What exactly is happening with AstraZeneca?

Yellow_Fern

Enzokk wrote: »

So you are saying it was the companies decision not to give the EU more vaccines, interesting.





You are spouting some interesting theories. Wish you could back up that the UK signed their contract before the EU did. Let me not help you out here,



How the UK gained an edge with AstraZeneca’s vaccine commitments

Seems like the nonsense you posted above about how the great relationship AZ has with the UK comes down to this, in their contract if AZ gives vaccines to the EU that means the UK target is missed then there is punishment the UK could levy on the company. The EU contract states they will withhold payment.

This makes the EU's actions even more shameful. The Left in the UK claimed it was unforgivable that the UK gov was opting out of the EU scheme https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/10/uk-poised-to-shun-eu-coronavirus-vaccine-scheme
However the Tories knew their ability to procure vaccines would be adequate but little did they know superior their contract writing would be. We have seen time and time again how ineffectual the EU Commission is a bureaucracy. It is time the Irish gov takes this into account naively rely on it.

Tippbhoy1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

UK/Northern ireland proves they work.

Easy to say in hindsight, but europe fought and fought with astra over authorisation, efficacy and safety. In the meantime the UK quietly authorised it without much fuss and praised the company what a great product it was.

Astra then gave europe less and UK more...

Hancock praised astra indian factory when there was shortfalls announced to UK.

Total common sense behaviour.

Everyone in business likes to work with happy satisfied customers and trys to avoid or get rid of the difficult ones.

UK prevelance probably close to the lowest in europe now and opening pubs in around a week with over 50% of population vaccinated. Rest of europes pubs are closed or closing soon.

Who was right and who was wrong in the end?

UK read the room better than europe.

The above is lies and spin, as per usual.

AZ applied for EU authorisation weeks after they applied in the UK. This way they could take all EU produced stocks and give them to the UK. This was the main jump start the Uk got with AZ. That and light touch UK regulation, it was just a formality.

The EMA approved in the same duration it took for all vaccines they have approved to date. There was no issue for the EU regarding authorisation. There was concern raised by some specific countries. The EMA have continued to support the vaccine. You seem to imply there would be a better performance from the supplier if they had been better relations, which of course would not have been the case. AZ only have the gig because the UK government gave it to them and the Uk government pulls the strings.

Regarding India, the Uk can’t fall out with the remainder of the world as they want a trade deal with India. As it was, that site was all planned for COVAX and the UK had spent months telling everyone they had their own domestic supply sufficiency, which of course was lies. Not only did they take from Europe, they started to take from the third world as well. They couldn’t start another fight.

Let’s not even mention what the US have said about the companies application. They are a shambles of an outfit.

I’ll agree with one point, the Uk read the room better. They decided they were going to do whatever it takes to vaccinate themselves first, and try their best to have a vaccine they could use for vaccine diplomacy across the world. The results of this will take a while to be fully comprehended.

Tippbhoy1

Yellow_Fern wrote: »

This makes the EU's actions even more shameful. The Left in the UK claimed it was unforgivable that the UK gov was opting out of the EU scheme https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/10/uk-poised-to-shun-eu-coronavirus-vaccine-scheme
However the Tories knew their ability to procure vaccines would be adequate but little did they know superior their contract writing would be. We have seen time and time again how ineffectual the EU Commission is a bureaucracy. It is time the Irish gov takes this into account naively rely on it.

You’re a wum surely.
The vaccine manufacturer AZ only has the gig because the Uk government gave it to them.
This contract law discussion is just a red herring.
Uk signs contract the day after the EU, what a coincidence. If the UK has no contract, this would still be playing out the way it is.

deeperlearning

According to The Times, AstraZeneca has been kicked out of US Covid vaccine factory after 15 million doses were contaminated:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/astrazeneca-kicked-out-of-us-covid-vaccine-factory-after-15-million-doses-were-contaminated-tkpbc3zwx

astrofool

deeperlearning wrote: »

According to The Times, AstraZeneca has been kicked out of US Covid vaccine factory after 15 million doses were contaminated:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/astrazeneca-kicked-out-of-us-covid-vaccine-factory-after-15-million-doses-were-contaminated-tkpbc3zwx

