In This Edition

Key Takeaways

Oxford University and AstraZeneca developers plan to request regulatory approval immediately for COVID-19 vaccine. The G20 extended the Debt Service Suspension Initiative for poorest countries until June 2021. China threatens retaliation after visit of a US Navy admiral to Taiwan, opposing military relations between Taipei and Washington.

Condition Updates

A rundown of important global developments in markets, in business, and region-by-region, as well as statistical risk assessments by country and by US state.

Science Under the Scope: Vaccine Approval and Distribution

While the news regarding the development of two COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and BioNtech is promising, there remain several significant hurdles to vaccine distribution in the US and abroad, particularly for the Pfizer vaccine. Pfizer’s vaccine has to be administered in two doses, given 21 days apart, and stored at more than negative 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Download the article