The thing that makes me optimistic about Pfizer(cant say the same of Moderna) is that not only did they distance themselves from Operation Warp Speed, but the government money they did receive was from Germany. Germany and Merkel have taken an educated, strictly scientific approach to the pandemic from day one. Merkel was also a career research chemist before entering politics when the wall fell. Her backing of Pfizer gives me much more confidence in them than anything or anyone else's endorsement at this point.
Thank you, @MAS1581. I am encouraged by your information. Then I checked out Paul Campbell, the UK Nurse Phd who has been reliable on helping us wade through all the Covid information it hit the U.S. back in February. He has reviewed the Pfizer trials so far and is extremely optimistic about the vaccine. Reviewing the Pfizer information, he acted like it was a miracle, impressive results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kb1exHnDcQ
It is worth watching. Calls the results stunning.
Side effects were mainly fatigue and headaches in around 3 and under 2 percent respectively. But he believes that the side effects are short term. Just incredibly good news. We still have to get through the winter but it should be distributed in 2021.
It actually doesn't look bad, does it? I was impressed with the articles that I scanned (BBC & fortune-com) on the collaboration of the highly-skilled BioNTech Labs with Pfizer, both companies based in Germany, and independent of any bureaucratic funding (per the Pfizer CEO).
This presents a different picture altogether than the usual mega-Pharma-corps capitalizing on crisis (even tho obviously Pfizer will be banking it), albeit with some integrity it appears.
T-rump was also pissed that Pfizer didn't announce the vaccine was near the ready before November 3rd, to make his rabid campaign look like he was 'solely responsible' for the world-saving innovation ... ha.
The US is set to buy the finished product, and that's all, no other contribution.... Pfizer/BioNTech is solely monetized by Berlin.
It does resonate with real integrity and true purpose, this non-politicized team of scientists and Execs ... they are announcing that they will be able to release the approved vac (which would be autonomously handled and distributed by Pfizer) as soon as December.......
It took me awhile to do post, and didn't see yours before... I did see distribution might be available in as earlier, latter two weeks of December ...?
It's looking hopeful !
I'd still like to see the trial results from Pfizer but at this point, my biggest concern, by far, is transport and distribution. It has to be stored well below freezing and could be a logistical nightmare. The Moderna vaccine can be transported at much higher, but still freezing, Temps, but it seems fishy with timing, stated results, and being part of Warp Speed.
If the Pfizer vaccine is what it says, its almost too good to be true and, frankly, much better than anyone with knowledge hoped for. Moderna's stated results are slightly better, will arrive slightly sooner,, and will be much easier to transport, which just doesn't sit right with me. You don't get many "miracles" at all and never ones that are bettered just days afterward in medicine.
An amendment on where Pfizer is based ... actually the American Corp. based in NY, tho Pfizer Belgium (not Germany) is in collaboration with BioNTech Germany ....
So it is reported by Pfizer.com that they (both) will be manufacturing, and (Pfizer) here handling the vax to distribute. It has to be kept at that very frigid temp... that will be hard to refrigerate at certain clinics/hospitals.
The 'miracle' is that it was developed so quickly ( just since April), and proven through 3 levels of testing to be a scientific break through and according to (ScienceMag) an "Incredible Milestone for Science", lauded globally by the scientific world.....
The real miracle though is if it's effectual in curbing and leaving the pandemic in the rear view mirror, saving countless lives. It looks hopeful. And sooner rather than later .....
(Moderna? Not so much)
Here is some info on the people who worked on the vaccine. They are a Turkish/German couple who work on immunotherapies: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54886883
I have read in the German press that the government here intends to set up vaccination centers around the country in places like convention centers when it comes time to give the vaccine. That will enable them to set up the infrastructure to keep the vaccines at the very cold temperatures necessary to keep them effective. They are also already working with Lufthansa cargo on safely transporting the vaccines.
I hope that similar plans are underway in the US to get things underway and that the orange menace will stop thwarting them.
