Vaccine Progress, Approval, and Deployment

[PHILIPE]

I had the vaccine just over a week ago.
I got a text the evening before saying I had an appointment I didn't know about the next morning. I live in Wales so there is no online appointment system and people are supposed to be sent appointments through the post.
I had the Pfizer one and have to say I had basically no side-effects at all. Maybe my arm was the tiniest bit sore at the injection site the next day, but nothing noticeable.

I live in Wales also and both jabs were arranged through a telephone call from the NHS Booking Centre and given an option as to the time

 

[TravelDream]

I live in Wales also and both jabs were arranged through a telephone call from the NHS Booking Centre and given an option as to the time

Really?

Everyone I know who had their vaccine at a vaccination centre got a letter through the post. I'm talking about dozens of people and that's across South Wales so with different health boards. It might be different for those vaccinated a their doctor's office - though only a couple of elderly relatives got vaccinated there.

 

[The Ham]

Never, because the vaccine does not change your DNA.

I know.

Likewise even if it did, it wouldn't change my ability on speaking German as language is a learnt behaviour and has nothing to do with DNA, as my wife pointed out when I made the same joke the other day.

 

[Jonny]

I had the vaccine just over a week ago.
I got a text the evening before saying I had an appointment I didn't know about the next morning. I live in Wales so there is no online appointment system and people are supposed to be sent appointments through the post.
I had the Pfizer one and have to say I had basically no side-effects at all. Maybe my arm was the tiniest bit sore at the injection site the next day, but nothing noticeable.


Is there evidence for this? I try to keep up on vaccine news, but the volume is so great it is impossible.
I have seen articles saying the risk of viral vector vaccines like the Oxford one might be greater for women, but I haven't seen any articles saying they might be safer for males though.

So, do you get the opportunity to book or are you just told to go somewhere?

 

[island]

It seems to vary, and not just in Wales.

Of people on my street (in England), some have been texted by their GP, some have received a letter in the post, some have been phoned, and some have booked of their own initiative via the NHS website. Some people were just told to come at X time to Y place, others given a choice of time, others a choice of both time and place. Some got both appointments scheduled upfront, others told they would get a text 7-8 weeks after the first to schedule the second. And some got up to four different requests to book, having responded to the first.

None of this is a problem as long as people get appointments and go to them

 

[PHILIPE]

Really?

Everyone I know who had their vaccine at a vaccination centre got a letter through the post. I'm talking about dozens of people and that's across South Wales so with different health boards. It might be different for those vaccinated a their doctor's office - though only a couple of elderly relatives got vaccinated there.

Yes. I should be in the best position to know unless there were cancellations.

 

[brick60000]

Younger people do sometimes have underlying conditions, and as @kristiang85 says most will know it. And I don't want to belittle yours or others people's potential conditions, but it really is up to those individuals, their medical professionals, family etc to understand and mitigate for any risk. Nobody can expect the rest of society to curtail their lives for the extraordinarily small risk that they might come into contact with, and infect someone at greater risk. Its just not feasible.

There will of course be some people unaware of their risk, and speaking as someone who lost his sister to just such a situation following her having had flu I would still not expect anyone to do what we have been asked to do for the last 14 months.

This is exactly what younger people have been doing for the last 14 months, losing out on university teaching and experiences.

Isn’t it funny how the views of society change when suddenly we’re protecting the young.....

(This statement isn’t directed at you, as I don’t know your views pre-vaccines so they might not have changed!)

 

[TravelDream]

So, do you get the opportunity to book or are you just told to go somewhere?

I, and basically everyone I know, were told where to go. Most people seem to have had it at the local vaccination centre. I don't know why, but some older relatives were vaccinated at their GP and some at the vaccination centre - they didn't get a choice.
There was a number to call and people were able to rearrange appointments if they couldn't attend.

Yes. I should be in the best position to know unless there were cancellations.

I don't understand this.Why should you be in the best position to know?
I personally know dozens of people in South Wales who have received letters through the post and none who have been called and offered an appointment.

