Topic: COVID-19:VERIFIED news sources, 0 politishit, 0 CONSPIRACY SHITE

[west_london_red]

Is she under 40? My GP had us in a separate queue to the over 40s and I was told that from Thursday it'd be Pfizer only for under 40s.

Yeah, she’s 36.

Maybe that’s what her doctors doing, it’s just they said you would be given a choice unless maybe they have just decided to give everyone under 40 an alternative to AZ.

[Schmidt]

Weirdly I just got my 6th invite for a vaccine and this time it does specify Pfizer.

I just got my first invite via myGP (36yo) and it specifies Pfizer too.

[Fabulous_aurelio]

My sister who's a gp has just said they are inviting over 30s now. She said to expect a call any day.

Weird as no one reporting this yet. Bring it on though....get that shit in my arm.

[quirkovski]

Got a text at 3:45pm to book a slot for the vaccine. Went down 2 hours later, in an out, had the Pfizer jab (37yo). Really well organised.

[classycarra]

Possible that this is an artefact of the bank holiday period, so let’s leave it a few days more to just get

It's not an artefact, but you're right to say that we'll know more in the coming days.

B.1.617.2 was escalated to a variant of concern (VOC) this weekend - so it's now AKA VOC-21APR-02

Useful commentary of it here
https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-vui-21apr-02-b-1-617-2-being-classified-by-phe-as-a-variant-of-concern/

The PHE variants reports are available if you google VOC-21APR-02 but they're long and detailed and cover all variants.

[killer-heels]

Yeah, she’s 36.

Maybe that’s what her doctors doing, it’s just they said you would be given a choice unless maybe they have just decided to give everyone under 40 an alternative to AZ.

They will no doubt offer her the Pfizer at the vaccination centre. If they don’t have it I’m sure they will sort out an alternate date. Just tell her to hold out for Pfizer.

[TepidT2O]

It's not an artefact, but you're right to say that we'll know more in the coming days.

B.1.617.2 was escalated to a variant of concern (VOC) this weekend - so it's now AKA VOC-21APR-02

Useful commentary of it here
https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-vui-21apr-02-b-1-617-2-being-classified-by-phe-as-a-variant-of-concern/

The PHE variants reports are available if you google VOC-21APR-02 but they're long and detailed and cover all variants.

I don’t think that’s disagreeing with what I said.  I said it was possible that it was an artefact.. which is different firm being likely, we will know in a few days either way. 
Care is needed with the Indian variant. Cases are currently so based around transmission form travel (and direct contacts) that it’s not clear what the situation is.  Again, only time will tell.

[Thepooloflife]

I think Andy Burnham was also calling out that Bolton has a lot of Indian variant now, and trending there is certainly looking "interesting", albeit cases numbers still relatively low.

There's also been cases of Indian variant on Merseyside (Formby) where there has been a recent surge -

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/indian-covid-19-variant-detected-20572111

[John Higgins]

There's also been cases of Indian variant on Merseyside (Formby) where there has been a recent surge -

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/indian-covid-19-variant-detected-20572111

The Formby cases came from kids that go to school in Leyland I think where the school has been shut. All Indian variant related. The evidence is starting to creep in that that variant could well be significantly more transmissible than B117 (Kent) but doesn’t escape vaccines. In practice if accurate that could put R0 of B1.617.2 comfortably above 5 and potentially as high as 8. Makes the likelyhood of a much higher exit wave more likely. The race between virus and vaccine deployment just got tighter as the virus has taken another bunch of steroids. I believe the Indian variant will be dominant here within a month.

[Thepooloflife]

The Formby cases came from kids that go to school in Leyland I think where the school has been shut. All Indian variant related. The evidence is starting to creep in that that variant could well be significantly more transmissible than B117 (Kent) but doesn’t escape vaccines. In practice if accurate that could put R0 of B1.617.2 comfortably above 5 and potentially as high as 8. Makes the likelyhood of a much higher exit wave more likely. The race between virus and vaccine deployment just got tighter as the virus has taken another bunch of steroids. I believe the Indian variant will be dominant here within a month.

Yep, I can't disagree with you there. Prevarication again about shutting the borders and putting India on red-list in a timely manner when we needed to.

[John Higgins]

Yep, I can't disagree with you there. Prevarication again about shutting the borders and putting India on red-list in a timely manner when we needed to.

Another to add to this govts long list of acting two weeks too late.

[west_london_red]

They will no doubt offer her the Pfizer at the vaccination centre. If they don’t have it I’m sure they will sort out an alternate date. Just tell her to hold out for Pfizer.

That’s the plan, either Pfizer or Moderna or come back home. Luckily she got an appointment for tomorrow so she’ll know sooner enough.

[classycarra]

I don’t think that’s disagreeing with what I said.  I said it was possible that it was an artefact.. which is different firm being likely, we will know in a few days either way.

I was posting the links for details on the variant, not to disagree with you.

But I do disagree it's possibly an artefact of the bank holiday. We already know it isn't from the local teams investigating.

