Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review is a weekly digest  summarizing news, events, announcements, peer-reviewed articles and research in the global vaccine ethics and policy space. Content is aggregated from key governmental, NGO, international organization and industry sources, key peer-reviewed journals, and other media channels. This summary proceeds from the broad base of themes and issues monitored by the Center for Vaccine Ethics & Policy in its work: it is not intended to be exhaustive in its coverage. You are viewing the blog version of our weekly digest, typically comprised of between 30 and 40 posts below all dated with the current issue date

.– Request an Email Summary: Vaccines and Global Health : The Week in Review is published as a single email summary, scheduled for release each Saturday evening before midnight (EDT in the U.S.). If you would like to receive the email version, please send your request to david.r.curry@centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.org.

– pdf version:  A pdf of the current issue is available here: 

– blog edition: comprised of the approx. 35+ entries posted below.

– Twitter:  Readers can also follow developments on twitter: @vaxethicspolicy.
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– Links:  We endeavor to test each link as we incorporate it into any post, but recognize that some links may become “stale” as publications and websites reorganize content over time. We apologize in advance for any links that may not be operative. We believe the contextual information in a given post should allow retrieval, but please contact us as above for assistance if necessary.

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.
David R. Curry, MS
Executive Director
Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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WHO – 148th session of the Executive Board EB148

18-26 January 2021

:: Webcast

:: Main Documents

WHO Director-General’s closing remarks at 148th session of the Executive Board

26 January 2021

…You have addressed an enormous range of issues, reflecting the huge scope of health challenges we face, and the huge scope of expectations the world has of WHO.

Your agenda has spanned many issues related to the “triple billion” targets, including oral health, social determinants of health, patient safety, diabetes, NCDs, disability, HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, eye care, antimicrobial resistance, immunization, medical devices, substandard and falsified medical products, local production, health innovation and intellectual property – and more.

You have also had important discussions about strengthening WHO to better support countries in addressing this massive scope of issues – the programme budget, sustainable financing, sexual exploitation and abuse, and more.

All of this is happening under the shadow of the greatest health crisis of our time.

This Saturday marks one year since I declared a public health emergency of international concern over the emergence of the novel coronavirus. At the time, there were fewer than 100 cases – to be exact, 98 cases – and no deaths reported outside China.

This week, we expect to reach 100 million reported cases, and more than 2 million people have lost their lives.

When this Board met a year ago, I said the world had a “window of opportunity” to prevent widespread transmission of this new virus. Some heeded that call; some did not.  Now, vaccines are giving us another window of opportunity to bring the pandemic under control. We must not squander it.  

As we speak, rich countries are rolling out vaccines, while the world’s least-developed countries watch and wait. With every day that passes, the divide grows larger between the world’s haves and have nots.

In my opening remarks last Monday, I said the world faced a catastrophic moral failure if it doesn’t walk the talk on vaccine equity.

A new study published yesterday by the International Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation confirms that it would also be an economic failure.

The study finds that vaccine nationalism could cost the global economy up to US$9.2 trillion, and almost half of that – US$4.5 trillion – would be incurred in the wealthiest economies.

By contrast, the financing gap for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator this year is US$26 billion. If fully funded, the ACT Accelerator would return up to US$166 for every dollar invested.

In our press conference yesterday, the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce called the funding gap for the ACT Accelerator a “rounding error” – and he’s right – compared to the stimulus packages that have been rolled out in many countries.

Vaccine nationalism might serve short-term political goals. But it’s in every nation’s own interests to support vaccine equity.

I leave you with the challenge I set at the beginning of the week: together, we must ensure that vaccination of health workers and older people is underway in all countries within the first 100 days of this year.  We have 74 days left. Time is short, and the stakes could not be higher. Every moment counts…

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Presentation to EB148 on ACT Accelerator & COVAX

Presentation to E]148: COVID-19 situation and strategic response

[Selected Slides]

Presentation to EB: Strengthening WHO’s Global Emergency Preparedness and Response

[Selected Slides]

Coronavirus [COVID-19] – WHO

Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Weekly Epidemiological and Operational updates

Last update: 23 January 2021

Confirmed cases ::   101 561 219    [week ago:  96 877 399]     [two weeks ago: 92 506 811

Confirmed deaths ::    2 196 944     [week ago:   2 098 879]     [two weeks ago:  2 001 773] 

Countries, areas or territories with cases :: 223

Weekly epidemiological update -27 January 2021

Overview

   Globally, 4.1 million new cases were reported in the past week, a decline of 15% from last week, and the number of new deaths reported was just under 96 000, comparable to the previous week. This brings the cumulative numbers to over 98.2 million reported cases and over 2.1 million deaths globally since the start of the pandemic

Special Focus: Update on SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

[1] Variant VOC 202012/01, lineage B.1.1.7: Since our last update on 19 January, variant VOC 202012/01 has been detected in ten additional countries. As of 25 January, a total of 70 countries across all six WHO regions have reported either imported cases or community transmission of this variant (Figure 3). Local transmission has been reported in several other European countries…

[2] Variant 501Y.V2, lineage B.1.351: Since the last update on 19 January, 501Y.V2 has been reported from eight additional countries– now totalling 31 countries across five of the six WHO regions (Figure 4). In South Africa, where this variant was initially identified, new weekly cases increased from early November 2020, peaking in early January 2021. In the past two weeks, a decreasing trend has been observed…

[3]  Variant P.1, lineage B.1.1.28: Since our last update, variant P.1 has been reported in six additional countries. To date, this variant is reported in eight countries (Figure 5). In Brazil, where the variant was initially identified in addition to detection in a group of travellers from Brazil to Japan, the number of new weekly cases in the past two weeks are reported at higher levels compared to that of September to November 2020, and new weekly deaths have increased since early November 2020. The highest weekly cases since the start of the pandemic was reported in the week commencing 11 January 2021. Based on the preliminary investigations conducted in Manaus, Amazonas State, there has been an increase in the proportion of cases sequenced as variant P.1, from 52.2% (35/67) in December 2020 to 85.4% (41/48) in January 2021, highlighting ongoing local transmission of this variant and, given the mutations documented, raising similar concerns for potential increases in transmissibility or propensity for re-infection (10). Further studies are needed to assess if there are changes in transmissibility, severity or antibody neutralizing activity as a result of these new variants…

The emergence of new variants has underscored the importance for everyone, including those previously infected or vaccinated, to strictly adhere to public health and social measures. They also highlight the importance of increasing diagnostic capacity and systematic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 where capacity allows, as well as the timely sharing of sequence data internationally. Systematic sequencing should be considered for a subset of incoming travellers, as well as community-based samples to ascertain the existence and extent of local transmission. Virus sequencing should be performed in all breakthrough disease following vaccination, in addition to population-based vaccine effectiveness studies. Global surveillance on virus evolution should continue to inform adjustments to public health and social measures

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Interim recommendations for use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19

25 January 2021 | COVID-19: Critical preparedness, readiness and response

Overview

   This interim guidance has been developed on the basis of the advice issued by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) at its extraordinary meeting on 21 January 2021.

