Beginning of the end

[Gob]

or end of the beginning....

A 90-year-old woman has become the first patient in the world to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine after its approval in the UK, where the NHS has launched its biggest vaccine campaign.



Margaret Keenan received the jab at about 6.45am in Coventry, marking the start of a historic mass vaccination programme.

The vaccines will be administered at 50 hospital hubs around the country, with patients aged 80 and over who are either already attending hospital as an outpatient or are being discharged home after a hospital stay, being first in line.

Keenan, known as Maggie, received the injection from the nurse May Parsons at University hospital and said it was a “privilege”.

The former jewellery shop assistant who retired four years ago turns 91 next week.

“I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against Covid-19, it’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the new year after being on my own for most of the year,” said Keenan, who has a daughter, a son and four grandchildren.

She is originally from Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, but has lived in Coventry for more than 60 years. “I can’t thank May and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously, and my advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it – if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too,” she said.


Parsons said it was a “huge honour” to be the first in the country to deliver the vaccine to a patient.

“I’m just glad that I’m able to play a part in this historic day. The last few months have been tough for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Parsons, who is originally from the Philippines and has worked in the NHS for the last 24 years.

Boris Johnson said: “Thank you to our NHS, to all of the scientists who worked so hard to develop this vaccine, to all the volunteers – and to everyone who has been following the rules to protect others.”

The prime minister added: “We will beat this together.”


More here....

[Long Run]

Is this just a photo-op? I would think NHS workers would be the first to get the vaccine, then the high risk would be the second group.

[Scooter]

The vaccines will be administered at 50 hospital hubs around the country, with patients aged 80 and over who are either already attending hospital as an outpatient or are being discharged home after a hospital stay, being first in line.

I'm guessing health care workers would follow shortly thereafter, but this seems to be a fairly small cohort of high risk people who are very easy to reach.

[Gob]

No biggie, just a head up...

People with a history of significant allergic reactions should not have the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid jab, regulators say.

It came after two NHS workers had allergic reactions on Tuesday.

The advice applies to those who have had reactions to medicines, food or vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55244122

[Burning Petard]

Heard on the BBC news last night that some 'undeveloped countries' in Africa are complaining in the UN that rich nations are hoarding the Covid19 vaccine.

Australia has on order enough vaccines to inoculate 100% of their population 3 times. Canada 5 times.

snailgate

[MGMcAnick]

Then maybe Australia and Canada can sell their overage to the USA (at a profit of course) because Trump refused to let us order enough last summer. It's the art of no deal.

[MajGenl.Meade]

The advice applies to those who have had reactions to medicines, food or vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said.

My wife says my body has had several bad reactions to food.

[BoSoxGal]

The advice applies to those who have had reactions to medicines, food or vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said.

My wife says my body has had several bad reactions to food.

[Jarlaxle]

No biggie, just a head up...

People with a history of significant allergic reactions should not have the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid jab, regulators say.

It came after two NHS workers had allergic reactions on Tuesday.

The advice applies to those who have had reactions to medicines, food or vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55244122

Well...that rules out me (penicillin, coconut), my best friend (ibuprofin), my nephew (peanuts), my sister (dextromethorphan), and my mother (coconut).

[Burning Petard]

Anybody have access to the recommended temperature conditions after this stuff leaves the plant. I know it moved with dry ice, but what happens after the vial is removed from the very cold storage? How long out of that dry ice is it still effective? What is the temperature when it is sucked up into the hypo from the vial. Are they pumping stuff at 'room temperature' into the arms?

"those who have had reactions to medicines, food or vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said." That is so broad and undefined that it must have been written by liability insurance lawyers.

snailgate

[BoSoxGal]

No worries the Moderna vaccine will be available in a matter of weeks and doesn’t require deep freeze.

Here’s the specs on handling the Pfizer vaccine with regard to storage temperature, thawing, dilution, administration.
https://www.fda.gov/media/144413/download

[Burning Petard]

Thanks BSG. Looks like it is supposed to be at 35-77F for less than 2 hours before injection.

snailgate.

[MGMcAnick]

British Jab = American shot, and makes a lot more sense. I got jabbed so many times last month, I lost count. To say I got shot sounds like overkill.

[Long Run]

Explained like that, MGM, it does make sense. I'm looking forward to a couple of jabs, without a cross.

[BoSoxGal]

Explained like that, MGM, it does make sense. I'm looking forward to a couple of jabs, without a cross.

Good one!

[BoSoxGal]

[TPFKA@W]

I have multiple antibiotic allergies, a couple of them that have landed me in the ER. I wonder where that is going to leave me with being able to take this.

[Gob]

I'm waiting on mine, I'm a fair bit down the list of priority. But being fit, healthy, and in a low risk area of the UK, I'm not overly concerned or rushing to get it.

[Crackpot]

Well physically anyway...