New data suggests delaying 2nd vaccine doses could be risky

Hello,

This morning, the FDA released new data on Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine that found it’s safe and effective. We’ll hear more about J&J’s coronavirus vaccine on Friday when it goes in front of an FDA expert panel for review ahead of an emergency authorization. 

Also in healthcare news: Data from Scotland’s vaccine rollout suggest delaying second coronavirus vaccine doses could be risky, health systems are building their own health-tech startup, and inside the fallout between Modern Health’s cofounders. 

Scotland’s vaccine rollout suggests delaying the 2nd COVID-19 shot is a bad idea

• The UK strategy to delay the second coronavirus vaccine dose for up to 12 weeks carries real risk.
• Early data from Scotland showed protection against hospitalization peaking after five weeks.
• Vaccine developers and public-health experts told Insider it’s a mistake to delay second doses.

Read the full story from Andrew Dunn here>>

546 hospitals are joining forces to build a new kind of data startup that doesn’t just rely on big tech

• Fourteen health systems are building their own health-tech startup.
• They’ll use big tech for some things, but also build special software to sift through provider data.
• Truveta’s leaders told Insider there are certain healthcare skills big tech has yet to master.

Read the full story from Blake Dodge here>>

They launched a $1 billion startup together. Then they broke up. How the relationship between Modern Health's cofounders died.

• Modern Health CEO Alyson Watson runs one of today's hottest startups.
• Meanwhile, the cofounder she fired is suing her, their company, and its main investor.
• Founder breakups are common among successful companies. Here's how good relationships turn bad.

Read the full investigation from Melia Russell here>>

More stories we're reading:

• Saudi-backed $2 billion healthcare startup Babylon Health has hired ex-Amazon and Google execs for a major US push (Insider)
• Feel-good story of the week: This 105-year-old beat COVID-19 and credits gin-soaked raisins (The New York Times)
• After an Insider investigation, ICE reverses its claim that it asked states to vaccinate detained immigrants (Insider)
• The coronavirus strain first spotted in California appears to be more transmissible and dangerous (LA Times)

- Lydia