PDF: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1328356/retrieve

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

UNICEF COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard :: Agreements Table Accessed 30 Jan 2021
An overview of information collected from publicly announced bilateral and multilateral supply agreement [Agreements view from 2021-01-16 to date]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

New York Times :: Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Vaccine Developer Announcements

COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca authorised for use in the EU
29 January 2021
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine has been granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) in the European Union (EU) for active immunisation to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Following review of the application, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency based its positive opinion on data from a rolling review of trial data from the primary analysis of the Phase III programme led by the University of Oxford. Additional safety and efficacy data for the vaccine will continue to accumulate from ongoing clinical trials and is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
The CHMP recommends two doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, formerly AZD1222, to be administered at a four- to 12-week interval in people aged 18 years and older. This dosing regimen was shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, with no severe cases and no hospitalisations more than 14 days after the second dose.
AstraZeneca is working with the EU following the approval of a CMA for active immunisation to begin across member states…

Johnson & Johnson Announces Single-Shot Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Met Primary Endpoints in Interim Analysis of its Phase 3 ENSEMBLE Trial
:: Vaccine Candidate 72% Effective in the US and 66% Effective Overall at Preventing Moderate to Severe COVID-19, 28 Days after Vaccination
:: 85% Effective Overall in Preventing Severe Disease and Demonstrated Complete Protection Against COVID-19 related Hospitalization and Death as of Day 28
:: Protection Against Severe Disease Across Geographies, Ages, and Multiple Virus Variants, including the SARS-CoV-2 Variant from the B.1.351 Lineage¹ Observed in South Africa
:: Single-shot compatible with standard vaccine distribution channels provides important tool in pandemic setting
Jan 29, 2021

Novartis signs initial agreement to provide manufacturing capacity for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Jan 29, 2021
:: First of multiple agreements being explored by Novartis to leverage manufacturing capacity and capabilities to address pandemic, supporting global supply of COVID-19 vaccine
:: Initial agreement signed with BioNTech to use Novartis manufacturing plant in Stein, Switzerland, to support production of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
::Production to commence in the second quarter for estimated delivery commencing in the third quarter 2021

Merck Discontinues Development of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates; Continues Development of Two Investigational Therapeutic Candidates
January 25, 2021
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the company is discontinuing development of its SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 vaccine candidates, V590 and V591, and plans to focus its SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 research strategy and production capabilities on advancing two therapeutic candidates, MK-4482 and MK-7110. This decision follows Merck’s review of findings from Phase 1 clinical studies for the vaccines. In these studies, both V590 and V591 were generally well tolerated, but the immune responses were inferior to those seen following natural infection and those reported for other SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 vaccines…

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

White House [U.S.]

Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking
January 27, 2021 • Presidential Actions
It is the policy of my Administration to make evidence-based decisions guided by the best available science and data.  Scientific and technological information, data, and evidence are central to the development and iterative improvement of sound policies, and to the delivery of equitable programs, across every area of government.  Scientific findings should never be distorted or influenced by political considerations.  When scientific or technological information is considered in policy decisions, it should be subjected to well-established scientific processes, including peer review where feasible and appropriate, with appropriate protections for privacy.  Improper political interference in the work of Federal scientists or other scientists who support the work of the Federal Government and in the communication of scientific facts undermines the welfare of the Nation, contributes to systemic inequities and injustices, and violates the trust that the public places in government to best serve its collective interests…

Remarks by President Biden on the Fight to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic
January 26, 2021 • Speeches and Remarks

Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces New Steps to Boost Vaccine Supply and Increase Transparency for States, Tribes, and Territories
January 26, 2021 • Statements and Releases
….The President is taking the following actions today:
:: An Increase in Weekly Vaccine Supply to States, Tribes and Territories: The Biden-Harris Administration will increase overall, weekly vaccine supply to states, Tribes and territories from 8.6 million doses to a minimum of 10 million doses. This increase of 1.4 million doses per week will allow millions more Americans to get vaccinated sooner than previously anticipated. The Administration is committing to maintaining this as the minimum supply level for the next three weeks.
:: Increased transparency for States, Tribes, and Territories to Help Their Vaccination Efforts: The Biden-Harris Administration is taking action to provide states, Tribes and territories with a reliable three-week supply look-ahead. The Department of Health and Human Services will provide allocation estimates for the upcoming three weeks as opposed to the one week look-ahead that they previously received. This increased transparency will give state and local leaders greater certainty around supply so that they can plan their vaccination efforts and administer vaccines effectively and efficiently.
:: Purchase 200 Million Additional Doses to Be Delivered This Summer, Double the Nation’s Vaccine Supply: President Biden directed his COVID-19 Response Coordinator to work with HHS to increase our total vaccine supply for the American people.  The Biden-Harris Administration is working to purchase an additional 100 million doses of each of the two Food and Drug Administration-authorized vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna.  This increases the total vaccine order for the U.S. by 50%, from 400 million to 600 million with these additional doses expected to deliver this summer. With these additional doses, the U.S. will have enough vaccine to fully vaccinate 300 million Americans by the end of this summer.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVID Vaccines Development/Procurement/Distribution/Policy – Russia, China

Russia: Sputnik V – “the first registered COVID-19 vaccine”
https://sputnikvaccine.com/newsroom/pressreleases/
Press Releases
Sputnik V vaccine authorized in Tunisia
Press release, 30.01.2021 21:20:00
“…Tunisia has become the third country in Africa to register the vaccine. Sputnik V was approved under the emergency use authorization procedure. The approval is based on the results of the clinical trials of Sputnik V in Russia.
To date Sputnik V has been registered in Russia, Belarus, Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Serbia, Palestine, Venezuela, Paraguay, Turkmenistan, Hungary, the UAE, Iran and the Republic of Guinea…”

Sputnik V vaccine authorized in the Republic of Guinea
Press release, 29.01.2021
“…The Republic of Guinea [National Directorate of Pharmacy and Medicine] has become the second country in Africa to register the vaccine. Sputnik V was approved under the emergency use authorization procedure…”

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China: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment

WHO commends China for submitting COVID-19 vaccines data for assessment
2021-01-27
The World Health Organization (WHO) commends China for submitting data of its COVID-19 vaccines to the WHO for the Emergency Use Listing procedure, a top WHO expert said on Jan 26.
There are two Chinese-made vaccines, produced by Sinopharm and Sinovac respectively, currently under WHO evaluation, said Katherine O’Brien, director of WHO’s Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals.
The data of the vaccines have been submitted to the WHO, but inspectors on the ground are still in quarantine waiting to go to the manufacturing sites for evaluation, she added.
“So there is engagement by the WHO and we will also look forward to reviewing those data through the policy process,” she said, referring to the policy review by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, which is a separate process from the regulatory assessment and provides recommendations on how to use the vaccines.
According to the latest WHO files, the Sinopharm vaccine is now in progress of assessment, while the Sinovac vaccine submitted its data for inspection in mid-January with more dossiers expected for submission by the end of this month. Anticipated decisions from the WHO on both vaccines are expected in March…

Chinese vaccines bring relief in global COVID-19 battle
2021-01-27
— Chinese vaccines have been proved to protect people against COVID-19 in a safe, effective and affordable way.
— 12 foreign countries have granted market approval or emergency use for two Chinese vaccines.
— China’s vaccine producers have been required to plan and increase production capacity and contribute to vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Polio this week as of 27 January 2021
:: Meeting virtually at this week’s WHO Executive Board (EB), global health leaders and ministers of health urged for concerted and emergency efforts to finally rid the world of polio, noting a global and collective responsibility to finish the disease once and for all. Delegates also reiterated their support for the sustainable transitioning of polio assets, recognizing that successful polio transition and polio eradication are twin goals. Read more…

Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Pakistan: 9 WPV1 positive environmental samples and six cVDPV2 cases
:: Afghanistan: 18 cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Burkina Faso: three cVDPV2 cases
:: Mali: seven cVDPV2 cases
:: Yemen: one cVDPV1 case

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Editor’s Note:
Continuing with this edition, we include information about the last apparent update evident on the WHO emergency country webpages, recognizing almost universal and significant interims since last update regardless of the level of the emergency listed.

