CONFERENCE NEWS
What’s Next for the Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine?
Shortly before the first COVID-19 vaccines became available in the U.S., the New York Academy of Sciences held a conference on the latest trial data. To supplement expected earned media, we assembled a team to write our own news stories about each of six key sessions. This article reported on Kathrin Jansen’s agenda for improved transportation for vaccine distribution and progress toward a vaccine for children. Jansen was Pfizer’s head of vaccine R&D.
Writer: Hallie Kapner. Editor: Roger Torda
Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Vaccine Shows Higher-Than-Estimated Efficacy
This story reports on Sarah Gilbert’s news that the Oxford-AstraZenica vaccine had improved efficacy with a change in scheduling of a second dose. Gilbert led the University of Oxford team that developed the vaccine.
Writer: Carina Storrs. Editor: Roger Torda
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Stepping Up to the Covid Beat
Covering COVID-19 was a challenging, all-hands-on-deck affair for newsrooms. In this discussion, Blayne Alexander, of NBC News, Ashlee Rezin, of the Chicago Sun Times, and Sarah Parvini, of the LA Times, describe their work while social distancing. And Laura Helmut, editor in chief of Scientific American, describes her “tip sheet” for reporters newly assigned to the Covid Beat.
Producer and Host: Roger Torda. Co-Producer and Co-Host: Srikant Iyer.
Video Exerpt
Challenges for Science Jounalists During Covid
Science journalists faced distrust, outright lies and confused public health leaders during the pandemic. This panel discussion brought together science writer David Quammen, New York Times medical correspondent Sheri Fink and U.S. Nature corresoponent Amy Maxmen. Here, Quammen explained that it is often helpful for journalists to acknowledge some of the limits of science.
Producer and Host: Roger Torda. Co-Producer and Co-Host: Srikant Iyer.
Video Exerpt
Conference Summaries
Omicron, Mandates, Prevention, and a Pancoronavirus Vaccine
This article leveraged content from a less technical conference on COVID-19 across channels for general audiences. It reports on the origins and discovery of the Omicron variant, New York City’s challenges with Omicron, the status of research toward a pancoronavirus vaccine, and a discussion of vaccine hesitancy.
Writer: Roger Torda
Ethical Challenges in Pediatric Drug Development
This article reported on a conference with leaders in pediatric research. They shared perspectives on ethical challenges in research, including debate over the meaning of “consent” when research subjects are children.
Writer: Carina Storrs. Editor: Roger Torda