Dr. Edward Jenner
Edward Jenner, the pioneer of the smallpox vaccination and father of immunology grew up and lived within the shadow of Berkeley Castle. A castle built during the Norman period, close to the River Severn, and as the crow flies not far from our own Cotswold escarpment.
Smallpox was a terrible scourge accounting for one third of child deaths, and an average of one in eleven of all deaths during the 18th century.
One of his patients, a local milkmaid became infected with cowpox via contact with a cows udder, a cow she called Blossom. Dr Jenner decided to extract liquid from the pustule on her arm and then carried out his first vaccination with it on an 8 year old local boy. Happily this proved to be a eureka moment to prevent smallpox.
He had a little hut in his garden which he aptly named his Temple to Vaccinia, where, on certain days, the poor of the district were vaccinated free of charge. The queues of people would stretch all around the town.
I mention this story because here in this area of Gloucestershire the doctors are very well aware of Jenner's heritage and legacy, and have already started to make huge inroads into getting the newly available vaccines against Covid-19 into everyones arms.
We have both received notification for our vaccine appointments this coming Sunday which indicates to us that the over 80 year olds in this area have now already been dealt with.
Good news is something that all of us really need.
Has the UK government finally got its act together re: vaccinations? Hopefully you too will soon be hearing from your own doctor.
Sit tight, stay calm, and be safe.
Dear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous news that you have been able to secure an appointment to receive the Covid vaccine.
Thank you for reminding us of Dr. Jenner's role in saving thousands maybe millions of people from perishing.
Dear Gina - we were over the moon when our doctor phoned to give us both an appointment for this coming Sunday.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYes, we have conquered many terrible diseases over the ages and it will be an ongoing battle into the future.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - Bacterias and Viruses have always been with us, and will be forever.
DeleteThey are part of the living organisms...
DeleteVaccinations seem to be rolling out much more quickly in Britain than they are here in Canada!
ReplyDeleteWe desperately need vaccination here with this newer rampant virus.
DeleteSo glad that vaccinations are rolling out. In our area they are vaccinating residents of long term care homes and health care workers first. Dr.Jenner was a pioneer who has saved countless lives over the years with his discoveries.
ReplyDeleteCare homes, health and care workers, were done here first too along with the over 90s. Some areas appear to be rolling it out more proficiently than others, and here, in this area, our doctors appear to be doing a first class job.
DeleteI think you might have a typo. Was it smallpox from Blossom or cowpox? Canada does seem slow in roll out but we do have vast distances to cover.
ReplyDeleteThat was a huge error on my part Susan - thank you very much for picking up on it - I have already changed it.
DeleteHello Rosemary, Congratulations on your appointment to get the vaccine. In the U.S., there seems to be little already distributed--in general the U.S. has been very backward on the whole Covid front. I have not heard anything yet about Taiwan, but since the virus is not so active here, I can wait to ask until my next doctor's appointment, but I am pretty sure that I won't be in a high-priority queue.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - the government here have an ambition to roll out the vaccine to everyone from 50 upwards by the middle of February. However, it involves a minefield of logistics in order to achieve it.
DeleteI should imagine that you want to have a vaccination before you return to the USA and I suspect that Taiwan would also want you to be protected on your return back there.
It's great news, but I'm rather concerned when I look at the details, which make me wonder if the UK government has scored a PR coup rather than actually got its act together. I very much hope you get the vaccination soon. It's a bit scary in London and I'm hoping that it is not long before I get the chance of protection too.
ReplyDeleteLondon does sound scary - here it is still reasonably low. We are both having our jabs at 9.00am on Sunday morning - it will be a great relief to us both.
DeleteThat's good news, Rosemary. I think we're at least a month off before vaccinations start in Australia, but this country is in no shape like the UK ... Jenner's work was fabulous. Smallpox was a devastating disease.
ReplyDeleteThanks - we are both happy to have the chance tomorrow - it is the only light to be seen at the end of the tunnel here.
DeleteWhat good news, to be having your vaccinations this Sunday. You are the first person I know to have been offered it! I remember learning about Jenner when I was at school; it was a good way to learn about the process of vaccination, and he saved many lives with his work. Australia seems to be lagging a bit behind with the vaccinations, although they have moved things forward by a couple of weeks. I think we will be in the second round...hopefully.
ReplyDeleteThe cold here doesn't help matters - the covid-19 thrives in the cold even better than in the warmth.
DeleteI am sure, that like us, you will be happy to have the jab, which offers us all some reassurance.
Great that you have appointments for vaccinations. I don't think they are going to be available here for several months but then we have been so lucky so far although with Brisbane now having the U.K. variant one needs to be cautious.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow will be an important day for us, we are looking forward to getting the shot in our arms. Hopefully the UK will slowly start to move forwards instead of backwards.
DeleteGood morning dear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you already have an appointment for a vaccination. In Holland it will take some time. I hope the vaccin will bring the miracle where we are waiting for.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead.
Marijke
Dear Marijke - the vaccine is the only light at the end of the tunnel currently, and hopefully in due course, we shall all be able to move forward to a better place.
DeleteBob and I are in the group they are starting to vaccinate this now in our area. I was notified online today to make an appointment for mine (Bob also), however when I tried it said all appointments were taken right now and try again next week! I have a feeling this is going to be an ongoing frustration for many weeks ahead. Our numbers continue to skyrocket daily, it's really frightening now.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Sunday morning - hope all goes well.
