Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccine approved

[Horse]

Does that mean it was rushed, possibly....

Definitely hurried, but that doesn't necessarily mean done badly

[Yambo]

Makes you wonder why they usually test new medicines for several years before they're approved. It's almost as if they're checking for long term side effects. What a silly idea.

I think it takes years because of cost and bureaucracy. The Covid vaccine is seen as important enough to throw money at it and reduce the red tape. I understand that 2nd and 3rd stage tests were done in parallel to reduce the time usually needed. I read an article about it a couple of weeks ago. I'll see if I can find it after I get home tomorrow from breaking the lockdown rules.

[Wossname]

Daughter is an anaesthetist. She and colleagues are very concerned about the decision to extend the interval between 1st and 2nd Pfizer vaccinations from the 3 week gap that was the basis of its licence, to "up to" 3 months (tho even that timing seems vague). That means that the vaccine is effectively being given "off licence" i.e. differently from the research that has been done, and from the data sheet requirement. There is no data at all on how long, or strong, the protection will be after this regime. OK - it's aim is to to increase the no of people who get "some" protection as soon as possible, but those who work in hi-risk situatons, like her, have no idea what risk they will be taking longer-term.

Administering any med "off licence" carries great potential risk for those who do it, and those who authorise/advise it. This is sometimes because of risk of actual harm, and sometimes e.g. in this case becase of risk of lack of effectiveness.

There's been a little discussion of this in the media, but it hasn't been given the attention it needs, IMO.

[Saga Lout]

But that wasn't really viable in this instance was it ? I think you're being a little difficult just for the sake of argument.

Somebody's got to play Devil's advocate.

A lot of the delay is people taking weeks and months to authorise things, funding, sign-off, etc. Not just the length of time for testing. Obviously all of the signing off was done instantly in this instance.

And without cutting any corners, just some red tape.

Does that mean it was rushed, possibly.... Does that mean it was a good idea or a bad one, who knows yet.... but it's worth the risk IMO.

It probably is worth the risk and I'll almost certainly take the Astra Zeneca vaccine if/when offered, after all, as a retired person I'm a candidate for the B Ark myself.

[DefTrap]

So all that testing on tens of thousands of people and the collection and processing of statistics can be done away with...

What could possibly go wrong?

Makes you wonder why they usually test new medicines for several years before they're approved. It's almost as if they're checking for long term side effects. What a silly idea.

Not really, data relating to side effects are examined in detail in phase 3 trials but ' long-term' isn't a prerequisite for approval. Long term side effect review can continue in phase 4 trials but that's typically post release.

Nothing out of the ordinary is happening here, it's just been fast tracked.

[Taipan]

But that wasn't really viable in this instance was it ? I think you're being a little difficult just for the sake of argument.

Somebody's got to play Devil's advocate.

A lot of the delay is people taking weeks and months to authorise things, funding, sign-off, etc. Not just the length of time for testing. Obviously all of the signing off was done instantly in this instance.

And without cutting any corners, just some red tape.

Does that mean it was rushed, possibly.... Does that mean it was a good idea or a bad one, who knows yet.... but it's worth the risk IMO.

It probably is worth the risk and I'll almost certainly take the Astra Zeneca vaccine if/when offered, after all, as a retired person I'm a candidate for the B Ark myself.

What is B Ark? Never heard of it?

[Saga Lout]

What is B Ark? Never heard of it?

"The Golgafrincham Ark Fleet Ship B was a starship designed to relocate the (largely redundant) useless part of the population from the planet of Golgafrincham."
https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/Gol ... eet_Ship_B

[wheelnut]

You also need to consider the track record of vaccine development, it’s been pretty good over the last 80 years or so with the virtual eradication of diseases that have blighted previous generations. Polio, diphtheria, smallpox etc all but gone.

They are probably out there on a small scale but I would have to google to find any vaccines that were withdrawn due to serious adverse reactions. I have quite a lot of faith in the ethics and ability of the science and medical community - a lot more than the politicians (of any colour) anyway.

[Saga Lout]

You also need to consider the track record of vaccine development, it’s been pretty good over the last 80 years or so with the virtual eradication of diseases that have blighted previous generations. Polio, diphtheria, smallpox etc all but gone...

But not the common cold or influenza, which, coincidentally, are caused by coronaviruses.

[Wreckless Rat]

You also need to consider the track record of vaccine development, it’s been pretty good over the last 80 years or so with the virtual eradication of diseases that have blighted previous generations. Polio, diphtheria, smallpox etc all but gone...

But not the common cold or influenza, which, coincidentally, are caused by coronaviruses.

Flu isn’t a coronavirus, some common colds are, but why would anyone invest billions in curing a common cold...

[Horse]

You also need to consider the track record of vaccine development, it’s been pretty good over the last 80 years or so with the virtual eradication of diseases that have blighted previous generations. Polio, diphtheria, smallpox etc all but gone...

But not the common cold or influenza, which, coincidentally, are caused by coronaviruses.

How would that affect the development and testing process? Would it have needed different assessment or other?

[Horse]

but why would anyone invest billions in curing a common cold...

Not billions, but 45 years!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Cold_Unit

[Mr. Dazzle]

I think it would be more than a little bit disingenuous to say flu vaccines have not been developed and deployed at great effort and expense.

Common cold? They don't try and vaccinate against that for the same reasons they don't try and vaccinate for athletes foot or eczema.

[slowsider]

Common cold? They don't try and vaccinate against that for the same reasons they don't try and vaccinate for athletes foot or eczema.

There's a cream for it??

[Wreckless Rat]

Common cold? They don't try and vaccinate against that for the same reasons they don't try and vaccinate for athletes foot or eczema.

There's a cream for it??

There’s lemsip for the common cold

[Taipan]

Common cold cure. Honey soothes the throat. Lemon clears the airways and the rum kills in any germs in your bloodstream. FACT!

[Noggin]

Common cold cure. Honey soothes the throat. Lemon clears the airways and the rum kills in any germs in your bloodstream. FACT!

Cinnamon stick??

[Taipan]

Common cold cure. Honey soothes the throat. Lemon clears the airways and the rum kills in any germs in your bloodstream. FACT!

Cinnamon stick??

Yes, don't make the mistake of using a Flake...

[Noggin]

Common cold cure. Honey soothes the throat. Lemon clears the airways and the rum kills in any germs in your bloodstream. FACT!

Cinnamon stick??

Yes, don't make the mistake of using a Flake...

LOL I meant, what does that bring to the cure-party, or is it just the flavour!!

[Saga Lout]

Flu isn’t a coronavirus,

Sorry, my mistake.

some common colds are, but why would anyone invest billions in curing a common cold...

Because there would be even more billions in selling it. Just look at all the cold "remedies" in your local Boots. Anybody who could produce one that worked would make billions.