I'm not saying you are wrong and nobody phoned you, just that isn't standard and that is not what the NHS in Wales is doing. Look at the healthboard websites if you don't believe me...

https://cwmtafmorgannwg.wales/covid-19-vaccine/ - ''We are in the process of generating second dose appointments for people in priority groups 7, 8 and 9.'' / ''Appointment letters for second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are now landing on doormats across Cwm Taf Morgannwg.''

https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/cavuhb-covid-19-mass-vaccination-programme/ - ''We have now arranged appointments for all of our adult population aged 18 and over to receive their first vaccine by 30th May 2021. Appointment letters should hit doorsteps by the end of this week.''

https://www.facebook.com/AneurinBevanHealthBoard/posts/3841953082532607 - Please do not contact the booking centre or your GP practice if you have not yet received an appointment letter.

https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus...e-in-swansea-and-npt/where-am-i-in-the-queue/ - ''From week beginning Monday, May 10th, 2021, we will begin routine first dose scheduling of those aged 29 and under. If you are aged 30+ and have not had your first dose yet (perhaps you didn't receive a letter or have declined an appointment and now changed your mind), we recommend you join the reserve list.

 

[jfollows]

I, and basically everyone I know, were told where to go. Most people seem to have had it at the local vaccination centre. I don't know why, but some older relatives were vaccinated at their GP and some at the vaccination centre - they didn't get a choice.

In my area, people for vaccination were identified by "cohort" (obviously this list I quote is now outdated because we go down to much younger healthy people today)

Residents in care homes for older adults and their carers
80-year-olds and over and frontline health and social care workers
75-year-olds and over
70-year-olds and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
65-year-olds and over
16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions
60-year-olds and over
55-year-olds and over
50-year-olds and over

and then different cohorts were vaccinated at GP or vaccination centre. I am in "16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions" and this one was done at my GP, which is fortunate for me because it's five minutes' walk away. However the Alderley Park vaccination centre isn't miles away and I have a car, plus the hourly 130 bus service was diverted through Alderley Park all day I gather for those who need public transport.

 

[PHILIPE]

I'm not saying you are wrong and nobody phoned you, just that isn't standard and that is not what the NHS in Wales is doing. Look at the healthboard websites if you don't believe me...

Why I said that I was in the best position to know is because I was on the other end of the telephone line on both occasions and it was arranged that my wife and myself would attend together.

 

[TravelDream]

Why I said that I was in the best position to know is because I was on the other end of the telephone line on both occasions and it was arranged that my wife and myself would attend together.

As I said, I am not saying you are wrong in your individual case. However, I think the health boards are in the best position to know what the health boards are doing. I personally dozens of people who have received letters like the health boards say they are sending out.

 

[PHILIPE]

As I said, I am not saying you are wrong in your individual case. However, I think the health boards are in the best position to know what the health boards are doing. I personally dozens of people who have received letters like the health boards say they are sending out.

Now I come to think, we did receive a letter for the second one but it arrived 2 days after the jab itself. The first one was right at the start and the call was on the second day after the Centre opening offering the following day (Thursday) but because of other commitments arranged for the Friday.

 

[Darandio]

Absolutely and I know they're doing Pfizer because that's where my mum went and got jabbed with Pfizer!!

As if by magic i've just been stood in the pharmacy at the hospital awaiting a prescription when an NHS text arrived saying there is a 40-49 clinic for my surgery on 5th June and to ring if I want a vaccination. As I was literally next door I popped in and it's all booked, AZ only though.

 

[YorkshireBear]

As if by magic i've just been stood in the pharmacy at the hospital awaiting a prescription when an NHS text arrived saying there is a 40-49 clinic for my surgery on 5th June and to ring if I want a vaccination. As I was literally next door I popped in and it's all booked, AZ only though.

Is that for your 2nd dose faster or your 1st dose?

 

[Darandio]

Is that for your 2nd dose faster or your 1st dose?

1st

 

[Jonny]

I, and basically everyone I know, were told where to go. Most people seem to have had it at the local vaccination centre. I don't know why, but some older relatives were vaccinated at their GP and some at the vaccination centre - they didn't get a choice.
There was a number to call and people were able to rearrange appointments if they couldn't attend.

Were you just given an appointment full stop or were you asked to book?

 

[TravelDream]

Were you just given an appointment full stop or were you asked to book?

