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Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

ox.ac.uk

121–130 of 569 posts

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#121

Does anyone have a pointer on how the mrna vaccine actually works? I understand basic genetics mechanisms and how mrna works inside cells. In shot form, I assume the modified mrna strands are floating through the blood stream. What happens after the injection? Btw .. I think public health needs to start educating people on how these things work in order to get high coverage. I am alarmed at the number of highly educa…

I liked this as a background https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/22/mrna-vaccines-....

This vaccine isn't mRNA though.

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oxford one is also going to be easier to manufacture given that it is based on existing technology. Many countries e.g. Australia are licensing the formula so this is an important aspect.

the mRNA style viruses will probably decrease in cost exponentially the same way that DNA sequencing and computer technology have dropped in price.

However, mRNA vaccines require low temperature storage and are in general harder to handle. This translates to additional cost in production, throughout the logistics chain and delivery.

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There were no hospitalisations or severe incidents for either the Pfizer and Moderna trials were was related to the vaccine. And it's pretty easy to compare the vaccines. It will mostly come down to price, ease of manufacture and ease of distribution i.e. temperature. Given that for the 3 viruses all have no risks associated with their use.

How do we know there aren't long term side effects?

We can't. If everybody turns into superheros in 10 years, we wouldnt know; or maybe this is actually the backstory of 'children of men'; we can't know. RNA vaccines are researched in animals for about a decade, but long term effects are usually not beeing found in such studies (disection usually cuts that short). There is though no theoretical nor experiental evidence for that.

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#124
post #6

The press release is interesting. Not the best way to present their data. Immediate conclusion of many newspapers is "oxford vaccine is less effective then...".

Better that than to be seen to overstate its effectiveness. The worst case scenario is people refuse to take it because they think they're being lied too or manipulated in some way.

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#125
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another huge differentiator is price. At $3 to $4, many countries will jump on board ASAP and stay away from the expensive vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.

Maybe for less developed countries, but i think for major economies, the price difference is insignificant relative to the benefits of any vaccine.

While for now just speculation and without a doubt Machiavellian, it could be that this price difference ends up a significant factor for major economies in their choice for an expensive vaccine. I guess we will know, if/when/once examples of individual discrimination based on what vaccine people received start emerging (hopefully, never).

Regretfully, it would be not the first example of major economies using the current reality as an excuse/cover to conveniently push political policies/agendas that would otherwise have been impossible to implement (at least not without violating laws/treaties and maybe even basic human rights). I have no intention to fear monger, but I believe way too many are too naive about some of the things that are currently happening. That is, mostly people within those major economies, for people in less fortunate countries already learned the hard way how double-faced those major economies turned out.

How all this will eventually turn out ... anyone's guess is as good as mine. I guess we will all learn, when the immediate emergency of the current situation is over. I would prefer to be/remain optimistic, but thus far there appear to be more reasons for caution and skepticism (at best).

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#126
post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another huge differentiator is price. At $3 to $4, many countries will jump on board ASAP and stay away from the expensive vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.

>At $3 to $4, many countries will jump on board ASAP and stay away from the expensive vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The price difference will likely remain substantial, but in case anyone is unaware, the difference is currently greater due to AstraZeneca pledging to the sell the vaccine at cost "during the pandemic", while Pfizer and Moderna have indicated that they fully intend to profit. [1] Once AstraZeneca de…

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Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#128
post #92

While we now get the results from various COVID-19 vaccines I see a societal issue brewing up. How will we deal with the perceived uncertainty of the safety of these vaccines and the surrounding (dis-)infodemic? I read recently that in some European country (was it Germany?) the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 went down from 80% to 60%. With these numbers policy makers will have a hard time convincing the b…

For me it's a simple risk proposition, how much at risk do I feel my children or I are from covid. For my children it's a slam dunk; their risk from covid is statistical non existent and weigh that against vaccines that may or may not have long term negative impact on them.

For me, it's not quite so simple as that. I will vaccinate my children, partly to protect them (though the risk to them is low, as you say), but mostly to protect me and my wife, and more importantly our elderly parents. None of the vaccines are 100% effective, and if I can reduce the chances of my kids bringing Covid into the family, I will.

By the time the vaccine is available for my kids, hundreds of millions of people will have already been vaccinated, and there will be very extensive safety data. Part of the requirements for emergency use authorization is extensive monitoring of safety, so if there's any problem with one particular vaccine, it will be known by then.

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#129
post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>At $3 to $4, many countries will jump on board ASAP and stay away from the expensive vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The price difference will likely remain substantial, but in case anyone is unaware, the difference is currently greater due to AstraZeneca pledging to the sell the vaccine at cost "during the pandemic", while Pfizer and Moderna have indicated that they fully intend to profit. [1] Once AstraZeneca de…

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I don't see why they shouldn't be able to make a fair profit.

Re: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine

#130
post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>At $3 to $4, many countries will jump on board ASAP and stay away from the expensive vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The price difference will likely remain substantial, but in case anyone is unaware, the difference is currently greater due to AstraZeneca pledging to the sell the vaccine at cost "during the pandemic", while Pfizer and Moderna have indicated that they fully intend to profit. [1] Once AstraZeneca de…

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Will you then also pay those who put huge effort and expense in to research that was perhaps necessary but didn't lead anywhere?
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