WHO Grade 3 Emergencies [to 30 Jan 2021]

Democratic Republic of the Congo – No new digest announcements [Last apparent update: 12 Jan 2021]
Mozambique floods – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 3 November 2020]
Nigeria – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 29 Jun 2020]
Somalia – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 17 July 2020]
South Sudan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 4 February 2020]
Syrian Arab Republic – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 24 October 2020]
Yemen – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 30 June 2020]

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WHO Grade 2 Emergencies [to 30 Jan 2021]
Afghanistan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 5 July 2020]
Angola – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 03 December 2020]
Burkina Faso – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 17 décembre 2020]
Burundi – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 04 July 2019]
Cameroon – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 22 August 2019]
Central African Republic – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 12 June 2018]
Ethiopia – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 22 August 2019]
Iran floods 2019 – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 12 March 2020]
Iraq – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 16 December 2020]
Libya – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 7 October 2019]
Malawi Floods – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 09 October 2019]
Measles in Europe – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 16-12-2020]
MERS-CoV – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 8 July 2019]
Mozambique – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 03 November 2020]
Myanmar – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: :: 3 January 2021
Niger – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 29 December 2020]
occupied Palestinian territory – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 4 September 2019]
HIV in Pakistan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 27 August 2019]
Sao Tome and Principe Necrotizing Cellulitis (2017) – No new digest announcements
Sudan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 24 June 2020]
Ukraine – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 1 May 2019]
Zimbabwe – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 10 May 2019]

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WHO Grade 1 Emergencies [to 30 Jan 2021]

Chad – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 30 June 2018]
Djibouti – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 25 novembre 2020]
Kenya – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 11 December 2020]
Mali – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 3 May 2017]
Namibia – viral hepatitis – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 20 July 2018]
Tanzania – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 21 October 2020]

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UN OCHA – L3 Emergencies
The UN and its humanitarian partners are currently responding to three ‘L3’ emergencies. This is the global humanitarian system’s classification for the response to the most severe, large-scale humanitarian crises. 
Syrian Arab Republic
:: Syrian Arab Republic: Recent Developments in Northwestern Syria Situation Report No. 24 – As of 26 January 2021

Yemen – No new digest announcements identified

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UN OCHA – Corporate Emergencies
When the USG/ERC declares a Corporate Emergency Response, all OCHA offices, branches and sections provide their full support to response activities both at HQ and in the field.
COVID-19
:: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Weekly Epidemiological Update (27 January 2021)

East Africa Locust Infestation
:: Desert Locust situation update – 26 January 2021

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WHO & Regional Offices [to 30 Jan 2021]
30 January 2021 Statement
Messages for World Leprosy Day 2021

29 January 2021 News release
WHO publishes new Essential Diagnostics List and urges countries to prioritize investments in testing

29 January 2021 Departmental news
New videos explain how to prevent COVID-19 infection in oral health-care services

28 January 2021 News release
WHO issues new 10-year plan to end suffering from neglected tropical diseases

28 January 2021 Departmental news
Message from Director SRH/HRP

28 January 2021 Departmental news
Issuing of an evidence review to the Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative (NFSI)

27 January 2021 Departmental news
In memory: Dr Alexander Kessler, co-founder of HRP

27 January 2021 Departmental news
WHO announces updated definitions of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

27 January 2021 Departmental news
INFOSAN Quarterly Summary, 2020 #4

27 January 2021 Departmental news
WHO highlights progress in accelerating access to hepatitis C diagnostics and treatment in low- and middle-income countries

26 January 2021 Departmental news
WHO recommends the dapivirine vaginal ring as a new choice for HIV prevention for women at substantial risk of HIV infection

26 January 2021 Departmental news
IDIA and the WHO announce strategic collaboration to support the scale-up of health innovations

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Weekly Epidemiological Record, No 4, 2021, 96, 21–32 29 JANUARY 2021
:: Detection of influenza viruses by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction: WHO external quality assessment programme summary analysis, 2020

::::::

WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
:: New COVID-19 variants fuelling Africa’s second wave 28 January 2021
Brazzaville – COVID-19 cases and deaths are surging in Africa as new, more contagious variants of the virus spread to additional countries.
Over 175 000 new COVID-19 cases and more than 6200 deaths were reported in Africa in the last week while infections rose by 50% on the continent between 29 December 2020 and 25 January 2021 when compared with the previous four weeks. In the past week, there has been a small dip in cases in South Africa, but 22 countries continue to see their case numbers surge. Deaths rose two-fold in the same four-week period, with over 15 000 concentrated in 10 mainly southern and northern African nations.
The 501Y.V2 variant, first identified in South Africa, is predominant and powering record case numbers in South Africa and the sub-region. It has been found in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Comoros, Zambia and in 24 non-African nations.
“The variant which was first detected in South Africa has spread quickly beyond Africa and so what’s keeping me awake at night right now is that it’s very likely circulating in a number of African countries,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.
The variant that was initially detected in the United Kingdom has been found in The Gambia and Nigeria. Further research is needed to determine whether the new strain causes more severe illness…

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
No new digest content identified

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
No new digest content identified

WHO European Region EURO
:: The pandemic paradox, hope and hardship in equal measure 28-01-2021
:: First perinatal mortality audit in North Macedonia reveals gaps in the health system and suggests ways to address them 27-01-2021
:: WHO and Germany deliver critical medical supplies to Western Balkans countries to strengthen COVID-19 response and save lives 25-01-2021

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: WHO and KSRelief support COVID-19 preparedness and response in Yemen 27 January 2021
:: Update on COVID-19 vaccination in Syria 26 January 2021
:: Polio vaccination campaign targets 8 million children in Sudan 25 January 2021

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified

CDC/ACIP [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases, Announcements
CDC requires wearing of face masks while on public transportation and at transportation hubs
Saturday, January 30, 2021

Media Statement from CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, on Extending the Eviction Moratorium
Friday, January 29, 2021

South Carolina detects first US cases associated with variant first detected in South Africa
Thursday, January 28, 2021

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, January 29, 2021
Friday, January 22, 2021
:: Impact of COVID-19 on Cervical Cancer Screening Rates Among Women Aged 21-65 Years in a Large Integrated Health Care System — Southern California, January 1–September 30, 2019, and January 1–September 30, 2020
:: Trends in Outbreak-Associated Cases of COVID-19 — Wisconsin, March–November 2020
:: Response to a COVID-19 Outbreak on a University Campus — Indiana, August 2020
:: Allergic Reactions Including Anaphylaxis After Receipt of the First Dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, December 21, 2020–January 10, 2021 (Early Release January 22, 2021)
:: Implementation and Evolution of Mitigation Measures, Testing, and Contact Tracing in the National Football League, August 9–November 21, 2020 (Early Release January 25, 2021)
:: COVID-19 Cases and Transmission in 17 K–12 Schools — Wood County, Wisconsin, August 31–November 29, 2020 (Early Release January 26, 2021)
:: SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Associated with High School Wrestling Tournaments — Florida, December 2020–January 2021 (Early Release January 26, 2021)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC
Selected Resources
:: Information about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Monday, January 25, 2021
:: Information about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Monday, January 25, 2021
:: Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination Monday, January 25, 2021
:: COVID-19 Janssen Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients Friday, January 22, 2021
:: COVID-19 AstraZeneca Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients Friday, January 22, 2021

Africa CDC [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Press Releases
Africa CDC & Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation partner to strengthen sexual and reproductive health epidemiology in Africa
28 January 2021

Press Releases
The Rockefeller Foundation Announces Grant to Expand Access to COVID-19 Testing and Tracing in Africa
28 January 2021
The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a new grant of US$12 million to the Africa Public Health Foundation to help expand the geographic coverage of testing and to strengthen contact tracing for COVID-19 in Africa through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)…

Press Releases
MTN partners with African Union on COVID-19 vaccinations in Africa
28 January 2021
In a unique public/private partnership, MTN, Africa’s leading mobile network, has announced a donation of US$25 million to support the African Union’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The donation will help secure up to seven million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for health workers across the continent, which will contribute to the vaccination initiative of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)…

China CDC
http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/
No new digest content identified.

