Northern Europe during Pandemic -- Summers 2020 & 2021 & onwards

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Yet there's this..



https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...ed-2021-09-09/



https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58550833



Nowhere do I see the word excluded.. also I note you don't call the Johnson shot rubbish despite its efficacy being 20 points lower than the AZ shot... is it just the fact its also a profit driven vaccine thats factoring into your propaganda.

It’s not specifically excluded

The specific JCVI advice is

“After reviewing data on booster responses from different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines, JCVI advises a preference for the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2/ Comirnaty[emoji768]) vaccine to be offered as the third booster dose irrespective of which product was used in the primary schedule. There is good evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2/ Comirnaty[emoji768]) vaccine is well tolerated as a third dose and will provide a strong booster response. “

In other words Pfizer is the preferred choice

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

It’s not specifically excluded

The specific JCVI advice is

“After reviewing data on booster responses from different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines, JCVI advises a preference for the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2/ Comirnaty[emoji768]) vaccine to be offered as the third booster dose irrespective of which product was used in the primary schedule. There is good evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2/ Comirnaty[emoji768]) vaccine is well tolerated as a third dose and will provide a strong booster response. “

In other words Pfizer is the preferred choice

Correction..
The recommended choice... what the patient may choose is another matter. The contested statement was Anders claim that AZ had been excluded except in medical cases where Pfizer victims suffered heart inflammation etc.. aka allergies.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

It’s not specifically excluded

The specific JCVI advice is

“After reviewing data on booster responses from different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines, JCVI advises a preference for the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2/ Comirnaty[emoji768]) vaccine to be offered as the third booster dose irrespective of which product was used in the primary schedule. There is good evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2/ Comirnaty[emoji768]) vaccine is well tolerated as a third dose and will provide a strong booster response. “

In other words Pfizer is the preferred8 choice

The official NHS advice sent on the 15th to all GP practices, all vaccination centres etc says
"3. Vaccine type: the JCVI ‘advises a preference for the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2/ Comirnaty®) vaccine to be offered as the third booster dose irrespective of which product was used in the primary schedule. Alternatively, individuals may be offered a half dose (50µg) of the Moderna (mRNA-1273/Spikevax®) vaccine, which should be well tolerated and is also likely to provide a strong booster response. Where mRNA vaccines cannot be offered e.g. due to contraindication, vaccination with the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S/Vaxzevria®) vaccine may be considered for those who received AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S/Vaxzevria®) vaccine in the primary course (please refer to the Green Book for further details).’ "

IF you want the AZ vaccine as a booster in the UK you will only get it IF you had the AZ for your first two doses AND for medical reasons can't have either the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine.

That's my last post on this subject.

[CatNewBee]

The Telegraph has some interesting revelations to the Origins of this mess and some information on the next pandemic with enhacend MERS and 30% mortality.

There were funding inquiries to enhance Corona viruses to make them infectious to human and release them on purpose in the bat population in the wild back in 2018. DARPA refused to participate in the funding, but others gave money.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...nanoparticles/

[Dockhead]

In the news today, Sweden significantly lifting restrictions next week:


https://www.thelocal.se/20210923/swe...ted-next-week/


"

“Many people have made big sacrifices in their daily life. Now it is time for the Swedish people to meet again,” said Health Minister Lena Hallengren at a press conference. “From September 29th, we are taking a big step towards the life we had before the pandemic.”


The current restrictions in Sweden are pretty mild compared to those imposed during lockdowns in most non-Nordic countries, and they are mostly voluntary, but unlike lockdowns elsewhere, the Swedish measures have been in place continuously, and they have had a profound effect on society. So this is great news for Swedes and visitors to this lovely country. Looks like almost the end of the pandemic here.



Well, provided you are vaccinated. Most of the measures remain in place for those who aren't vaxxed.

83% of all Swedes over 16 have had at least one dose.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

In the news today, Sweden significantly lifting restrictions next week:


https://www.thelocal.se/20210923/swe...ted-next-week/……

The other good news is that the current ban on entry to Sweden for non-essential travel from most countries outside the EU/EEA will be lifted on the 31st October:
https://www.krisinformation.se/en/ha...l-restrictions
Travel from Scotland to Sweden will finally be permitted, but unfortunately not in time to cruise the area this year.

Denmark (and Faroe Islands) are still closed to the UK and US (a worthy purpose is required for entry):
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-you...ing-to-norway/

Norway isn’t any better. A veritable maze of regulations to wade through, but the bottom line is similar to Denmark’s:
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/coronav...ravelling-from

I find it thoroughly confusing whether the restrictions apply to travel from certain countries or their citizens. Documents seem to randomly alter their wording.

Even when the Nordic countries open up, the biggest restriction may be the type of vaccination certificates accepted as “valid”. This is still extremely limited.

Fingers crossed they have all this sorted by next summer.

SWL

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

The other good news is that the current ban on entry to Sweden for non-essential travel from most countries outside the EU/EEA will be lifted on the 31st October:

https://www.krisinformation.se/en/ha...l-restrictions

Travel from Scotland to Sweden will finally be permitted, but unfortunately not in time to cruise the area this year.



Denmark (and Faroe Islands) are still closed to the UK and US (a worthy purpose is required for entry):

https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-you...ing-to-norway/



Norway isn’t any better. A veritable maze of regulations to wade through, but the bottom line is similar to Denmark’s:

https://www.helsenorge.no/en/coronav...ravelling-from



I find it thoroughly confusing whether the restrictions apply to travel from certain countries or their citizens. Documents seem to randomly alter their wording.



