[Nas]

Starting a new thread because I have appreciated the sharing of info on this topic.

Previous thread:
https://mlcforum.theherosspouse.com/index.php?topic=11539.150

[marvin4242]

Final numbers also in for the original Pfizer vaccine, it also came in at 95% efficacy (pretty much same as the Moderna). So at this point it seems vaccines that target the spike protein (which all the current varients under testing do) should be about the same very high efficacy rate.

This is excellent news, means all the expertise and knowledge has paid off. The first crack at the vaccine is highly effective, and it will not matter which variant one receives at the end. Some of this amazing success has to do with our ability to sequence the virus and ability to do genetic sequencing.

This, to me, is yet another example of how expertise and knowledge is much more important than beliefs. Our fields of knowledge and our ability to analyze and learn are such an accomplishment of humanity. Instinct, misinformation and beliefs really are not the way to tackle complex issues. We should always follow science and listen to the REAL experts in a field to find the best way forward.

So once the vaccine is available in wide supplies we will quickly bring this virus under control. We just have to be hyper vigilant to minimize the damage that is coming from this third and in some areas uncontrolled wave of Covid.

Added: it also has shown no safety concerns and they are applying for emergency use authorization within days.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/health/pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-safety/index.html

[xyzcf]

I heard last night that to maximize the potential to control COVID, will require at least 75% of the population receiving the vaccine.

We need to keep this in mind as we talk about the vaccine to others.  I am concerned that people will see this as an impingement on their "freedom".

They were comparing the efficacy of the COVID vaccine to measles vaccine and that has been shown to prevent measles in a population that has a high rate of vaccination. Unfortunately we start to see measles outbreaks in communities who have a  higher number people who refuse to vaccine their children.

My daughter and I are joyfully planning our ability to see one another, some day when we are both vaccinated and it is safe to travel.

In the meantime, everything we do, every step we take right now will make the difference in the number of cases and deaths. As hard as it is to follow the public health orders in your community, each of us can make a difference. Thanks to all of you who are holding fast to social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing and avoiding being together with family and friends, especially hard as we come up to this holiday season.

Great news from Zoom that will offer unlimited time to be on line with family for Thanksgiving
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/11/16/thanksgiving-zoom-your-family-get-together-can-surpass-40-minutes/6312839002/?fbclid=IwAR24Hh-Lg_4L5c5zrTgUptgIkiDktnsw8HC_hXTKM-Mr7sXsSDsnpk79Tic

[marvin4242]

Another good sign, a study shows immunity may last quite a long while.

PEOPLE INFECTED WITH the coronavirus could remain immune for years after their recovery, a new study suggests, offering news that could quell worries about waning immunity as potential vaccines are nearing availability.

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute of Immunology in California found that eight months after participants had been infected with COVID-19, they still had high enough immune cells to fight off the virus and prevent another round of infection. That slow rate of decline in the short term indicates that immunity may remain for years.

[terra]

Not to put a stick in it, but, and, I’m not sure how to even ask this except in sort of an MLC-themed way, and apologies for the preamble,

I’m wading in medication fact sheets on behalf of a dear friend whose cancer treatments are either about to change or by her decision completely end. Have Pfizer or Moderna released the fact sheets for these vaccines? I can’t find them. Those are important, for anyone’s decision whether to be vaccinated.

Because of MLC/LBS life, I have eyed C19 from the start as potentially some kind of airborne version of HSV1, HSV2, HPV, or HIV. That may be simplistic or full-tilt just wrong, but it’s one reason I have no problem sheltering at home, isolating, or wearing mask.

The HX viruses are super common, super contagious, and they stick around. Two can’t be cured; two can kill you. One can’t be tested for in men. Any one of them may cause symptoms that don’t appear to have any explanation and aren’t obviously symptoms of an STD at all.

The ones that can’t be cured, shed and transmit even when the carrier is asymptomatic. Which, frequently enough, carriers are.

Are any of these things true of C19?

Do we know, yet?

The cancer treatment medication fact sheets, one of the proposed combos has only been approved this year and after 3 years of clinical study and trials. How long have either of the proposed vaccines even been studied, if C19 just turned up last year?

Not saying the vaccines are not good news. Just, in my house we are probably going to wait a while before saying yes to them. Still, glad that they are coming along, and thank you for continuing this important thread topic.

[Acorn]

How long have either of the proposed vaccines even been studied, if C19 just turned up last year?

I wonder if this article may partly answer your question:

https://www.statnews.com/2020/07/30/a-huge-experiment-how-the-world-made-so-much-progress-on-a-covid-19-vaccine-so-fast/

[terra]

Ahh, that article hits the spot.

“We were more prepared for a coronavirus than for any other family,” NIH’s Graham said. “To me, this is a wake-up call that we need to have a more systematic universal approach to developing vaccines and other countermeasures for virus families ahead of time.”

I love this, and the Lego piece comparison as well. Thank you so much for a great link, Acorn.

For what it’s worth, in the FDA regulated environments, we were striving toward universal approach and global standardization in the few years prior to the current and exiting White House administration. We knew in late 2016 that the sciences were targeted, and as soon as January 2017, we saw clearly that things were about to fall apart, fast. That started almost immediately and it never stopped.

God willing, now the systems get back on track and the universal approach and global standards can be achieved.

[OldPilot]

Another good sign, a study shows immunity may last quite a long while.

PEOPLE INFECTED WITH the coronavirus could remain immune for years after their recovery, a new study suggests, offering news that could quell worries about waning immunity as potential vaccines are nearing availability.

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute of Immunology in California found that eight months after participants had been infected with COVID-19, they still had high enough immune cells to fight off the virus and prevent another round of infection. That slow rate of decline in the short term indicates that immunity may remain for years.

Marvin

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe this is because of the T-cells, not that I understand that at all but it is what I have read.

I am glad that those of us that have got this wretched disease wont get it again though.

[marvin4242]

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe this is because of the T-cells, not that I understand that at all but it is what I have read.

I am glad that those of us that have got this wretched disease wont get it again though.

Here is a non technical article. The brief version is that the immune system has a few different kinds of cells/systems, including memory ones. This is considering all the different components. Essentially the immune system can also quickly rebuild a lot of immunity from the memory cells. This is the basic mechanism behind vaccinations.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/health/coronavirus-immunity-lasts-months-study-wellness/index.html

[marvin4242]

Ok one more confirmation that immunity will last at least six months (that is how long the follow up was, will know more as time goes on). Can't find original yet, but here is the report from The Guardian.

A British study that found people who have had Covid-19 are unlikely to contract the disease again for at least six months is good news and also provides hope for vaccines, a World Health Organization senior official said.

“This is really good news to see that we are seeing sustained levels of immune response in humans so far,” Mike Ryan, WHO’s top emergency expert, told a news conference.

It also gives us hope on the vaccine side.”

Maria van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19, added:

We still need to follow these individuals for a longer period of time to see how long immunity lasts.”