3 ms·

Is there any way I could get this vaccine before the FDA approves it? I've looked through the studies and it's good enough for me.

coldpie 6y ago
I don't know about this particular one, but there are a number of vaccine trials going on right now. You can try searching for "covid vaccine trial" in your area, or reaching out to your local department of health. My wife is in the Oxford-Astrazeneca trial here in Minnesota. She was recruited through a Facebook ad. The downside is you don't know whether you got the placebo or the real thing :) My wife has a 2/3 chance of having the vaccine. It's unclear to me when they will unblind her. It seems unethical not to unblind participants if a safe, effective vaccine is available, but I'm not an expert on trial methodology.
- Dumblydorr 6y ago
  If you unblind patients, that will change their behavior and alter your results. If they told her she had the vaccine, she'd be more likely to go out and take risks. Conversely, if they told her she had placebo, she'd probably stay in and take less risks. Overall, this would lead to a dramatic reduction in the power to observe an actual protective effect, as vaccinated would be riskier and unvaccinated would behave safer. Hang in there, she is doing a good service, I hope you are both well!
  - coldpie 6y ago
    Yes, I understand the purpose of blinding. I'm wondering if that purpose still holds once a vaccine is approved and is widely available. Surely for her safety they will unblind her so she knows whether to go get the real vaccine?
- sp332 6y ago
  Ars Technica mentioned that this was a consideration, but so far at least, it doesn't seem to have stopped anyone working on COVID research. https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/well-need-more-than-one-vaccine-to-beat-the-pandemic/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/well-need-more-than-...
- beezle 6y ago
  Was she instructed to continue wearing a mask and do social distancing?
dougmwne 6y ago
The vaccine is being manufactured now and is in cold storage awaiting approval. When it is approved, it will go to healthcare professionals and those in the highest risk categories. If you are in one of those risk categories you will be prioritized accordingly. This is best for all of us because it will rapidly expand our healthcare capacity and reduce deaths and serious cases. Even a few million doses can make a big dent in the death rate if given to the right people. And with 2 highly effective vaccines heading towards approval, you are now looking at half the wait before a dose is ready for you.

coldpie 6y ago

I don't know about this particular one, but there are a number of vaccine trials going on right now. You can try searching for "covid vaccine trial" in your area, or reaching out to your local department of health. My wife is in the Oxford-Astrazeneca trial here in Minnesota. She was recruited through a Facebook ad. The downside is you don't know whether you got the placebo or the real thing :) My wife has a 2/3 chance of having the vaccine. It's unclear to me when they will unblind her. It seems unethical not to unblind participants if a safe, effective vaccine is available, but I'm not an expert on trial methodology.

Dumblydorr 6y ago
If you unblind patients, that will change their behavior and alter your results. If they told her she had the vaccine, she'd be more likely to go out and take risks. Conversely, if they told her she had placebo, she'd probably stay in and take less risks. Overall, this would lead to a dramatic reduction in the power to observe an actual protective effect, as vaccinated would be riskier and unvaccinated would behave safer. Hang in there, she is doing a good service, I hope you are both well!
- coldpie 6y ago
  Yes, I understand the purpose of blinding. I'm wondering if that purpose still holds once a vaccine is approved and is widely available. Surely for her safety they will unblind her so she knows whether to go get the real vaccine?
sp332 6y ago
Ars Technica mentioned that this was a consideration, but so far at least, it doesn't seem to have stopped anyone working on COVID research. https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/well-need-more-than-one-vaccine-to-beat-the-pandemic/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/well-need-more-than-...
beezle 6y ago
Was she instructed to continue wearing a mask and do social distancing?

dougmwne 6y ago

The vaccine is being manufactured now and is in cold storage awaiting approval. When it is approved, it will go to healthcare professionals and those in the highest risk categories. If you are in one of those risk categories you will be prioritized accordingly. This is best for all of us because it will rapidly expand our healthcare capacity and reduce deaths and serious cases. Even a few million doses can make a big dent in the death rate if given to the right people. And with 2 highly effective vaccines heading towards approval, you are now looking at half the wait before a dose is ready for you.