Scotland goes back into lockdown 7pm Friday

[phil06]

Where did you read the headline about the OAZ vaccine being ineffective against the South Africa variant, Phil?

I read it here https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/04/covid...-13841998/amp/

[Lencoboy]

I read it here https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/04/covid...-13841998/amp/

Well that's just one publication and no mention of it on the BBC so far.

And it's still only just a suggestion rather than true fact at this stage, but said article however, wasn't all doom and gloom.

[phil06]

Seems Scotland will go back into lockdown today. Until spring..I mean level 4 is lockdown already so who knows what she will shut next other than schools.

[Gary A]

Regarding any vaccine not working against a particular strain, that’s exactly what happens with flu. That’s why the vaccines are changed every year in order to combat the most dominant strains.

So no, it wouldn’t mean starting vaccine development from scratch, it would simply mean the vaccines would need some adjustments in order to accommodate the strain.

Expect more of this as time goes on. This is what viruses do, this is also why people need to start trusting science and medicine and stop reiterating bulls*it that they’ve stumbled upon on social media or from the gutter press.

[Lencoboy]

Regarding any vaccine not working against a particular strain, that’s exactly what happens with flu. That’s why the vaccines are changed every year in order to combat the most dominant strains.

So no, it wouldn’t mean starting vaccine development from scratch, it would simply mean the vaccines would need some adjustments in order to accommodate the strain.

Expect more of this as time goes on. This is what viruses do, this is also why people need to start trusting science and medicine and stop reiterating bulls*it that they’ve stumbled upon on social media or from the gutter press.

Exactly. That article in the Metro that Phil posted the link to does however state that it's possible to 'tweak' the vaccines in due course to be more effective against the SA variant and others, if necessary.

BTW, the BBC News channel ARE now mentioning it.

[Gary A]

It’s simply a case of the new strain being a bit of an unknown quantity. They can’t say any vaccine will work on it as they probably still haven’t completely broken it down.

Again, there will be variants of this virus that are better at evading vaccination. That’s just biology for you. However, it would take no longer than around two months to tweak any vaccine to become effective.

Coronaviruses are coronaviruses. They invade cells by using a spike protein to latch on to other cells. If they do not have this spike protein then they are not coronaviruses. The Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine all target this spike protein. Any other mutation within the virus will involve proteins that don’t really alter the viruses main route into a cell. For that reason, most vaccines will be effective against ALL strains of coronavirus, it’s just a question of how effective.

Again, these are things witnessed every day in life by microbiologists, it’s just that right now they are dealing with a virus that is transmitting across the globe and any mutation or variant of it is headline news.

[Lencoboy]

It’s simply a case of the new strain being a bit of an unknown quantity. They can’t say any vaccine will work on it as they probably still haven’t completely broken it down.

Again, there will be variants of this virus that are better at evading vaccination. That’s just biology for you. However, it would take no longer than around two months to tweak any vaccine to become effective.

Coronaviruses are coronaviruses. They invade cells by using a spike protein to latch on to other cells. If they do not have this spike protein then they are not coronaviruses. The Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine all target this spike protein. Any other mutation within the virus will involve proteins that don’t really alter the viruses main route into a cell. For that reason, most vaccines will be effective against ALL strains of coronavirus, it’s just a question of how effective.

Again, these are things witnessed every day in life by microbiologists, it’s just that right now they are dealing with a virus that is transmitting across the globe and any mutation or variant of it is headline news.

Plus the media being the way they are will no doubt blow it all way out of proportion and of course the antivaxxers/serial doom-mongers will proclaim 'I told you so' with glee!

[Lencoboy]

I couldn't believe Boris's words last night, he said 'Things will get worse before they get better'.

Well for crying out loud Boris, just go the whole hog and impose a full-on third national lockdown for once and for all and stop faffing about playing for time as usual. Also keep all schools shut until further notice.

But as per usual, it's all talk and little to no action from him.

And if he loses in the opinion polls, tough!

He and his fellow cronies need to own their mammoth screw-ups, and like I've already said a gazillion times before, Labour have been shunned and booted out of power for far lesser things.

[pulisa]

Professor Sarah Gilbert appears to be taking it in her stride with the Oxford vaccine and anticipates another mutation with a possible spike in the Autumn of 2021 again..which they will deal with successfully.

I think all these virologists and scientists coming out of the woodwork for media interviews and their 5 minutes of fame just adds to the panic and uncertainty. Let those who are actually involved in the formulation of the vaccine have the stage.

[Lencoboy]

Professor Sarah Gilbert appears to be taking it in her stride with the Oxford vaccine and anticipates another mutation with a possible spike in the Autumn of 2021 again..which they will deal with successfully.

I think all these virologists and scientists coming out of the woodwork for media interviews and their 5 minutes of fame just adds to the panic and uncertainty. Let those who are actually involved in the formulation of the vaccine have the stage.

That does sound like some may be overdoing it and trying to jump on the bandwagon. How about 'one step at a time'?

But on the other hand, it's probably a good idea to be prepared for all eventualities.