On Tuesday 8th December, the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine began to be rolled out. It is expected that the Moderna and Astra Zeneca / Oxford vaccines will soon also be approved and rolled out.
The following FAQs mitigate some concerns that Enfield residents may have:
Will the vaccine be compulsory?
No, the government has said it will not be making the vaccination mandatory. However, this does not mean that there may be other compulsion e.g. other countries may refuse entry without proof of vaccination etc.
How many jabs are needed?
Each vaccination needs 2 jabs. These need to be 2 – 3 weeks apart depending on the vaccine.
Have safety protocols been by-passed?
Yes, all usual safety protocols are being adhered to. It is true that vaccine development usually takes much longer than the Covid vaccine has but usually this is due to the scramble for funding, red tape, contract negotiations, commercial decisions and volunteers on the actual trial. This time all the world’s vaccine trial infrastructure has been pointed at one question, with focused regulators and a huge pool of altruistic volunteers.
Are there logistical issues?
Yes – lots. This will be the biggest vaccination programme ever seen in the UK asking that almost all of the population gets two jabs 2 – 3 weeks apart. In addition, the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -80C though forthcoming vaccines may be more user-friendly.
How much protection does the vaccine provide?
The Pfizer trial the vaccine was over 90% effective in stopping people become symptomatic. At present it is unclear whether this means the vaccine stops people getting the virus or if it just stops them becoming symptomatic (e.g. have the virus and don’t know it). This is important in whether the vaccine protects just the individual or the population.
Who will get the vaccine first?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published the following priority list:
1. residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
2. all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. all those 75 years of age and over
4. all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5. all those 65 years of age and over
6. all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
7. all those 60 years of age and over
8. all those 55 years of age and over
9. all those 50 years of age and over
What about underlying conditions?
The two greatest risk factors for mortality from Covid-19 have been age and having an underlying condition. The JCVI has therefore recommended that vaccination should be offered to those aged 65 and over followed by those aged and over with underlying conditions. These conditions include:
• chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and severe asthma
• chronic heart disease (and vascular disease)
• chronic kidney disease
• chronic liver disease
• chronic neurological disease including epilepsy
• Down’s syndrome
• severe and profound learning disability
• diabetes
• solid organ, bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients
• people with specific cancers
• immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
• asplenia and splenic dysfunction
• morbid obesity
• severe mental illness
It is estimated that taken together, these groups represent around 99% of preventable mortality from COVID-19. This distribution though may be tempered somewhat by the logistical problems associated with the vaccine needing to be stored at -70C.
Will the vaccine be dangerous for people who are immune-compromised?
No, the vaccine does not have any whole or live virus and therefore the vaccine cannot cause disease. This is in fact one of the few vaccinations trials which have included immunocompromised people.
Where will people get the vaccine from?
People will get called up by the NHS for their vaccine. Subject to change but current proposals are that vaccination sites will be the Dugdale Centre, John Wilkes House, the former Iceland site in Palmers Green, Peacocks in Edmonton Green, Carlton House Surgery, Evergreen Primary Care Centre (Edmonton) and Winchmore Hill Surgery. Pharmacies will also be invited to take part.
Who will not be offered the vaccine?
The JCVI has announced that pregnant women and children (under 16) will not receive the vaccine as there is a ‘lack of evidence’ of the vaccine in these population groups. This is not to say that the vaccine has been shown to have any adverse effect but rather that trials do not recruit pregnant women / children and so there is a lack of evidence.
Who is leading comms?
The NHS is the lead for the vaccination campaign and will be supported by LBE. Incidentally, the second person to get vaccinated was genuinely named ‘William Shakespeare’.
