We may soon have a COVID-19 vaccine. But will enough people take it?

ZURICH/LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) – With COVID-19 vaccine trial results looking positive, governments and pharmaceutical firms face their next daunting challenge: convincing the world to get inoculated.

Public resistance to vaccines has been much discussed this year, but the issue became very real on Monday when Pfizer (PFN.N), opens new tab and BioNTech announced their candidate was more than 90% effective in large trials – hoisting an actual shot onto the horizon.

Numerous opinion polls carried out before and during the pandemic showed confidence is volatile, and that political polarization and online misinformation threatens uptake. Many people have concerns about the accelerated speed of COVID-19 vaccine development. read more

The World Health Organization estimates about 70% of people must be inoculated to break transmission of the virus. Since it is unlikely a vaccine, once approved, will be immediately available for the masses, experts said getting medical workers on board will be critical.

“We should have really targeted discussions and engagement with healthcare providers,” Heidi Larson, director of the global Vaccine Confidence Project, told Reuters.

“Not only are they going to be the first ones expected to get a vaccine – if not required to – they’re also going to be the ones on the frontlines facing the onslaught of questions from the public.”

FIRST IN LINE?

While about 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are in development globally, with dozens in human clinical trials, no shot has actually crossed the finish line and been approved, though the one from Pfizer-BioNTech appears to be on track.

The high rate of efficacy in the Pfizer-BioNTech interim results could help boost confidence, Cornell University government Professors Douglas Kriner and Sarah Kreps said.

Their recently published research showed that if an initial COVID-19 vaccine was about as effective as a flu shot, uptake by the American public may fall far short of the 70% level needed to achieve “herd immunity”.

“However, if the vaccine was 90% effective it would significantly increase Americans’ willingness to vaccinate by more than 10%, critical to ensuring enough public acceptance to help the U.S. eventually get closer to herd immunity,” said Kreps.

Experts are also cautioning any conversation over a vaccine’s risks and rewards must be frank. A return to normal life will still take time, with no one shot likely to be a silver bullet. And many questions are likely to remain, including how long a vaccine will provide protection.

The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA, a non-profit that supports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has been holding focus groups to gauge the public mood and is now crafting campaign messages to help tackle concerns.

Its chief executive, Susan Winckler, said more than a dozen focus groups of 150 people in total held since August – some in person, some by video – had unearthed numerous concerns.

“We heard distrust of both government and the healthcare system,” Winckler said. “Many didn’t want to be first in line for the shot.”

It’s a global phenomenon; a survey from early November, carried out by the World Economic Forum and covering 18,526 people in 15 countries, showed 73% of people willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine, a four-point fall since August.

Did You Know That Waking Up At 3 Or 4 In The Morning Is A Clear Sign Of…See More

Waking up in the middle of the night can be incredibly frustrating. If you are waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep, you’re not alone. A Sleep Medicine study found that about one-third of American adults experience this at least three times a week, with many suffering from “sleep maintenance insomnia.” Understanding the reasons for this disruption is the first step toward fixing it. Here are eight common causes and actionable tips to ensure uninterrupted sleep.

1. Your Room is Too Hot, Cold, Noisy, or Bright

Creating the ideal sleep environment is crucial. Dr. Rita Aouad, a sleep medicine specialist, explains that environmental factors such as temperature, noise, and light can disrupt your sleep cycle. If you are waking up in the middle of the night due to discomfort, try using fans, blackout curtains, or earplugs to maintain a quiet, cool, and dark sleeping space.

2. Anxiety is Keeping You Awake

Anxiety can play a major role in your [REDACTED] – Click Here To Reveal Text By Watching A Short Ad up. If this sounds familiar, seek help from a healthcare professional. Therapy, anti-anxiety medication, or relaxation techniques like meditation can help reduce nighttime awakenings.

3. Frequent Trips to the Bathroom

If you’re waking up frequently to use the [REDACTED] – Click Here To Reveal Text By Watching A Short Ad evening fluid intake or consulting a doctor for further evaluation can help reduce disruptions.

4. Alcohol Consumption Before Bedtime

While alcohol might help you fall asleep faster, it often leads to restless sleep later in the night. Drinking alcohol causes more stage 1 sleep, making you more prone to waking up. Avoid alcohol within three hours of bedtime and stay hydrated to prevent sleep interruptions.

5. Sleep Apnea Could Be the Culprit

Sleep apnea, characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, is another common cause. If [REDACTED] – Click Here To Reveal Text By Watching A Short Ad like CPAP machines can help you breathe more easily and sleep more soundly.

6. Overactive Thyroid Gland

An overactive thyroid can lead to a racing heartbeat and night sweats, both of which can disrupt sleep. Blood tests can determine your hormone levels, and your doctor may recommend medications to address hyperthyroidism.