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
Jan 30: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On Jan 29, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 52 new cases of confirmed infections

Chinese vaccines bring relief in global COVID-19 battle
2021-01-27

National Medical Products Administration [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/news.html
News
Chinese mainland reports 36 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases
2021-01-29
The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported 52 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 36 locally transmitted and 16 arriving from outside the mainland, the National Health Commission said on Jan 29.

Chinese vaccines’ advantages explained by producers, experts
2021-01-28
The COVID-19 vaccines made by China are doing well in a variety of criteria for the vaccine’s effectiveness, according to the chairmen of domestic vaccine manufacturers and other experts.

Nearly 23 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in China
2021-01-28
A total of 22.77 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in China by Tuesday, the National Health Commission said here on Jan 27.

WHO commends China for submitting COVID-19 vaccines data for assessment
2021-01-27

Organization Announcements

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/
News
No new digest content identified.

BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
BARDA News
No new digest content identified.

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases
Press Releases and Statements
No new digest content identified.

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.gatesmri.org/
The Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute is a non-profit biotech organization. Our mission is to develop products to fight malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases—three major causes of mortality, poverty, and inequality in developing countries. The world has unprecedented scientific tools at its disposal; now is the time to use them to save the lives of the world’s poorest people
No new digest content identified.

CARB-X [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://carb-x.org/
News
01.27.2021
CARB-X is funding Seattle-based Lumen Bioscience to develop a new oral monoclonal antibody cocktail to prevent serious diarrheal diseases
CARB-X is awarding up to US$5.35 million to Lumen Bioscience, in Seattle, WA, USA, to develop a new immunotherapy to prevent diarrheal diseases caused by two deadly pathogens, Campylobacter jejuni and enterotoxigenic E. coli.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/
News/Analysis/Statements
No new digest content identified.

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
29 Jan 2021
CEPI statement on EMA recommending authorisation of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the EU
“ Statement from Dr. Melanie Saville, Director of Vaccine R&D, CEPI: We welcome today’s (29 Jan) announcement that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorization for the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The EMA has determined that the vaccine is safe and effective in adults over the age of 18 and as such this is an important milestone for vaccination efforts in Europe and beyond.
“With several approved vaccines now available, and more showing encouraging late-stage trial results, the world is in a stronger position to push back against COVID-19. The Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can play a crucial role in the world’s response to this pandemic. The evidence of its efficacy is robust, and it has been shown to prevent serious illness and death, which is a priority at this stage in the pandemic. In addition, it is inexpensive to produce, and can be stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius – characteristics that will enhance access and make global distribution easier, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. AstraZeneca’s commitment to sell their vaccine at no profit is also testament to their commitment to ensuring the whole world benefits from these scientific advancements…”

29 Jan 2021
CEPI statement on Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine Phase III Efficacy Data
CEPI has to date provided up to US $388 million in funding to accelerate the development and manufacture of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
“Statement from Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI: It is extremely encouraging that the Novavax, NVX-CoV2373, protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate has demonstrated 89.3% efficacy in a Phase 3 UK trial and shows good efficacy against the newly identified variant B.1.1.7. The data from South Africa showing lower efficacy of this highly effective vaccine against B.1.351 is the first direct data to confirm the ability of this variant to partially evade our vaccines.  It is good to hear that Novavax has moved so quickly to initiate development of new constructs against the emerging strains to identify candidates for booster or bivalent vaccines.
“I want to congratulate our Novavax partners on the outstanding results in the UK trial.  NVX-CoV2373 will play a significant role in the global struggle against COVID-19…

28 Jan 2021
CEPI funding call launches to rapidly generate additional clinical research on COVID-19 vaccines
:: Launched today, the new CEPI Call will provide up to US $140 million in funding to vaccine developers and other research institutions for rapid complementary clinical data on COVID-19 vaccines.
:: Deliberately kept broad in scope, examples of scientific programmes to be supported through the Call include clinical trials in pregnant women, infants and children, and immunocompromised populations, as well as studies on booster doses, length of vaccine efficacy, ‘mix and match’ strategies, and dosing intervals.
:: Purpose of Call is to fill in current clinical research and development gaps to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines.
:: As part of their proposal, applicants must show plans to increase equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine being assessed.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://dukeghic.org/
Launch and Scale Speedometer
No new analysis identified.

EDCTP [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.edctp.org/
The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as other poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on phase II and III clinical trials
No new digest content identified.

Emory Vaccine Center [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.

European Commission [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
Statement 29 January 2021
Commission statement on the vaccine export authorisation scheme
To tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU, the Commission is putting in place a measure requiring that such exports are subject to an authorisation by Member States.
In the process of finalisation of this measure, the Commission will ensure that the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol is unaffected. The Commission is not triggering the safeguard clause.
Should transits of vaccines and active substances toward third countries be abused to circumvent the effects of the authorisation system, the EU will consider using all the instruments at its disposal.
In the process of finalising the document, the Commission will also be fine-tuning the decision-making process under the implementing regulation…

Questions and answers 29 January 2021
Questions and Answers: Transparency and authorisation mechanism for exports of COVID-19 vaccines
The objective of this measure is to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for all EU citizens and to tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU.

Press release 29 January 2021
European Commission authorises third safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19
Today, the European Commission has granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) for the COVID19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca, the third COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the EU.

European Medicines Agency [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
News & Press Releases
News: EMA recommends COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca for authorisation in the EU (updated)
Last updated: 29/01/2021
EMA has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people from 18 years of age. This is the third COVID-19 vaccine that EMA has recommended for authorisation.

EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and recommended by consensus a formal conditional marketing authorisation be granted by the European Commission. This will assure EU citizens that the vaccine meets EU standards and puts in place the safeguards, controls and obligations to underpin EU-wide vaccination campaigns.

“With this third positive opinion, we have further expanded the arsenal of vaccines available to EU and EEA member states to combat the pandemic and protect their citizens,” said Emer Cooke, Executive Director of EMA. “As in previous cases, the CHMP has rigorously evaluated this vaccine, and the scientific basis of our work underpins our firm commitment to safeguard the health of EU citizens.”

Combined results from 4 clinical trials in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa showed that COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca was safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 in people from 18 years of age. These studies involved around 24,000 people altogether. Half received the vaccine and half were given a control injection, either a dummy injection or another non-COVID vaccine. People did not know if they had been given the test vaccine or the control injection.

The safety of the vaccine has been demonstrated across the four studies. However, the Agency based its calculation of how well the vaccine worked on the results from study COV002 (conducted in the UK) and study COV003 (conducted in Brazil). The other two studies had fewer than 6 COVID-19 cases in each, which was not enough to measure the preventive effect of the vaccine. In addition, as the vaccine is to be given as two standard doses, and the second dose should be given between 4 and 12 weeks after the first, the Agency concentrated on results involving people who received this standard regimen.

These showed a 59.5% reduction in the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases in people given the vaccine (64 of 5,258 got COVID-19 with symptoms) compared with people given control injections (154 of 5,210 got COVID-19 with symptoms). This means that the vaccine demonstrated around a 60% efficacy in the clinical trials…

News: Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 25-29 January 2021
CHMP, Last updated: 29/01/2021
… The Committee recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (COVID-19 Vaccine (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant])) to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people from 18 years of age. This is the third COVID-19 vaccine that EMA has recommended for authorisation. For more information, see the press release in the grid below….

