AZ clinical hold underscores risk of rushing COVID-19 vaccines

AstraZeneca’s hold on its Phase III study of AZD1222 is a stark reminder of the need for a clear picture on safety before any COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for widespread use in healthy individuals, and raises the stakes on public pledges by vaccine manufacturers to adhere to high ethical and scientific standards. 

AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) shed $4.45 (8%) to $50.25 in after-hours trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange. The move would translate into an $11.6 billion loss in market cap...