Coronavirus vaccine: Anthony Fauci addresses UK dosage plan
The Head of Immunisations at Public Health England, Dr Mary Ramsay, released a statement on Saturday, January 2 regarding the coronavirus vaccines. The health official has advised against mixing the life-saving jabs from different suppliers.
“We do not recommend mixing the COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr Ramsay. “If your first dose is the Pfizer vaccine you should not be given the AstraZeneca vaccine for your second dose and vice versa.”
Both vaccines require two jabs in order to elicit the most effective immune response.
On New Year’s Eve, the UK government issued guidance to UK medics that if availability of the first jab wasn’t available, then it’s “reasonable” to offer a second dose of a different vaccine.
The guidance clarified: “This option is preferred if the individual is likely to be at immediate high risk or is considered unlikely to attend again.”
Since then, Dr Ramsay has added that this guidance should only be followed on “rare occasions”.
“There may be extremely rare occasions where the same vaccine is not available, or where it is not known what vaccine the patient received,” she explained.
Dr Ramsay added: “Every effort should be made to give them the same vaccine.
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“But where this is not possible, it is better to give a second dose of another vaccine than not at all.”
The NHS stated: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus.”
At present, the vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and local vaccination centres run by GPs to the following groups:
- Some people aged 80 and over
- People who live or work in care homes
- Health care workers at high risk
If you fall into any of the above categories, you need to be registered with a GP surgery in England to get the vaccine.
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If you’re registered to a GP centre, the NHS “will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine”.
The national health body pleads for the public “not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then”.
The vaccine dosages
The latest evidence suggests the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine “provides protection for most people for up to three months”.
The current government plan is to make sure as many people as possible receive the first coronavirus jab.
For people about to have their first dose of the coronavirus jab, you’ll be given your second dose 12 weeks later.
Those who have already had their first dose of the vaccine, and are due to have the second jab before Monday, January 4, you must keep to your appointment.
However, if you’ve already had your first jab and the second dose is after Monday, January 4, “the NHS will contact you about when you’ll have your second dose”.
How safe are the vaccines?
The NHS assures that the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines have “met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness”.
Other vaccines are still in development, which will only be available on the NHS once they’ve gone through rigorous clinical trials.
The side effects of the current vaccines on the market
Most side effects of the coronavirus vaccine are mild and shouldn’t last longer than a week; these include:
- A sore arm where the needle went in
- Feeling tired
- A headache
- Feeling achy
If symptoms get worse or you’re worried, the NHS advises you to call 111.
When it’s your turn to take the vaccine, will you be happy to take the jab? Please comment below.
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