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The Pfizer vaccine: what you need to knowBritain has become the first western nation to approve a Covid vaccine. Of the three to have reported results in the last month, this one is Germanyâs Pfizer-Biontech jab; a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. (1) https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/uk-approves-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-for-use-v5bbprrl8?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1606910904
Whatâs different about an mRNA vaccine?
Rather than putting a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies, mRNA works by teaching our cells how to make a proteinâor even just a piece of a proteinâthat triggers an immune response inside our bodies to create antibodies. (2)
Rather than putting a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies, mRNA works by teaching our cells how to make a proteinâor even just a piece of a proteinâthat triggers an immune response inside our bodies to create antibodies. (2)
How will we get it?
The Pfizer vaccine needs be administered via two doses, 21 days apart. The >90% protection offered by it only kicks in after the second dose takes full effect; thatâs 4 weeks from first dose. But there will be some protection after the first dose. (3)
The Pfizer vaccine needs be administered via two doses, 21 days apart. The >90% protection offered by it only kicks in after the second dose takes full effect; thatâs 4 weeks from first dose. But there will be some protection after the first dose. (3)
How safe is it?
This vaccine is likely to be as safe as any other vaccine. Itâs gone through the same three tier testing regiment that all others are required to go through. This means itâs been tested across tens of thousands of people with only âvery mildâ side-effects. (4)
This vaccine is likely to be as safe as any other vaccine. Itâs gone through the same three tier testing regiment that all others are required to go through. This means itâs been tested across tens of thousands of people with only âvery mildâ side-effects. (4)
How has it been produced so quickly?
New techniques such as mRNA research, as well as Oxfordâs own a ChAdOx1 vaccine template, rapidly sped up the normally-slow early stages of development. Older techniques, such as working with inactive pathogens, take longer to develop. (5)
New techniques such as mRNA research, as well as Oxfordâs own a ChAdOx1 vaccine template, rapidly sped up the normally-slow early stages of development. Older techniques, such as working with inactive pathogens, take longer to develop. (5)
How much of the vaccine does Britain have?
Britainâs initial order of the Pfizer vaccine gives it enough doses for 20 million people, with the first 800,000 doses expected to arrive within days. (6)
Britainâs initial order of the Pfizer vaccine gives it enough doses for 20 million people, with the first 800,000 doses expected to arrive within days. (6)
Who gets it first?
The governmentâs current list prioritises those in care homes, followed by frontline healthcare workers and those over 80.
From here, groups will be prioritised in five-year intervals, with those clinically vulnerable vaccinated alongside 70-year-olds. (7)
The governmentâs current list prioritises those in care homes, followed by frontline healthcare workers and those over 80.
From here, groups will be prioritised in five-year intervals, with those clinically vulnerable vaccinated alongside 70-year-olds. (7)
Will things be âback to normalâ by spring?
Despite the governmentâs bullishness, this is a huge logistical operation. Combined with the time it takes for the vaccine to take full effect, itâs unlikely that itâll be âover by springâ, though things will certainly have improved (8)
Despite the governmentâs bullishness, this is a huge logistical operation. Combined with the time it takes for the vaccine to take full effect, itâs unlikely that itâll be âover by springâ, though things will certainly have improved (8)
You can find more information on the vaccine and its rollout via the Times' Q&A https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/who-is-first-in-line-for-the-pfizer-biontech-covid-vaccine-v8rxgwh8z
