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. 

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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>>

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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>>

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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>>

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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)

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-Lydia