Ask the Experts Live Q&A: additional answers

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/01/21

The Astra Zeneca vaccine, which is the one that the UK government has ordered in the largest quantity is very reasonably priced, so cost is not the main issue here. The under 40’s are not a priority group at present as the percentage of them that get very ill or die due to COVID 19 is extremely low. This will obviously exclude under 40’s with any medical condition that makes them more vulnerable to serious illness and care/frontline health workers under 40.

Answered by Dr Tom Lewis, Consultant in Microbiology and Virology:

Updated 15/02/2021

It is unlikely to benefit these patients. Simple infection control procedures (hands, face, space) should keep them pretty safe, especially as prevalence drops.

Answered by Dr Tom Lewis, Consultant in Microbiology and Virology:

Updated 19/01/2021

We know the vaccine makes it much less likely that you will catch COVID-19. Even if you are unfortunate enough to catch it after the vaccine then you are extremely unlikely to become very unwell.

However, we do know that some people can catch mild COVID-19 after the vaccine and it is likely these people can give the disease to other people. It is for that reason that at the moment we say people just maintain the same behaviours (hands, face, space) even after vaccination. It is likely that when vaccination has been widespread enough to start reaching “herd immunity” that we will be able to start living normal lives.

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/12/20

The plan currently is for GPs to coordinate the care home vaccination programme. They will of course therefore have the patients’ full digital records.

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/12/20

This was roughly the Swedish approach – per capita, their death rate was unfortunately still very high and there was not a clear economic benefit to their method. It is impossible to say (maybe other than in hindsight?) what the ‘right’ approach would have been- I’m very glad not to be involved in making these decisions! From my experience in general practice, shielding was also incredibly tough for people- their mental health was under huge strain and the isolation was very hard indeed, so it needs to be used as a ‘last resort.’

Answered by Dr Tom Lewis, Consultant in Microbiology and Virology:

Updated on 15/02/2021

It probably stops about 9 in 10 infections, and the unlucky 1 in 10 for whom it does not stop an infection are very unlikely to become seriously ill.

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/12/20

Children will not be offered COVID-19 vaccination in the UK as things stand at the moment. This is for several reasons. It was not tested in children under 16 (so we cannot say for certain that it works), we have limited data for children aged 16-18 and children tend to have very mild symptoms. The percentage of children that die if they get COVID-19 is much less than 0.1%. However the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations have said that vaccinating severely disabled children, particularly those who live in residential care homes, is likely to be sensible, but this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. There is no evidence to suggest that they will be more or less vulnerable to side effects of the vaccine, which are generally very mild for all groups.

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/01/21

Although the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) say that there is not enough evidence to recommend routine vaccination in pregnancy, they are now recommending that where there is high risk of COVID transmission (keyworkers etc) or the pregnant patient has a serious underlying condition that would increase their risk of complications from COVID, vaccination can be considered on consultation with their doctor.

It is important to note that women are encouraged to have vaccines in pregnancy including the seasonal flu vaccine and a whooping cough booster, and these have been used safely for years.

Both the Pfizer and AZ vaccinations CAN now be routinely offered to breast-feeding women in high-risk groups.

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/12/20

The vaccine will be free to the public. As advancing age has been shown to be one of the main reasons for getting very ill as a result of COVID 19, vaccinations are going to be made available to people in reverse age order as they arrive in the UK. Additionally, people with pre-existing medical problems that make them likely to get serious COVID 19 will also be invited in the first waves. A full list of who is considered vulnerable in this way is available on the government website, but don’t worry- your GP has this information and will contact you directly if you are in a priority group. Countries that are developed will pay slightly more for the vaccines to subsidise other developing countries getting the vaccines at cost price, to ensure a GLOBAL effort to vaccinate is possible. This is a great example of international cooperation and really heartening.

Answered by Dr Tom Lewis, Consultant in Microbiology and Virology:

Updated on 15/02/2021

It is possible the original result was a false positive. But we also know that some people just do not produce detectable antibodies after some infections. This is probably just bad luck. It is a good reason to get vaccinated when available.

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/12/20

No. Vaccines will be made available as they are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, manufactured and made available to all the vaccination centres. You will be offered the vaccine that is available at your centre at that time. The good news is that they have all been found to be very effective AND very ‘well tolerated’ – i.e. they have not caused nasty side effects in trials! I would be happy to have any of them. You cannot ask for a vaccine privately as supplies have been secured by the government.

Answered by Dr Jessica Danielson, GP:

Updated on 18/12/20

The Pfizer trial sex data is available- it was 95% effective in men and 93% effective – both excellent and reassuring results!