Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant • Hacker News Board

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#371

Post by dlo_123 » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:02 PM UTC

roody15 wrote: post #353

Interesting. So far the Omicron variant has shown itself to be mild with minimal hospitalizations and 0 reported deaths worldwide. Is there even a need to vaccinate at all? It would seem this is the variant we would want to spread worldwide and let it take over the more dangerous strains.

From what I've learned about the previous variants, hospitalizations are usually delayed by as much as two weeks following the increase in cases. The increase in deaths would likely follow a couple of weeks after that.

I'd still remain careful but agree the data we have now look promising. I also agree that if the Omicron variant is less dangerous it would be advantageous if it took over the delta variant

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#372

Post by yessirwhatever » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:03 PM UTC

SquareWheel wrote: post #285

yessirwhatever wrote: post #248

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm riding on this comment here (sorry) just to say that whoever flagged the parent comment should be ashamed. I have no idea what the commentator said and the idea that anyone can just flag a comment and have it hidden is so wrong imo I don't even understand how it's a feature on HN. Very disappointed.

You can turn on showdead. It's typically just conspiracy-laden fearmongering.

I had no idea this feature existed! Thanks!

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#373

Post by dolni » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:05 PM UTC

dragontamer wrote: post #359

dolni wrote: post #344

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> We start with the quickest measures of immunity. As better data comes in, we change our opinion. This is exactly the problem with pandemic messaging. Too many claims based on garbage data that end up being wrong later. The result is a population that doesn't trust its government's guidance. Vaccines were supposed to end the pandemic. Then it was they would keep you from getting sick. Then it was you'd still get sic…

> This is exactly the problem with pandemic messaging There's two parts to the pandemic. Gathering information, and spreading information. You need to spread the currently known things, so that scientists know what else to look for. Welcome to the world of science and learning. You know one thing, and then it changes as new tests come in. Its impossible to get to the truth from the beginning in one step.

On the contrary -- welcome to the world trust building.

If you only know one thing, you keep your mouth shut until you know more. And if the thing you know isn't actually known, like how effective the vaccine really is, that goes double.

Notice that doesn't require you to "know the truth from the beginning in one step." It requires the people in charge to show some restraint.

You only get so many opportunities to be wrong before that trust is eroded.

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#374

Post by beervirus » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:06 PM UTC

jmnicolas wrote: post #334

lb0 wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Expert on tv explained it just yesterday.. 3 shots is actually what you need for most vaccines and is the common procedure for most if you remember.. 1st shot "warns" your immune system 2nd shot really triggers your immune system (that's also why most people see strongest side effects here) 3rd shot then makes your immune remind, and massively increases B+T lymphocytesmemory memory cells So yeah, you can expect a lot…

> Expert on tv explained it just yesterday.. 3 shots is actually what you need for most vaccines and is the common procedure for most if you remember.. The same so called experts that will say that now you need the 4th dose, the 5th etc. It's now obvious that it's a vaccine as a service. Pfizer ceo's hinted at it last year, saying it would probably be recurring every 6 months.

That’s… fine? I don’t care if I have to get a jab every 6 months. I don’t care if Pfizer and Moderna make a ton of money off this—they deserve it.

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#375

Post by anoonmoose » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:07 PM UTC

dolni wrote: post #347

mafuy wrote: post #300

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have no idea why you believe a third dose is just marketing. It is plainly obvious that immunity decreases over time, as is the case for all vaccines against flus and similar. A booster is the normal way to handle it. If there were a way to avoid it, at least one of the many companies working on this would have created it. And one for the regular flu, too, while they are at it, which has not happened in decades.

Is there any other vaccine on the planet has recommended a recurring booster on a six month schedule? Because I haven't heard of one. Sure sounds fishy to me.

Is every six months (and, keep in mind, "every" is one six month increment so far) really that different from every twelve months, the schedule I've received a flu shot on for some number of years?

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#376

Post by fsh » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:07 PM UTC

phgn wrote: post #208

Isn't it a little suspicious that they claim more of their existing vaccine will protect that well against the new variant? I don't want to question the rigour of their scientific testing, but it might be good to have independent tests done. Of course in parallel to giving out more booster shots, which can only help (by an unknown amount).

First neutralization test results posted by the Sigal group in Durban and the Ciesek group in Frankfurt agree with the BioNTech/Pfizer data.

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#377

Post by the_doctah » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:08 PM UTC

mafuy wrote: post #300

hamburglar1 wrote: post #239

Is there a comprehensive white-paper anywhere with sample sizes and error bars? Otherwise this seems like an anecdote. "The sera were collected from subjects 3 weeks after receiving the second dose or one month after receiving the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine" How do we know this study isn't just measuring the effect of that additional week? Also how many subjects was this sera pulled from? Are…

I have no idea why you believe a third dose is just marketing. It is plainly obvious that immunity decreases over time, as is the case for all vaccines against flus and similar. A booster is the normal way to handle it. If there were a way to avoid it, at least one of the many companies working on this would have created it. And one for the regular flu, too, while they are at it, which has not happened in decades.

That reminds me, I need to get my Polio booster

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#378

Post by beervirus » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:08 PM UTC

spurgu wrote: post #349

podgaj wrote: post #246

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What a meaningless way to phrase it. "Only $20"? Ha! How about this phrasing... Pfizer Expects $33.5 Billion In Vaccine Revenue In 2021 https://www.forbes.com/sites/aayushipratap/2021/07/28/pfizer... https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/business/pfizer-earnings/inde... The vaccine business alone was responsible for more than 60% of the company's sales, as vaccine revenue rose to $14.6 billion from only $1.7 billion a year…

Yeah I don't get it. At which point did Big Pharma become the good guys, with zero ulterior motives and zero regards for profit? Always having the public's best interest in mind. This is a weird timeline.

The profit motive is what created the vaccines. It’s fine.

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#379

Post by the_doctah » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:09 PM UTC

anoonmoose wrote: post #375

dolni wrote: post #347

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there any other vaccine on the planet has recommended a recurring booster on a six month schedule? Because I haven't heard of one. Sure sounds fishy to me.

Is every six months (and, keep in mind, "every" is one six month increment so far) really that different from every twelve months, the schedule I've received a flu shot on for some number of years?

Flu shots are not required for any healthy individual

Re: Pfizer and Biontech provide update on Omicron variant

#380

Post by tallanvor » Wed, Dec 08, 2021, 4:10 PM UTC

jaspax wrote: post #330

mitchdoogle wrote: post #304

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We get flu vaccine every year, what's wrong with getting vaccinated forever?

Who's "we"? I don't intend any hostility here. But I have never gotten a flu vaccine in my life, and it seems deeply silly to me to get a yearly shot just to cut down on the chance of mild illness. A quick poll of my acquaintances reveals that almost no one in my social circle gets flu shots, either. This makes me wonder whether the antagonism to mandatory COVID boosters is just an intensification of an existing divi…

"We" are people intelligent to recognize that vaccination against diseases like the flu is a good idea even if we're healthy and unlikely to have significant complications. "We" know that the shot will make it less likely for us to get sick, and that we're more likely to have a mild case if we do get it after being vaccinated. "We" also recognize that getting vaccinated helps reduce the number of people who spread a virus that can be deadly to other members of society, particularly the very young, very old, and those with compromised immune systems.

Getting vaccinated not only helps yourself, it helps those around you.