Economist Podcasts Clotting factors: the AstraZeneca vaccine
Apr 8, 2021
Slovea Chankova, The Economist’s healthcare correspondent, delves into the AstraZeneca vaccine's connection to rare blood clot incidents, emphasizing that its benefits outweigh the risks. Elliot Morris, a data journalist, reveals how the 1915 film 'The Birth of a Nation' perpetuated racial violence, linking its screenings to a disturbing rise in incidents. They also discuss the film's long-lasting impact on societal attitudes towards race and the necessity for transparent communication to build public trust in vaccination efforts.
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Vaccine Risks and Benefits
- European and British regulators linked blood clots to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
- The vaccine's benefits still outweigh the risks, especially for older people.
Initial Reports and Findings
- Doctors noticed unusual blood clots, especially in young women, after AstraZeneca vaccination.
- Further investigation revealed low platelet levels in many patients.
Detecting Rare Side Effects
- Rare side effects are difficult to detect in clinical trials due to limited sample sizes.
- Millions of vaccinations are needed before unusual clusters emerge.
