Panorama Tonight - The Race for the Vaccine

[A]

Someone on here suggested this would be a good idea just last week I believe, well, it's here tonight.

There's a fair few of us (myself included) who should really take the time to watch this to see if our recent views on the safety, etc. of the vaccine (I think this programme focuses on the Oxford vaccine) were justified. I wonder if any of us will change our views having seen some more evidence than we were probably privy to last week and the week before when many of us discussed and debated at length what we thought on a thread on here.

I think in particular it will shed some light on the speed at which it has gone through trials and how that was achieved. There were some who who felt it had been rushed and therefore was unsafe, this may allay some of those fears - we shall see

 

[atypical_boro]

Someone on here suggested this would be a good idea just last week I believe, well, it's here tonight.

There's a fair few of us (myself included) who should really take the time to watch this to see if our recent views on the safety, etc. of the vaccine (I think this programme focuses on the Oxford vaccine) were justified. I wonder if any of us will change our views having seen some more evidence than we were probably privy to last week and the week before when many of us discussed and debated at length what we thought on a thread on here.

I think in particular it will shed some light on the speed at which it has gone through trials and how that was achieved. There were some who who felt it had been rushed and therefore was unsafe, this may allay some of those fears - we shall see

I don't have any concerns about the speed at which its been developed and approved. But no one can answer what 'long term' side effects may be, because it just hasn't been around long enough. Appreciate that may be the same with other new medicines etc.

 

[A]

I don't have any concerns about the speed at which its been developed and approved. But no one can answer what 'long term' side effects may be, because it just hasn't been around long enough. Appreciate that may be the same with other new medicines etc.

That's true, but that's not necessarily the focus of this particular programme. My point was that there were a number of posters who were adamant this was unsafe due to "being rushed" and that "corners were cut". This may enlighten some of us and explain how things worked to successfully deliver this at such pace

 

[atypical_boro]

That's true, but that's not necessarily the focus of this particular programme. My point was that there were a number of posters who were adamant this was unsafe due to "being rushed" and that "corners were cut". This may enlighten some of us and explain how things worked to successfully deliver this at such pace

I think all of these things are possibilities, but I wouldn't say for certain that it's unsafe (or even that its likely). It comes down to whether you feel more at risk from covid, or more at risk from the vaccine. Ultimately, most of our hands will be forced if you need a vaccination to travel abroad etc.

 

[Capybara]

I went to my local surgery for my flu vaccine earlier today. I was surprised to see direction signs for Covid vaccinations. They are starting tomorrow, Incredible really.

 

[atypical_boro]

I went to my local surgery for my flu vaccine earlier today. I was surprised to see direction signs for Covid vaccinations. They are starting tomorrow, Incredible really.

I bet it felt almost a bit surreal. Like you're into the final act of the movie.

 

[Malaguena]

My point was that there were a number of posters who were adamant this was unsafe due to "being rushed" and that "corners were cut". This may enlighten some of us and explain how things worked to successfully deliver this at such pace

I was certainly one of those, and I'm not saying the vaccine is safe or unsafe - what I am saying, having worked in pharmaceuticals and clinical trials in the past, is that by following the normal regulatory and clinical route, it is not possible to get a vaccine to market that fast. As I said, that doesn't mean it's not safe.

It's also not possible for a programme like Panorama to present all the technical arguments for and against, or the processes they followed to deliver at that speed - the layman simply wouldn't understand what they meant. Yes, it can (and I assume will) be simplified, but then you lose the detail and context.

 

[Capybara]

I bet it felt almost a bit surreal. Like you're into the final act of the movie.

Yes, it's one thing seeing it on the telly and another seeing it in real life. A bit of a spirit-lifter.

 

[DearChicago]

I was certainly one of those, and I'm not saying the vaccine is safe or unsafe - what I am saying, having worked in pharmaceuticals and clinical trials in the past, is that by following the normal regulatory and clinical route, it is not possible to get a vaccine to market that fast. As I said, that doesn't mean it's not safe.

It's also not possible for a programme like Panorama to present all the technical arguments for and against, or the processes they followed to deliver at that speed - the layman simply wouldn't understand what they meant. Yes, it can (and I assume will) be simplified, but then you lose the detail and context.

Less than a year to develop a COVID vaccine – here's why you shouldn't be alarmed

Vaccines are being touted as taking seven to ten years to develop. But you shouldn’t be worried that COVID vaccines only took less than a year.

theconversation.com

Interesting read.

 

[r00fie1]

Personal choice - take it or leave it

 

[MolteniArcore]

I don't have any concerns about the speed at which its been developed and approved. But no one can answer what 'long term' side effects may be, because it just hasn't been around long enough. Appreciate that may be the same with other new medicines etc.

I think the long term side effects argument is a bit of a red herring. The flu vaccine changes every year, the long term side effects aren't ever mentioned there.

People's opinions have been soured thanks to the HPV fake news and also peoples inability to differentiate drugs with vaccines (Thalidomide being the one 'they' always cite).

The Government's arguments (and Leave EU's) about not trusting experts is also to blame. Really, what have we got to be afraid of? When you take the paranoia away I'm not sure why anyone is worried.

No one will be able to name a vaccine that has caused serious long term side effects without googling so I'm not sure why so many people are fearful.

 

[atypical_boro]

I think the long term side effects argument is a bit of a red herring. The flu vaccine changes every year, the long term side effects aren't ever mentioned there.

People's opinions have been soured thanks to the HPV fake news and also peoples inability to differentiate drugs with vaccines (Thalidomide being the one 'they' always cite).

The Government's arguments (and Leave EU's) about not trusting experts is also to blame. Really, what have we got to be afraid of? When you take the paranoia away I'm not sure why anyone is worried.

No one will be able to name a vaccine that has caused serious long term side effects without googling so I'm not sure why so many people are fearful.

I don't think its so much 'fear' its just that to take any vaccine there has to be an incentive.

If the incentive that 'stopping other people getting covid' should be enough then why isn't everyone encouraged/pressurised to take the flu vaccine every year? 77% of flu 'sufferers' are asymptomatic.

 

[MolteniArcore]

I don't think its so much 'fear' its just that to take any vaccine there has to be an incentive.

If the incentive that 'stopping other people getting covid' should be enough then why isn't everyone encouraged/pressurised to take the flu vaccine every year? 77% of flu 'sufferers' are asymptomatic.

Covid spreads faster than flu.

 

[atypical_boro]

Covid spreads faster than flu.

Indeed, without social distancing anyway, but shouldn't we be doing all we can to stop the spread of influenza every winter? It kills old people doesn't it. How many is 'too many'? Etc etc.

My biggest fear really is that in future, any new flu strain (as well as other coronaviruses) will lead to debates along the lines of 'Well we did X in 2020 so why aren't we doing Y in 2022?' etc. Although it feels like the covid-19 movie is coming to a close, I am a bit worried about the sequel. I don't want what's happened this year to just become the way we live now, in and out of lockdowns all summer, new vaccinations every winter etc. There is a chance that could happen I think and it sounds grim.