Brexit, for once some facts.

[Nev]

France eases ban on AstraZeneca vaccine for over-65s

People in France aged over 65 with existing health problems can be given the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the health minister said on Monday, departing from Paris’s earlier stance that the vaccine should be for under-65s only.
When the AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use by European Union regulators, France mandated it would only go to eligible people under 65 because data from trials in older age groups was limited.

The French president Emmanuel Macron was quoted as telling journalists the AstraZeneca vaccine was “quasi-effective” for over-65s. That position contrasted with the UK, which was first to roll out the AstraZeneca vaccine and approved it for use in all age categories.
Since that decision, more data from trials has shown the efficacy of the vaccine, while France has also struggled with a shortage of vaccines from its other suppliers, Pfizer and Moderna.

Speaking to broadcaster BFMTV, the health minister Olivier Veran said:

Anybody aged 50 or over who is affected by co-morbidities can get the AstraZeneca vaccine, including those between 65 and 74.

People aged 75 and over would continue to get the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only, Veran added.

 

[Nev]

I was a bit surprised to read this, I wonder if people are relaxing social distancing thinking that the vaccines will now sort everything out.

Global infections rose for first time in 7 weeks in last week of February
The number of new coronavirus infections globally rose last week for the first time in seven weeks, the World Health Organization said on Monday.
Reuters reports:

“We need to have a stern warning for all of us: that this virus will rebound if we let it,” Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead for Covid-19, told a briefing. “And we cannot let it.”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the rise in cases was “disappointing but not surprising” and urged countries not to relax measures to fight the disease.
It was too early for countries to rely solely on vaccination programmes and abandon other measures, he said: “If countries rely solely on vaccines, they are making a mistake. Basic public health measures remain the foundation of the response.”

Tedros noted that Ghana and Ivory Coast became the first countries on Monday to begin vaccinating people with doses supplied by COVAX, the international programme to provide vaccines for poor and middle-income countries.
But he also criticised rich countries for hoarding vaccine doses, saying that it was in everyone’s interest for vulnerable people to be protected around the world.
“It’s regrettable that some countries continue to prioritise vaccinating younger healthier adults at lower risk of diseases in their own populations, ahead of health workers and older people elsewhere,” Tedros said.

Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergency expert, said the global fight against the coronavirus was in a better state now than it was 10 weeks ago before the roll-outs of vaccines had begun. But it was too early to say the virus was coming under control.
“The issue is of us being in control of the virus and the virus being in control of us. And right now the virus is very much in control.”

 

[Danidl]

The EU were fannying around and were crippled with indecision. That’s why they were late ordering and that’s why they were late taking delivery.

no to both. the legal situation regarding the AZ vaccine and where the contractual gaps were will no doubt be sorted in an EU court. AZ being a Swedish company.

 

[Zlatan]

no to both. the legal situation regarding the AZ vaccine and where the contractual gaps were will no doubt be sorted in an EU court. AZ being a Swedish company.

Sorted in a court in a few months, years time. It should have been sorted when making contracts,3 months before it was.
You can't be speaking with your friends in France. The ones I know down in Perpignan are horrified with what has happened. Ex pats and locals alike.
A 72 year old friend of mine down there was told 3 days ago he qualified for Jab. Went to doctor to get his required confirmation, they refused it for him. Said he wasn't in correct group for AZ, friend offered to sign a release clause to nullify claims against doctor. Still refused. And, have friends in Gibraltar. Locals working on Rock but living off it have all been vaccinated through UK scheme. Friends reckon there are Spanish coming onto Rock trying for vaccinations. Doesn't look good for EU, or individual countries. I just wonder what all you UK vaccine roll out trolls would be saying if ours had gone so badly.

 

[Danidl]

I was a bit surprised to read this, I wonder if people are relaxing social distancing thinking that the vaccines will now sort everything out.

Global infections rose for first time in 7 weeks in last week of February
The number of new coronavirus infections globally rose last week for the first time in seven weeks, the World Health Organization said on Monday.
Reuters reports:

I have been looking at the reductions in published case loads almost daily and i am disappointed to see that almost everywhere the reduction from the third wave is much less pronounced than it should be. There are starting to be anti everything demonstrations .. we had one in Dublin on Saturday, and this will give a new spike in 2 weeks time. the concern is that the newer mutants are not playing by the rules

 

[oldgroaner]

Sorted in a court in a few months, years time. It should have been sorted when making contracts,3 months before it was.
You can't be speaking with your friends in France. The ones I know down in Perpignan are horrified with what has happened. Ex pats and locals alike.
A 72 year old friend of mine down there was told 3 days ago he qualified for Jab. Went to doctor to get his required confirmation, they refused it for him. Said he wasn't in correct group for AZ, friend offered to sign a release clause to nullify claims against doctor. Still refused. And, have friends in Gibraltar. Locals working on Rock but living off it have all been vaccinated through UK scheme. Friends reckon there are Spanish coming onto Rock trying for vaccinations. Doesn't look good for EU, or individual countries. I just wonder what all you UK vaccine roll out trolls would be saying if ours had gone so badly.

