time at the local surgery, but a few days ago this was still mopping up the over 80s. We in the 70-75 age bracket will be lucky to get it before the end of February unless we are prepared to travel, and many can't.

[skylark]

Jan 26, 2021 21:45:35 GMT excoriator said:

Got offered a prick at the local sports centre this Friday. I think it's a spectator sport now! Sounded most efficient 10.35 - none of your 'About Arfast ten'. I got the impression that you got shoved to the back of tehn queue if you were late or early.

I'm even more leery about it if it's the Pfizer vaccine because the EU is playing tit-for-tat over AZ letting them down. They are threatening not to release any Pfizer vaccine to the UK which means in 12 weeks, will there be any available for a second dose?

I read a piece by some doctors in the BMJ claiming a second dose of the Oxford vaccine would work just fine! They cannot know this of course as nobody has tried it. Vaccines are produced to fight diseases, not for political convenience. Still, thats doctors for you!

Unless I am misjudging them of course. BMJ could stand for Boris Moron Johnson I suppose.

The availability of supplies for a second dose bothers me a bit. A ew weeks ago a trial involving a first dose of AstraZenenca and a follow up of another vaccine (from Russia?) was being carried out, but I imagine it will be some weeks before the result is published, and even then it should go through our regulators for approval.

[excoriator]

First shot yesterday. Got a slight sore shoulder today bu no other side effects.

One daughter (front-line staff in Hospital) has received both and is not feeling at all well. About a third of those in her department who got vaccinated at the same time are also feeling quite ill.

[aqua]

My wife and I are 70 & 71 respectively and were slightly surprised to receive our invitations yesterday. We do both have underlying conditions, tho I don't know what weight they have for present purposes.

Our local surgery and pharmacy are literally over the road from us. However, we have to go to another town for our jabs. It's about 16 miles, but as it is on tortuous country roads it could take 45 minutes or more. I'm not complaining - but I hope I don't find people being sent to my surgery from 16 miles away!

[excoriator]

Its very likely that you will!

I wonder if there is a website that allows you to swap, saving both parties a long and unecessary trip by simply lying about your identities?

[skylark]

My glaucoma consultant had his first jab the say before my last appointment and was feeling decidedly off kilter, with a sore arm he was having to use to examine me. I just hoped he did not have to operate for a few days.

Apparently phoning the number on the letter (or using the website) usually results in an offer many miles away. The advice to those who can't or won't travel is to sit tight and wait for their surgery to call, as they will in time.

[excoriator]

I didn't get a letter or anything by e-mail. Just a phone call from the surgery I think, telling me when and where to go.

[skylark]

My surgery phoned yesterday, and I have my jab tomorrow. I was surprised because I am only 71 with no underlying health conditions - medication for high blood pressure but none of the conditions that set alarm bells ringing. Maybe I am just lucky to have a surname high up in the alphabet?