Politico's Pulse Check

Last week, it was fears of blood clots in the EU. This week, it’s claims of cherry-picking efficacy data in the US. POLITICO's Sarah Owermohle talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about AstraZeneca's transcontinental confidence crisis.Sarah Owermohle is a health care reporter for POLITICO covering drug policy and vaccines. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

It's been like dominos: One European nation after the other has put a pause on AstraZeneca shots due to unproven concerns that the coronavirus vaccine may cause blood clots. POLITICO Europe's Sarah Wheaton breaks down how and why countries panicked despite a lack of evidence.Sarah Wheaton is POLITICO Europe's chief policy correspondent.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO Audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

From Canada to Europe to China, wealthy nations are considering introducing vaccine passports that would allow fully vaccinated people to travel internationally. But will that leave poorer nations struggling to vaccinate their populations behind? Global health reporter Carmen Paun talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about how vaccine passports could increase inequities.Carmen Paun is a global health reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO Audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

As the U.S. ramps up vaccine production and puts together new guidelines for how vaccinated people can (slowly) resume some every day activities, "normal life" feels within reach. POLITICO's Erin Banco talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about what the return to normalcy will actually look like — and why it might be further away than you think.   'CDC's draft guidelines for vaccinated Americans call for small steps toward normal life': https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/02/cdc-draft-guidelines-for-vaccinated-americans-472451 Erin Banco is a POLITICO health reporter covering Covid-19 and the CDC. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO Audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

China and Russia are dominating global vaccine donations. The goal? To lift their standings on the world stage — and get a few IOUs from other countries along the way. POLITICO's Ryan Heath talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about the diplomatic tensions emerging in the global vaccination effort. But first, don't get between Tony Soprano and his vaccine supply.  Ryan Heath is the author of the Global Translations newsletter. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO Audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

Ever wish you could hop on a zoom with health officials in charge of vaccine rollouts, about what's gone right and what's gone wrong? POLITICO's Sarah Owermohle did — and she's got some stories to tell. This is part of POLITICO's Recovery Lab series highlighting the smartest new ideas for combating the pandemic. Sarah Owermohle is a health care reporter for POLITICO covering drug policy and vaccines. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO Audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.Policy Hackathon: How to fix vaccination: https://www.politico.com/_preview?_cms.db.previewId=00000177-b253-d644-a377-fedbf6f30000&_date=

A lengthy approval process. Complex, multi-state negotiations. Production snags at every corner. The European Union's vaccine rollout has been anything but smooth. POLITICO Europe's Jillian Deutsch talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about how it went so wrong.  Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Jillian Deutsch is a reporter for POLITICO Europe.  Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.  Referenced in this episode: 'How Europe fell behind on vaccines' by Jillian Deutsch and Sarah Wheaton: https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-coronavirus-vaccine-struggle-pfizer-biontech-astrazeneca/

California Governor Gavin Newsom wants schools to reopen. But teachers want to get vaccinated first, which could take a while. POLITICO’s Mackenzie Mays talks with Jeremy Siegel about the messy politics of the situation — and how it could throw a wrench into President Biden’s effort to get kids back in classrooms across the country. Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our other newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Mackenzie Mays is a reporter covering education in California. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.  Referenced in this episode: Newsom: California schools won't reopen 'if we wait for the perfect' by Mackenzie Mays

Calorie counters. Sleep trackers. Health apps. They all gather a lot of data on you — and there's a decent chance they're selling it. Future Pulse author Mohana Ravindranath talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about a story she co-reported with POLITICO's Katy Murphy on who's tracking the health trackers. Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our other newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Mohana Ravindranath is a reporter tracking health tech and data privacy. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Check out Mohana Ravindranath's and Katy Murphy's story "Who's tracking the health trackers?": https://www.politico.com/newsletters/future-pulse

The day before President Joe Biden took the oath of office, the U.S. passed another grim milestone: 400,000 Covid deaths. Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel talks with health reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein about how Biden plans to overhaul the federal pandemic response and speed up vaccine distribution. Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our other newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produces Pulse Check.Alice Miranda Ollstein is a health care reporter. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Biden team fears rocky transition may have revealed only `tip of the iceberg': https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/20/biden-staff-takeover-government-460600 Biden pledges, once more, to lead America away from dystopia: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/2

