I haven't read up on the Moderna news yet, but the recent announcement by Pfizer was a glorified press release. Test group less than 100 (about 90 people I believe). Not peer reviewed (yet). Hope it works, obviously!! And I hope we can figure out how to distribute widely a vaccine that needs to be kept at -70 degrees Celsius.
Wow. If even pal is on board just do it.
Here's the news. Moderna's coronavirus vaccine is 94.5% effective, according to company data
It is a first step in both cases.Beyond s first step really. It means that scientists have found approaches that seem to work but likely need to be refined somewhat in order to be truly available for general use. There is also the problem of distribution. And no doubt it will be a mess initially. As is typical of any major undertaking. Anyone remember when Krispy Kreme opened on the Berlin turnpike and caused traffic jams back to Windsor? LOL. Or the first emissions testing went into effect? Now does anyone even think about getting an emissions test? Those were localized. This involves distributing vaccine to 300 million people. After a few weeks it will be fine but in the initial phase there will be issues and no doubt internet rumors that some guy from Nebraska grew a mustache as a result and my friend’s uncle’s neighbor now has one leg the same length as the other because he got a vaccination. And that will eventually calm down too.
Most of those questions have been answered.
www.freightwaves.com
Have you not turned on a TV? College football being played everywhere except for UConn despite tons of positive tests.
Yes, Ohio State will make the playoffs.
Which makes May Madness even more logical. Though there are still a number of questions about how to distribute vaccines such as Pfizer’s that require super cold conditions and how long the benefits actually last. And how to convince the 50-60% of the general public that it is safe.
Great post. The anti-vaxx loonies and the anti-gov't loonies will realize they won't really be a part of society unless they get vaccinated.Immunity to the Coronavirus May Last Years, New Data Hint (Published 2020)
Blood samples from recovered patients suggest a powerful, long-lasting immune response, researchers reported.www.nytimes.com
Some excellent research suggests immunity will last for a *very* extended period of time and yearly vaccinations will be unlikely.
tl;dr - patients who recovered 8 months ago have very little diminished immunity. Runs in line with folks who recovered from 2003 SARS outbreak, another coronavirus, who still have T-cells 17 years later.
Given Moderna's vaccine only requires normal freezer storage, that'll ease distribution capabilities. I strongly believe that if the general public sees these vaccines are highly effective, aren't necessary yearly, and will greatly speed the return to mask-less and social distance-less life that the vast majority will get vaccinated.
Add on top of that, you can bet that once an approved vaccine is available to anyone who wants one it'll be a requirement to do things like send your child to school, enroll in college, work in an office, perhaps even as much as go to a concert or sporting event.
The science here is strong. Public officials and scientists need to do a much better job of clearly informing the public and presenting the research than they did in the spring on things like the efficacy of social distancing and mask-wearing.
Bat down these nonsense claims of "we've never developed a vaccine this fast!!!!" with facts. There's no other time in human history that we've *tried* to develop a vaccine this fast with this level of urgency. That'd be like if they said in the middle of the 20th century "Well, no one's ever been to the moon. So I guess it's not possible and I think anyone who says we can is a liar."