@honeybee That is Moderna. The Moderna vaccine and Pfizer vaccine use the same exact technology. So both of them getting similar results is not surprising. The problems we might have with them is keeping them cold, not whether it works. Moderna knows that their vaccine doesn't need to be super cold because they tested it out. Pfizer hasn't tested it so they are being super cautious.
Dolly figured out she funded the vaccine like everyone else.
NIH scientist who helped with Moderna vaccine.
The states are going to have a problem with the distribution of the vaccine. They are going to need the help from the federal government and we all know how that’s worked out with the PPE and mask and any other help that has been requested
Yesterday, I received an email survey from the health system I work for about whether or not I would take the vaccine, and a few other questions. I indicated that I will take it. I don't want to, but feel obligated as a health care worker who is working knee deep in COVID.
About six of us nurses were talking at the nurses' station yesterday and I asked them if they were going to take it. Everyone but me said no. Deep red Florida. *Sigh*
I have always been an early adopter and a rule follower. *Sigh*
Regarding the vaccine, my brother used to work for Pfizer and now works as a VP for another company that collaborates with them frequently. He's about as cautious as they come. Yesterday while we were talking via text, he told me that he has 100% confidence in both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines based on his reading on the data they've shared regarding development. Considering his reaction when I told him I had started a probiotic regimen two years ago, this is enough for me to get the vaccine when it's available despite the development cycle.
I realize you don't know me from Adam, but I've never heard the words 100% out of his mouth in 41 years on this planet -- but that's the confidence level he gave me of its safety.
Timeline for Joe Public to get it will be the soup du jor in the coming weeks, but I'm no longer scared about the safety of the vaccine.
Good article Jessi, and no doubt the administering of the vax is going to be a really complicated endeavor ?
Also in that Moderna, while it may be like the Pfizer/BioNTech in technology, is controlled by the current T-rump regime for the interim anyway....
So there may be 'favorites' being played from red state to blue state, and delays in deliveries to some ... just predictable unfortunately.
On the other hand, Pfizer is trying to keep the T-rump regime out of their endeavor, and will distribute with their own specially designed boxes, etc. Though the who & what of the event with the actual administering of the vax ....??
Trump will hinder distribution but he is gone in 9 weeks, which is when the vaccine distribution will just be starting to increase so it won't be much of a worry as long as Biden prioritizes it as expected.
Moderna vaccine uses the same basic mRNA technology but the timing of everything still doesn't sit well with me. Pfizer is the one I have much more confidence in at this point. I'm actually shocked I have confidence in it at all right now because I was hell bent against any vaccine approved before next summer at earliest. It will be interesting to see if Moderna's logistics go off without a hitch and whether Pfizer's are hindered between now and 1/20/21. Trump loves grudges and Pfizer really stuck a finger in his eye publically.
Well well well we have T junior
And Guiliani junior both tested positive for Covid. I know they will be ok since they have the best facilities to go to as well as the best doctors and pharmaceuticals but what about those they’ve infected that are not entitled to the best care.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/20/politics/donald-trump-jr-coronavirus/index.html?ofs=fbia
share the love and light
I have always been an early adopter and a rule follower. *Sigh*
For what it's worth, there is only one person around the group of six around the nurses' station I would be comfortable treating me. I appreciate the early days of a new vaccine can be trepidatious, but I really like health care workers who ultimately rely on evidence-based medicine.
Jen, the reiki master who has been helping me, tested positive for the virus last weekend. She only had mild symptoms, and she has been improving. We had a distance reiki session today that started with a FaceTime call, and I didn't even know about her diagnoses until that call (she's also the first person I know directly who has tested positive). Like I said, she's improving and performed very effective distance reiki on me this morning. I just ask that if anyone isn't feeling too burdened, could they send some gentle healing to Jen so that she does definitely leave COVID behind? Also, maybe thank her for helping me while you're at it? i know I'm meant to work with her in my healing journey.
Done Coyote.
So happy to hear you are happy with your sessions.