After five years on the health beat — and at the helm of Pulse Check — Dan Diamond is leaving POLITICO. (But don't worry, you can still follow his reporting at The Washington Post!) Dan and Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel look back at some of Dan's biggest stories and trace the past few years of health policy to today's coronavirus response. But first, Dan gets a going away present.Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our other newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Check out some of Dan Diamond's top POLITICO reporting:  Trump team failed to follow NSC's pandemic playbook: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/25/trump-coronaviru

Democrats have won the two Georgia runoff elections, taking control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. POLITICO's Dan Diamond talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about what that could mean for the nation's coronavirus response. But first, reflecting on Wednesday’s riots at the U.S. Capitol. Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters.  Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.   

It's the week we've all been waiting for: The first round of coronavirus vaccines are finally being given to frontline health workers. Host Dan Diamond talks with health reporter Rachel Roubein and Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel what sort of turbulence we can expect as states try to rollout vaccinations to the general public. But first: Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle come on the pod? Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters.  Washington lawmakers are navigating an ethical minefield on who gets shots first. President-elect Joe Biden is starting to counter President Donald Trump’s messaging on vaccines. Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Rachel Roubein is a health reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.       

There were some surprises and lots of twists along the way, but the top picks for President-Elect Joe Biden's health team are here. Host Dan Diamond talks with Biden White House reporter Tyler Pager and Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about what the selections could mean for the nation's Covid response. But first: Dan and Tyler take a trip to Vegas.Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our latest newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Tyler Pager is a White House correspondent for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

One pandemic, two White Houses — and messages that don't always align. Host Dan Diamond talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about how Trump's and Biden's teams are working together and what it's like covering a split-screen government. But first: Who would play Dan and Jeremy in a totally original Hollywood blockbuster that involves cloning?Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our latest newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news? Host Dan Diamond talks with health reporter Adam Cancryn and Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about how some of the best signs for returning to normalcy — like effective vaccines and at-home testing — are emerging just as we enter what could be the most dangerous phase of the pandemic. But first: If Dan were sitting on your shoulder giving you advice, would he be an angel or a devil?Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our latest newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Adam Cancryn is a health care reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Finally, some good pandemic news! Host Dan Diamond discusses the promising preliminary data on Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine with health reporter Sarah Owermohle and Jeremy Siegel — and answers some of the biggest questions you might have about it. But first: Sarah's cat stops by with some breaking mews.  Mentioned on the show: Pfizer touted promising results from its coronavirus vaccine. President Donald Trump's refusal to concede to President-elect Joe Biden could create added risks. Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters. And subscribe to our latest newsletter POLITICO Future Pulse, looking at where health care and technology intersect. Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Sarah Owermohle is a health care reporter for POLITICO covering drug policy and vaccines. Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Irene Noguchi is the

Candidates talked nonstop about coronavirus on the campaign trail. But how much did the health crisis influence the vote? As Joe Biden inches toward a slim victory with a divided Senate, host Dan Diamond talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about how Covid played — or didn't play — into the results.Stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters.  Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produced this episode.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO Audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

"Pulse Check" presents a special episode of POLITICO's new podcast "Global Translations". Once there is a working Covid vaccine, manufacturers across the globe will need to scale up production to produce billions of doses — meaning billions of pharmaceutical-grade glass vials, rubber stoppers, packaging, storage and refrigeration. In a special airing of POLITICO's Global Translations podcast, hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath look at the challenges of making enough vaccines for the world. Subscribe to the Global Translations podcast and read more in the Global Translations newsletter.Luiza Savage is the host of "Global Translations"Ryan Heath is a host of "Global Translations"Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO AudioKara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO AudioJenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO AudioIrene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio

It's an election that will be defined by health policy, particularly how the two candidates plan to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Host Dan Diamond talks with Dispatch's Jeremy Siegel about how President Trump and Joe Biden differ on their Covid responses and other key health issues. Sign up for Global Pulse, a new weekly newsletter about the global health agenda. And stay up-to-date on the latest Covid-19 news by subscribing to the POLITICO Nightly and POLITICO Pulse newsletters.  Dan Diamond is host of POLITICO Pulse Check and author of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch and produced this episode.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO Audio.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.