The muted fanfare.

[Suff]

WM, I was going to say the same but writing it on my mobile at the end of the night was a step too far.

When I had a look at vaccine development processes I saw that normal procedure is for the manufacturer to follow up with test candidates for several years to ensure that no other complications arise and that the vaccine didn't create any other impact on pre existing conditions.

With hundreds of people dying daily, it is hardly right to insist on these conditions before we can release. However, by shortening our own requirements, we have to indemnify the companies if the longer term impacts are felt.

As it is highly unlikely the vaccine will be mandatory, the barrier to approval is lower. Also there is very little need to give the vaccine to children, where many vaccine adverse reactions are found.

[Suff]

There are times when a reality check is a good thing and not put down as a project of fear. A cautious opening up in Spring is now being openly talked about and that is three months away. I, for one, am much happier that a more feasible timeline is now being given.

Indeed. I got a phone call from a friend who lives near Calais. He was at his local French doctor who told him that it would cost the practise €100,000 to get in the required freezers to hold the low temp vaccines.

It appears phase 3 for Oxford has seen some significant hurdles. Much greater than expected or reported. End of Phase 2 testing showed 70% effective with one dose and 100% effective with two, with a high effectiveness with older people. Yet end of Phase 3 shows 60% effective with two doses and some weird results if you give a half dose first.

The Oxford vaccine is vital for large scale roll out as it can be stored in a normal fridge and will cost around £4 a dose. The current one will be around $20 a dose and needs a -71 freezer to store it.

On this basis a reality check is not project fear. Logistics of a vaccine which requires -71 storage are almost prohibitive. Most prior calculations were based on the Oxford vaccine gaining approval first.

[cromwell]

When Professor Jean Claude Van Damme or whatever his name is said that covid would be with us forever and so would wearing masks, there were some very rude words said in this house!
The problem is with these scientists, it seems to me, is that they only consider the science. The wants and needs of society at large, and the secondary effects of this pandemic seem to fly miles over their heads.

[TheOstrich]

Another angle which is being chewed over is the "Covid vaccination passport". I think the Government have ruled it out, but I have seen references to certain indoor amenities or international travel requiring proof of vaccination.

I can't see any harm in the suggestion. And it doesn't have to be a high-tech solution - we used to get tetanus and smallpox vaccination cards back in the old days which just required a rubber stamp and a signature. Is there a role for this, do you think?

[Workingman]

Ossie, we still have travel vaccine certificates for such things as polio, meningitis and yellow fever, as well as other conditions, and they are not always for "exotic" places.

I think Quantas is going to want them for all international travel very soon. However, I am not so sure that the liberal-minded British would want to see them issued as in-country "passports" for pubs, cinemas, sports clubs and so forth.