General Discussion/Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[tgh]

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2021-- Moderna Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA), a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, today announced results from in vitro neutralization studies of sera from individuals vaccinated with Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine showing activity against emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine produced neutralizing titers against all key emerging variants tested, including B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, first identified in the UK and Republic of South Africa, respectively. The study showed no significant impact on neutralizing titers against the B.1.1.7 variant relative to prior variants. A six-fold reduction in neutralizing titers was observed with the B.1.351 variant relative to prior variants. Despite this reduction, neutralizing titer levels with B.1.351 remain above levels that are expected to be protective. This study was conducted in collaboration with the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases(NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The manuscript has been submitted as a preprint to bioRxiv and will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication

 

[Pushka]

We have now flushed out another expert.

But wait this one is still just a student.

Those who get vaccinated could become the next COVID super-spreaders
People who get vaccinated may believe they can't spread the coronavirus and could prove to be the next super-spreaders, Harvard University public health student Rushabh Doshi has warned.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

We have now flushed out another expert.

But wait this one is still just a student.

Thank you for alerting us, many might have been in real danger without that information.

 

[Lynda2475]

As much as I find a student being considered an expert humorous, his point isnt that unreasonable.

We have no evidence to date that vaccination prevents or even reduced transmisablity, only that it prevents severe disease. People who are fortunate enough to have been vaccinated may indeed feel safe and relax some behaviours like physical distancing therefore actually spreading Covid to those not yet fortunate enough to be vaccinated.

That is why borders wont come down until a significant portion of the population is vaccinated.

 

[Lynda2475]

Opinion piece in today's SMH:

Australia’s COVID vaccination challenge: speed, efficiency and GPs’ capacity to deliver
by Stephen Duckett, Health economist and former health bureaucrat

The federal and state governments are in the final stages of planning the national rollout of two COVID vaccines – Pfizer and AstraZeneca. With only a fortnight to go until the originally planned mid-February target start date, Australians should be advised soon of how, when and where we can get the jab.

The federal government has had six months from the announcement of the purchase of the vaccines to plan this immense logistical exercise, and every day of that was needed. It wisely rejected calls for an early rollout. Australia is essentially COVID-free, the demand on the health system is very low and easily managed, and so a cautious rollout was warranted.

Australia, while producing its own AstraZeneca vaccine, must now confront what impact, if any, may result on its scheduled rollout of the Pfizer vaccine next month following the European Union’s imposition of export controls – because both companies cannot meet their agreed supply volumes and timelines within the bloc. Interruptions to the supply chain are being reported on a daily basis, which makes efficiency of supply in Australia and minimising wastage even more vital.

State governments will be mainly responsible for distributing the Pfizer vaccine through their public hospital systems, and for vaccinating healthcare staff – one of the top-priority groups. Governments should agree on how many people each is responsible for vaccinating, and publish weekly updates on their progress.

General practices will distribute the easier-to-store AstraZeneca vaccine but the logistics will be difficult: the federal government’s invitation to GPs to participate runs to 18 pages and includes details of the required infrastructure, recording and monitoring, as well as numerous other expectations of participating practices.

The federal government is offering GPs in metropolitan areas a payment of about $30 for daytime first vaccinations. Rural practices are being offered slightly more, and both will be paid slightly more again for after-hours vaccinations All vaccinations are to be bulk-billed. The Australian payment is about 20 per cent higher than the British rate.

What appears to be absent from the GP conditions of participation are two critical considerations: waste and speed.

The AstraZeneca vaccine comes in a 10-dose vial. If GPs draw only nine doses from a vial, wasting one, the government will need 10 per cent more vaccine to vaccinate the whole population. And because there are reported shortages of the vaccines, the higher the wastage, the slower the rollout. Experience in the United States has shown that using the right needle can extract more doses from a vial. Standards of efficiency and waste should be in the Australian GP contract.

Speed is also of the essence. Australians will probably line up in droves for vaccinations. Britain gave first doses to 1.5 million people last week. Australia will probably not achieve this level of efficiency because our health system is not as well integrated as Britain’s, yet Australians will probably expect the vaccine rollout to take a few months rather than a year. That being the case, the GP contract should incorporate performance standards – how many vaccinations a day and maximum waiting times in the line-up for vaccinations.

The federal government also needs a fallback position if GP participation suggests the rollout will not proceed fast enough.

All Australians endured a difficult 2020. Some of us lost jobs, some suffered isolation and depression. Life for everybody was restricted. This will be a better year because we have achieved elimination of community transmission and are now dealing only with sporadic outbreaks. It will be an even better year if the vaccine rollout proceeds smoothly, quickly and efficiently.

 

[Ric]

I believe both Pfizer and Moderna have claimed that their vaccines are effective against the new variants. Are there any news on the Astra Zeneca vaccine relating to the new variants??

 

[drron]

I believe both Pfizer and Moderna have claimed that their vaccines are effective against the new variants. Are there any news on the Astra Zeneca vaccine relating to the new variants??

Though Moderna has said it's vaccine only produces one sixth of the antibody response to the Brazil strain compared to usual strain.They say that is still sufficient but obviously a worry.

Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Works Against the New Mutant Strains. Is that Enough?

Moderna is developing a new vaccine against the South Africa variant of the COVID-19 virus, just in case.

time.com

 

[Pushka]

Though Moderna has said it's vaccine only produces one sixth of the antibody response to the Brazil strain compared to usual strain.They say that is still sufficient but obviously a worry.

Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Works Against the New Mutant Strains. Is that Enough?

