On the Use of the EICC for Vaccines in 2022

[danieldwilliam]

Bumped in to Dad on the way back from working out this morning. We were discussing the vaccine roll-out and he wondered what was going to happen when the people who owned the Edinburgh International Conference Centre wanted it back for non vaccine related things like conferences. With a working assumption that we are going to be vaccinating approximately everyone at least annually for at least 5 years where are we going to do it?

We then went on to wonder if extreme handwashing and sanitising will continue (almost certainly), whether facemasks will persist (likely) and whether an annual COVID vaccine would increase the offering and the take up of the annual flu vaccine (very likely). Which all probably means lower levels of things like flu in the future.

Comments

[armiphlage]

When SARS hit Toronto in 2003-2004, my company (and many others) installed hand sanitizers everywhere. We kept them, so when COVID-19 hit, we already had them in place.

One lasting change from COVID is that my country (Canada) might legislate the right for people to stay home when sick without losing pay or their jobs. That would be a help in future pandemics, in addition to stopping the spread of everyday illnesses.

A few years ago in my province, pharmacists were authorized to inject flu vaccines at any pharmacy, reducing the need for dedicated flu shot clinics staffed with nurses. That might be an option for annual COVID shots, too.

[cmcmck]

I hope you're wrong on masks as I have severe psychological issues with them. :o(

Masks

[lsanderson]

Asia has been more into masks from various flu outbreaks and pollution. I suspect we'll see more everywhere.

[andrewducker]

Yeah, if we're going to vaccinate everyone yearly then we'll need to reorganise in a variety of ways.

Might be worth having people do it at their offices (for large officers).

On the other hand, if we're all working at home more that should open up some office space.