The Daily

The Race for a Vaccine

Apr 1, 2020

Katrin Bennhold, Berlin bureau chief for The New York Times, joins Lidia Oostvogels to discuss the high-stakes race for a coronavirus vaccine. They explore the tensions between national interests and the urgent need for global cooperation. Bennhold reveals how geopolitical maneuvers, like the U.S. attempt to buy a German biotech company, complicate collaborative efforts. The conversation also highlights the ethical considerations in vaccine distribution and the pivotal role of scientists navigating logistical challenges and emotional hurdles in a pandemic.

24:32

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Episode guests

Katrin Bennhold

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

The Race for a Vaccine

9min

Surprising Offers and Promising Vaccines

3min

Vaccine Race: Nationalism vs. Cooperation

7min

Ethics and Collaboration in Vaccine Development

7min

Scientists are racing to make a vaccine for the coronavirus, collaborating across borders in what is usually a secretive and competitive field. But their cooperation has been complicated by national leaders trying to buy first claim on any breakthrough. Today, we explore how the fight to own a future coronavirus vaccine is revealing the boundaries of international solidarity.

Guest: Katrin Bennhold, Berlin bureau chief for The New York Times, spoke with Lidia Oostvogels, who researches infectious diseases with the German biotech company CureVac. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background reading:

The United States says it will share any vaccine breakthroughs with the world. So why did President Trump reportedly try to purchase a German biotech company that is trying to develop a shot for the coronavirus?
The latest updates from top U.S. government scientists project that the coronavirus could kill 100,000 to 240,000 Americans — even with strict social distancing.

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