Not so much kicked out, as production of two vaccines in the same factory stopped due to human error occurring, the US isn't using AZ, so it makes sense, at the moment, for them to prioritise J&J (however, I do wonder if the existing EU and UK plants should be looking at switching over to J&J exclusively as well and abandoning AZ production, higher efficacy, higher output due to single dose, depending on how long the switchover takes).

astrofool

correct horse battery staple wrote: »

They absolutely should, while AZ should be dragged thru courts and their other products boycotted

An accident here and there is understandable but above linked incompetence is borderline criminal

Or just give more money to Pfizer, moderna, j&j and he’ll (never thought I say it) even the Russians by this stage

Hell don’t even have to give these pharma companies funds, just give massive Eu wide tax breaks if they meet and exceed their targets

The factory production error was not linked to AstraZeneca or J&J, it was a worker in a production facility making an error. Could just as easily have occurred if there was a factory making Moderna and Pfizer.

I got called for my vaccine this Friday due to underlying health conditions. It will be astrazeneca and due to being a young woman and hearing these news reports of mainly young women being affected by clots, I am really
concerned.

Does anyone think the government will do a u turn in the next few days and not reccommend it for under 60's like other countries?

I have to say tony holihan was loved in first lockdown but regards to vaccination allocation list who gets what vaccines etc he has made a complete pigs ear of things.

Astra should have been made availiable to everyone like UK.

All over 70s would be vaccinated now as pfzier is the limited factor for that group.

Also younger people especially women of a certian age its actually more risky.

He wrote up that provisional list wanting 18 year olds vaccinated before 54 year olds. That is beyond bonkers.

Mentioned teachers who now want to strike. Doesnt take much in fairness.

He couldnt have done a worse job and i hope Glynn now takes over and he never comes back. He should have left on a high in June.

Utterly incompetant in what is a stressful time.

Northern ireland in comparision look in utter control of process.

Strazdas

Deleted User wrote: »

I got called for my vaccine this Friday due to underlying health conditions. It will be astrazeneca and due to being a young woman and hearing these news reports of mainly young women being affected by clots, I am really
concerned.

Does anyone think the government will do a u turn in the next few days and not reccommend it for under 60's like other countries?

You can still discuss your concerns with the staff when you go the vaccination centre. There's no rule that says you 'must' be vaccinated when you attend for your appointment. If I were you, I would go along and discuss it with them : there are bound to be doctors there who will engage with you on your concerns.

Strazdas

Strazdas wrote: »

You can still discuss your concerns with the staff when you go the vaccination centre. There's no rule that says you 'must' be vaccinated when you attend for your appointment. If I were you, I would go along and discuss it with them : there are bound to be doctors there who will engage with you on your concerns.

Thank you, I think that is what I will do.

Strazdas

Deleted User wrote: »

Thank you, I think that is what I will do.

That seems sensible. Have a good chat with one of the doctors first and see what they say (and nobody can force you to take a vaccine if you were to decide against it).

Icantthinkof1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Thank you, I think that is what I will do.

To be honest I think it would be best to ring your gp/ consultant and relate your concerns to him/her prior to your vaccination instead of asking to see a dr on site on the day of your vaccination.
At the vaccination centres their job is to administer and monitor those that get the vaccine. They will not know your medical issues/ history
I hope that I’m not coming across as harsh I do understand that people have concerns about the vaccine. I did myself

Sam Russell

Deleted User wrote: »

I have to say tony holihan was loved in first lockdown but regards to vaccination allocation list who gets what vaccines etc he has made a complete pigs ear of things.

Astra should have been made availiable to everyone like UK.

All over 70s would be vaccinated now as pfzier is the limited factor for that group.

Also younger people especially women of a certian age its actually more risky.

He wrote up that provisional list wanting 18 year olds vaccinated before 54 year olds. That is beyond bonkers.

Mentioned teachers who now want to strike. Doesn't take much in fairness.

He couldn't have done a worse job and i hope Glynn now takes over and he never comes back. He should have left on a high in June.

Utterly incompetent in what is a stressful time.

Northern Ireland in comparison look in utter control of process.

Switching to age rather than occupation is the right thing to do.

1. Age is just a number on your passport, driving licence, PSC, PPS number, etc and is not up for discussion.

2. People in general have been scandalised by the queue jumpers of the privileged, and the entitled who consider themselves more worthy than us.