Dear Mary - I agree that it is more frightening now than it was at the beginning. Unfortunately this wretched virus enjoys the cold weather rather than the warmth of summer.
DeleteHere, you have to wait until your own doctor contacts you with a date and a time. It was a wonderful feeling when he rang us up yesterday morning, we were both really happy.
Hoping that you both get your appointments very soon tooXX
Super blog
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteHopefully it will work and covid 19 will not develop any further harmful mutations. The problem with such easy global travel is that any virus can jump the planet in days rather than weeks now, far quicker than past pandemics could. Fingers crossed for a solution though and a return to a normal existence.
ReplyDeleteIt is the only light at the end of the tunnel currently. I don't imagine that things will improve very quickly, it is going to take time, lots and lots of it.
DeleteMy sleeve is rolled up, my arm is bared for the shot, my stoicism is on high alert, my resolve intact. I am just waiting for the call!
ReplyDeletedo hope it comes to you soon David - it is the only light at the end of the tunnel.
DeleteI'm glad you have a timetable for vaccines and in your country it has been registered for the population receiving the vaccine.
ReplyDeleteIn my country the government has not vaccinated.
Hopefully this year can stop the spread of this deadly dangerous virus completely.
Greetings from Indonesia.
Greetings to you too, and thank you for your visit.
DeleteI do hope that the Indonesian government have begun the process of ordering vaccines for you all. Currently it appears to be the only way forward for us all at the moment.
Thank goodness for men like him that use their genius to help mankind!
ReplyDeleteWe are to receive out second dose in about ten days....if they don’t decide to delay it so that they can vaccinate others. Not sure how I feel about this. I want others to be protected but not sure they are following the science..
I am not concerned about having a delay for the second jab having read the science. You receive most of the benefits from the first vaccine during the following three weeks i.e. from the Pfizer vaccine you get 91 percent protection. The second shot is simply to strengthen the immune response and increase the length of protection to 95 percent - so hardly any difference.
DeleteIf you have to wait longer, do not be concerned. I personally would rather that as many other people as possible also have the earlier opportunity of receiving their first shot too and get protected.
I asked Berkley Castle if it had anything I could do for it last year. It didn't reply.
ReplyDeleteSorry to learn that Tom - maybe if and when the situation in the country improves, you could try them again.
DeleteHere, people are complaining about the vaccine. One pharmacist actually spoiled 500 doses because he was certain that it would change your DNA. My country will choke to death on freedumb.
ReplyDeleteFake news is the bane of our lives currently. I believe that this is the only light at the end of the tunnel for us all as this moment in time.
DeleteDear Rosemary, I am glad to hear that you and your husband will soon get the vaccination! I will still have to wait - in Germany there was a sort of planning shortage/chaos, and now older people and doctors and nurses will be the first, and that is utterly right. I guess that I will be asked maybe in May, when the over 70 will have been "worked off".
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about Dr. Edward Jenner - very interesting, and we can be thankful that some people are so attentive and draw the right conclusions and thus help mankind!
I heard from Yael that she in Israel was very early vaccinated - sounded all very reassuring.
I wish you success and good health - and then a sort of freedom will follow - so much longed for!
Dear Britta - we have both had our jabs now - a very tiny little prick and it was all done. I imagine that all of the little virus soldiers are getting on with their work inside us both.
DeleteIn our area we have been lucky as all of the care workers etc and the over 80s have already been done. The vaccination centre opened at 8.00am this Sunday morning for timed appointments only and they were getting through many, many people very quickly.
Interesting reading as always and glad to hear you and your husband got vaccinated. Sounds like things are getting organized fast in the UK , great news !
ReplyDeleteThey need to ramp up the process even faster as so many people are falling victim to this wretched virus. We are extremely grateful to both have had our first jabs.
DeleteDear Rosemary – I was just watching the news from UK how COVID crisis is going to be uncontrollable perhaps due to the new strain of corona. I’m happy for you that you and your husband are getting vaccinated soon. Quick action of the doctors in your district is commendable. In my country, infection is exploding. I’m not sure so far if it is due to many parties over the years or much more contagious new strain. When one is found, so many are already going around. These days I’m angry and sad about the irresponsible people and slow, lenient reaction of the government.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Dear Yoko - unfortunately there are always people that behave irresponsibly or strangely don't even believe that there is a deadly virus.
DeleteWe both received our first jabs yesterday, and returned home feeling greatly relief. There is a long, long road still ahead of us all.
Hope that you and your family are all safe and well.
Well what news and good news from you Rosemary. I see you have now had the vaccine so hope you are both feeling well.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
It was just a quick prick and no repercussions afterwards Margaret - we are both relieved and happy to have had it.
DeleteVaccination is not so good in my country. Only today the registration for people over 80 has started, that's not what I have yet :). I would also like to be vaccinated, but I will wait. The prevailing virus makes my life very difficult, the more that I have a comorbid disease :(. I hope that my friends from the blog will help me get out of the "hole", but it will not be easy. Regards.
ReplyDeleteDear Giga - it certainly is not the best of times right now which does not help with how you are feeling. However, I do hope that with time, sunshine, and the new spring flowers, you will gradually feel more positive.
DeleteI am so pleased that you have had yours. We are still waiting here in North Wales to hear anything and we are 75 and 84 years young, both vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry to learn that Yvonne - I know that you must be feeling anxious and wondering when you will hear. It feels as if there has been a bit of a postcode lottery going on. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, and hope that you hear this coming week - stay safe.
Delete