Moderna is developing a new vaccine against the South Africa variant of the COVID-19 virus, just in case.

time.com

@drron - I think you are on Plaquenil too? GP said the jury was currently out as to whether the AZ is safe for users.

 

[drron]

@drron - I think you are on Plaquenil too? GP said the jury was currently out as to whether the AZ is safe for users.

I was on plaquenil for a while for psoriasis and possible psoriatic arthritis.Off for a year and no sign of both.

 

[Pushka]

I was on plaquenil for a while for psoriasis and possible psoriatic arthritis.Off for a year and no sign of both.

Okey dokey. Have you heard of the issue with it and Astra Zeneca? Was told likely only could have Pfizer or Moderna.

 

[drron]

Answered in this post.

Will you vaccinate with Conoravirus vaccine when one is available?

According to reports, coronavirus vaccine is entering its final phase of testing and very soon we will have millions of coronavirus vaccine to be rolled out, hopefully from September. By then, should a coronavirus vaccine is available, will you vaccinate it? Personally speaking, as a 30 year...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[drron]

A few assorted articles.
First the CDC finds schools aren't super spreader sources.

CDC: Schools With In-Person Learning Have Seen ‘Scant Transmission’ Of COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a paper published on Tuesday, concluded that schools operating in-person learning with appropriate anti-viral precautions have seen only “scant transmission” of the virus, according to a number of studies conducted in districts across the...

www.dailywire.com

The Moderna vaccine as with the Pfizer vaccine can cause anaphylaxis but the rate is low,2.5 per million.But as anaphylaxis can be fatal precautions need to be taken.

CDC report summarises allergic reactions after receipt of first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) summarises allergic reactions including anaphylaxis reported in the US after receiving the first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.From December 21, 2020 to January 10, 2021, the...

dgalerts.docguide.com

California did suspend use of the vaccine for a time as they had higher numbers of allergy.

Welcome to Precision Vaccinations News

Precision Vaccinations News publishes vaccine news patients can trust to make informed immunization decisions in partnership with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

www.coronavirustoday.com

Using antibody tests there have been 1.5% of Canadians who have had Covid.

Welcome to Precision Vaccinations News

Precision Vaccinations News publishes vaccine news patients can trust to make informed immunization decisions in partnership with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

www.coronavirustoday.com

 

[tgh]

A bit OT, but big pond will not let me open www.coronavirustoday.com because it may contain virii or malware

 

[Pushka]

A bit OT, but big pond will not let me open www.coronavirustoday.com because it may contain virii or malware

Optus must have had the vaccination as it opens for me

 

[Flashback]

A few assorted articles.

California did suspend use of the vaccine for a time as they had higher numbers of allergy.

Welcome to Precision Vaccinations News

Precision Vaccinations News publishes vaccine news patients can trust to make informed immunization decisions in partnership with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

www.coronavirustoday.com

That's because of all the snowflakes there!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Captain Tom Moore, 100, who won British hearts with a COVID-19 fund raising drive, has been hospitalised with the virus.

Sir Moore raised millions of pounds for charity by walking around his garden and then became the oldest man to top the UK music charts with a cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

“Over the last few weeks he was being treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for COVID-19,” Moore’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said on Twitter.

“He was at home with us until today when he needed additional help with his breathing,” she explained, adding that “he is being treated in a ward although he is not in an intensive care unit".


and

Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised $57 million for Britain's NHS, is hospitalised with COVID-19

The 100-year-old World War II veteran who captivated the British public in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic with his fundraising efforts, is hospitalised with COVID-19.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drron]

Anticoagulants seem to be decreasing incidence of severe Covid.

Can Blood Thinners Keep Moderately Ill COVID-19 Patients Out of the ICU?

One of many troubling complications of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is its ability to trigger the formation of multiple blood clots, most often in older people b…

directorsblog.nih.gov

And an interesting article on Covid transmission in Spain.

Transmission of COVID-19 in 282 clusters in Catalonia, Spain: a cohort study

In our study, the viral load of index cases was a leading driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The risk of symptomatic COVID-19 was strongly associated with the viral load of contacts at baseline and shortened the incubation time of COVID-19 in a dose-dependent manner.

www.thelancet.com

 

[OZDUCK]

Anticoagulants seem to be decreasing incidence of severe Covid.

Can Blood Thinners Keep Moderately Ill COVID-19 Patients Out of the ICU?

One of many troubling complications of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is its ability to trigger the formation of multiple blood clots, most often in older people b…

directorsblog.nih.gov

And an interesting article on Covid transmission in Spain.

Transmission of COVID-19 in 282 clusters in Catalonia, Spain: a cohort study

In our study, the viral load of index cases was a leading driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The risk of symptomatic COVID-19 was strongly associated with the viral load of contacts at baseline and shortened the incubation time of COVID-19 in a dose-dependent manner.

www.thelancet.com

Reading that Spanish article, in a very unqualified manner, it seems to supports the theory that people with smaller 'viral loads' are much less likely to infect other people. I assume, again from a 'layman's point of view, that this explains why the recent Hotel Quarantine infections have not so far resulted in mass infections as the people only received a low 'viral load' as they they were infected by stray particles rather than a close-by large dose?

 

[drron]

Usually those in HQ aren't in the high risk situations apart from families in the same room such as the family at the heart of the Victorian second wave.

 

[Pushka]

Speaking to a friend just now who attended a wedding in 2019 in South Africa. People in the 55-65 age group. Four of the men who attended the wedding have now died from Covid, one just this week. These are affluent people who can afford medical care and have been isolating, but still getting the virus and when going to hospital, there are no resources for anyone. What an absolute mess.