3. The older you are the more at risk you are from bad outcomes if you get Covid, so working down the age list is a much better strategy.

4. Spare left over vaccines should be given to the Gardai as they could be at the vaccination point in a short time (they have the blue lights that speed them on their way), and they could be safer vaccinated for everyone (as they come into contact anyone) than any other group. Not only that, as there are only 14,000 or so Gardai while there are 100,000 teachers, they would not be an extra burden on the vaccination scheme - one days list at the current rate.

As for teachers, it will only take an extra month until the older ones are vaccinated and another month for the rest to be on their annual three month holiday, and by the time they are due to become 'front line workers' again they will be fully vaccinated.

It appears to me, everyone is shouting 'I should be first - I am more vulnerable, more exposed, more important, richer, etc etc etc'. They should grow up and wait their turn.

irishgrover

Sam Russell wrote:

It appears to me, everyone is shouting 'I should be first - I am more vulnerable, more exposed, more important, richer, etc etc etc'. They should grow up and wait their turn.

Generally agree....however some are not in a position to grow up as they may be forced, due to their profession, to be at increased risk, eg teachers/Gardai etc.
Not saying the current prioritisation is not correct, I'm not educated enough to have a legitimate opinion. However I understand their concerns

Strazdas

irishgrover wrote: »

Generally agree....however some are not in a position to grow up as they may be forced, due to their profession, to be at increased risk, eg teachers/Gardai etc.
Not saying the current prioritisation is not correct, I'm not educated enough to have a legitimate opinion. However I understand their concerns

I've heard it suggested that vaccinating by profession would almost certainly be very messy and a bit chaotic. Simply doing it by age seems to have a lot more going for it.

astrofool

Sam Russell wrote: »

Switching to age rather than occupation is the right thing to do.

1. Age is just a number on your passport, driving licence, PSC, PPS number, etc and is not up for discussion.

2. People in general have been scandalised by the queue jumpers of the privileged, and the entitled who consider themselves more worthy than us.

3. The older you are the more at risk you are from bad outcomes if you get Covid, so working down the age list is a much better strategy.

4. Spare left over vaccines should be given to the Gardai as they could be at the vaccination point in a short time (they have the blue lights that speed them on their way), and they could be safer vaccinated for everyone (as they come into contact anyone) than any other group. Not only that, as there are only 14,000 or so Gardai while there are 100,000 teachers, they would not be an extra burden on the vaccination scheme - one days list at the current rate.

As for teachers, it will only take an extra month until the older ones are vaccinated and another month for the rest to be on their annual three month holiday, and by the time they are due to become 'front line workers' again they will be fully vaccinated.

It appears to me, everyone is shouting 'I should be first - I am more vulnerable, more exposed, more important, richer, etc etc etc'. They should grow up and wait their turn.

It's as simple as asking someone (caveated by it being someone who has living parents):

"Who should be vaccinated first, your parents, or someone else?"

This works all the way down.

Sam Russell

The only problem of doing it solely by age is that it catches out all those who have denied their age to all their acquaintances (reducing it by a few years or even a decade or so).

'Have you been vaccinated yet?'
'Yes, last week.'
'I did not think that you were that old!'

Oh dear!. Twink was 70 yesterday.

astrofool

Sam Russell wrote: »

The only problem of doing it solely by age is that it catches out all those who have denied their age to all their acquaintances (reducing it by a few years or even a decade or so).

'Have you been vaccinated yet?'
'Yes, last week.'
'I did not think that you were that old!'

Oh dear!. Twink was 70 yesterday.

There's enough people who've suddenly remembered they've had a chronic illness, I'm sure people will similarly remember their real age.

Tyrone212

Talk tonight that MHRA(British) may recommend, as early as tomorrow morning, that the Under 30s should not have the AZ/Oxford vaccine, over concerns about blood clots in younger recipients.

Tyrone212

I see the story on the daily mail now as well. Awkward for them and the right wing press in UK now after pretty much saying European countries were lying about having concerns and just making it up to spite them.

My anxiety is sky high now, really don't think I will get this Friday. Any chance Ireland will follow with a similar ban?

Tippbhoy1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

My anxiety is sky high now, really don't think I will get this Friday. Any chance Ireland will follow with a similar ban?

I can’t see a scenario where the Irish government are going to be seen to take a risk the UK won’t take.

