AstraZeneca's latest COVID-19 vaccine setback

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm Blake Dodge, and I cover Big Tech for the healthcare team at Insider. Here's today's news:

• AstraZeneca may have provided outdated information on its coronavirus shot, US health authorities said;
• A vaccine that can be taken as a pill could begin early clinical trials soon;
• 1 million people are flying out of US airports every day.

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AstraZeneca may have used outdated data in its US vaccine trial results, giving an 'incomplete view' of how well the shot worked, officials said

• AstraZeneca may have included outdated data in its promising US vaccine trials results, officials said.
• An independent expert panel was "concerned" that AstraZeneca gave an "incomplete view of the efficacy data."
• AstraZeneca said Monday its shot was 79% effective against preventing COVID-19 with symptoms.

Catch up on the latest here>>

Early tests are planned for a COVID-19 vaccine that can be taken as a pill, with no need for injections

• A coronavirus vaccine in pill form could start human trials in June after producing antibodies in animals.
• The Israeli-American company Oramed and the Indian company Premas Biotech are working on the pill.
• It has a long way to go, but could be easier to distribute than shots.

Read the full story>>

For 11 days in a row, more than 1 million people have flown from US airports, despite the CDC urging people not to travel

• The TSA screened more than 1.53 million passengers on Sunday, the most in more than a year.
• Flyers departing from US airports have topped 1 million for 11 days in a row.
• Airfares are hitting record lows as airlines try to lure flyers back during the vaccine push.

Read the full story>>

More stories we're reading today:

• Krispy Kreme will give a free doughnut a day to anyone with a COVID-19 vaccination card (Insider)
• Stop telling people not to travel. Health officials should be teaching us how to do it safely. (Insider)
• Covid cases are still rising by at least 5% in 27 states, per 7-day averages (CNBC)

- Blake