Moderna Unwilling to Share COVID-19 Recipe + Singer Mary J Blige Partners with Hologic for Breast Cancer Awareness – Xtalks Life Science Podcast Ep. 33

In this episode, the editorial team talks about Moderna’s unwillingness to share its COVID-19 vaccine formula with other countries, namely low- and middle-income countries that continue to face issues accessing COVID-19 vaccines. The company said it would be more efficient for it to aim to produce more of the vaccines themselves to deliver to poorer countries. While developing countries continue to call for IP waivers on COVID-19 vaccines, and vaccine makers like Pfizer and Moderna continuing to resist them, it’s important to note that it isn’t so easy to set up the specialized manufacturing facilities needed for production of mRNA vaccines. The team discusses these issues in the face of global vaccine inequities.

Ayesha also talked about Grammy award-winning singer Mary J. Blige’s efforts to help raise awareness about breast cancer during breast cancer awareness month this October. As part of her efforts, the entertainer teamed up with MedTech company Hologic, which is leading initiatives to promote equitable healthcare for women. Blige shared how breast cancer has personally affected her with the passing of her aunt from the disease, the problem of cancer not being discussed in Black communities and the fact that the disease has a 40 percent higher mortality among Black women compared to white women. Blige wants to help change this by raising awareness of the importance of early detection through annual mammograms, as well as increasing inclusion of Black women in clinical trials.