News: First COVID-19 vaccine safety update published
Last updated: 29/01/2021
Today EMA has released its first safety update on a COVID-19 vaccine — Comirnaty. It concludes that safety data collected on Comirnaty use in vaccination campaigns is consistent with the known safety profile of the vaccine, and no new side effects were identified.
The safety update reflects data collected and assessed since Comirnaty’s authorisation, including data from EudraVigilance (the EU’s centralised database of suspected side effects) and data received from other sources, including the company’s monthly safety report required for COVID-19 vaccines. EMA will publish monthly safety updates for all authorised COVID-19 vaccines, in line with exceptional transparency measures for COVID-19…

News: Clarification of Comirnaty dosage interval
Last updated: 28/01/2021
EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has updated the product information for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to clarify its position on the interval between the first and second dose.
The product information (section 4.2 and package leaflet) now recommends the administration of the second dose 3 weeks after the first dose. Previously, the product information stated that the interval should be “at least 21 days”.
The product information (section 5.1) already states that the participants whose data was used to calculate efficacy received their second dose within 19 to 42 days after their first dose. A sentence has been added with the information that 93.1% of these participants received the second dose 19 to 23 days after the first dose.
There are currently no clinical data on the efficacy of the vaccine when administered beyond intervals used in the clinical trial.
Full information for patients and healthcare professionals is available in the updated product information…

European Vaccine Initiative [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
EVI
World NTD day 2021
Every year on January 30th, the global health and development community comes together to acknowledge World Neglected Tropical Disease (N…

EVI
New report finds PDPs serving neglected communities produced

FDA [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements /Selected Details
January 29, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: January 29, 2021
:: This week, the FDA added a new frequently asked question (FAQ), “Can the FDA help me get a COVID-19 vaccine,” to our COVID-19 FAQs, under the vaccine section. The answer is no. The FDA’s authority includes authorizing or approving COVID-19 vaccines for use in the United States. The FDA is not responsible for vaccine distribution. Go to the CDC website to find your state and local health departments who are responsible for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. If you are contacted directly by someone who says they are from the FDA about a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, it is a scam…

January 26, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: January 26, 2021

FDA – COVID-19 Vaccines [to 30 Jan 2021]
www.fda.gov/covid19vaccines
News and Updates; Upcoming Events
No new digest content identified.

Fondation Merieux [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
No new digest content identified.

Gavi [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.gavi.org/
News releases
No new digest content identified.

GHIT Fund [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press
GHIT was set up in 212 with the aim of developing new tools to tackle infectious diseases that
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

Global Fund [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News
COVID-19 Situation Report
28 January 2021
Our COVID-19 Situation Reports bring together news about the Global Fund partnership’s response to the pandemic. We publish a new issue when there are developments. The latest issue is available below.
Situation Report – 28 January 2021 download in English

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.glopid-r.org/news/
News
GloPID-R observer, CEPI, seeks senior scientific and global health experts for its Scientific Advisory Committee
28/01/2021
GloPID-R observer, CEPI, has launched a call for applications to join its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The CEPI SAC provides…

The work carried out by GloPID-R, its members and partners and the lessons learnt in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been featured in three articles published in leading journals
26/01/2021
‘Coordinating research on pandemic preparedness and rapid response’ by GloPID-R Chair, Charu Kaushic and Geneviève Boily-Larouche, CIHR Institute of Infection…

Hilleman Laboratories [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
No new digest content identified.

Human Vaccines Project [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/media/press-releases/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

IAVI [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
PRESS RELEASES/FEATURES
January 26, 2021
IAVI Sees Hope in Findings of Antibody-Mediated Prevention Study
Results illuminate potential way forward for use of broadly neutralizing antibodies to prevent HIV
IAVI congratulates the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the HIV Vaccines Trial Network (HVTN) on the successful conduct of the Antibody-Mediated Prevention (AMP) study and commends the contributions the trial participants made toward answering essential scientific questions…

January 21, 2021
TB vaccine candidate being investigated to prevent TB infection in infants in Phase III priMe study
Study sites are in five African countries with high TB and HIV burden.

International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities [ICMRA]
http://www.icmra.info/drupal/en/news
Selected Statements, Press Releases, Research
No new digest content identified.

International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]
https://www.igbamedicines.org/
News
Press Releases/Announcements
No new digest content identified.

IFFIm
http://www.iffim.org/
Press Releases/Announcements
No new digest content identified.

IFRC [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
Africa, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement scales up its humanitarian response to meet urgent needs in Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti
Geneva/Nairobi, 28 January 2021 –  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is appealing to donors for 20 million Swiss francs to urgently expand its response to the acute humanitarian needs created by the Tigray crisis in Ethiopia, while th …
28 January 2021

Global
IFRC announces expansion of disaster fund ahead of major climate summit
Geneva, 25 January 2021 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced today a major expansion of one of the world’s only means of channeling international funds directly to frontline disaster responders. The an …
25 January 2021

Institut Pasteur [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press release 25.01.2021
COVID-19: progress update on the Institut Pasteur’s scientific response and vaccine candidate research programs
Since early 2020, the Institut Pasteur has been engaged in research in several of its areas of scientific expertise, including virology, diagnostics, pathophysiology, epidemiology, modeling, therapeutic research and vaccine research. A number of research programs to find a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 epidemic, are under way. In light of the intermediate results of its Phase I clinical trial, the Institut Pasteur is stopping development of one of its vaccine candidates, the vaccine based on the measles vaccine virus. The Institut Pasteur will continue to pursue the development of other vaccine candidates which have reached preclinical phase, alongside its concerted scientific efforts to tackle the COVID-19 epidemic.

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index
Media highlights [Selected]
Press Release
As more contagious COVID-19 variants threaten the world’s most vulnerable, the IRC calls for equitable vaccine distribution
January 29, 2021
“…With billions of people not anticipated to receive a COVID-19 vaccine this year, we continue to urge high-income countries to increase their investments to both the COVAX facility and broader humanitarian assistance that remains every bit as essential, especially given the severity of COVID-19’s secondary impacts. This includes ensuring that refugees and internally displaced people are included in vaccination campaigns…”

Press Release
The IKEA Foundation awards €30 million grant to the International Rescue Committee to support livelihoods development for urban refugees in East Africa
January 28, 2021

IVAC [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
Webinar: Social Media Interventions and Vaccine Hesitancy
Register: The International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) on February 9, 2021 at 1:00pm ET will host a 60-minute webinar, “Social Media Interventions and Vaccine Hesitancy.”
Description: Join us for a webinar presentation about how misinformation spreads over social media platforms and creates vaccine hesitancy. The public’s trust in vaccine safety and effectiveness are key to maintaining immunization coverage and protecting at-risk populations from preventable diseases. Immunization and communications experts will discuss what action is needed to prevent anti-vaccine efforts from spreading over social media networks, and what challenges the infodemic poses to public health efforts internationally.
Register here

IVI [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News, Announcements, Events
COVID-19 and NTDs: from setbacks to a new way forward
by Raphaël Zellweger and Aerie Em
… Rising global COVID-19 cases have remarkably coincided with a reduction in other respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. In Taiwan, for example, infection rates for influenza, pneumonia, enterovirus and scarlet fever were lower in 2020 compared to previous seasons [1]. It is reasonable to attribute this phenomenon to COVID-induced hygiene consciousness and behavioral changes such as handwashing, mask wearing and social distancing. Unsurprisingly, this reduction has not been observed for vector-borne diseases, as their mode of transmission and control typically differ from respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. For instance, several countries including Singapore, Peru, Brazil and Colombia suffered epidemics of dengue, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, during the COVID-19 pandemic [2]…

GI-Cell, IVI sign MOU to develop next-generation COVID-19 vaccine
:: To cooperate in clinical development of COVID-19 vaccine candidate
:: GI-Cell aims to prioritize supplying to Korea and developing countries by developing a vaccine that accommodates mass supply, viral mutation response, safety, convenience of patients
January 26, 2021, SEOUL, Korea – GI-Cell, an affiliate of GI-Innovation, a biotechnology company for cell therapy development, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to develop a COVID-19 vaccine candidate…
Currently, GI-Cell is developing a COVID-19 vaccine GIC-1114/1114m using GI-COV-VAX, its proprietary protein vaccine development platform. GIC-1114/1114m can not only generate neutralizing antibodies but also induce T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 that will hopefully provide better protection against future mutant COVID-19 viruses and is designed to significantly increase the duration of protection. A monkey experiment has confirmed that a single dose induces neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses, which is considered advantageous compared to other products in terms of public health benefit, convenience, side-effects and cost…

JEE Alliance [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.jeealliance.org/
Selected News and Events
No new digest content identified.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
New Algorithms Developed to Attribute Origins of Genetically Engineered DNA
altLabs and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Announces Results of Genetic Engineering Attribution Challenge 2020
January 26, 2021 – Every day, genetic engineering techniques are used to solve critical challenges in agriculture, manufacturing, and medicine. However, as the power of genetic engineering increases, so too does the potential for serious negative consequences if the technology is misused. It is often difficult to trace the origins of a genetically engineered product, making it difficult to ensure its creators receive due credit or are held accountable. Better tools are needed to advance our collective ability to connect the products of genetic engineering to their designers—a process known as genetic engineering attribution—to support responsible development of biotechnology.