The only EU vaccine troll on here is you zlatan, and here you are doing it again.
What is going on over there not excuse what is being done here even though it seems to fascinate you

 

[oldgroaner]

That is rubbish.. Which are you saying would take less time? 3 weeks delay or 12 weeks..??
And you are now saying 2 weeks difference, you originally said 2 months??
Just stop and think OG... Work out the time to get through 90 million jabs at 2 million a week..
Try it... See if delay changes finish date.
The only difference would be lots more 1st jabs done by week 12...After that progress would be same... But that would not affect total time..
You are wrong. Again.

I made a mistake and put two weeks when I should have put two months happy now? It's still true

 

[oyster]

Long Covid in Children

Frances Simpson, a lecturer in psychology at Coventry University and co-founder of the group, said she was very worried about the emerging data on long Covid in children. “We just think that there should be a much more cautious and curious approach to long Covid rather than a kind of a sweeping generalisation that children are OK, and that we should just let them all go back to school without any measures being put in place.”
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/02/long-covid-uk-children-date-cause-concern-scientists-say

 

[Jesus H Christ]

no to both. the legal situation regarding the AZ vaccine and where the contractual gaps were will no doubt be sorted in an EU court. AZ being a Swedish company.

The EU were rubbishing the AZ vaccine and failing to make a decision regarding whether wanted to use it, whilst simultaneously complaining about delivery. No doubt the disinformation and indecision was born out of jealous and spite because the vaccine has U.K. fingerprints all over it.

AZ did exactly the right thing in the midst of a global pandemic, delivered to where the vaccine was wanted and to where it would be used, the U.K. AZ quite rightly sidelined the EU as being “tyre kickers” and any breach of contractual obligations exist only inside the warped minds of the EU leadership. That will be the outcome, I’ve seen the contract wording.

The bottom line is, the vaccine was developed in the U.K., it’s been delivered in spectacular quantities to the U.K. and it’s been used to protect U.K. citizens with highly impressive speed and efficiency in the U.K. This is a win, win, win for the U.K. and illustrates that the EU has problems. The EU isn’t all bad and I’d like us to still be in it, but the vaccine situation isn’t their finest hour. Very soon there will be an egg shortage in the EU because it will be all over their faces when they are forced to backtrack on use of the AZ vaccine. Bookmark this post for reference.

Incidentally my 72 year old friend with health issues who’s lived in France for seven years still has no vaccination date! Tiny little Mr Micron should be ashamed. He should be in jail with his corrupt predecessor!

 

[oyster]

The Mail really does have some stories for which it would not have seemed the natural home:

Carrie’s new boss and a VERY cosy deal: It’s an astonishing arrangement, writes GUY ADAMS, how is the eco-warrior tycoon, who’s hired the PM’s fiancee, living in a stately pile for the price of student digs?

• Carrie Symonds hired as Head of Communications for The Aspinall Foundation
• The charity is said to be run by a 'niche Brexiteering conservationist' set of Tories
• Investigation finds curious commercial relationship with owner Damian Aspinall
• The charity rents its stately home to him for a minute monthly charge of £2,500
• It pays his wife tens of thousands of pounds to design interior zoo properties

Carrie Symonds new boss lives in manor house for price of student digs

Carrie Symonds has been appointed Head of Communications at The Aspinall Foundation, which runs two Kent animal parks, but has a curious commercial relationship with its owner.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Woosh]

The EU were rubbishing the AZ vaccine and failing to make a decision regarding whether wanted to use it, whilst simultaneously complaining about delivery. No doubt the disinformation and indecision was born out of jealous and spite because the vaccine has U.K. fingerprints all over it.

the EU did not rubbish the AZ vaccine.
France and Germany were using the AZ vaccine on younger people, that's not the same as not using it.
Now France has increased the age limit to 75. I expect Germany will follow.
No big deal really.

 

[oldgroaner]

The Mail really does have some stories for which it would not have seemed the natural home:

Carrie’s new boss and a VERY cosy deal: It’s an astonishing arrangement, writes GUY ADAMS, how is the eco-warrior tycoon, who’s hired the PM’s fiancee, living in a stately pile for the price of student digs?

• Carrie Symonds hired as Head of Communications for The Aspinall Foundation
• The charity is said to be run by a 'niche Brexiteering conservationist' set of Tories
• Investigation finds curious commercial relationship with owner Damian Aspinall
• The charity rents its stately home to him for a minute monthly charge of £2,500
• It pays his wife tens of thousands of pounds to design interior zoo properties

Carrie Symonds new boss lives in manor house for price of student digs

Carrie Symonds has been appointed Head of Communications at The Aspinall Foundation, which runs two Kent animal parks, but has a curious commercial relationship with its owner.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Just Honest Graft

 

[Jesus H Christ]

the EU did not rubbish the AZ vaccine.
France and Germany were using the AZ vaccine on younger people, that's not the same as not using it.
Now France has increased the age limit to 75. I expect Germany will follow.
No big deal really.

