This story reports on an announcement that a drug company has had some success with a vaccine that protects against the virus H5N1, better known as the avian or bird flu. News reports about an impending bird flu pandemic have been disturbing and reports about the development of a vaccine is big news. However, this story is flawed in several ways.
Although the story mentions a clinical trial, it does not provide enough information about the design of this study or of other ongoing trials for the reader to understand the strength of the existing evidence.
The story only quotes representatives from the drug company. The story should have quoted other, independent researchers or clinicians who could have provided additional perspectives.
The story does mention that the shot would cost between 4 and 7 euros, but it should have commented on the greater societal costs of implementing such a vaccination program. The story does not engage in disease mongering. However, the story should have mentioned that the predictions of a global pandemic have not been realized.
Most importantly, although the story says that the vaccine achieved an 80% protection rate, this is not sufficient information on the benefits of the vaccine. This protection rate assumes that the strain the vaccine protects against is the same strain that would be seen in a pandemic flu outbreak. It is still not clear how well the vaccine would work in the “real world” given that viruses mutate easily.
The story does mention that the shot would cost between 4 and 7 euros. The story should have commented on the greater societal costs of implementing such a vaccination program.
Although the story says that the vaccine achieved an 80% protection rate, this is not sufficient information on the benefits of the vaccine. This protection rate assumes that the strain the vaccine protects against is the same strain that would be seen in a pandemic flu outbreak. It is still not clear how well the vaccine would work in the “real world” given that viruses mutate easily.
The story does not mention any potentional harms of the vaccine.
Although the story mentions a clinical trial, it does not provide enough information about the design of this study or of other ongoing trials for the reader to understand the strength of the existing evidence.
The story does not engage in disease mongering. However, the story should have mentioned that the predictions of a global pandemic have not been realized.
The story only quotes representatives from the drug company. The story should have quoted other, independent researchers or clinicians who could have provided additional perspectives.
The story does not mention any alternatives.
The story makes it clear that Glaxo expects to submit the vaccine for FDA approval in the future.
The story clearly states that this is a new vaccine.
Although there is no way to know if the story relied on a press release as the sole source of information, all of the content it contains is from the drug company.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
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