Pandemic sees more firms drawn into political controversy

ONE of the success stories of the pandemic has been the exceptionally fast speed of vaccine development, yet this has not stopped some of the firms developing them - including AstraZeneca - from becoming "political footballs".

Despite the AstraZeneca vaccine's proven efficacy, the fact that it is not-for-profit, thus allowing its potential rollout at low cost across much of the developing world (it has been used in around 130 countries so far compared to less than 90 for its nearest rival), the firm has been questioned by many politicians, especially in continental Europe.

More recently, in Australia, the government issued updated guidance this month to recommend only those aged over 60 get the shot due to the risk of a rare blood-clotting syndrome. This is despite the fact that many millions of people much younger than 60 have been given the AstraZeneca jab in other countries.