Covid19 Vaccine

[Plantaholic]

Boris Johnson said the vaccine would take a while yet but suddenly it is available from December 1st. As we understand it is going to be made available for Nursing home residents and staff and people over 80, so what do I do. I don't know if I am brave enough to be one of the first, a big decision. I can understand your Mil being a bit reluctant Oma. The drug companies are going to be making millions from this vaccine, have they rushed it to be the first? How do you think your mother will feel about it Gemini?

[Oma]

Plant my MIL is only reluctant because she has to make a fuss about everything first , once she has everyone's attention she does it .
Yes it seems rushed but they have had 40'000 volunteer's testing this so far ,
Like all drugs in the long term we really don't know the problems it may bring in years to come but we must be brave xx

[Gemini]

Plant, I understand your reluctance. No one likes the idea of a drug they fear may not have been tested enough.

I don't think they will release it onto the public unless they are pretty sure its OK though. They don't want to add any more problems to the situation!

I think my mum would be keen to have it if she thought it would help the situation in general, and especially if it meant she could see family sooner.

[Daisy]

Plant - I can understand your caution. I do think drug companies are very tightly controlled and new drugs have to go through stringent tests and trials. But, like, you, I would like to know a bit more about it before joining the queue to have it.

They have said they will monitor how the vaccine works in older age groups, and some types of vaccines may be more effective than others for people of different ages.

There seems to be various types of vaccines being considered, and they need to target the right people for the right vaccine. I don't know how they will do that.

[Clover]

In this situation my mind always goes back to the Thalidomide disaster though obviously that was a long time ago and things have moved on significantly since then.

[Daisy]

Clover - I was thinking exactly the same thing. That was so unbearably awful. I had a friend whose son was born with a misformed hand, which was relatively mild compared with some, but it was still devastating.

[Sum1Ls]

I’m pretty sure it will be safe. The protocols now are super strict, the only worry for me is if it is less effective the older we are. It’s a vaccine targeting respiratory virus and a million miles away from the thalidomide drug which was entirely different and not a vaccine at all. I volunteered to have it tested on me but I wasn’t called!

[Mimi]

I would have it if it ever becomes available.

I have talked it over with OH and he feels the same , in fact I have spoken to SIL ( she is front line HNS) , a very dear friend of mine who and one of our neighbour who all agree that they would also have the vaccine.
We all agree that we cannot carry on living like this, seeing no families or friends, going nowhere not even out for a coffee.

How if I were younger I would think twice about it . What long term effects will it have on the body if I were of child bearing age . Can pregnant women have it.
I understand that fit under 50s wouldn't necessarily be offered it

[Daisy]

Mimi - there's such a lot to consider, isn't there. I think a lot of people are finding this lockdown even harder than the last one.

[Gemini]

I think it is harder Daisy. The good weather and light evenings made all the difference last time I think.
Things wont stay this way Mimi, they will get better.

[Gemini]

I think this is a wonderful day.
The first patients have been given the vaccine.

I hope they can soon sort out the technical difficulties of getting it to care home residents.

[Daisy]

Gem - did you see the news of the first person to get the vaccine? She was 91 I think, and delighted to be getting it.

[Gemini]

Yes I saw her, and the first man, whose name was William Shakespeare!