Measuring Pandemic Impact: Vital Signs From Vital Statistics.

Kiang and colleagues' study emphasizes that deaths directly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection tell only part of the story. Many deaths are likely to be attributable to indirect consequences of the pandemic, including those associated with disruptions in health care systems and the economic and social hardships endured by many people. The editorial discusses the importance of national vital statistics to health and emergency preparedness systems in the United States.

Developing Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and Future Epidemics and Pandemics: Applying Lessons from Past Outbreaks.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the heavy toll that emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) with epidemic and pandemic potential can inflict. Vaccine development, scale-up, and commercialization is a long, expensive, and risky enterprise that requires substantial upfront planning and offers no guarantee of success. EIDs are a particularly challenging target for global health preparedness, including for vaccine development.