Health & Safety

Why Philadelphia Gave A 22-Year-Old's Startup A Vaccine Contract — Then Canceled It

4:25pm January 29, 2021

by Nina Feldman

Philadelphia gave a vaccination contract to a startup founded by a 22-year-old with no health care experience. Chaos ensued; the contract was canceled. NPR looks at what happened.

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Health & Safety

A Look At The Latest Data On Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 Vaccine

4:25pm January 29, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Dr. Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer for Johnson & Johnson, about the latest data on the efficacy of the company's COVID-19 vaccine.

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Indonesia Excludes Older People From First Round Of COVID-19 Vaccine

4:25pm January 29, 2021

by Michael Sullivan

Indonesia's COVID-19 vaccine strategy focuses on inoculating young people and those of working age first. The most vulnerable group — older people — have to wait for the second round of vaccinations.

A line forms around the racing oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway as people await the opportunity to receive their COVID-19 vaccination during a mass event held at the speedway.

As States Hustle To Distribute Vaccines, Big Business Offers A Boost Of Expertise

3:04pm January 29, 2021

by Will Stone

Large corporations such as Starbucks, Honeywell, Microsoft, Costco and Google want to help states with planning and logistics. But the potential of these partnerships is hindered by supply problems.

European medical officials say that authorizing the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will "help to bring the pandemic under control and protect the citizens of the EU."

EU Authorizes AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine For People Over 18

3:02pm January 29, 2021

by Bill Chappell

"I expect the company to deliver the 400 million doses as agreed," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

He is "the white tiger" — a poor villager, Balram, portrayed by actor Adarsh Gourav, who is determined to use his intelligence to escape a life of poverty.

Health & Safety

What Indians Who've Known Poverty Think Of Netflix's 'The White Tiger' Movie

12:57pm January 29, 2021

by Kamala Thiagarajan

The movie, based on an award-winning novel, traces the unlikely journey of a poor villager in search of wealth. Does it ring true to those who know what it's like to be poor in India?

A Boston EMS ambulance crew wheels in a patient to MGH from their ambulance in Boston on April 8, 2020. Hospitals brace for a surge in patients.

Why Young, Healthy Researchers Are Being Vaccinated Before Seniors In Massachusetts

12:56pm January 29, 2021

by Gabrielle Emanuel

The state is a medical hub with giant hospitals and a huge healthcare workforce. Young adults who work in that field are getting the COVID-19 vaccine while at-risk seniors wait on the sidelines.

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The Khaliq Dina Hall and Library building in Karachi, Pakistan, has been converted into a COVID-19 vaccination center.

Pakistan's Vaccine Worries: Rich People And Conspiracy Theorists

12:51pm January 29, 2021

by Diaa Hadid

The fifth most populous country has put strategies in place to address anti-vaccine sentiment and prevent elites from using their influence to obtain government vaccines.

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Pharmacy technician Sara Berech prepared a dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in December for a clinical trial that includes Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colo.

Health & Safety

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Is 66% Effective In Preventing Moderate To Severe COVID-19

11:30am January 29, 2021

by Scott Hensley

The vaccine did better at preventing disease in the U.S. – 72% — and less well in South Africa – 57% efficacy. The efficacy seen in Latin America was 66%.

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Registered Nurse Shyun Lin, left, administers Alda Maxis, 70, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a pop-up vaccination site in the William Reid Apartments in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Jan. 23.

Early Data Shows Striking Racial Disparities In Who's Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine

11:06am January 29, 2021

by Ari Shapiro

A disproportionately small number of Black and Hispanic Americans have gotten vaccinated so far. Samantha Artiga of the Kaiser Family Foundation discusses barriers to access and what needs to be done.

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