Business Wars Vaccine Wars | Arms Race | 6
May 5, 2021
In late 2020, a fierce global competition for COVID-19 vaccines heats up as supplies dwindle. Tension rises in South Africa as new variants pose a threat. Johnson & Johnson faces setbacks with a critical contamination issue, while Pfizer rapidly scales up production. A rare blood clot concern leads to a pause in J&J's vaccine rollout, highlighting both the urgency and complexity of the situation. Amid these hurdles, innovators like BioNTech and Moderna emerge as key players, pushing the boundaries of vaccine technology and access.
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COVID's Resurgence in South Africa
- COVID surges in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, overwhelming hospitals and leading to high fatality rates.
- A 13-year-old boy and a woman witnessed another patient die in a wheelchair due to lack of beds.
Discovery of a New Variant
- Professor Tulio De Oliveira discovers a new COVID variant with a mutation in the spike protein.
- This discovery raises concerns about the efficacy of existing vaccines.
The Threat of Mutations
- The new variant's mutated spike protein might make it more contagious and resistant to vaccines.
- Global efforts to contain the virus are jeopardized by its rapid mutation and spread.