Babbage: Worth a shot

<p>Scientists are working at an unprecedented pace to find a vaccine for <a href="https://www.economist.com/news/2020/03/11/the-economists-coverage-of-the-coronavirus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19</a>. The stakes are high. Natasha Loder, The Economist's health policy editor, explains how an effective vaccine might be developed. Dr Trevor Drew of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness speaks to host Kenneth Cukier about two trials which have reached the animal-testing stage. Plus, once a vaccine is discovered, what can be done to make sure it is distributed fairly? Dr Seth Berkley, chief executive of GAVI, the vaccine alliance, explains the importance of global cooperation.</p><p><br></p><p>For more on the pandemic, see The Economist's coronavirus <a href="https://www.economist.com/news/2020/03/11/the-economists-coverage-of-the-coronavirus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hub</a>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And&nbsp;please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions:</p><p><a href="http://www.economist.com/radiooffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/radiooffer</a></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>