Forbes - AstraZeneca’s Outdated Data

Plus: Which vaccine will Putin get? No one knows.

An explosive report yesterday evening from the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), the independent body that oversaw the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial, said it was “concerned” about the data released by the company yesterday. On Monday, the company reported that its vaccine was 79% effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in the U.S. But the DSMB says that that number might be “outdated” and the actual effectiveness of the vaccine may be lower. The company says that its most up-to-date numbers will be published within 48 hours, hopefully calming regulators and experts at the National Institutes of Health. This controversy comes at a critical juncture, where millions in America have been vaccinated but there are still not enough vaccine doses for everyone who wants them. That’s not stopping many people from resuming “normal” activities, however. A new poll shows that unvaccinated people are socializing more, potentially paving the way for another surge in cases. 

Business

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and  Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell testified in front of Congress today that the worst of the Covid-19 economic crisis has been avoided, but full economic recovery is still incomplete. 

Pfizer has developed an oral medication to treat Covid-19, which is now entering clinical trials.  

Science & Health

The B.1.1.7 variant of Covid-19 has been found in animals -- does that mean you can catch a Covid variant from your pet?

Lack of sleep in high-risk healthcare workers might increase their risk of getting sick from Covid-19, a new study finds.

What Else We Are Reading

• AstraZeneca used ‘outdated and potentially misleading data’ that overstated the effectiveness of its vaccine, independent panel says (Washington Post)

• After leading a corporate turnaround, a swashbuckling CEO flies AstraZeneca into turbulence (STAT)

• DeSantis says contact tracing didn’t work. So why is Florida paying for this app? (Tampa Bay Times)