Covid vaccination program - Page 2

Thanks Alavib.  I think we're all aware of the shortages, not just in Spain, but the whole of the EU.  I was aware that Madrid has suspended vaccinations for 2 weeks because it is reserving what it has left for second doses, but I can still find nothing on the news wires about the vaccination programme for the whole of Spain having been suspended.  This is such significant news, I"m surprised a Google search makes no mention if it, so I'd be grateful if you would post a link to where you read this please, or at least advise the name of the publication?

Many thanks,

Kim

hi  this is the calculator to get a idea of when you will be vacinated obviously a lot depends on supply 

https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/turno-vacunacion-covid-espana

we just need to wait and see closer to the time as there will be more twists and turns 

Thanks E, but that doesn't answer my question to Alavib, which was: could they please post the information they read that Spain has suspended its vaccination programme?

Thanks and regards, 

Kim

I heard Pfizer don’t endorse the vaccine for over 65’s, not enough trials done 🤷‍♂️

Hi Kevman,

That's the problem with people "reading things" and "hearing things" without providing evidence.  I think what you've heard is actually a reference to Emmanuel Macron, the French President, saying that the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine is only "quasi-effective" in the over 65s, and Germany's decision not to use it in that age group.  AstraZeneca countered this and the EMA (European Medicines Agency) conceded that their concern was the "lack of data" applicable to that age group.  However, the EMA still approved it for use last week and AstraZeneca will continue to provide further data from ongoing trials as it becomes available.  

This has nothing to do with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which was the first to be approved.

Kind regards,  

Kim

Latest news from El Pais - no mention of Spain's vaccination programme having been suspended:

https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-02-01/how-are-delays-in-vaccine-deliveries-really-affecting-spains-campaign.html?utm_source=Facebook&ssm=FB_CM_EN#Echobox=1612170455

Kind regards, 

Kim

Hi Kim,

        reading the article it is even more puzzling why Brussels raised such an issue with the Astra Zeneca deliveries. Pfizer and Moderna both underdelivering and they are the only vaccines being used at the moment. I wonder if Germany are getting any of the 30 million doses they ordered direct from Pfizer outside of the collective EU deal ahead of the EU order being filled?

Aitch.

The EU vaccination program is a shambles. Their legendary bureaucracy once again is going to effect everyone. At it's present rate it is estimated that it will take until 2024 for everyone in the EU to be vaccinated. For countries like Spain who rely so heavily on tourism for their economy this is a disaster. Spain needs to open up this summer. It cannot afford to miss another years tourism. 

  I have had mine and my parents have had theirs as we are UK based, and i was hoping to return to my house in Spain soon once i was vaccinated, however, it doesn't look like its going to be anytime soon when Sanchez states he wants 70% of the population vaccinated before he opens up. That will be mid 2023!!! I hope you get sorted soon DianeVictory

Hi Balmer9,

There's no doubt that the UK is doing a good job of their vaccine programme - assuming that the 3 month delay between first and second doses doesn't prove to be problematic.  When you say that you and your parents have had yours, I assume you mean the first dose, not the second?  There's also much concern with the current state of the EU vaccination programme and there seems little point in discussing the whys and wherefores of that without full visibility of the supply contract between the EU and AstraZenenca, which even lawyers can't agree on.

I'd be grateful if you would share evidence of, "At it's present rate it is estimated that it will take until 2024 for everyone in the EU to be vaccinated."  I agree, however, that it's relevant to the opening up of not just Spain's borders to tourism, but the whole world.  If it was funny, I may be amused at nationalistic pride of the relative success of vaccination programmes, but the point is that it's only of value if the population of individual nations are content to stay within their nation's borders.  Once they want to travel overseas, the global success of vaccination programmes becomes critical and protectionism is seen for what it really is, geopolitical propaganda.

Spain's tourism industry is very important to the Costas, at around 11% of GDP, but its car manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, at around 14% of GDP are very important to the country as a whole.  Just out of interest, how do you think the balancing 75% of Spain's GDP is generated?  

Let's hope that vaccination programmes across the globe enable all countries to return to "normal" sooner rather than later - national protectionism will not achieve it.

Kind regards,

Kim

Hi aitch,

I agree, the European Commission's threat to invoke Article 116 was inexplicable - unless they forgot about the Irish border with the UK!  Those of us who lived through 25 years of the so-called "troubles" on the island of Ireland understand the importance of the "red line" in respect of Eire/N.I. border.  Some parts of the press have suggested that the EU's anger was exacerbated by the suggestion that AstraZenenca diverted supplies to the "highest bidder", yet the company is supposedly supplying their vaccine "at cost", so are they suggesting that the UK was able to secure the EU's contracted supplies by offering a higher price?  More inconsistency and contradiction.

Even with AstraZeneca publishing a (redacted) version of their contract with the EU, I think it's impossible for lay people, such as ourselves, to understand how we arrived at this point.  It appears that AztraZeneca over-committed themselves, not taking account of their earlier commitment to the UK when latterly committing to the EU's requirements.  It reminds me of the lawyers who wrote Article 50 of the Maastrict Treaty, the clause that allowed member states to leave the EU (it's surprisingly short !) and in an interview after the UK's referendum, they said that when they drafted it, no-one ever expected it to be required.

I think what concerns me most at the moment is that while governments around the globe see this as the beginning of our fight against Covid-19, some populations generally see the development of a vaccine as the 'end game'.  If mutations teach us anything, we should at least understand that we're a long way off "normal" summer holidays - and yes, I know you understand that  ;o)

Stay safe,

Kim