[djahern]

Data from here and elsewhere is certainly ‘suggesting’ that it is more transmissible - but by how much isn’t clear at all. Could be a lot of confounding factors in the UK suggesting it’s higher than it actually turns out to be. Think we’ll know a lot more in the next two weeks.

More transmissible doesn’t equate to it being able to escape vaccines though, and that’s the main thing looking at this situation longer term.

Putting both those things above together (if they turn out to be true) - more transmissible, vaccines still effective - I do think we’ll see a slight deviation from plans for June. I’d say some baseline restrictions will remain beyond June 21st, gradually phasing out by end of July to coincide with all adults being vaccinated.

[filopastry]

Data from here and elsewhere is certainly ‘suggesting’ that it is more transmissible - but by how much isn’t clear at all. Could be a lot of confounding factors in the UK suggesting it’s higher than it actually turns out to be. Think we’ll know a lot more in the next two weeks.

More transmissible doesn’t equate to it being able to escape vaccines though, and that’s the main thing looking at this situation longer term.

Putting both those things above together (if they turn out to be true) - more transmissible, vaccines still effective - I do think we’ll see a slight deviation from plans for June. I’d say some baseline restrictions will remain beyond June 21st, gradually phasing out by end of July to coincide with all adults being vaccinated.

Yes as you say we could still be importing cases for people travelling from India via non red list countries, or it could be more prevalent in age groups/communities with higher transmission rates.

While the NW areas with Indian variant prevalence are showing very rpaidd growth in cases generally that doesn't seem to be the case so much in London which is up to about 25% Indian variant now.

I'm back to looking at the data daily with more interest again now anyway!

[glewis93]

Going tomorrow for my first one. Had to ring up today to check what vaccine I was down for. Their website only lists Astrazeneca, which I can't have. Apparently tomorrow is this places first day giving the Pfizer one as well.


If you need to check, see if you can find a phone number. It took 2 minutes to check which vaccine list I was on.

[AlphaDelta]

Had my second Pfizer dose on Sunday morning. First thing was it bloody hurt when he jabbed into my arm, unlike the first time when I didn't feel a thing.
My arm was really sore all Sunday, Monday and eased off yesterday.

Oddly enough, my glands feel a bit swollen. A mate of mine from Cambridgeshire had a really painful armpit with a golf ball sized lump for a couple of days, and sure enough, my neck (on the same side as the jab) is painful and I can feel a lump too.

Ultimately though its a small price to pay in the bigger picture.

[[new username under construction]]

First thing was it bloody hurt when he jabbed into my arm

I think they tried to jab me in my left arm by going through my right arm :/

[filopastry]

Had my second Pfizer dose on Sunday morning. First thing was it bloody hurt when he jabbed into my arm, unlike the first time when I didn't feel a thing.
My arm was really sore all Sunday, Monday and eased off yesterday.

Oddly enough, my glands feel a bit swollen. A mate of mine from Cambridgeshire had a really painful armpit with a golf ball sized lump for a couple of days, and sure enough, my neck (on the same side as the jab) is painful and I can feel a lump too.

Ultimately though its a small price to pay in the bigger picture.

That sounds pretty similar to my wife's experience with getting her second Pfizer yesterday, she did think it was odd that the arm hurt pretty much immediately this time. She also had a very mild temperature last night but no adverse effects today beyond a bit of a sore arm.

[Zeb]

They've had to close walk-ins for today at the centre by me. Had so many people yesterday when they opened to all over 30s who wanted to get a jab that those who couldn't be seen have taken up a full day of bookings today. Good to see really although suspect part of it is people travelling to get it as much as local community efforts.

[djahern]

Online bookings opening to 38,39 from tomorrow

[richiedouglas]

Online bookings opening to 38,39 from tomorrow

So close. 37 so got to be nearly there.

[Jm55]

Online bookings opening to 38,39 from tomorrow

I’m 33 so hopefully only a couple weeks now until I can book.

[Red-Soldier]

I had my jab yesterday morning, been feeling shattered all day.

[naYoRHa2b]

What are the under 40's getting instead of the AZ?

[Welshred]

What are the under 40's getting instead of the AZ?

Will be Pfizer or Moderna

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

Online bookings opening to 38,39 from tomorrow

FYI, the wife tried booking online just now and got an appointment.

[gazzalfc]

I'm 35 and booked in for Saturday.

[So… Howard Philips]

I’m 33 so hopefully only a couple weeks now until I can book.

My 27 year old grandson and his mates are desperate to get the jab, so they can go to Creamfields - and Goodison at ge start if next season.

[west_london_red]

Online bookings opening to 38,39 from tomorrow

Depends on where you live I’m guessing. My Mrs is 36 and had her first one today after getting the text message yesterday.

[rob1966]

My 27 year old grandson and his mates are desperate to get the jab, so they can go to Creamfields - and Goodison at ge start if next season.

Does it make you lose your marbles?

[Jm55]

Does it make you lose your marbles?

Kenwright is brainwashing people with it convincing them to go to Goodison, all prt of the plan to claw back the arteta money.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

Online bookings opening to 38,39 from tomorrow

Cheers, I'm booked in now.

