Astra’s Pain Grows as U.S. Questions Beleaguered Vaccine (1)

After enduring months of public criticism, AstraZeneca Plc finally caught a moment of reprieve for its Covid-19 vaccine this week when U.S. trial data showed the shot to be highly effective, working well in the elderly, and raising no safety concerns.

The good news lasted less than a day.

A group of experts meant to work hand in hand with the drugmaker on its trial safety contacted U.S. government agencies late on March 22 to express concern. The results made public just hours earlier may be outdated, they said, in a stunning departure from protocol. Astra promised up-to-date numbers in ...