Big Picture Science for Jan. 23, 2023 - Vaccine Inequity

Big Picture Science - Vaccine Inequity

(REPEAT)
A radical plan could solve a historic global health inequity. Countries in the global south who waited for more than a year for ample supplies of Covid vaccines have banded together to make mRNA vaccines locally. If successful, they could end a dangerous dependency on wealthy nations and help stop pandemics before they start.

In a special episode, supported by the Pulitzer Center, journalist Amy Maxmen shares her reporting from southern Africa about the inspiring project led by the WHO that’s made fast progress. But it could fail, and a global imbalance will remain, if Big Pharma has its way. Find out what’s at stake.

Guests:

• Amy Maxmen - Award-winning science journalist, Edward R. Murrow press fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the Nature article, "The Radical Plan for Vaccine Equity"
• Petro Terblanche - Managing Director, Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines in Cape Town, South Africa
• Kondwani Charles Jambo - Senior Lecturer and immunologist at the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme in Blantyre, Malawi
• Barney Graham - Former deputy director at the Vaccine Research Center at NIH and professor of medicine and microbiology immunology biochemistry at Morehouse School of Medicine
• Emile Hendricks - Research technologist at Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines in Cape Town, South Africa
• Achal Prabhala - Fellow at the Shuttleworth Foundation, Coordinator at AccessIBSA, a medicines-access initiative in Bengaluru, India
• Patrick Tippoo - Head of Science and Innovation at Biovac in Cape Town, South Africa, founding member of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI)
• Harrison Chauluka - chief of the Mkunda village in Malawi
• Agnes Joni - farmer in Chiradzulu, Malawi
• Prophet Dauda - translator and writer in Blantyre, Malawi

This repeat podcast originally aired on November 21, 2022

Download podcast at - http://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/vaccine-inequity

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

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Big Picture Science for Apr 06, Zombies, Bigfoot, and Max Brooks

Big Picture Science - Zombies, Bigfoot, and Max Brooks

What do a zombie attack and a viral pandemic have in common?  They are both frightening, mindless, and relentless in their assault.  And both require preparedness.   That’s why the author of “World War Z” – a story about a battle against zombies – lectures at West Point.

Max Brooks has also recorded a public service announcement with his celebrated father, Mel Brooks, touting the importance of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.  His newest novel portrays a different assailant: Bigfoot.

Whether our enemy is the undead, a hirsute forest dweller, or an invisible virus, panic won’t help us survive.  Find out what will.

Guest:

• Max Brooks – Lecturer at West Point’s Modern War Institute. Author of “Zombie Survival Guide,” “World War Z,” and the forthcoming “Devolution.”

Download podcast at - http://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/zombies-bigfoot-and-max-brooks

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.