[Thepooloflife]

My 27 year old grandson and his mates are desperate to get the jab, so they can go to Creamfields - and Goodison at ge start if next season.

Will it make a difference there......it's naturally socially distant anyway.

[Commie Bobbie]

Online bookings opening to 38,39 from tomorrow

Got my text this morning - was up at the vaccine centre within the hour - in an out in 20 minutes.

Had the Pfizer one - achy arm - aside from that I'm fine.

On rather more worrying news, just had this come through on Twitter.

https://inews.co.uk/news/scientists-fear-possible-delay-end-lockdown-uk-cases-india-variant-triple-one-week-998811

UK cases of the highly transmissible Indian variant have more than tripled in a week, new figures are expected to confirm on Thursday, as scientists advising the government fear the final stage out of lockdown could be delayed due to the surge.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson has warned that the strain, B1617.2, one of three mutations fuelling the devastating epidemic in India, is “of increasing concern here in the UK”.

Public health officials and ministers are stepping up efforts to curb infections of the variant in areas where there have been the greatest increases, including Bolton, Greater Manchester, where secondary school pupils could be told to continue to wear face masks after the policy is dropped for the rest of England from next Monday.
Members of Sage have been called to an urgent meeting on Thursday to assess the threat.

A member of the government’s scientific advisory committee, Sage, told i that while next Monday’s step 3 of easing of restrictions in England would go ahead, concerns over the Indian variant might increase ahead of the fourth and final step on 21 June and that “a delay is possible”.

The consortium of scientists tracking new variants, COG-UK, has identified a total of 1723 cases of B1617.2, and while some of these will be duplicates, if the figure is confirmed by Public Health England in its weekly update this would be more than three times last week’s number of 520.

B1617.2 was designated as a variant of concern a week ago, and two weeks ago there were 202 cases. Scientists believe the variant could be more transmissible than the Kent variant, but that it will also not be resistant to vaccines.

Ministers have not ruled out introducing local lockdowns in areas where the Indian variant is increasing.
Besides Bolton, there are clusters in Blackburn and evidence of rising community transmission in parts of London.

Secondary school pupils in Bolton could be told by their teachers to continue wearing their facemasks after 17 May, with figures suggesting transmission is greatest among teenagers and people in their 20s.

Schools and colleges in the Greater Manchester town will be told they can direct children to continue wearing masks, although public health officials say the decision will rest with school heads rather than being an instruction.

Dr Helen Lowey, Bolton’s Director of Public Health, said: “We don’t just want to focus one intervention. Test, trace and isolate and the vaccine programme are the most important, but if school and colleges want to continue with face coverings, we will support them and we can explore whether it is something we want to do across Bolton.”

A spokesman for Bolton Council said officials were “in dialogue with schools and central government on the use of face coverings in schools from Monday”.

Addressing the Commons on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said despite progress against the virus “the threat of this virus remains real and new variants pose a potentially lethal danger, including the one first identified in India which is of increasing concern here in the UK. So caution has to be our watchword”.

Across the UK the weekly average of all coronavirus cases rose for the third day running, with 2284 new cases reported. There were 11 further deaths.

Asked whether local lockdowns could return, Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News: “We can’t rule anything out but our plan that has been set out by the Prime Minister and the reason we are being incredibly cautious about exiting lockdown is because we want this to be the last.”

[west_london_red]

There were plenty of people telling that fat unless prick to put India on the Red List but as usual he dithered for 2 weeks longer then he needed to because he wanted to go to India and plant himself up Modi’s rectum to justify Brexit. Absolute twat.

[So… Howard Philips]

There were plenty of people telling that fat unless prick to put India on the Red List but as usual he dithered for 2 weeks longer then he needed to because he wanted to go to India and plant himself up Modi’s rectum to justify Brexit. Absolute twat.

Well done, sir. A pithy summary.

[TepidT2O]

Bit of a hot spot in Bolton..

But not in the age groups that are vaccinated.  Which is a little worrying on the one hand and on the other hand really reassuring that vaccines work against a hot spot of the Indian variant.

[west_london_red]

Well done, sir. A pithy summary.

It’s absolutely infuriating because it’s so needless. It was clear for weeks what was happening in India to the rest of us which means he probably knew about it even earlier then we did, obvious that the actual numbers were likely to be much higher and that India didn’t have the means or infrastructure to quickly slowdown the spread, but he did what he has done throughout all of this pandemic and sat on his hands.

[Zeb]

Bit of a hot spot in Bolton..

But not in the age groups that are vaccinated.  Which is a little worrying on the one hand and on the other hand really reassuring that vaccines work against a hot spot of the Indian variant.

Jen Williams has been writing about it tonight. Burnham, Local councils and (Tory) MP want government to go in and start mass vaccination but government doesn't want to do that nor is there any plan around 'taking local/regional action' to actually put into place even if they were in favour of that either. Like you say, apparently it's largely been passed around by under 25 year olds, and especially 10 to 15 year olds. It kind of all loops back to discussions from last summer on what to do when it's going around a community with all the compounding factors.