To advance genetic engineering attribution, altLabs sponsored in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and the iGEM Safety and Security Program the Genetic Engineering Attribution Challenge on the DrivenData competition platform, offering monetary prizes for algorithms that could accurately predict the origin of genetically engineered DNA sequences. More than 300 teams from around the world participated in the competition, and prizes were awarded to 6 winning teams. Given 10 guesses for each sequence, the best teams were able to predict the source lab of an unfamiliar plasmid DNA sequence almost 95% of the time—a marked improvement over the top published score of 85%. These results demonstrate the potential for new machine learning approaches to further improve existing tools and solve the challenges associated with genetic engineering attribution.

“Synthetic biology offers fantastic benefits for society, but its anonymity opens the door for reckless or malicious actors to cause serious harm,” said Will Bradshaw, Competition Director at altLabs. “By removing this anonymity, genetic engineering attribution promises to make everyone safer—while still promoting and rewarding innovation. Thanks to modern machine learning techniques, reliable attribution of real-world engineered sequences is now within reach—as demonstrated by the results of this competition. Given further investment, attribution technology like this could play a key role in the future of synthetic biology.”…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Italy
Abandoned at the borders: stories of people on the move during winter
Voices from the Field 28 Jan 2021

Democratic Republic of Congo
South Kivu: An endless flight
Project Update 28 Jan 2021

Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic
Malawi is overwhelmed by second wave of COVID-19
Interview 27 Jan 2021

Neglected diseases
No more neglected diseases, no more neglected patients
Press Release 27 Jan 2021

Central African Republic
Displaced people in Bouar living amid fear and growing needs
Project Update 26 Jan 2021

Neglected diseases
Overcoming neglect: Finding ways to manage and control NTDs
Report 26 Jan 2021

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
No new digest content identified.

NIH [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
News Releases
Janssen Investigational COVID-19 Vaccine: Interim Analysis of Phase 3 Clinical Data Released
Single dose vaccine appears to be safe and effective at preventing moderate and severe COVID-19 in adults.
January 29, 2021 — An investigational COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals appears to be safe and effective at preventing moderate and severe COVID-19 in adults, according to an interim analysis of Phase 3 clinical data conducted Jan. 21. The vaccine, called Ad.26.COV2.S or JNJ-78436725, requires only a single injection and can be stored in a refrigerator for months.
The interim analysis assessed 468 cases of symptomatic COVID-19 among 44,325 adult volunteers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and the United States. The investigational vaccine was reportedly 66% effective at preventing the study’s combined endpoints of moderate and severe COVID-19 at 28 days post-vaccination among all volunteers, including those infected with an emerging viral variant. Moderate COVID-19 was defined as laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 plus either one of the following: evidence of pneumonia; deep vein thrombosis; difficulty breathing; abnormal oxygen saturation or a respiratory rate equal to or greater than 20; or two or more signs or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, such as cough, sore throat, fever or chills. Severe COVID-19 was defined as laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 plus evidence of clinical signs at rest indicative of severe systemic illness, respiratory failure, shock, significant organ dysfunction, hospital intensive care unit admission or death.
Geographically, the level of protection for the combined endpoints of moderate and severe disease varied: 72% in the United States; 66% in Latin American countries; and 57% in South Africa, 28 days post-vaccination. The investigational vaccine was reportedly 85% effective in preventing severe/critical COVID-19 across all geographical regions. No deaths related to COVID-19 were reported in the vaccine group, while 5 deaths in the placebo group were related to COVID-19. Overall, there were 16 deaths in the placebo group, and 3 deaths in the vaccine group…

Severe COVID-19 in pregnancy associated with preterm birth, other complications
January 28, 2021 — NIH-funded study also suggests mother-to-infant transmission appears to be rare.

NIH launches database to track neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19
January 26, 2021 — The body’s response to COVID-19 infection on the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscle can be particularly devastating.

Antibody infusions prevent acquisition of some HIV strains, NIH studies find
January 26, 2021 — Results will inform development of long-acting antibody-based HIV prevention tools.

PATH [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Release
PATH’s statement on the Biden administration’s memorandum reversing the Mexico City Policy
January 29, 2021 by PATH

GSK, PATH, and Bharat Biotech sign product transfer agreement to help ensure long-term supply of RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine
January 27, 2021 by PATH
:: Bharat Biotech to produce antigen for world’s first vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum malaria following technology transfer, to help ensure long-term sustainable supply.
:: Transfer builds on GSK commitments to donate up to 10 million vaccine doses to the pilot implementation in regions of Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi and supply up to 15 million doses annually to 2028 if recommended for wider use.
:: Bharat Biotech selected as partner based upon its established experience in development, production, and supply of global health vaccines.

PATH and the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative launch a $30M global project to advance the use of new and existing tools to fight malaria and save lives
January 26, 2021 by PATH
PATH builds a consortium of partners to implement the five-year PMI Insights for Malaria (INFORM) award.
Seattle, WA, January 26th, 2021 – PATH is pleased to announce that it has been chosen to lead the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative’s (PMI) new five-year $30 million operational research and program evaluation project to help partner countries ensure they are making the most effective and efficient use of resources to fight malaria and save lives. Through strong collaboration with in-country research institutions, PMI Insights for Malaria (INFORM) will generate evidence and data to inform national malaria programs and the global malaria community of best practices, while strengthening research capacity in PMI-supported countries.

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
Sabin Vaccine Institute Statement on the Passing of Sabin Founder and Trustee Philip Russell
Monday, January 25, 2021
Major General (Ret) Philip King Russell, physician, scientist, soldier, family man, and global health advocate who dedicated his life to protecting humans from infectious disease through vaccines, died peacefully on January 21, 2021, just a few months after being diagnosed with cancer and one week before his 89th birthday. Phil’s proudest achievement and greatest joy was his large and ever-expanding family, and after living in the Washington, DC area for more than 40 years, Phil and his wife of 65 years, Constance Rice Russell, moved to the Denver area in 2014 to be closer to their family. Phil passed his final days with Connie and his three children (Katherine Russell Kingsbery, Ellen King Russell Herting and Richard Webster Russell) by his side. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Russell Everette Kingsbery, Kelsey Louise Kingsbery, William Webster Kingsbery, Avery Grace Russell, Peyton Christine Russell, Taylor King Russell and three great grandchildren.

