COVID-19: Vaccine and testing procedures Megathread Part 3 - Read OP

Deeper Blue · 12-03-2021 04:01PM

Wolf359f wrote: »

Just going by the Scottish slide Nicola Sturgeon showed weeks ago, adjusted to equal distribution throughout the UK, up to the end of Jan, the end of 2020, the UK received 5.7mil Pfizer, in Jan 2021 that was 3mil. Then we have the 8mil from Feb that has been leaked or announced
Total to the end of Feb: 16.7mil
So 16.7mil out of a total of ~24mil, would make it the most common vaccine in the UK (that's ignoring any Pfizer used so far in March)

Interesting, I had just assumed based on the coverage from Sky/BBC that the majority were AZ, I can't seem to find any figures on individual vaccines administered.

harr · 12-03-2021 04:05PM

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

That's not an insignificant number if all are vaccined outside the national programme, though obviously it only reduces the timeline for full vaccination by a few hours. If those people aren't transmitting the virus, as data suggests, it is a help. Hopefully J&J do the same.

It was outside the national program with own stock , the likes of newbridge in kildare would have a lot of locals working in the factory so yeah it would reduce the amount of people who could transmit the virus.
The workforce in grangecastle is fairly spread.

hmmm · 12-03-2021 04:13PM

Rebelbrowser wrote: »

I still think its possible the UK will be in a worse position than EU countries by years end because AZ will prove not to be as good with variants / not as good at stopping transmission / not as long lasting as Pfizer.

https://twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1370378272282980352

is_that_so · 12-03-2021 05:10PM

hmmm wrote: »

https://twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1370378272282980352

Good to see! Pity we can't get any to see for ourselves! Why Syrian hamsters, though?

12-03-2021 05:28PM

is_that_so wrote: »

Good to see! Pity we can't get any to see for ourselves! Why Syrian hamsters, though?

Because their immune responses to pathogens are quite similar to that of humans.

Stark · 12-03-2021 05:29PM

is_that_so wrote: »

Good to see! Pity we can't get any to see for ourselves! Why Syrian hamsters, though?

https://twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1370378815197868037

is_that_so · 12-03-2021 05:31PM

Hardyn wrote: »

Because their immune responses to pathogens are quite similar to that of humans.

Specifically Syrian ones? It is good to see but better to confirm it in humans, for the real world.

trellheim · 12-03-2021 05:40PM

What news article? You said "someone on the internet said"

I did... and went and checked.

Apogee · 12-03-2021 06:11PM

RavenBea17b wrote: »

All,
Does anyone have a link/source that looks at each countries geo sequence for covid variant, capabilities, current rate of sequencing, plus plan to increase variant awareness, so adjusting vaccines etc.

I know that Denmark carries out a large percentage of checks per positives, UK too.

I think the last figure I saw mentioned for USA was something like 2.5 -3% with an aim to get to 6%.

I guess it everywhere will be ramping up. How much is carried out in Ireland do we know ?
With the first Danish variant (in mink) then Kent, South Africa, Brasil, Californian, NYC etc, it will be important step in developing adjusting testing and vaccines.

15% of samples are being sequenced:
https://twitter.com/newschambers/status/1366789094924300288
https://twitter.com/newschambers/status/1367177933874421767

https://covariants.org/per-country

braychelsea · 12-03-2021 06:14PM

Only silver lining about AZ not delivering is more people getting the more effective mRNA vaccines

LuckyLloyd · 12-03-2021 06:18PM

noserider wrote: »

Irish Examiner Thu, 11 Mar, 2021 - 08:04
Jane Kirby, PA Health Editor

A monoclonal antibody drug reduces hospital admission or death from Covid-19 by 85%, the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced.
The drug, called VIR-7831, is a new treatment for people with mild to moderate illness, and the study has been so successful that it has been stopped early.
GSK and its partner, Vir Biotechnology, plan to immediately seek an emergency use authorisation in the United States and approval in other countries, including potentially in the UK.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that mimic human antibodies.
The global phase 3 clinical trial based its initial analysis on data from 583 patients at risk of hospital admission.
GSK said VIR-7831 works in two ways – by blocking the virus’s entry into healthy cells and also clearing infected cells.
A separate laboratory study has found that VIR-7831 is effective against the main current Covid-19 variants, including the Kent, South African and Brazilian variants, the firm said.
VIR-7831 is designed to be given as a single intravenous (IV) infusion.
Dr Hal Barron, chief scientific officer at GSK, said: “We are pleased that this unique monoclonal antibody was able to bring such a profound benefit to patients.
“We look forward to the possibility of making VIR-7831 available to patients as soon as possible and to further exploring its potential in other settings.”
A trial using the drug in very sick patients in hospital was stopped last week owing to lack of benefit.

This is unbelievable news...why isn't it getting more attention?

is_that_so · 12-03-2021 06:22PM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

This is unbelievable news...why isn't it getting more attention?

It's a possible treatment for people with COVID rather than a vaccine. It's also unapproved for now. EMA are doing rolling reviews of two other such treatments.

Kivaro · 12-03-2021 06:25PM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

This is unbelievable news...why isn't it getting more attention?

