Longshot

“Almost no one at the start of the pandemic thought it would be possible to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year. In Longshot, David Heath provides us with a fast-paced, behind the-scenes narrative of one of the great achievements in the history of medicine. It’s a story that pulses with scientific genius and persistence, along with shocking episodes of cruelty, stupidity, and greed. Ultimately, it’s a tale of extraordinary advances in vaccine science that are saving lives today and putting us in position to better prepare for the infectious diseases of tomorrow.” –Luke Timmerman, founder of Timmerman Report, a biotech industry newsletter

“For those who believe–and perhaps fear–that the COVID-19 vaccines were created in a frenzy, David Heath reveals the truth: These lifesaving vaccines were the product of years of laborious research by brilliant scientists who battled greed and bureaucracy even as they were battling emerging viruses. Heath brings a keen investigative eye to a side of the scientific world most of us never see, let alone understand.”

David Heath is an award-winning investigative journalist. He previously led a new data team at CNN with an emphasis on investigative reporting. His work has helped to change policies and laws and has even led to criminal indictments. Heath has written about a broad range of issues, including the environment, scientific integrity, health research, financial scandals and terrorism. His work has appeared on PBS Frontline, PBS NewsHour, the CBS Evening News, the Huffington Post, The Atlantic, Time, Newsweek, the Daily Beast, Vice News, Scientific American and Mother Jones. He has won more than two dozen national journalism awards, including the Goldsmith, the Gerald Loeb and George Polk. His work with others has been nominated for a national Emmy and he has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize three times. He lives in Washington, D.C.