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Coronavirus

Health officials ramp up effort to convince public that vaccine decisions will be based on science, not politics

Health officials ramp up effort to convince public that vaccine decisions will be based on science, not politics

Steven Joffe of the Perelman School of Medicine said the FDA’s actions surrounding the creation of a COVID-19 vaccine matter more than the agency’s statements. “Specifically, I think transparency about the data and about the process for decision-making are going to be critical for public and professional/scientific confidence in the vaccine,” he said.

SP2 student launches remote health care Kickstarter project during COVID-19
Linya (Leah) Liu standing outside wearing a coat, hat and scarf.

Linya (Leah) Liu. (Image: SP2 News)

SP2 student launches remote health care Kickstarter project during COVID-19

Liu is working with the startup Nexusera to respond to the surging need for remote care caused by the pandemic by connecting patients with their families and caretakers through a medication adherence management system.

From the School of Social Policy & Practice

Taiwan’s tech-savvy citizens helped flatten its COVID-19 curve
Pedestrians and bicyclists at a crosswalk wearing face coverings in a Taiwanese city.

Taiwan’s tech-savvy citizens helped flatten its COVID-19 curve

A new study examines how Taiwan’s existing digital systems, openness of government data, and an empathic community contributed to a successful pandemic response.

From Knowledge at Wharton

Health experts to F.D.A: Make your vaccine deliberations public

Health experts to F.D.A: Make your vaccine deliberations public

Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the FDA’s emergency authorization of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment, despite a lack of evidence of its efficacy. “I think the administration bent or imposed its will on the F.D.A.,” he said. “There’s a concern that this would happen [with the vaccine], too.”

Is the threat of COVID vaccine hesitancy getting enough attention?
Bottle of liquid COVID-19 vaccination with a syringe lying against it in front of a row of vaccine bottles in the background.

Is the threat of COVID vaccine hesitancy getting enough attention?

The ultimate key to ending the coronavirus pandemic is developing an effective vaccine and administering it to the population. But a number of trends are converging in ways that may prevent the achievement of that population-wide herd immunity.

Hoag Levins