How to Survive a Pandemic: release date of David Frances Documentary on Sky

The Documentary takes a detailed look at the race to effectively research, develop, regulate and roll out Covid-19 vaccines  during the Covid pandemic.

Filming began in early 2020, just as the entire world took on the largest public health effort in history, which continued over the next 18 months.

So when is the documentary on TV, and what’s it about?

What is How to Survive a Pandemic about?

The documentary showcases  the hard work and collaboration of healthcare professionals worldwide that went into creating a vaccine for Covid.

It also explores the political failures across the world, by those in government.

Using footage shot in real time, the documentary shows the sheer determination of the researchers in their labs, the volunteer trials being conducted by scientists, and even the persistence of the science journalists as they work tirelessly to stay up-to-date on the ever-changing landscape - all whilst the coronavirus continues to take lives.

It offers the audience a chance to have unparalleled access to world-renowned scientists, heads of pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and frontline workers.

Who is Director David France? 

David France is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, New York Times bestselling author, and award-winning investigative journalist.

His latest book, titled How to Survive a Plague (2016), received the Baillie Gifford Prize for best non-fiction book published in the English language.

France created a documentary of the same name in 2012, four years before the book. The narrative concerns the early years of the US AIDS Pandemic, and the efforts of various activist groups.

Who took part in the documentary?

High profile leaders in their field were at hand to elaborate on the process of developing a vaccine, and dealing with Covid-19.

This includes Dr. Dan Barouch, the lead scientist behind the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and Dr. Adrian Hill, who led the research for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

Other notable interviews featured include:

• Jon Cohen - Senior correspondent for Science Magazine
• Dr. Peter Marks - Director of the Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett - the former scientific lead of the National Institutes of Health’s Vaccine Research Center who co-developed Moderna’s mRNA vaccine
• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus - Director-General of the World Health Organisation
• Adar Poonawalla - CEO of the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer
• Dr. Seth Berkley - CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and head of the global COVAX initiative (in partnership with the World Health Organisation)
• Dr. Glenda Gray - President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, the face of South Africa’s Covid-19 response
• Rev. Paul Abernathy of Pittsburgh who tries to address vaccine hesitancy and access to healthcare in his community; and more.

When is How to Survive a Pandemic being shown on TV? 

How to Survive a Pandemic will be showing on Sky Documentaries, on Wednesday 30 March 2022, at 9pm.