Saturday, January 23, 2021

Keeping It Cool


Almost daily, we're informed about  new age groups that are to be vaccinated next. We're assured there's plenty of vaccine for the whole population. including children. Just make the appointment, and come .

I feel some urgency in the air about it, and that makes me think of the existence of possible vaccine storage/handling issues. I suspect the bottles have to be used quickly to avoid decreased potency and loss of patient's confidence.

                                                              bottles of vaccine (web picture)

After all, it's a tremendous logistical challenge. The vaccine units make a long journey from the centers of distribution -  to clinics - to patients. The journey involves planes, trains, trucks and special delivery containers adequately refrigerated (by dry ice). 

Pfizer's vaccine has to be kept at -70 degree Celsius. Moderna's vaccine is said to be stable at regular freezer temperatures. Both require two doses for full effect, which might complicate things.

Pfizer's 'freezing farm' in Kalamazoo, Mich  (web picture)

Hopefully, a significant drop in the bad numbers of covid-19 victims is to be expected by the end of the month, due to the vaccines and the lockdown. In the meantime, people are strongly advised by the medical experts to keep to masks and distancing, as the british mutation is hitting hard; it especially likes the young ones, and pregnant women in their advanced stage of pregnancy.

Here's a 'talk back' seen online: ' Of course, the british version of the virus is more efficient than the chinese one; wait till  the german or swiss version comes along - what precision, what perfection'...

49 comments:

  1. So many I know who are still a little frightened to get the vaccine. Thinking it's now already outdated.

    Also those who want it are still waiting. My grandparents got it a few weeks ago. And they are still social distancing.

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    1. ן'm with those that say 'go get the vaccine but, don't give up yet the other measures(masks and distancing)'
      By the end of the month we'll be more clever. At present, the British mutation is making ravages, and the airport is probably going to be closed for a while.

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  2. We ran out of Vaccines in Canada, awaiting next shipment.

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    1. There are now three main companies providing vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna (USA), AstraZeneca (England).
      To assure smooth supply it's best to order the stuff from at least two companies.

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    2. Canada has ordered it from 4 or 5 companies. We don't have the capacity to make it here. We hedged our bets. We have so many remote communities, though, it is difficult to roll it all out so quickly.

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    3. ן have no doubt Canada will have the right solution for its people. Canada's a high quality country with a high quality population.

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  3. My mom has her appointment for her vaccine this Friday, she is so happy to be getting it. The roll-out in California is so slow it's crazy! Definitely even once we get our vaccine, we will continue to stay home and socially distance.

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    1. Good for her! The vaccine offers peace of mind, and that's important.
      Here, there's everything but peace of mind. There's no certainty yet that the british variant 'respects' vaccines, and there is even talk of an israeli agressive variant.

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  4. We certainly don't need any more perfection in the viruses! As Christine says the vaccine is not currently available in Canada and it's hard to know when mass vaccination will begin in earnest. It depends to some extent on which politician is speaking on which day!

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    1. Right you are - it depends "on which politician is speaking on which day!"
      Politics is, sadly, well behind it all.

      We've got general elections in two months' time, so politics is deeply felt in the handling of the coronavirus crisis.

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  5. None of the vaccines have been approved in Japan yet. The Moderna vaccine has just begun clinical trials here, and Pfizer may be approved in mid-February. The Japanese government has contracted with several companies for enough doses for the entire population. Everyone is waiting

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    1. That's interesting! I like the approach of the Japanese government.
      In our case, if the Americans approve of something, that's good enough for us.
      So far, we've contracted with both American companies: Pfizer and Moderna.

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  6. Here in Arizona,which is a hot spot for a lot of cases, people over 65 can sign up to be vaccinated. But all the slots are filled up for January and February. I believe if you got the first shot of two,you get notified when you can come in for the 2nd one. My hubby is over 65, but neither him or me are interested in getting the vaccine yet or ever. Doesn't make us popular with people but that is just the way it is. We go out and about,we wear our masks when we have to and we just trust God. Again we are unpopular with a lot of people.

    Betty

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    1. Why unpopular? There are many people out there, who for some reason or another (usually allergies) choose not to take the vaccine.
      Anyway, tell them: vaccine is good, masks and distancing is even better.

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  7. I hope to get the vaccine soon. I believe I registered with our hospital, but then what do you do? I may do it over again and make sure to make a copy of what I did. I'm amazed that I don't know this for sure. Old age... you really have to pay attention, take notes, and so on.

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    1. If you've registered, then they'll give you a call with the date of your vaccination.
      You may, however, contact them again to make sure they have the date for you. No problem at all.

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  8. Interesting who's vaccine it the better of them all when they all arrive for human use.
    Here in Australia we don't have the vaccine as yet - we are lucky as in this point of time there are no locally transmitted cases only people who have returned home and of course who are in quarantine - the tennis players for the Australian Open, there are a few of those who have the virus but all the players are in Quarantine.