Even when the Nordic countries open up, the biggest restriction may be the type of vaccination certificates accepted as “valid”. This is still extremely limited.



Fingers crossed they have all this sorted by next summer.



SWL

The rules - and procedures - change seemingly by the day. Just flew into Helsinki an hour ago, and the are no longer checking vaccination certificates except randomly. Life is steadily going back to normal.

As to which vaccination certificates are accepted - in my experience very few countries insist on only the European one.

[Seaworthy Lass]

A little good news for the UK.

It may only be temporary, but both hospitalisations and deaths show a decreasing trend for the first time since the “third wave” commenced in June. The graphs are from here:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...inations-today

On the 28th Sept deaths averaged 131 over 7 days. They were 143 nine days prior.

England contributes most to the UK’s data (around 84% of the population) and apart for international travel, all government mandated restrictions were lifted mid July, although individual stores and public transport in some areas are requiring masks to be worn. Hospitalisations and deaths have not increased as much as models forecasted. It is very encouraging that they are now actually decreasing.

SWL

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

A little good news for the UK.

It may only be temporary, but both hospitalisations and deaths show a decreasing trend for the first time since the “third wave” commenced in June. The graphs are from here:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...inations-today

On the 28th Sept deaths averaged 131 over 7 days. They were 143 nine days prior.

England contributes most to the UK’s data (around 84% of the population) and apart for international travel, all government mandated restrictions were lifted mid July, although individual stores and public transport in some areas are requiring masks to be worn. Hospitalisations and deaths have not increased as much as models forecasted. It is very encouraging that they are now actually decreasing.

SWL

The Brits seem to have won their "f*** covid" gamble. Abruptly ending the restrictions just when the fourth wave was rising.



Good for them.



Who would have ever thought it, but the Brits are actually showing the way for the rest of the world now.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

The Brits seem to have won their "f*** covid" gamble. Abruptly ending the restrictions just when the fourth wave was rising.



Good for them.



Who would have ever thought it, but the Brits are actually showing the way for the rest of the world now.

I remember Boris saying something like “If not now, then when?”. By mid July every adult had been offered the chance to be vaccinated. It was summer so much of the socialising could be held outside or at least in better ventilated premises. School holidays had started. It was estimated over 90% of the population had antibodies to the virus, either post vaccination or infection. Infections were expected to rise late autumn and winter regardless, so cases would only be higher waiting until later.

On the negative side, cases had been rising rapidly for a month, but I think the logic was that it was mainly the young driving these numbers and their risk of severe illness was very low.

The gamble has paid off so far.

SWL

[Dockhead]

Correction to an error I posted earlier:


Latvia, since the beginning of September, DOES accept the U.S. vaccination certificate. Not sure whether it's just for entering the country or also good for the theatre -- God I'm overdue for an evening at the theatre.


It's so hard to keep up with the changing rules. Every country has its own and they seem to change on a daily basis.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

I remember Boris saying something like “If not now, then when?”. By mid July every adult had been offered the chance to be vaccinated. It was summer so much of the socialising could be held outside or at least in better ventilated premises. School holidays had started. It was estimated over 90% of the population had antibodies to the virus, either post vaccination or infection. Infections were expected to rise late autumn and winter regardless, so cases would only be higher waiting until later.

On the negative side, cases had been rising rapidly for a month, but I think the logic was that it was mainly the young driving these numbers and their risk of severe illness was very low.

The gamble has paid off so far.

SWL

The rate of increase of cases in the UK is not actually high, but the absolute daily case rate IS high -- over 500:




Picture is better in Nordics where every country is now below 100 except Norway.


Death rate is reasonable but not trivial:



For context, that's nearly 10x less than the peak during previous waves, but 2x more than say Sweden.

ICU patients steadily decreasing:



Doesn't look too bad, but the virus is circulating vigorously. I sure wouldn't want to be an unvaccinated person in the UK these days.

[El Pinguino]

I realised the other night what a cruel trick the Norwegian government had played on their people . After 561 days of the harshest lockdown since the second world war they were given freedom of movement just a few days after the sun had set for 6 months.
Almost a crime against humanity, no wonder they all went and got hammered.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

I realised the other night what a cruel trick the Norwegian government had played on their people . After 561 days of the harshest lockdown since the second world war they were given freedom of movement just a few days after the sun had set for 6 months.
Almost a crime against humanity, no wonder they all went and got hammered.

Except Norway never had any lockdown.

The only restriction of movement was a brief ban on their visiting their country houses, at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

The only other restriction of movement in the Nordics, ever, was a brief closing of the provincial border to Uusimaa, the Helsinki region, also in I think April 2020.

Not counting the recommendations against unnecessary travel.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Except Norway never had any lockdown.

'Restrictions' , 'lockdown', same thing viewed from a different angle

From News.com
'On Friday, the Nordic nation’s government announced that it was time to “live as normal” with Covid-19 after 561 days of enduring some kind of restriction, whether that be venue capacity limits or stay-at-home orders.

Now, Norwegians can attend restaurants, night clubs, sporting events and anything else at full capacity, with social distancing thrown out the window.

They’ve even started encouraging travel outside of Europe, removing travel warnings.'