7. Eating Too Late or Skipping Meals

Your eating habits can significantly impact your sleep. Heavy meals before bed can cause acid reflux, while skipping meals might result in low blood sugar levels that wake you up. Maintain [REDACTED] – Click Here To Reveal Text By Watching A Short Ad sleep.

8. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

RLS causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs, leading to an uncontrollable urge to move them, especially at night. If RLS symptoms are waking you up, consult a doctor about potential treatments like iron supplements or [REDACTED] – Click Here To Reveal Text By Watching A Short Ad function.

Prince William decided to announce the saddest news that leaves fans in tears : “My wife it’s been… See more

The British royals seem to be having a lot on their plate recently. This last month had been a hectic one, with Kate Middleton undergoing an abdominal surgery which requires plenty of time for recovery and King Charles being diagnosed with cancer.

According to the Palace, the Princess of Wales would only be able to return to her royal duties around Easter, although she does some work from home even now.

Kate’s planned abdominal surgery shook things a bit not only for her but for her husband as well. Just like Kate, William was also forced to either postpone or reschedule many of his royal duties during her hospital stay because he needed to take care of the couple’s three children who hadn’t visited their mother at the London Clinic.

William had the help of the family’s nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

Borrallo has been with the family since Prince George was just 8 months old.

“She is not married and doesn’t have a boyfriend, as her life is totally dedicated to the family she is working with. She is known for being totally professional – married to the job,” an insider told Hello Magazine.

When the couple are away from home, the nanny makes all the decisions regarding the children.

Borallo was trained at the prestigious Norland College in Bath. “Maria is firm, but she never acts unilaterally with the children on discipline. Kate and William, along with Maria, are strict with the children but have this magic ability to appear not to be,” a royal insider said.

A royal insider previously said, “Maria is firm, but she never acts unilaterally with the children on discipline. Kate and William, along with Maria, are strict with the children but have this magic ability to appear not to be.”

When she was hired, Kensington Palace released a statement: “Maria is a full-time nanny who started work with us recently and will be accompanying the Duke and Duchess and Prince George to New Zealand and Australia. We will not be giving further details on Maria or her employment, except to say that the Duke and Duchess are, of course, delighted she has chosen to join them.”

Speaking with Hello Magazine, parenting expert Jo Frost explained that Maria is a very important person for William, Kate, and their children.

“The blessing of her nurturing ways and wonderful service to the family leave the children in good steady hands, affording William the flexibility to be present as a father, attend to his royal duties where he can at home and be the emotional support he will want to be for his wife,” she said.

As of William, royal biographer Angela Levin states that he now faces a “difficult time” having to balance between his work and his private life. On top of that, his brother Harry was in Britain, and as we all know the relationship between the two is still a rocky one. The royal expert said that William “got used to Harry being rude, unkind and attacking his wife.”

“It’s very hard for him. He doesn’t want to have anything to do with Harry at the moment, and you can’t blame him. Because he’s been so rude and told untruths about both William and Catherine,” Angela Levin told GB News.

“I don’t know how you completely can change that. It’s difficult, isn’t it? It’s difficult to completely turn over a relationship and forget all the past. I don’t think people can do that.”

CLITHEROE, UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 20: Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visits NHS staff and patients at Clitheroe Community Hospital and hear about their experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic on January 20, 2022 in Clitheroe, East Lancashire, England. (Photo by James Glossop-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Isabel Webster, the host of the GB News show, said she believed the Prince could feel “lonely” at this time.

“This is somebody who’s estranged from his brother, he lost his mother in tragic circumstances, recently lost his granny, who was one of the few who understood the responsibility he faces,” she said. “And one of his uncles is disgraced; now his father and wife are both unwell.”
Levin responded: “Harry said to me when I was writing his biography that he and William couldn’t be closer, we trust each other totally. We are together. We have the most amazing relationship because we’ve had the same experiences, terrible, difficult experiences. But now that’s not the case.”

On Wednesday night, Prince William attended London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner. There, he held a speech and thanked everyone for their kind wishes regarding both his wife as well as his father, King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer on Monday.
“Good evening everyone. Thank you all for being here. And thank you to those whose hard work has made this evening possible. I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all. It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all,” William said.

Earlier that day, the Prince of Wales held an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, where he handed out more than 50 honors. Among the recipients was Patricia Sprouse who later took to LinkedIn to share the news of her honor. In her post, she revealed some details regarding Kate and the much-needed help she gets.
“What an amazing experience, the castle was just breathtaking, everyone was so lovely to us as we were just in awe of everything,” Sprouse wrote on LinkedIn. “Prince William said that Catherine had two Filipino nurses looking after her and they were amazing and kind.”

COVID-19 vaccine. But will enough people take it?

We may soon have a COVID-19 vaccine. But will enough people take it?

FIRST IN LINE?