christmasoompa

No, the just under 2million is those who've had the first dose. It's 2.33million if you include those who've had both doses.

As the UK policy is to give the first dose to as many as poss because it only gives a tiny bit extra protection to have both (so most of the 2million won't get called for their second dose for ages), it's not really worth looking at the figure for those who've had both doses. It probably won't increase much in the next couple of months anyway, it's the first doses that are the key figure for the UK.

scrubbedexpat142

Assuming the policy is correct...

Shard

That's debateable, at least Dr Fauci seems to think so. The efficacy of the vaccine is based on two doses 4 weeks apart. Although the first dose provides some immunity it's not clear how long it lasts.

christmasoompa

Yes, but given the data from the trials supports it, and the MHRA approved it with a second dose up to 12 weeks later, I can see why they've made that decision. Far better to get 30mill vaccinated with a slightly lower efficiency rate , than 15m with a slightly better rate, particularly as once the first dose takes effect even in the small percentage that get it they have it much more mildly. It does seem to make sense to me……as you say, if it works!

scrubbedexpat099

Listening to the BBC and sounds like the UK is well ahead in vaccines compared to US and Canada.

Shard

Israel seems to be even further ahead too.

scrubbedexpat099

They got on to it very fast.

One thing mentioned was that UK has 20m doses but the issue is that they have to go through essential QC to make sure they are OK before being released.

christmasoompa

There is quite a bit of data on it lasting well beyond the 4 weeks from the trials, which actually had a gap of 4-26 weeks between doses. I've not seen what Dr Fauci has said, but the MHRA have approved it for use with the gap.

christmasoompa

Israel is absolutely smashing it! 24 hours a day is impressive.

Shard

Yes, I'm not disagreeing the gap strategy, just noting that there's still some differing opinions; it does seem better to get the the vaccine out there ASAP.

christmasoompa

Unfortunately it's one of those things where a crystal ball would be very helpful! I guess all the government can do is make the most educated decision with the data they've got to try and get as many people protected as quickly as possible. That decision could turn out to be the wrong one in time, but I really hope not.

scrubbedexpat091

To be fair to Canada, we haven't even gotten 1 million doses delivered yet, 545,250 doses delivered according to most recent tracking update.

scrubbedexpat142

Happy to be corrected but I am not sure that is quite true. The test data was based on a 21 day second jab and the MHRA approval was based on that data. The change that has occurred is solely due to the logistical issues of mass delivery and not because of (revised) advice from the manufacturers. As I recall the principle of 2nd jab postponement in the UK was originally suggested by Tony Blair!

Atlantic Xpat

Father 86 got a text on Dec 22nd - respond by 3pm to get a spot at a vax clinic. Silly old bugger doesn't look at his phone that often so didn't respond until 1pm by which time it was too late as all spots were filled. Turns out this was a one off clinic at a local hospital and he now has to wait for the GP surgery to schedule their own clinics. He's heard nothing yet. Living in semi-rural Norfolk he and my mum are hopefully fairly well shielded but my sisters and I will breath a little easier when he gets it. And hopefully without the need to travel to a vaccine supercentre - Stevenage being the nearest which is a 4 hr round trip.

christmasoompa

The MHRA re-assessed the data following a request on 22nd December re: the second dose being delayed. Bit of light reading here about the approval. https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ne-astrazeneca

This says that in the trials 'because of logistical constraints, the interval between dose 1 and dose 2 ranged from 4 to 26 weeks'. It also says 'Exploratory analyses showed that increased immunogenicity was associated with a longer dose interval (see Immunogenicity Table 3). Efficacy is currently demonstrated with more certainty for dose intervals from 8 to 12 weeks. Data for intervals longer than 12 weeks are limited.', which to my layperson's reading, says that they did test a longer dose interval in the trials than 4 weeks.

I may well be reading it wrong though, but the news has also said the longer interval has been approved with data to back up the decision, so I really hope that's true.