You're just given an appointment.
The letters I have seen say something like Covid vaccination appointment at XYZ Leisure Centre on Saturday 29th May at 10.40am. Then they send texts out a day or two before as a reminder.
There's a number to call if you want to rearrange or cancel.

 

[Silver Cobra]

I spotted on the BBC News Live page that over half of all adults aged 30-39 have now received their first dose of the vaccine. No link to an article right now, but I did find a tweet from Matt Hancock confirming this (and also commenting that the Duchess of Cambridge had her first vaccine yesterday):

https://twitter.com/MattHancock/status/1398615170096762882

In the last fortnight more than half of all people in their 30s have been vaccinated.

Delighted HRH The Duchess of Cambridge was able to get her jab at the Science Museum.

I imagine with this news, we could very soon see the start of the under-30s being invited for their first vaccines (I would guess over-28s sometime this upcoming week), and hopefully meeting the government's target for offering the vaccine to all adults aged 18 and over well before the end of July.

 

[hwl]

Were you just given an appointment full stop or were you asked to book?

I got an automated text message from the GPs surgery about 90mins after it was announced on the morning news that booking were opening up for my age group. Clicked on link in text an taken through to their booking website and booked a day and time to suit. Another 2 hours later It got a text and email from the centralised NHS England booking service and 4 days later a letter from them.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 May 2021 ==

I spotted on the BBC News Live page that over half of all adults aged 30-39 have now received their first dose of the vaccine. No link to an article right now, but I did find a tweet from Matt Hancock confirming this (and also commenting that the Duchess of Cambridge had her first vaccine yesterday):

https://twitter.com/MattHancock/status/1398615170096762882

I imagine with this news, we could very soon see the start of the under-30s being invited for their first vaccines (I would guess over-28s sometime this upcoming week), and hopefully meeting the government's target for offering the vaccine to all adults aged 18 and over well before the end of July.

They opened up the 30-40 age group quickly so there are some quite long periods between booking and jab compared to earlier so they may want to catch up a bit. They are also now approaching the peak second jab period

 

[TravelDream]

I spotted on the BBC News Live page that over half of all adults aged 30-39 have now received their first dose of the vaccine. No link to an article right now, but I did find a tweet from Matt Hancock confirming this (and also commenting that the Duchess of Cambridge had her first vaccine yesterday):

I imagine with this news, we could very soon see the start of the under-30s being invited for their first vaccines (I would guess over-28s sometime this upcoming week), and hopefully meeting the government's target for offering the vaccine to all adults aged 18 and over well before the end of July.

I think it varies dramatically by local area. The under 30s should move quickly too as so many have already been vaccinated.
Here's the data for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. It was released yesterday so I guess goes up to Thursday 27th(?).
Basically 2/3rds of 18-29 year olds done already.

 

[Domh245]

They are also now approaching the peak second jab period

'Fortunately' most of the doses given during peak-first-dose were AZ, so delivering those second doses shouldn't impact too much on the current first dose push (with Pfizer & Moderna)

I think it varies dramatically by local area. The under 30s should move quickly too as so many have already been vaccinated.
Here's the data for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. It was released yesterday so I guess goes up to Thursday 27th(?).
Basically 2/3rds of 18-29 year olds done already.

Wales is well ahead of the curve in terms of first doses compared to the rest of the UK. In terms of adult population Wales is at almost 84.4% first doses/42.9% second dosed to England's 73.8% first dosed/47.8% second dosed (UK average: 74.2%/47.3%) - source. By most accounts Wales have been putting doses into arms almost as soon as they're delivered, whilst the other 3 countries have been slightly stockpiling. And to think that at the beginning of the rollout Wales was holding doses back in order to keep the vaccinators busy at a constant rate!

 

[TravelDream]

Wales is well ahead of the curve in terms of first doses compared to the rest of the UK. In terms of adult population Wales is at almost 84.4% first doses/42.9% second dosed to England's 73.8% first dosed/47.8% second dosed (UK average: 74.2%/47.3%) - source. By most accounts Wales have been putting doses into arms almost as soon as they're delivered, whilst the other 3 countries have been slightly stockpiling. And to think that at the beginning of the rollout Wales was holding doses back in order to keep the vaccinators busy at a constant rate!

