The Intelligence from The Economist

Harms weigh: AstraZeneca vaccine fears

Mar 17, 2021
Tim Cross, Technology editor for The Economist, and Gotti Epstein, China affairs editor for The Economist, dive into the wave of concerns surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine, emphasizing its safety amidst public fears. They also explore the concept of 'hostage diplomacy' linked to China’s detention of Canadians, highlighting its impact on international relations. Additionally, the discussion shifts to the booming NFT market, examining its potential to revolutionize digital art while questioning its sustainability and environmental impact.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Placebo Group Findings

  • Placebo-controlled trials for the AstraZeneca vaccine showed more serious side effects in the placebo group.
  • This highlights that adverse events can occur regardless of vaccination.
INSIGHT

Regulator's Dilemma

  • Regulators face a difficult balance between transparency and maintaining public trust.
  • Suspending vaccination can be interpreted as both caution and a sign of problems, impacting vaccine hesitancy.
ANECDOTE

MMR Vaccine and Autism

  • The debunked MMR vaccine-autism link demonstrates the persistence of vaccine hesitancy.
  • Despite being disproven, this conspiracy theory still circulates, highlighting the challenge in overcoming such doubts.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app