I am annoyed for our talented scientists and saddened for our near neighbours across the water at the way in which the Oxford-AstraZenica vaccine continues to be demonised across much of Europe, ultimately risking the loss of many more lives.
In February 2020 the Oxford University Scientists, along with their partners AstraZenica, made a bold humanitarian decision to research and provide a vaccine on a not-for-profit basis during the pandemic. Millions of doses of the Oxford vaccine have already been administered to UK citizens. The facts and the figures speak loudly for themselves - hundreds of lives are now being saved each and everyday. Today our hospitals up and down the country have very few Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation or intensive care.
Europe has just entered into a third wave, and yet their politicians continue to denounce the Oxford vaccine!
Emmanuel Macron claimed that the Oxford vaccine was "quasi-ineffective" for the over-65s, just hours before it was approved for use on all adults in the EU.
In Germany they have been giving the Oxford vaccine to people living on the streets as others do not appear to want it.
Denmark, Norway and Iceland have suspended using the Oxford vaccine until further notice.
In an empty Belgian vaccination centre, the Oxford vaccine was said to have been dismissed as a 'low-budget' Aldi alternative.
The Oxford vaccine blood clotting incidence appears to have been a 'red herring'. According to articles read there have actually been slightly more cases recorded in those receiving the Pfizer vaccine. I was more than happy to receive the Pfizer vaccine myself, but would have been equally pleased if it had been the Oxford vaccine.
Are the other drug companies pressurising European leaders to give them preference? I am very aware of the fact that they are expecting their Covid-19 vaccines to yield them huge financial rewards.
The not-for-profit Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine costs £3 per shot = £6 per person
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine costs £15 per shot = £30 per person
The Moderna vaccine costs £28 per shot = £56 per person.
