Breaking news: Oxford/AstraZeneca were cleared by the independent British committe; phase 3 trial was authorized to resume in the UK. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/12/heal...razeneca-oxford-trial-resumes-intl/index.html ------------ The British independent committee looked into the two (like I said from a rumor I heard yesterday, by now confirmed to be two, not one) cases of neurological adverse reactions. Wow, record speed for a Safety Board review! I was expecting at least a couple of weeks if not longer. It puzzles me because I think it's a hard-to-believe coincidence if these two cases are unrelated to the vaccine, but hey, I wasn't there to look into the evidence, and maybe there was a clear source for the problem that was indeed unrelated to the vaccine (I've mentioned the multiple possible causes of a case of transverse myelitis in post #128 of my State of the Vaccine thread - and the first case, it's now been leaked that it was multiple sclerosis, more likely to be there before the vaccine was given; it would be harder to believe, given incidence, if both cases were transverse myelitis and unrelated due to its rarity, but the much more common MS not being related is more believable, and if it was only one case of TM, maybe indeed it was a coincidence). They aren't releasing more details, according to them, out of respect for patient confidentiality (which again puzzles me because they could have said more without revealing any patient-identifying information), so I guess we'll have to take their word for it. Now it's up to the other regulatory agencies to decide if their trials will resume too, in the US, Brazil, South Africa and elsewhere. The trials have been authorized to resume in the UK. We've learned that 18,000 people have been given the Oxford vaccine in trials (I thought they had a bit more than that, but fine). From my friends abroad, I just got another phone call (I've been in constant touch with them) saying that out of 5,000 cases they managed in their local branch of the phase 3 trials for Oxford/AstraZeneca, nobody had a serious reaction. That's not enough to establish safety but it is good to know that an independent location is seeing good safety. So, up we go again, and Oxford/AstraZeneca, contrary to my concerns, are back in the game. Meanwhile, Pfizer/BioNTech are making the very commendable spontaneous move of increasing the size of their Phase 3 trial to 44,000 subjects. I think Pfizer is trying to play the long game and enhance public confidence in their vaccine, and that's a good move. I always suspected that with their huge infrastructure and long experience and expertise, Pfizer would end up winning the vaccine race or at least being one of the winners (the Chinese CoronaVac remains strong, *if* we can trust their data; it does seem that participants abroad are confirming the excellent immunogenicity and safety of the CoronaVac claimed by the Chinese makers Sinovac). Certainly the fiasco of the doubts expressed by 29 international scientists about the Russian data they sent to the Lancet for publication on the phase 1 of their Gamaleya Sputinik V vaccine, with clues that point to the possibility that the Russians made up the titre data (I wouldn't put it past you, Vladimir!) points to the need of caution in interpreting Chinese data too, given that both governments have been traditionally dishonest in what they release for consumption abroad. Anyway, Oxford/AstraZeneca being back is good. Fingers crossed.
I got my flu shot 2 weeks ago as I have for years. I've taken the Hep.B series TWICE, the second the result of needlestick protocols that showed my titer was low. 2 years ago I got another DTP, and I won't touch a Covid-19 vaccine with a 30 foot pole for at least 2-3 years after it's put into circulation. Covid-19 has been so POLITIZED from the day it's existence was announced I'm surprised it doesn't have it's own party and fielding candidates. Oh, and just how many times being LIED to by politicians and corporations is required before one takes everything they say with a BIG block of salt?
The vaccine is an international effort. Don't let American domestic politics influence you. If vaccines pass phase 3 trials, they will have passed the exact same phase 3 trials that DTP, Hep B vaccines, etc., once passed, and they will be perfectly safe. The virus is MUCH more dangerous than even a bad vaccine, let alone a vaccine that passes phase 3 trials.
You can stop wondering because I'm nobody's agent. Just a healthcare worker, concerned about public health.
Thank you. I plan on getting the flu shot as I do every year also. But, I don't want the COVID-19 vaccine; not until I can see how it affects people. All my family and friends feel the same way I do.
I wouldn't trust any vaccine other than the Russian Sputnik because the West lies too much. Not that it will ever be allowed here anyway. There's no profit involved. Guys, that's how I am or I wouldn't be Sam.
