The Intelligence from The Economist More needles in the haystack: vaccine candidates proliferate
Feb 1, 2021
LaVeya Chankova, a healthcare correspondent for The Economist, discusses the rapid development of new COVID-19 vaccines and their effectiveness against variants. She highlights the logistical challenges of distribution. Greg Karlstrom, the Middle East correspondent, shares insights into the potential upcoming Palestinian elections, exploring Mahmoud Abbas's leadership, his track record, and the political landscape. The conversation also touches on the complexities in U.S.-Palestinian relations and the future of elections after a long hiatus.
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Rapid Vaccine Development
- Several COVID-19 vaccines are approved within a year of the virus becoming a global concern.
- This rapid development is astonishing, given vaccines usually take a decade.
New Vaccine Candidates
- Novavax and Janssen vaccines are highly effective against severe COVID-19 and are easy to store.
- However, their efficacy is lower against the South African variant.
Virus Mutation Concern
- The reduced efficacy of some vaccines against the South African variant is concerning.
- It highlights the virus's ability to mutate and the need for ongoing vaccine development.