Covid-19 Vaccine

[MartinMillar]

Can I ask a question?
This will probably be unpopular but can someone explain to me why over 80”a are first in line for the vaccine but those that are working and could start getting the country back on its feet are last?
Would it not be better the other way round?
Grateful if someone would explain this to me and no this is not an opportunity to knock down old people- thank you

[bobbinwales]

Because there the ones that tend to fill up most beds and account for most corona deaths, and they pass it onto there carers. Off course you can make a case for giving it to those who are younger and have more years left but they tend to servive, but a can see that may stop the spread specially if we vaccinate students and 18 to 30s.

[ladybirder]

Because they are deemed by the people who make these decisions to be the most vulnerable and most likely to die if they get it.
Having said that, I think I'd rather self isolate for longer if it helps get the country back on its feet.

[Sqad]

Mainly because the cesspit of Covid and death rates lie with the elderly.
Who are the elderly.....over 60s over 70s take your pick as one has to start somewhere.
Also by targeting the "elderly " it takes the pressure off the NHS as the elderly are most likely to be hospitalised.
Good question though.

[bobbinwales]

Maybe the thinking is that if hospitals are less clogged up with the over 80s and other vunerables and older ones then there's room for any younger ones who get it and are more likely to survive so it'll be safer to reduce social restrictions/lockdowns and get buiseness's open again

[bobbinwales]

Squads wasn't there when a started my reply but hes right as allways on these matters. Maybe his closer to being over 80 than most of us!

[MartinMillar]

Ik thanks all I know my MIL is still isolating mostly except when it suits her lol but that’s a different question!!
I personally think it would be better to start the other way round but I don’t get paid to make that decision thank goodness

[Peter Pedant]

makes economic sense as well
ITU costs £1000 / d so it makes sense to relieve the need for that

and yes you can cost the value of loss of production thro COVID
and even that is peanut compared to the cost of a lockdown

[-SharonA-]

In France they're doing it the other way round.
If we follow Boris's plan, all those 60 & over will be forced back to work as the younger workforce will all be dead!!!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8974907/Elderly-Covid-jab-priority-list-UK-France-hospitality-workers-included.html

[pixie374]

There doesn't seem a huge amount of difference, Sharon...? All starting with the eldest and people who look after them and moving downwards in age. Presumably, most vulnerable first.
It makes sense... as the main reason younger people are being restricted so much, is to protect the more vulnerable (which they aren't). If all older people are safer, and vulnerable people... then younger ones can get back to normal quicker.

[pixie374]

Sorry, I misread the beginning as being France, rather than UK. But in any case, it would seem to make most sense to cover those entitled to flu vaccines first.