Possibly because of the last line in your quote:
"A trial using the drug in very sick patients in hospital was stopped last week owing to lack of benefit."

braychelsea · 12-03-2021 06:29PM

Kivaro wrote: »

Possibly because of the last line in your quote:
"A trial using the drug in very sick patients in hospital was stopped last week owing to lack of benefit."

I think it might be a limit is that it is an IV treatment. As far as I know doctors are unwilling to recommend IV for non-hospitalised patients.

Apogee · 12-03-2021 06:34PM

https://twitter.com/FergalBowers/status/1370422008320778248

is_that_so · 12-03-2021 06:38PM

Apogee wrote: »

https://twitter.com/FergalBowers/status/1370422008320778248

That's going to be verrrrrrry slow!

LuckyLloyd · 12-03-2021 07:00PM

is_that_so wrote: »

It's a possible treatment for people with COVID rather than a vaccine. It's also unapproved for now. EMA are doing rolling reviews of two other such treatments.

I understand what it is. But a hugely effective treatment for mild / moderately ill should be a massive news story. Vaccination will never be 100% effective, to have a silver bullet treatment for upon admission for hospital patients is huge.

Kivaro wrote: »

Possibly because of the last line in your quote:
"A trial using the drug in very sick patients in hospital was stopped last week owing to lack of benefit."

I don't think that's it. Previous treatments have achieved moderate efficacy in severely ill patients, showing statistically significant (but well short of overwhelming) reductions in death and speedier recovery times for patients already in critical care.

In this case the key point is that it is a treatment to be applied before patients reach critical care. And the phase III trial was stopped early on ethical grounds as the reduction in severe illness relative to the placebo group was so substantial it was not acceptable to continue.

I dunno lads, I feel this being overshadowed by vaccines is a quirk of the news cycle.

brickster69 · 12-03-2021 07:24PM

Third wave starts in Germany

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/12/germany-declares-a-covid-third-wave-has-begun-italy-set-for-easter-lockdown.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.PostToTwitter

stephenjmcd · 12-03-2021 07:30PM

MM says his meeting with AZ CEO is due to take place tonight

is_that_so · 12-03-2021 07:35PM

stephenjmcd wrote: »

MM says his meeting with AZ CEO is due to take place tonight

Expect positive, productive meeting, clearly voiced our concerns, a firm commitment!

quartz1 · 12-03-2021 07:38PM

MM on RTE News giving an interview but saying absolutely nothing of any consequence . The words are coming out of his mouth but they mean nothing .

PCeeeee · 12-03-2021 07:39PM

quartz1 wrote: »

MM on RTE News giving an interview but saying absolutely nothing of any consequence . The words are coming out of his mouth but they mean nothing .

That's my problem with him. He says nothing. Ever.

landofthetree · 12-03-2021 07:40PM

braychelsea wrote: »

Only silver lining about AZ not delivering is more people getting the more effective mRNA vaccines

The real world data show all the vaccines are excellent.

It's not really a positive at all.

brickster69 · 12-03-2021 07:48PM

A poll today showed that over 50% would not take AZ. I feel really sorry for the people of France. Some areas ICU wards are over run and it is too late.

https://twitter.com/n_mondon/status/1370363328858558470

Elessar · 12-03-2021 07:56PM

2nd dose of AZ vaccine now to be given up to 12 weeks after 1st, allowing more people to get their first shot:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/astrazeneca-vaccine-dose-intervals-to-be-stretched-to-allow-for-more-people-to-receive-first-jab-40188401.html

braychelsea · 12-03-2021 07:58PM

landofthetree wrote: »

The real world data show all the vaccines are excellent.

It's not really a positive at all.

Never said it was a positive or that AZ wasn't effective. All vaccines seems to eradicate death/hospitalisation. Just that more people will receive a vaccine with higher efficacy which will lead to less transmission long-term. Pfizer prevents transmission by 94% compare to AZ at ~ 50%.

ACitizenErased · 12-03-2021 08:05PM

Elessar wrote: »

2nd dose of AZ vaccine now to be given up to 12 weeks after 1st, allowing more people to get their first shot:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/astrazeneca-vaccine-dose-intervals-to-be-stretched-to-allow-for-more-people-to-receive-first-jab-40188401.html

This was happening anyway

brickster69 · 12-03-2021 08:06PM

Elessar wrote: »

2nd dose of AZ vaccine now to be given up to 12 weeks after 1st, allowing more people to get their first shot:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/astrazeneca-vaccine-dose-intervals-to-be-stretched-to-allow-for-more-people-to-receive-first-jab-40188401.html

The data for this was available weeks ago alongside the second dose giving no real benefit at 4 weeks.

JacksonHeightsOwn · 12-03-2021 08:23PM

braychelsea wrote: »

Never said it was a positive or that AZ wasn't effective. All vaccines seems to eradicate death/hospitalisation. Just that more people will receive a vaccine with higher efficacy which will lead to less transmission long-term. Pfizer prevents transmission by 94% compare to AZ at ~ 50%.

does the pfizer really reduce transmission by up to 94%?

remarkable and excellent if true.

Danzy · 12-03-2021 08:35PM

brickster69 wrote: »

Third wave starts in Germany

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/12/germany-declares-a-covid-third-wave-has-begun-italy-set-for-easter-lockdown.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.PostToTwitter

Hopefully they will not pay a high price for the lethargic start to the Vaccine program.

COVID-19: Vaccine and testing procedures Megathread Part 3 - Read OP

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