The Jab from The Economist

Vaccines are helping some countries return to a semblance of normalcy, while much of the world remains vulnerable to covid-19. We explore what’s next for the pandemic at this critical juncture. Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation, says solidarity has been lacking and is crucial for a successful global response. And The Economist’s data journalist James Fransham unveils a new index tracking how far and how fast life is getting back to normal around the world.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Edward Carr, The Economist’s deputy editor.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. For continuing coverage of science and data news sign up for our weekly newsletters at economist.com/morescience and economist.com/offthecharts. 

To join our virtual event hosted by Alok Jha and Natasha Loder on 7th July, sign up at economist.com/jablive.

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The first covid-19 vaccines came from rapid innovation. They have already saved millions of lives. What new technologies are in the pipeline?

Robin Shattock’s team at Imperial College London is developing a self-amplifying RNA vaccine.

Moz Siddiqui of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, describes a drone system delivering shots to remote areas.

And Pamela Bjorkman of the California Institute of Technology explains her research into a universal coronavirus vaccine that could protect against future pandemics.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Oliver Morton, The Economist’s briefings editor.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/morescience and economist.com/offthecharts

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Why has Latin America been the region hardest hit by the pandemic? Carlos Castillo-Salgado of Johns Hopkins University blames the informal economy and the example set by Donald Trump. Tulane University’s Valerie Paz-Soldán explains why Peru has been affected the worst.

The Economist’s Sarah Maslin finds hope in the success of a trial of China’s CoronaVac vaccine in the Brazilian town of Serrana.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Emma Hogan, The Economist’s Americas editor.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/morescience and economist.com/offthecharts

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Vaccinations have helped ease national lockdowns, but restrictions on international travel remain severe. When and how might they be lifted?

Willie Walsh of the International Air Transport Association tells us airlines are a soft target for government restrictions. Aerosol physicist Lidia Morawska assesses how risky it is to travel by plane. The Economist’s Miki Kobayashi reports on July’s Tokyo Olympics.

Alok Jha and Slavea Chankova are joined by Edward Carr, The Economist’s deputy editor.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/simplyscience and economist.com/offthecharts

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The Jab: What’s the best vaccination strategy?

Getting vaccine regimens right is a matter of life and death. We investigate new research that could shape how jabs are rolled out.

The Oxford Vaccine Group’s Matthew Snape says mixing vaccines could boost immunity, and Zeke Emanuel of the University of Pennsylvania explains why second doses should be delayed. Also, we ask Leana Wen of George Washington University whether children should be offered the vaccine.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Slavea Chankova, The Economist’s health-care correspondent.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/simplyscience and economist.com/offthecharts

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A “zero-covid” strategy has kept cases to a minimum in a handful of Asia-Pacific countries. How can they use vaccines to end their isolation?

Professor Gabriel Leung of the University of Hong Kong says “zero-covid” countries have become victims of their own success, Charlie McCann explains South-East Asia’s worrying new wave, and Nell Whitehead reports from Australia.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Edward Carr, The Economist’s deputy editor.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/simplyscience and economist.com/offthecharts

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A new model from The Economist indicates that Covid-19 has claimed millions more lives than official numbers suggest. Can enough vaccine supplies reach poorer countries to prevent millions more deaths?

Data journalist Sondre Solstad reveals the untold story of the pandemic. Robert Guest reports from Mexico, one of the countries hardest hit. COG-UK’s Sharon Peacock, a top “variant hunter”, says vaccines are beating back new strains.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Oliver Morton, The Economist’s briefings editor.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/simplyscience and economist.com/offthecharts

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Thousands are dying each day amid vaccine shortages. Would a patent waiver save lives?

Jayati Ghosh of the University of Massachusetts Amherst says liberating IP is an urgent moral issue. Richard Hatchett, CEO at CEPI, disagrees.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Edward Carr, our deputy editor, and economics columnist Ryan Avent.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/simplyscience and economist.com/offthecharts

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Vaccines have become a tool of global influence. China and Russia have sent millions of doses abroad, but the West has lagged in vaccine diplomacy. What are the risks and rewards?

Agathe Demarais of The Economist Intelligence Unit, who wrote a report on the subject, tells The Jab how China and Russia’s vaccine diplomacy could backfire.

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Edward Carr, The Economist’s deputy editor, and Argentina correspondent David Smith.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/simplyscience and economist.com/offthecharts

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More than a billion vaccines have been administered. But the contrast between Israel, largely free of covid-19, and India, struggling with a catastrophic second wave, is stark. What explains the discrepancy?    

Devi Sridhar, Founding Director of the Global Health Governance Programme, tells us what to expect as the next billion vaccines roll out. 

Alok Jha and Natasha Loder are joined by Slavea Chankova, The Economist’s health-care correspondent, and technology correspondent Hal Hodson. Anshel Pfeffer reports from Israel.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/thejabpod. Sign up for our new weekly science and data newsletters at economist.com/simplyscience and economist.com/offthecharts

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