The Mail on Sunday

COVID Q&A

Can’t we just return to normal now... and can I choose which jab I have?

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QIf the first round of vaccines will stop 99 per cent of deaths, why can’t we just get back to normal now?

A On Wednesday, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said he hoped that once vulnerable Britons were vaccinated – including the over-65s, healthcare workers and those with underlying conditions – 99 per cent of Covid hospitalis­ations and deaths would be avoided. But it is still unclear how long it will take to complete this first stage.

Last week, drug firm Pfizer said ‘supply chain problems’ could mean it delivers only half of the ten million vaccines it had promised by the end of the year.

The Pfizer vaccine, the only jab with approval from the UK’s medicine regulator, must be stored at incredibly low temperatur­es, meaning only hospitals – and not GPs – have the kit to store it. And once out of the freezer, it cannot be put back in.

This could lead to further delays as hospitals decide how best to deliver the jabs to very sick patients who are unable to leave their homes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson summed up the situation when he said: ‘At this stage it is very, very important that people do not get their hopes up too soon about the speed with which we will be able to roll out this vaccine.’

Q When the other vaccines arrive, will I be able to choose which one I have?

A The Government has bought millions of doses of three jabs which have been shown to be safe and effective in high-quality medical trials.

While only Pfizer’s has received official approval so far, the two others, made by pharma firms Moderna and AstraZenec­a, are expected to get the go-ahead within the coming months.

All vaccines have to be proven to be safe, and all have to pass a strict threshold of effectiven­ess that is set by internatio­nal regulators.

However, even if all three are in action, it is unlikely we will get to choose which one we have as priority will be given to the vaccine that is most widely available and easily distribute­d in each area.

The vaccines have different storage requiremen­ts and shelf lives, so the brand of vaccine each person receives will depend on the capability of the hospital, clinic or pop-up vaccinatio­n centre.

QI’ve heard you have to have two jabs. Will it work if I have only one shot?

A

All three of the Covid vaccines that look likely to be put into use need to be given in two doses, between 21 and 28 days apart. This has been proven, in medical trials, to be the most effective way of delivering extended protection from the virus.

According to Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chairman of the Commission on Human Medicines Expert Working Group, the first Pfizer vaccine offers only ‘partial immunity’ from about 12 days after the injection. But he added that a second dose, roughly three weeks after the first, will offer ‘the best’ immunity from about a week after the injection.

The first jab primes the immune system, helping it spot the virus, while the follow-up shot strengthen­s the ‘fighter’ reaction, so the body can destroy it.

As time goes on, and scientists can track continued protection over a longer period of time, it may become clear that some people will need another top-up vaccine, for extra protection. But it will take ongoing evaluation for at least a year before we know if this is necessary.

Q Will everyone be vaccinated?

AWhile

the focus now is on those most vulnerable to Covid, it is thought the entire UK population will eventually be vaccinated. A leaked NHS report, published last month by Health Service Journal, stated that officials planned to have everyone in England ‘vaccinated by April’.

This, of course, depends on the availabili­ty of the vaccine, as jabs will be in high demand across the world.

When asked if everyone will eventually get a Covid vaccine, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said the decision would be up to the Joint Committee on Vaccinatio­n and Immunisati­on – the same group that has decided the priority groups, although these are currently ‘under review’ and based on ‘preliminar­y informatio­n’.

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