Since we dont talk enough about Covid.

What do you guys think about Operation Warp Speed, I dont know much about it since I have not listen to the news much these past fews weeks, been busy and to tell you all the truth just tired of this Covid and what its done to people and their livelihood, lost lives, lost business, lost the way of life. Now that Trump has done Operation Warp Speed and got things moving on the Vaccines, what are your thoughts, I am so greatful for Trump, I dont know what anybody else could have done different are even better then what Trump has done and is doing. Theres 2 companys making this vaccines, did I hear this right? 

Only one of the two companies took any money from the Congress "Warp Speed" approved fund ..... However, the U.S. government will BUY vaccine from Pfizer ....

"The U.S. government did not fund the Pfizer's research and development.  Pfizer chose to risk its own money on vaccine research and not take federal funding in order to avoid bureaucracy and politics, Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla said. He said its investment so far was at least $1.5 billion."

The AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, which requires two doses, is priced at approximately $3 to $4, according to the Financial Times, citing supply deals agreed through to Oct. 7.

Pfizer and BioNTech are reportedly charging $20 per dose for its vaccine, significantly lower than Moderna.  Moderna is $37 per dose.

Plus the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine only requires regular refrigeration.

Thank you Norma, I knew that I heard that two different companys were making a vaccine, but just was not to sure. 

There are various timelines as to when it's available but supposedly by the middle of December frontline workers and the elderly (nursing homes) will be given priority as it should be.  Doctors admit it's  painful to administer and you feel awful for a day or so which I hate to hear for the frail elderly but what can you do.  By May or June the shot should be available for everyone and hopefully we can beat this menace.  

I imagine the painful arm to be like the Tetanus shot.  Like someone punched you and it takes a while to go away.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine going to be free?    I am not sure how many people will pay for it ....... Of course, some insurance companies will probably cover it.

Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccination providers will be able to charge an administration fee for giving the shot to someone.  Nov 24, 2020

The Medicare payment rates will be $28.39 to administer single-dose vaccines. For a COVID-19 vaccine requiring a series of two or more doses, the initial dose(s) administration payment rate will be $16.94, and $28.39 for the administration of the final dose in the series.

This is really interesting, a friend was telling Andy about this, hes in the Army Corps on the medical side of things and travels all over the world and hes going to take the vaccine that only is one dose I think he was saying.

THere are 3 vaccines. Two are double dose and 1 is single. Supposedly free to the public. Saw on the news there is a 3 tier roll out. First is to healthcare workers and nursing homes. Second is to educators.students, essential front line workers, and last is everyone else. Since I am a teacher I was notified I could possibly receive mine by new year. We shall see. Our union is in negotiations because some teachers do NOT want the vaccine and don't want to be prevented from teaching should they refuse.  

Being a certified chicken I'd prefer the single dose.  Only half the misery is a draw for us cowards.

OHH!!! I didnt know that there is a 3rd one.. Wow everybody is really working hard.. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2020/10/20/researchers-warn-some-covid-19-vaccines-could-increase-risk-of-hiv-infection/?sh=5af6666f3740

Solid... PASS.

This is correct. Absolutely nothing is free.  Having said that, I'll gladly shell out $50 for a vaccine if it sounds safe and promising.  The various makers of the vaccine had to compete in order to be given consideration for federal funding.  The contracts and requirements were individually crafted and negotiated.  Pfizer will receive funding on the back end, if their vaccine completes the trials and is granted FDA approval.  Trust me, they will be at the trough for their share!
This OWS was a massive undertaking under very dire circumstances.  At the time OWS was initiated, the overwhelming consensus was that our backs were to the wall.  Never before has a government attempted to do what OWS did.  It's really impossible to adequately describe the hurdles needed to be overcome in order to create a safe, effective vaccine under such dire conditions.  I was a medical investigator for a CRO ("contract research organization from 2002-2012") so I have SOME familiarity with the process of research, development, and FDA approval.  No, to be clear, I was not a research nerd who developed these new drugs.  I was involved in screening of volunteers for trials, and I evaluated them afterwards.  If any adverse events, including serious adverse events, occurred, I evaluated and managed them.  In 10 years I only saw three instances where a person suffered a life threatening adverse event, out of several thousand volunteers.  Fortunately, all of those people recovered without permanent residual effects.

I can describe all of the stages required in developing a vaccine, from test tube to recipients, but that would bore people.  From the lab research in animals, to phase 1, phase II, and phase III, we are talking 4-5 years at least. Suffice it to say, normally it takes several years to develop a safe, effective vaccine.  The best way to explain how the timetable was cut down by a factor of 5-6 is to look at this link:

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Aug/13/2002476369/-1/-1/0/200813-D-ZZ999-100.JPG

This is an impressive mobilization and streamlining, no matter how you cut it.  We shall see how effective it is once people are vaccinated, beginning 2-3 weeks from now. Keep in mind, OWS was not only focused on vaccines.  It also applied to therapeutics, like the monoclonal antibodies (ie, "Regeneron").  

Free market capitalism is a good thing. 

In that table, you can see the dark brown shaded areas that represent time to manufacture the vaccine.  In OWS they rolled the dice and shelled out money to the candidates (pharma companies) to begin manufacture of the vaccine from the beginning of phase II trials.  They basically said, screw this....if this looks promising, we will pay you to begin manufacturing the vaccine, so it's ready to be shipped as soon as the FDA gives the go ahead.  Normally, these companies don't spend the money to make the drug for distribution until the FDA approves, for obvious business reasons.

Thank you Scott, you always got some good information to share with us..

Thank you so much for your explanations!  It is amazing what has been accomplished with these vaccines!!!  I will be standing ready for mine as soon as it's available to me.  Vaccines save lives -- your own and others' lives. 

Since I dont watch much TV (News) and just sick and tired of this Covid mess (thats why I dont watch the news hardly anymore now adays) its kinda nice to beable to look back on this Board and read a little about the Covid when I feel like it, Scott is so up on it so its nice to read what hes got to say about it, and other BB's too, you guys are really on top of it, so heck I dont need no stinking news I got all of you . 

A big Thank you to all the Front Line Workers, I think you all need a big Ole Hug, so Hugging away here, lol...

Going to wait and see about the vaccine, but when you guys get the shot let us know how it gos for you all, I'm just not all that sure about it just yet

Joe says he will ask all Americans to wear a mask for another 100 days when he takes over. How does this make us all feel? Me not happen at all.. I am so done with this covid, and We have another restaurant/cafe closing down for good over this covid. 

So Meep Meep thats PRETTY DA* SORRY of you laughing about another business going under because of the Covid.. Thats nothing to laugh over..