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Umair Irfan

Umair Irfan

Former correspondent

    Latest articles by Umair Irfan

    Explainers
    Why the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is differentWhy the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is different
    Explainers

    AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford say their vaccine has up to 90 percent efficacy. But there’s a lot we still don’t know.

    By Umair Irfan and Julia Belluz
    Science
    The UK is the first country to grant emergency approval to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccineThe UK is the first country to grant emergency approval to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine
    Science

    The first doses may begin rolling out next week.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    Moderna released more Covid-19 vaccine results. They’re very encouraging.Moderna released more Covid-19 vaccine results. They’re very encouraging.
    Science

    The company is now seeking Food and Drug Administration approval.

    By Julia Belluz and Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    Covid-19 vaccine efficacy results are not enoughCovid-19 vaccine efficacy results are not enough
    Explainers

    What the latest Covid-19 vaccine announcements from AstraZeneca-Oxford, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Moderna can and can’t tell us.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    Pfizer and BioNTech have applied for emergency approval for their Covid-19 vaccinePfizer and BioNTech have applied for emergency approval for their Covid-19 vaccine
    Explainers

    The companies say their vaccine could begin distribution to high-risk people by mid-December.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    What Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine results mean for ending the pandemicWhat Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine results mean for ending the pandemic
    Explainers

    Moderna says its vaccine is 95 percent effective. Here’s what you need to know.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    It’s official: 2020 is the busiest Atlantic Hurricane Season on recordIt’s official: 2020 is the busiest Atlantic Hurricane Season on record
    Climate

    Subtropical Storm Theta is now the 29th named storm of the season.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    Pfizer claims its Covid-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective so far. Here’s what we actually know.Pfizer claims its Covid-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective so far. Here’s what we actually know.
    Explainers

    The results are promising, but they’re drawn from a very small number of infections.

    By Umair Irfan
    Politics
    The US Covid-19 epidemic hit a deadly new milestone, and help isn’t on the wayThe US Covid-19 epidemic hit a deadly new milestone, and help isn’t on the way
    Politics

    More than 120,000 new Covid-19 cases in a single day: We should have seen this coming.

    By Umair Irfan, Julia Belluz and 1 more
    Explainers
    The US just left the Paris climate agreementThe US just left the Paris climate agreement
    Explainers

    Why the presidential election matters so much for global action on climate change.

    By Umair Irfan