The public haven't looked past the BBC headlines and have been lead to believe that a covid Vaccine would cure us from Coronavirus and bring about an end to lockdowns, mask wearing and social distancing.
Is any of that true, or is the Covid Vaccine a huge white-elephant?
Encouraged by the hyped '95% effective' figure; the government, the media, and the pharmaceuticals companies have all been pushing the notion that the vaccines will end this pandemic. They've whipped up vaccine euphoria, hailing them as miracles, repeatedly allowing joe-public to believe that we are only a matter of days away from curing the world of death, and seeing the end to Coronavirus.
Q: Have the Government vaccinated 7.8 million people?
A: No.
The government's claim that 7.8 million people in the UK have been vaccinated is wholly misleading. 7.8 million people have received a first dose, which best estimates suggest would only give the patient it works for 35-40% protection with a further wait of 3 months before the second dose is given. Think of jabs you have had for tropical countries, you weren't considered 'covered' until you had received the full course. In truth virtually none of the 7.8 million have received a second dose so the actual figure of people vaccinated is less than half a million.
Q: Is the Pfizer vaccine 95% effective as they claim?
A: Unsubstantiated
The 95% effectiveness is looking like bunkum. The number was deduced from such a small sample size as to be laughable. The entire claim hinges on just 8 people. Even worse, the vaccine was only tried on young, fit, and healthy people, exactly the opposite to the elderly and vulnerable patients who potentially need it. The claim has not been peer-reviewed yet either, meaning it shouldn't be touted as fact by anyone, especially not the government or the BBC. Now German scientists have stated that the Oxford /Astrazeneca vaccine may also have been wildly overestimated, in their own studies say it is only 8% effective among those over 65.
Q. Will the vaccine stop me getting Coronavirus.
A. No
According to studies the vaccine does not stop you getting Coronavirus, it merely reduces the worst of the symptoms (leading to some experts to maintain that it is not a vaccine at all). The US CDC state: "The vaccine doesn't prevent coronavirus infection. It helps protect against serious illnesses". That means, in reality, a fraction of the 8% would see any real benefit making even more of a mockery of the wild claims of 95%.
Q. But the vaccine will stop me spreading Coronavirus right?
A. Unknown
According to Prof. Jonathan Van-Tam the deputy Chief Medical Officer - even after people are vaccinated, they may still be able to spread the virus. This is not just in the period between jabs either. Experts are telling us they don't know if it stops the spread and will be almost impossible to get a definitive answer for. Chris Whitty has said "we don't yet know if this leads to a reduction in transmission" adding: "if it doesn't do that then we will never achieve this concept this of population immunity or herd immunity" whilst the 'ringing endorsement' that it does(n't) came in the same briefing when SAGE advice was to "act like you have Covid, even after the vaccine".
Q. But at least the vaccine will end lockdowns, masks wearing and social distancing, won't it?
A. No
This is where public perception and SAGE dogma diverge the most. SAGE have never said that one will lead to the other. They've never even hinted at it. They have stood back and let the public believe that this is imminent when it is not. Lockdowns, mask wearing and social distancing in one form or another will be imposed on us throughout 2021 and into 2022.
Chris Whitty, Patrick Vallance and Jonathan Van-Tam have all made statements to this effect.