Why you can’t rule out AstraZeneca’s shot yet

Hello,

Today in healthcare news: How ICE detainees are falling through the cracks in the vaccine rollout, 4 top healthcare VCs are cautioning founders against public debuts before they’re ready, and why you shouldn’t rule out AstraZeneca’s vaccine just yet. 

ICE has no plan to vaccinate 13,860 immigrants in its custody against COVID-19. Here’s how one of the US’s most at-risk groups is falling through the cracks.

• Experts say incarcerated people should be among the first to receive the COVID vaccine.
• But ICE has no plan to vaccinate detainees, an Insider investigation has found.
• Experts raised concerns that thousands of detained immigrants were falling through the cracks.

Read the full story from Daniel A. Gross, Nicole Einbinder, and Angela Wang here>>

Entrepreneurs have never had more options to exit their companies, but 4 top healthcare VCs are cautioning founders against public debuts before they’re ready

• With traditional IPOs, acquisitions, SPAC IPOs, and direct listings, founders have never had more options for exiting their companies.
• In a conversation with Insider, four healthcare investors cautioned entrepreneurs against taking the easy way out.
• Instead, they advised founders to evaluate whether the market is ready to support their public business.

Read the full story from Megan Hernbroth and Patricia Kelly Yeo here>>

AstraZeneca’s missteps and murky data sowed worldwide confusion that undermined trust – but don’t rule the shot out yet

• AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine could be anywhere from 22% to 90% effective, depending on the parameters.
• Doses might be more effective given 12 weeks apart.
• Experts say inconsistency in AstraZeneca’s trials and data might be undermining trust in the shots.

Read the full story from Aria Bendix here>>

More stories we're reading:

• A Houston doctor was fired for giving out leftover vaccine doses that were going to expire (The New York Times)
• Vaccine tourists are traversing the US to get a COVID-19 shot. Here are 4 states treating visitors. (Insider)
• Kizzmekia Corbett, a scientist who helped develop Moderna's vaccine, is tackling vaccine hesitancy in her spare time (Nature)
• Airlines are starting to fly with fully vaccinated staff (Washington Post)
• Moncef Slaoui is joining Centessa, a new drug company backed with $250 million. Here's how the former head of Operation Warp Speed plans to grow it into the next pharma giant. (Insider)

-Lydia