UNAIDS [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
28 January 2021
Central African Republic: producing HIV estimates in the context of crisis

27 January 2021
New guidance on ethical HIV prevention trials published
UNAIDS and the World Health Organization have published updated guidance on ethical considerations in HIV prevention trials. The new guidance is the result of a year-long process that saw more than 80 experts and members of the public give inputs and is published 21 years after the first edition appeared.
“UNAIDS is committed to working with the people and populations affected by HIV, promoting and protecting their rights,” said Peter Godfrey-Faussett, UNAIDS Science Adviser. “This guidance sets out how to carry out ethical trials on HIV prevention while safeguarding the participants’ rights during scientific research and promoting the development of new HIV prevention tools.”…

27 January 2021
Islamic Republic of Iran bans stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in health-care settings

25 January 2021
Hand sanitizer donated by Reckitt Benckiser to people living with HIV

25 January 2021
Discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV declining in some regions, rebounding in others

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected Announcements
Conditions dire as CAR displacement tops 200,000
29 Jan 2021

UNHCR welcomes Iceland’s decision to join global efforts to end statelessness
29 Jan 2021

UNHCR warns asylum under attack at Europe’s borders, urges end to pushbacks and violence against refugees
28 Jan 2021

As Sub-Saharan crises force more to flee, UNHCR calls for stronger Mediterranean route response
27 Jan 2021

With refugee resettlement at a record low in 2020, UNHCR calls on States to offer places and save lives
25 Jan 2021

UNICEF [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Selected Press releases, Statements
Press release 01/27/2021
Nutrition crisis looms as more than 39 billion in-school meals missed since start of pandemic – UNICEF and WFP
School meals, often the one nutritious daily meal that children get, must be prioritized in school reopening plans

Statement 01/27/2021
12 weeks into the conflict, ‘deeply troubling’ situation for children in Tigray
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on the humanitarian situation in Tigray, Ethiopia

Press release 01/26/2021
Up to 90,000 children in central Mozambique urgently need humanitarian assistance in wake of Cyclone Eloise
Region’s children and families still recovering from devastation wrought by Cyclone Idai less than two years ago

Unitaid [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
No new digest content identified.

Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN) [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://vaccineacceptance.org/news.html#header1-2r
Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
News, Research and Reports
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
No new digest content identified.

Wellcome Trust [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
News
No new digest content identified.

The Wistar Institute [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
Operation Vaccination: An Analysis of Global COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategies
Jan 29, 2021 | News
Operation Vaccination: An Analysis of Global COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategies
The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest public health crisis of our lifetimes. Mass immunization is the best chance we have of conquering the disease, but it presents a fiercely complex challenge for governments, healthcare systems and populations.
This weekly post will explore the policy, logistics, obstacles and controversies involved in procuring and distributing vaccines against COVID-19. Under investigation are 9 countries across 5 continents (Brazil, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Nigeria, Taiwan, the UK and the US), as well as COVAX, the global vaccine sharing initiative.
These articles are a means for the WFPHA to keep readers up to date with how the COVID-19 vaccine race is developing across the world. Each week will cover a different theme as it applies to each of the countries being covered:
COVAX
Brazil
India
IDN
IRL
Israel
NGA
TW
UK
US

COVID-19 Pandemic in the Amazon – An Urgent Need for International Solidarity
Jan 29, 2021 | News
COVID-19 Pandemic in the Amazon – An Urgent Need for International Solidarity
Amazon, a region with so much natural wealth, is the homeland of amongst the poorest people in the Americas, including a high proportion of Indigenous Peoples. The poor and neglected…

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2021/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

::::::

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 30 Jan 2021]
Press Releases – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (alliancerm.org)
Press Releases
ARM Statement on the Trump Administration’s Interim Final MFN Rule
Washington, DC – January 26, 2021
ARM today called on the Biden administration to withdraw in its entirety the Trump administration’s Interim Final Rule on the Most Favored Nation (MFN) model for Medicare Part B. The MFN approach is particularly misguided for cell, gene, and tissue-based therapies. These durable – and possibly curative – therapies address the root causes of disease and contribute to more sustainable healthcare systems. Furthermore, patient access to the most innovative therapies in the countries upon which the MFN model is based lags considerably behind the US. Even if CMS were to exclude certain cell and gene therapies from the MFN model today, the innovators of tomorrow will face uncertainty. We encourage the Biden administration to instead consider the adoption of innovative payment models that recognize the unique promise of regenerative medicine, including by tying reimbursement to patient outcomes.

BIO [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases
Supercharging Marketing—the Mission for New Chief Marketing Officer at BIO
January 28, 2021
Washington, DC – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has appointed Melissa von Stauffenberg as Chief Marketing Officer, effective February 1, 2021. The newly created position emerged from a recent reorganization aimed at driving a…

New “100 Days of Innovation” Blueprint Outlines Priorities To End the Pandemic, Build American Resiliency
January 27, 2021
As Congress and the new President lay out their aggressive “100 Day Plans,” The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today released a new blueprint highlighting goals to strengthen America’s innovation ecosystem, end the COVID-19 pandemic,…
The blueprint, which can be found here, includes the advocacy organization’s priorities for the first 100 days working with Congress and the Biden Administration. BIO aims to:
[1] Ensure a speedy transition and an expedited Senate confirmation process for agency leadership critical to advancing public health, nutrition, and environmental goals.
[2] Reengage as a leader on the world stage, including rejoining the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords.
[3] Develop and approve more vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to prevent and treat COVID-19.
[4] Promote robust and equitable patient access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
[5] Better prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks.
[6] Drive economic revival and resiliency through Adoption of Advanced Biotechnology Solutions…

New Criteria Set for Political Contributions from BIO
January 27, 2021
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization announced today that it will resume political giving under new criteria for political leaders seeking campaign assistance. Shortly after the violent demonstration three weeks ago at the US Capitol BIO…

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 30 Jan 2021]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

IFPMA [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
IFPMA Statement on EU COVID-19 Vaccines Supply
28 January 2021
Global supply chains are key to delivering vaccines to protect citizens against COVID-19. The making of a vaccine requires many dozens of ingredients and manufacturing components which come from around the world.
It is vital that any measures proposed by the European Commission and the Member States do not restrict, hold back, or have other negative impacts on exports of vaccines or the import of key vaccine manufacturing supplies. Risking retaliatory measures from other regions at this crucial moment in the fight against COVID-19 is not in anyone’s best interest.
We are deeply concerned by European discussions that could be disruptive of our global efforts to manufacture and deliver billions of vaccines in record time. This is a time for cool heads and finding solutions. Threatening export restrictions is short sighted; and could risk undermining the supply of vaccines in Europe and around the world.
EFPIA statement here.

PhRMA [to 30 Jan 2021]
http://www.phrma.org/
Selected Press Releases, Statements
Growing trend: Increased vaccine confidence
January 28, 2021
According to researchers writing in The Lancet, we need a majority of Americans to have the confidence to get vaccinated for COVID-19 if we are going to be effective in moving the United States toward population-level control of viral spread. As Dr. Anthony Fauci has noted, “If you have a vaccine that is highly effective and not enough people get vaccinated, you’re not going to realize the full, important effect of having a vaccine.”
Blog Post

2020 FDA approvals show innovation despite COVID-19 pandemic challenges
January 26, 2021
A new report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) approved 53 novel drugs last year. These figures are in addition to innovative medicines that are approved through FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research—which include for example, cell therapies, gene therapies, vaccines and other biologic medicines.
Blog Post

Journal Watch
Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review continues its weekly scanning of key peer-reviewed journals to identify and cite articles, commentary and editorials, books reviews and other content supporting our focu-s on vaccine ethics and policy. Journal Watch is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicative of themes and issues the Center is actively tracking. We selectively provide full text of some editorial and comment articles that are specifically relevant to our work. Successful access to some of the links provided may require subscription or other access arrangement unique to the publisher.
If you would like to suggest other journal titles to include in this service, please contact David Curry at: david.r.curry@centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.org

American Journal of Infection Control
February 2021 Volume 49 Issue 2 p137-280
http://www.ajicjournal.org/current

