Can AstraZeneca Heal Itself?
Bloomberg Businessweek|March 01, 2021
Shortages, unclear trial data, and questions about efficacy have slowed the rollout of the company’s vaccine in Europe
By Suzi Ring, James Paton, and Flavia Rotondi, with Naomi Kresge and Tim Loh
Can AstraZeneca Heal Itself?

Tens of millions of people around the world are desperately trying to get their hands on a potentially life-saving coronavirus vaccine. But a group of irate private-sector doctors in Italy is appealing to the country’s health ministry to avoid having to take the Covid-19 shot it’s offered them: the AstraZeneca Plc inoculation, which they believe is less effective.

Their objection speaks to the growing backlash in Europe against the vaccine co-developed by Astra and the University of Oxford. Professionals working in Italy’s public-sector health system received vaccines from Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc.—both shown to be more than 90% effective—and the private-sector doctors are angry at being given what, in their view, is a second-class shot. “It’s not that we’re acting like spoiled children,” says Paolo Mezzana, a plastic surgeon who’s the spokesperson for a group of about 3,500 private specialists. “We’re not against AstraZeneca for the sake of it, but we know that with their vaccine, it takes longer to get a complete immunization. We are not class B doctors.”

Rejection of its vaccine in Europe is the latest in a string of problems for Astra. After a bitter public fight between the company and the European Union over supply shortages in January led regulators to tighten controls on exports outside Europe, the bloc now faces issues over consumer acceptance for the doses it does have. Following a study showing efficacy was considerably reduced against a variant first identified in South Africa, the rollout of Astra’s shot there was temporarily halted. A lack of data on its effectiveness in older adults and questions about optimal dosing intervals haven’t helped.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEKView all
Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App

The rise of AI and the fall of Twitter could create opportunities for upstarts

time-read
4 mins  |
March 13, 2023
Running in Circles
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Running in Circles

A subscription running shoe program aims to fight footwear waste

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort
Bloomberg Businessweek US

What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort

Nine wild secrets from the staff at Turtle Bay, who have to manage everyone from haughty honeymooners to go-go-dancing golfers.

time-read
10 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto
Bloomberg Businessweek US

How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto

The best restaurant in the world just began its second pop-up in Japan. Here's what's cooking

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
The Last-Mover Problem
Bloomberg Businessweek US

The Last-Mover Problem

A startup called Sennder is trying to bring an extremely tech-resistant industry into the age of apps

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Tick Tock, TikTok
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Tick Tock, TikTok

The US thinks the Chinese-owned social media app is a major national security risk. TikTok is running out of ways to avoid a ban

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria

A UK company produces colors with less water than conventional methods and no toxic chemicals

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Pumping Heat in Hamburg
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Pumping Heat in Hamburg

The German port city plans to store hot water underground and bring it up to heat homes in the winter

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge

Squid's ability to flourish in warmer waters makes it fitting for a diet for the changing environment

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
New Money, New Problems
Bloomberg Businessweek US

New Money, New Problems

In Naples, an influx of wealthy is displacing out-of-towners lower-income workers

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023