To be honest, I knew that already.
I was reticent though to say as when I said it before, I was accused of being anti-British and a Welsh nationalist which is totally wrong. I guess some people don't get you can be passionately pro-Welsh/English/Scottish and pro-British. I also think some people can't seperate nationalism from hard fact.

Still, it's my understanding that there are parts of England that are basically doing the same numbers as Wales in terms of vaccines.

 

[Domh245]

Still, it's my understanding that there are parts of England that are basically doing the same numbers as Wales in terms of vaccines.

There are some English & Scottish regions (bottom of this page - you can sort local authorities by uptake) which have got very high numbers of first doses, but they would seem to be more down to small populations and demographics I think. I'm not aware of any English areas that are working through younger populations in the way Wales is

 

[The Ham]

I spotted on the BBC News Live page that over half of all adults aged 30-39 have now received their first dose of the vaccine. No link to an article right now, but I did find a tweet from Matt Hancock confirming this (and also commenting that the Duchess of Cambridge had her first vaccine yesterday):

https://twitter.com/MattHancock/status/1398615170096762882

I imagine with this news, we could very soon see the start of the under-30s being invited for their first vaccines (I would guess over-28s sometime this upcoming week), and hopefully meeting the government's target for offering the vaccine to all adults aged 18 and over well before the end of July.

I wouldn't be surprised if nearly all (at least all those who want it, or weren't delaying for a reason) over 18's had their first vaccine by the end of July.

As it was only a few weeks ago that over 42's could sign up, now over 30's can and most appointments are within a few weeks of sign up.

To miss the deadline of delivery, would mean 5 weeks to get to opening up to 18+ and then appointments then being 4 weeks away.

 

[Ted633]

I've got my first jab this afternoon. I'm 29, but turn 30 next month so just snuck in on the latest age drop. Went online Wednesday morning as soon it was announced I could apply and got an appointment at a centre a few miles down the road. Website was very easy to use, got my 2nd jab booked at the same place in the middle of August as well

 

[Solent&Wessex]

I am 40 and had my second jab booked for 24th July, which at the time was the earliest it would let me book, being about 12 weeks after my first jab. I can't now make it as my shifts at work have changed so went online 2 days ago to cancel and re book. This time round there was a far greater selection of venues and it would let me book much earlier, around 8 weeks after my first jab. So I'm now booked in to a much more convenient location on the 1st July instead!

 

[3rd rail land]

I'm 30 so can now book my jab. Not that I particularly want one after the side effects a 40 year old colleague had to his jab last week. He was fine initially but essentially his muscles seized up and he felt very cold. He had to take nearly 2 days off work, coming online for a short period in the afternoon on the 2nd day before going back to bed to try and recover. The primary reason I will have the jab is so I can go abroad. I have a foreign holiday planned for later in the year and I don't what to be denied travel or entry to that country, in mainland Europe, due to not been vaccinated.

 

[PHILIPE]

I'm 30 so can now book my jab. Not that I particularly want one after the side effects a 40 year old colleague had to his jab last week. He was fine initially but essentially his muscles seized up and he felt very cold. He had to take nearly 2 days off work, coming online for a short period in the afternoon on the 2nd day before going back to bed to try and recover. The primary reason I will have the jab is so I can go abroad. I have a foreign holiday planned for later in the year and I don't what to be denied travel or entry to that country, in mainland Europe, due to not been vaccinated.

It seems that you don't want the jab for the common good of the population but to enable YOU to go abroad

 

[NorthOxonian]

It seems that you don't want the jab for the common good of the population but to enable YOU to go abroad

A lot of people think that way - and as far as I'm concerned it's not really a problem. A vaccination will cause the same reduction in transmission whether it's done for the most altruistic of reasons or done entirely out of self interest.

Personally, one of the main reasons why I'd want a vaccine is because it would enable me to get into events without the hassle and cost of multiple tests. It's a bit of a moot point now domestic vaccine passports seem unlikely, but it's along the same lines.

 

[Richard Scott]

It seems that you don't want the jab for the common good of the population but to enable YOU to go abroad

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the view of most people that they take the jab for their own benefit. I don't know anyone who's had it for 'The Greater Good'.