Watch: Elton John leads UK’s Covid jab drive

Watch: Elton John leads UK’s Covid jab drive

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norman lebrecht

February 11, 2021

Britain’s leading microsurgeon Lord Darzi has managed to get Elton John and Michael Caine onto a video urging over-70 stragglers to get their Covid vaccinations.

Britain has inoculated 90% of over 75s and just under 20% of the entire population, the world’s third highest jab rate after Israel nd the UAE.

The European Union has managed just 4%, France and Germany below 3% (have a good day, Ursula).

 

Comments

  • Gustavo says:

    This is pure vaccine nationalism based on economic decision rules that strictly follow Darwinian principles (group selection).

    It seems that Britain is world champion at saving its own ass first.

    Or was it China?

    Is it at all ethically justifiable to mention nationality in this context?

    Comparing inoculation rates among nations for the own political benefit is appalling.

    Great Britain had a lot more proven COVID-cases and deaths than many other countries worldwide. Has that been factored into the GB-versus-EU stance?

    • Allen says:

      So getting your act together is “nationalism” but failing to do what is necessary in a timely manner is somehow morally superior?

      You simply cannot cope with this news, can you?

      And how does EU protectionism fit in with your “nationalism” theory?

    • M McAlpine says:

      Protecting people against a virus is ‘nationalism’? Better let people die? What planet do you live on?

  • Gustavo says:

    By the way, what about inoculation rates in the Commonwealth?

    I bet equal opportunities for everyone?

    • V.Lind says:

      They’re not that great in Canada. We seem to be getting left off the dist list for vaccines we had contracted –from an EU source.

  • Peter says:

    The number of death related Covid patients in the UK is one of the highest in the world… not so sure that we should really praise the UK for that…
    Britain might have inoculated 20% of their population, which is great… but let’s not forget that they only do the first dose and then they wait another 12 weeks (instead of only 3 weeks and against all recomandations) to do the second one – so they surely will not have around 90-95% protection from the vaccine, this will significantly drop – which means that people will still get easily infected and would probably still have a 40-50% chance to make the disease. Not so wise, huh?

  • Two giants who are right

  • Matias says:

    Glad to see that Brexit has not affected Europe’s export market in sour grapes.

  • Gustavo says:

    But thinking about it, UK probably urgently needs some good news for a change.

    Before the cultural Brexodus becomes evident.

  • Barbara says:

    I think it was very funny. Loved Elton John’s attempt at acting for his audition and at the end the off camera voice telling the assistant to tell him he didn’t get through the audition.

  • 5566hh says:

    “Britain has inoculated 90% of over 75s and just under 20% of the entire population, the world’s third highest jab rate after Israel nd the UAE.

    The European Union has managed just 4%, France and Germany below 3% (have a good day, Ursula).”

    The UK figures are only those who have received their first dose. Two doses are required. The stats on full vaccinations put Germany ahead of the UK https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-people-fully-vaccinated-covid?tab=chart&stackMode=absolute&time=latest&region=World

    • Helen says:

      “Two doses are required.”

      Simplistic nonsense, protection is a matter of degree. “Fully vaccinated” is not “full protection”. Are you really saying that fully vaccinating only 1.32% of Germany’s population is preferable to providing a worthwhile degree of protection to more than 20%?

      The precise amount of protection provided is disputed but there is evidence that a second vaccination using a different vaccine is effective, as all the main vaccines operate in similar ways. This means that the UK’s large stocks will put the UK well ahead in terms of overall effectiveness. The EU cannot abide this and is desperate to save face.

  • christopher storey says:

    Elton John as a role model ? Spare me….

  • Gustavo says:

    While millions of people worldwide without medical supplies are like candles in the wind.

  • Doc Martin says:

    Following the sad deaths of 33 frail elderly patients in Norway after receiving their first Pfizer vaccination, the Norwegian medicines regulator has issued this timely advice (See BMJ article) which I already adhere to. Do no harm.

    Frail, elderly patients with underlying conditions often respond adversely to medication. It is a decision which needs careful judgement by a clinician who knows the detailed medical history of each patient. Each patient should be individually assessed before deciding on whether to vaccinate. I should also mention that informed consent should be sought and obtained first. Most frail, elderly care home residents will have relatives holding Power of Attorney.

    https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n167/rapid-responses

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