MOUTH OF THE WEAR A vaccine is not the end of the story, but I’ll still be having mine
Pun- Pop open the Pomagne and tin the best corned beef. The vaccine’s here. Recipients have been prioritised in nine bands. Elderly people in care homes and their workers first, then the over-80s and healthcare staff.
Worthier members of society, such as those who produce columns for page 16 of local newspapers, are yet to be prioritised.
Conversely, some advocate those whom they perceive to be the least worthy as guinea pigs. I’m afraid this usually means politicians.
To his credit, the oft-maligned Health Secretary Matt Hancock says he will lead by example and have the jab live on television.
However misgivings remain, which is all well and good. Questioning everything is healthy and not to be confused with attention seekers espousing tripe on social media after conducting their own internet “research”.
A chief misgiving is the sheer speed with which the vaccine has been produced. The mumps vaccine for example took four years to develop: Covid jabs less than one. There is still no vaccine for HIV. But there’s no reason why a vaccine shouldn’t have been found so soon. It required an international effort involving multitudes of scientists and volunteers. It wasn’t based on hopes, wishes and guesses.
More simply, Covid isn’t mumps. Nor is it HIV, smallpox, tuberculosis, flu or the common cold. Comparing viruses and diseases can be like comparing chips with Tuesday – unless you’ve spent many years studying virology (without being struck off ). Some are sceptical about long-term effects, which again seems reasonable but is an inherent problem with any new vaccine. There’s only one way to find out and that’s to actually have a long term. New drugs are created all the time.
Those actively trying to spread fear are keen to smugly allude to Thalidomide – which isn’t even a vaccine. The Thalidomide story is horrendous. But much was learned and it’s still in use today.
So-called big pharma has long been the subject of worldwide opprobrium, often quite rightly. Pfizer have not historically always covered themselves in glory. But nor have they ever been subjected to the scientific, political and public scrutiny they’re having today. Covid vaccine is only 95% effective and we don’t know everything, including how long it lasts, or if it prevents people from transmitting Covid. But I’m having it. Jab me up doc.