This short book brings together novel cross-interdisciplinary investigation from both natural and social science, representing a true hybrid across disciplines examining the 'politics' and 'science' of COVID-19. Viruses, Vaccines, and Antivirals: Why Politics Matters considers the dynamics surrounding viruses, proposed vaccines, and antiviral therapies, contextualizing what governments have done during the COVID-19 crisis.

The four basic phases of a pandemic are considered with a strong focus on COVID-19, namely the anticipating and early virus detection, containment strategies, policies to control and mitigate the spread of the virus and policies aimed at opening up society. Viruses, Vaccines, and Antivirals: Why Politics Matters examines policy developments throughout these phases in key nations worldwide and puts forward a blueprint for countries developing public policies to deal with a pandemic.

Raj Chari is a Professor of Political Science at Trinity College Dublin, focusing on comparative public policy. His work investigates transparency policies in modern democracies (including lobbying regulation) and the relationship between business and politics (in areas including privatization and competition policy.). Some of his previous work has also examined parties and elections.

Isabel Rozas is Professor in Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin. After working as a researcher at the Medicinal Chemistry Institute (CSIC, Spain) for 14 years, she moved to the School of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin in 2000 as a Lecturer in Medicinal Chemistry. In 2003, she became director of the Medicinal Chemistry course; in 2005, was elected Fellow of Trinity College Dublin; in 2006, she became Senior Lecturer, and in 2007 was elected by her colleagues as Head of Organic, Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, a position that she held for three years. In 2010, she became Professor. She has held several positions at the School of Chemistry in TCD: during the years 2011-2014 she was Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning, in 2015-2016 Director of Research. Since 2018 she has been the Director of Global Relations.