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    1. The vaccines of the various companies are based on the same principles. There are some minor differences regarding refrigeration and the 2-dose administration. There's a company named 'Johnson&Johnson' that requires only one dose for full effect.

      I believe people are not happy with the fact that a bottle contains more than one dose (Pfizer's has 5-6 doses; too much playing with one bottle).

      You may indeed consider yourselves lucky, there in Australia.

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  9. In here people from 70 plus age group could register this week, hope it will go fast! Stay safe and healthy everyone!

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    1. That's good news,Natalia. It goes fast; unfortunately, so do the mutations, the british one, for instance. The Hope is the vaccine will be efficient against the mutations too.

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  10. Pfizer vaccine is very sensitive. Handling and delivering properly until administrating to recipient is very important to keep its potency.

    Take care, Duta.

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    1. So I understand.
      Anyway, as I've already mentioned, there's too much playing with one bottle to extract 6 dozes of vaccine from it.

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  11. It is a mess everywhere. In the midwest of the US we signed up but thereis not enough vaccine. We wait, alnog with many others. Wishing you well.

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    1. I guess everyone who wants to have the vaccine, will get it. It takes some patience and understanding that there are only a few approved providers of the vaccine, and an entire world waiting for it.

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  12. Before I forget, the name of my 3rd friend is Chantal ! Here it's still a mess with the vaccination, delivery delays, not organized places, in short it's a mess. Pfizer sits in Belgium 60 km away from Brussels, maybe they bring it by bicycle !! Our prime minister makes an election campaign at the same time, he of course is the best !

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    1. Thanks for reminding me the third name - Chantal.
      I like you humor, Gattina ('bring the vaccine by bicycle...'). What would we do without a bit of humor these days?

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  13. Our US system is totally messed up. No one knows just how much there is out there. And if you mess up filling out your online forms, you get into some deep black hole (that's where Rick is now) that puts you further and further behind. I got my first jab today and so far, so good. Meanwhile, I heard another news piece about Israel doing it right -- so well done!

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    1. Best of Health to you and Rick!
      I was under the impression that the word 'jab' is used mainly by the UK people, and here you are, an american, using it.
      May it protect you from the evil virus!

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  14. We don't see the end of the pandemic yet, but we very much hope we're close to it. Combination of vaccines and lockdown should do the work.

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  15. i hope vaccines will be enough for everybody!

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    1. We hear of many pharma companies working on a vaccine for covid-19, but, So far, only 3-4 of them got their product approved by the FDA as an emergency vaccine.So, at this stage, there is much demand, but not enough can be supplied.

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  16. I still haven't been able to get it. My doctor doesn't know when she'll have any.

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    1. If You've registered, they'll call you when it becomes available at your clinic.No need to panic.Mask and distancing are quite efficient for prevention.

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  17. I know I'll be waiting a long time for my shot. But at least they are underway. Better times ahead.

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    1. You sound cool, Sharon. That's the right approach for now.I believe, whoever wants the vaccine will get it. Many factors are working on it, so that all people get vaccinated.

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  18. It's sad that those who truly need it quickly may have to be in line for awhile, but I'm grateful and thankful that they developed a vaccine, and that most who want it, can get one soon. Hugs, RO

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    1. Hi Ro,
      The whole world is grateful to those who have developed the vaccine. It's definitely a step forward towards ending the pandemic.

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  19. The. logistics for this is going to be mind boggling as it involves the whole human race.

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    1. Indeed. I feel great admiration and appreciation not only for the scientists behind the vaccine, but also for the logistic people.

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  20. You have raised some good points in this post, Duta. We are thankful to have been able to register and receive an appointment date and specific time in our state, but so many others are reporting difficulty.

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    1. Thank you.
      Well, it differs from country to country, from place to place. Patience is the key everywhere.
      God willing, we shall reach the end of the pandemic.

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  21. So you have enough vaccins ? and we here cry because we don't have enough and Pfizer is late with deliveries ! The funniest thing is that Pfizer's factory is about 60 km far from Brussels !! Apparently it takes longer to ship goods just around the corner and shorter on the other side of the world ! I am sure all is a question of money !

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    1. That's what our PM says, and I believe him as it is a major part of his election campaign to be held in March.
      Anyway, things look bad here, despite the vaccines. Two reasons: the variants (especially the british one) are aggressive, and a great part of the population (the ultra-orthodox mainly) disregard the rules.

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  22. I got my first dose of the vaccine last week and it was done in an organized manner, as we stayed in our vehicles. My younger son drove me and we took my dog Bounce. Bounce was very popular with the medical staff.

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    1. Congratulations! Keep wearing the mask, though.
      Feel well, and stay safe!

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  23. I'm a little late to this post ...

    Here in the UK the vaccination programme does seem to be going well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. The vaccine used in the UK is that of Astra Zeneca and Oxford university. It's produced locally, so no big logistical issues, I suppose.

      I don't know any details on this vaccine , such as date of expiration, number of doses from a bottle, etc..
      Here we have Pfeizer and Moderna only.

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