They painted themselves into a corner and made silly comments about the AZ vaccine. Comments that have potential to reduce AZ vaccine confidence and hence take up. This was nothing more than anti U.K. spite on behalf of the EU. The same anti U.K. mechanisms were on display in here, the usual children talking down the AZ vaccine.

Now they are having to climb down. It’s pathetic and shows them for what they are. I hope the EU can now secure enough AZ vaccine for its citizens to benefit from the impressive protection it offers. It’s just a shame the EU leadership has been playing politics with lives.

 

[Jesus H Christ]

U.K. hospital admissions of the over 80s is down 80% after just one dose of AZ or PB vaccine. The U.K. has nailed this vaccination rollout. A lot has gone wrong, but the vaccination programme is a magnificent achievement.

Anyone who says anything derogatory is an ass-hole. End of.

 

[Suzan]

I made a mistake and put two weeks when I should have put two months happy now? It's still true

I think your error is in thinking the new regime is an enforced 12 week delay. It isn't.
The delay was 28 days initially, changed to 28 days plus up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
As roll out approaches end people would be vaccinated before the 12 week maximum delay was reached. (if they hadn't thought about dispensing order very well)
You are wrong. Both regimes vaccinate their last patient on same day. (If rate were lots higher delay would affect it but at rate we are vaccinating at, delay between jabs does not affect overall time)

 

[Woosh]

They painted themselves into a corner and made silly comments about the AZ vaccine. Comments that have potential to reduce AZ vaccine confidence and hence take up. This was nothing more than anti U.K. spite on behalf of the EU. The same anti U.K. mechanisms were on display in here, the usual children talking down the AZ vaccine.

Now they are having to climb down. It’s pathetic and shows them for what they are. I hope the EU can now secure enough AZ vaccine for its citizens to benefit from the impressive protection it offers. It’s just a shame the EU leadership has been playing politics with lives.

can you find any quote where the EU rubbished the AZ vaccine?

their dispute is about delays in delivery.
They want more AZ, not less.

 

[Woosh]

I think your error is in thinking the new regime is an enforced 12 week delay. It isn't.
The delay was 28 days initially, changed to 28 days plus up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
As roll out approaches end people would be vaccinated before the 12 week maximum delay was reached. (if they hadn't thought about dispensing order very well)
You are wrong. Both regimes vaccinate their last patient on same day. (If rate were lots higher delay would affect it but at rate we are vaccinating at, delay between jabs does not affect overall time)

you are correct in principle but it seems to me that BJ sees that vaccine is an immense opportunity to win back some electors' approval, he's milking it as much as possible by spreading it more widely rather than concentrating it on the basis of health care need alone.

 

[Suzan]

And going back to Flecc/OG about SAGE and health directors being lackeys..
If you said I think the delay is wrong for reasons given, well fine. It could be. But yo suggest they are controlled by Boris and influenced by political expediency destroys any credit in the argument.
Imagine the scenario. Boris tells Patrick Valance to find data to support 12 week delay and introduce a policy to carry it out. Surely the obvious question back would be "why".
"To make me popular and get a lead in opinion polls"
But what if it ruins roll out?
What about at 15 weeks and its not working?
Johnson might be lots of things but he knows full well he will be judged on roll out not now, not in even 10 weeks but when it's finished... Short term success would be as damaging for Johnson as it would be for vaccine.
Country is following delayed jab roll out because Chris Witty, Stephen Powys, Patrick Valance and Jonathon Tam think its the best way not because the government pay their wages. Its a silly conspiracy theory.

 

[oyster]

U.K. hospital admissions of the over 80s is down 80% after just one dose of AZ or PB vaccine. The U.K. has nailed this vaccination rollout. A lot has gone wrong, but the vaccination programme is a magnificent achievement.

Anyone who says anything derogatory is an ass-hole. End of.

Sorry - but the government continues to say things which cause confusion.

All this recent stuff about booking a test if you have not yet had a vaccination. With pretty much not a word to identify that applies in England.

In Wales, the automatic appointment system is still in force and, so far as I know, working well. But not the same as England.

The government itself appears not to understand whether it is at any one moment acting the the government of the UK or the government of England.

Simple enough to resolve. Little things like referring to "NHS England" rather than just "NHS".

 

[Jesus H Christ]

can you find any quote where the EU rubbished the AZ vaccine?

their dispute is about delays in delivery.
They want more AZ, not less.

On the day the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on 29 January for use for all age groups in the EU, French president Emmanuel Macron claimed that it was "quasi-ineffective" for people over 65. What a stupid thing to say.

Ursula Von-Trap made similar idiotic comments. This type of language undermines confidence and risks reduced vaccine take up.

The important thing is that they have now seen sense and will follow the UKs lead and put its citizens ahead of trying to undermine anything which has its roots in the U.K.