Hopefully this all doesn’t come to pass. We need AZ vaccine to work for us or we are in an even bigger hole.

LLMMLL

[Deleted User] wrote: »

My anxiety is sky high now, really don't think I will get this Friday. Any chance Ireland will follow with a similar ban?

You’re clearly spiralling at this point. Nobody on this forum knows what is going to happen with the blood clot issue by Friday. Nobody could even hazard a guess as to what is more probable or less probable.

Medical professionals will tell you to do whatever is advised in general so that’s not going to help your anxiety.

You don’t have to make a decision until Friday. Try to relax and see what the recommendations are this week.

If you are that anxious about it it might be best to try your luck in the by-age vaccinations when they are offered.

Roger_007

Tippbhoy1 wrote: »

I can’t see a scenario where the Irish government are going to be seen to take a risk the UK won’t take.

Hopefully this all doesn’t come to pass. We need AZ vaccine to work for us or we are in an even bigger hole.

The AZ vaccine will be dropped like a hot potato as soon as there are sufficient alternative vaccines available.

Pete_Cavan

We should just not be using it for women under the age of 50 (or whatever the data suggests is the risk age) at the minute. Very few such people will be vaccinated in the next month or two anyway, and those who are to be would be small enough numbers and make little difference to the overall programme if they are given another. Ignoring the issue* will create more problems than actually addressing it.

*the issue being the (justifiable) reluctance of women in a particular age group to take the vaccine. For women outside the affected age group, or men who are reluctant, the data doesn't seem to support this and we shouldn't be pandering to unfounded concerns.

higster

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I got called for my vaccine this Friday due to underlying health conditions. It will be astrazeneca and due to being a young woman and hearing these news reports of mainly young women being affected by clots, I am really
concerned.

Does anyone think the government will do a u turn in the next few days and not reccommend it for under 60's like other countries?

Hi, how do you know for sure it’s the astra vaccine you are getting? Just got text for vaccination tomorrow but does not say which one ((I’m assuming it’s the astra one but ok with that, prefer one of the others purely because faster to get the second dose).

higster

higster wrote: »

Hi, how do you know for sure it’s the astra vaccine you are getting? Just got text for vaccination tomorrow but does not say which one ((I’m assuming it’s the astra one but ok with that, prefer one of the others purely because faster to get the second dose).

I got a phonecall from my hospital and she said it will be astrazeneca. Does anyone know what the cancellation procedure is? I can't find anything online. If I cancel now can I just wait for my age group? I know I might be offered astrazeneca then anyway but at least there might be more information by then.

higster

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I got a phonecall from my hospital and she said it will be astrazeneca. Does anyone know what the cancellation procedure is? I can't find anything online.

I got text with below...maybe mobile number will work if you are in the Midwest

Dear xxxx , your first Covid-19 vaccine has been booked for xxxxxxxxx in the Radisson Blu Hotel Limerick, V94 YA2R. This vaccine is suitable for people aged 18-69 years. Please reply YES if you can attend or NO if you cannot attend. Please bring ID along with this text as proof of appointment. Ring 086 0786600 between 9am and 6pm with any queries. Further info www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine. Thank you, HSE Midwest Vaccination Center.


Saying that, personal opinion here, I would go get it. Risk of side effects includ clotting is tiny vs waiting for different vaccine and catching COVID in between (I’m assuming if you get COVID it will probably very bad news if you are in high risk group). And may end up getting the astra vaccine anyhow. My opinion only.

Thank you, my asthma is mostly controlled bar one blip that had me in hospital but once I got steroids I was ok again.

I think I will phone my gp tomorrow and take his advice.

fly_agaric

Tyrone212 wrote: »

I see the story on the daily mail now as well. Awkward for them and the right wing press in UK now after pretty much saying European countries were lying about having concerns and just making it up to spite them.

That narrative (the "Europeans" have it in for AZ and their vaccine, sour grapes due to Brexit!? etc) has been exposed as ridiculous for a while now.

We've had India blocking AZ vaccine exports to UK, non EU countries pausing and/or limiting use, the US regulators giving out about AZs use of data and US govt. taking quite un-free-markety actions against AZ to stop them using a contract manufacturer in the US in favour of an American company...

Comparatively little angst from them about any of that, which tells its own tale really.