Major Articles
Willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine with and without emergency use authorization
Jeanine P.D. Guidry, Linnea I. Laestadius, Emily K. Vraga, … Mark Ryan, Bernard F. Fuemmeler, Kellie E. Carlyle
Published online: November 19, 2020 p137-142
Highlights
:: Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake intentions both under regular circumstances as well as under EUA included high perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, high perceived benefits of the vaccine, and scoring low on barriers to the vaccine.
:: Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake under EUA also included age and race/ethnicity.
:: Concerns about rushed vaccine development appear to reduce vaccine uptake intent, as well as willingness to get the vaccine under EUA.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
February 2021 Volume 60 Issue 2 p151-310
http://www.ajpmonline.org/current

Research Letters
Rural–Urban Differences in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Adults in 8 U.S. States
Minjee Lee, Mary A. Gerend, Eric Adjei Boakye
Published online: October 13, 2020
p298-299

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 30 Jan 2021)

Knowledge among the rural parents about the vaccinations and vaccination coverage of children in the first year of life in Papua New Guinea – analysis of data provided by Christian health services
Knowledge among the rural parents about the vaccinations and vaccination coverage of children in the first year of life in Papua New Guinea – analysis of data provided by Christian Health Services.
Authors: Ewelina Gowin, Jerzy Kuzma and Danuta Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:130
Content type: Research article
Published on: 30 January 2021

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 30 Jan 2021)

Examining Australian public perceptions and behaviors towards a future COVID-19 vaccine
As immunisation program launches have previously demonstrated, it is essential that careful planning occurs now to ensure the readiness of the public for a COVID-19 vaccine. As part of that process, this study…
Authors: Holly Seale, Anita E. Heywood, Julie Leask, Meru Sheel, David N. Durrheim, Katarzyna Bolsewicz and Rajneesh Kaur
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:120
Content type: Research article
Published on: 28 January 2021

BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 30 Jan 2021)

HIV prevention research and COVID-19: putting ethics guidance to the test
Critical public health measures implemented to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have disrupted health research worldwide, including HIV prevention research. While general guidance has been issued for the responsible conduct of research in these challenging circumstances, the contours of the dueling COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS pandemics raise some critical ethical issues for HIV prevention research. In this paper, we use the recently updated HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) Ethics Guidance Document (EGD) to situate and analyze key ethical challenges related to the conduct of HIV prevention research during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as identify potential areas for refinement of the guidance document based on this unprecedented state of affairs.
Authors: Stuart Rennie, Wairimu Chege, Leah A. Schrumpf, Florencia Luna, Robert Klitzman, Ernest Moseki, Brandon Brown, Steven Wakefield and Jeremy Sugarman
Content type: Debate
25 January 2021

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles

Research
Potential effect modification of RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine efficacy by household socio-economic status
In the phase III RTS,S /AS01 trial, significant heterogeneity in efficacy of the vaccine across study sites was seen. Question on whether variations in socio – economic status (SES) of participant contributed …
Authors: Stephaney Gyaase, Kwaku Poku Asante, Elisha Adeniji, Owusu Boahen, Matthew Cairns and Seth Owusu-Agyei
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:240
Content type: Research article
Published on: 28 January 2021

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles

Impact of video-led educational intervention on the uptake of influenza vaccine among adults aged 60 years and above in China: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Influenza is a global health threat to older adults, and the influenza vaccine is the most effective approach to prevent influenza infection. However, influenza vaccination coverage among Chinese older adults …
Authors: Pengchao Li, Khezar Hayat, Minghuan Jiang, Zhaojing Pu, Xuelin Yao, Yamin Zou, Krizzia Lambojon, Yifan Huang, Jinghua Hua, Hanri Xiao, Fulei Du, Li Shi, Panpan Zhai, Wenjing Ji, Zhitong Feng, Yilin Gong…
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:222
Content type: Study protocol
Published on: 27 January 2021

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 27, Number 2—February 2021
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

Research
Addressing COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media Preemptively and Responsively [PDF – 869 KB – 8 pages]
E. K. Vraga and L. Bode

Gates Open Research
https://gatesopenresearch.org/browse/articles
[Accessed 30 Jan 2021]

Research Article metrics AWAITING PEER REVIEW
Real-time monitoring of the rollout of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in rural India using a digital tracking platform [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
Ruchit Nagar, Mohammad Sarparajul Ambiya, Saachi Dalal, Pawan Singh Bhadauriya, Hamid Abdullah, Mohammed Shahnawaz, Daniel M. Weinberger
Peer Reviewers Invited
Funders: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Global Alliance for Vaccines
PUBLISHED 25 Jan 2021

Globalization and Health
http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/
[Accessed 30 Jan 2021]

Commentary
A call to advance and translate research into policy on governance, ethics, and conflicts of interest in public health: the GECI-PH network
Authors: Rima Nakkash, Melissa Mialon, Jihad Makhoul, Monika Arora, Rima Afifi, Abeer Al Halabi and Leslie London
25 January 2021
Abstract
Efforts to adopt public health policies that would limit the consumption of unhealthy commodities, such as tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed food products, are often undermined by private sector actors whose profits depend on the sales of such products. There is ample evidence showing that these corporations not only try to influence public health policy; they also shape research, practice and public opinion. Globalization, trade and investment agreements, and privatization, amongst other factors, have facilitated the growing influence of private sector actors on public health at both national and global levels. Protecting and promoting public health from the undue influence of private sector actors is thus an urgent task. With this backdrop in mind, we launched the “Governance, Ethics, and Conflicts of Interest in Public Health” Network (GECI-PH Network) in 2018. Our network seeks to share, collate, promote and foster knowledge on governance, ethical, and conflicts of interest that arise in the interactions between private sectors actors and those in public health, and within multi-stakeholder mechanisms where dividing lines between different actors are often blurred. We call for strong guidance to address and manage the influence of private sector actors on public health policy, research and practice, and for dialogue on this important topic. Our network recently reached 119 members. Membership is diverse in composition and expertise, location, and institutions. We invite colleagues with a common interest to join our network.

Humanitarian Exchange Magazine
Number 78, October 2020
https://odihpn.org/magazine/inclusion-of-persons-with-disabilities-in-humanitarian-action-what-now/

Disability inclusion in humanitarian action
by HPN October 2020
The theme of this edition of Humanitarian Exchange, co-edited with Sherin Alsheikh Ahmed from Islamic Relief Worldwide, is disability inclusion in humanitarian action. Persons with disabilities are not only disproportionately impacted by conflicts, disasters and other emergencies, but also face barriers to accessing humanitarian assistance. At the same time, global commitments and standards and the IASC Guidelines on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action all emphasise how persons with disabilities are also active agents of change. Disability and age-focused organisations have led on testing and demonstrating how inclusion can be done better. Yet despite this progress, challenges to effective inclusion remain.

As Kirstin Lange notes in the lead article, chief among these challenges is humanitarian agencies’ lack of engagement with organisations of persons with disabilities. Simione Bula, Elizabeth Morgan and Teresa Thomson look at disability inclusion in humanitarian response in the Pacific, and Kathy Al Jubeh and Alradi Abdalla argue for a ‘participation revolution’, building on learning from the gender movement. Tchaurea Fleury and Sulayman AbdulMumuni Ujah outline how the Bridge Article 11 training initiative is encouraging constructive exchange between humanitarian and disability actors. The lack of good, disaggregated data is highlighted by Sarah Collinson; Frances Hill, Jim Cranshaw and Carys Hughes emphasise the need for training resources in local languages and accessible formats; and Sophie Van Eetvelt and colleagues report on a review of the evidence on inclusion of people with disabilities and older people.

Rebecca Molyneux and co-authors analyse the findings of a review of a DFID programme in north-east Nigeria, while Carolin Funke highlights the importance of strategic partnerships between disability-focused organisations, drawing on her research in Cox’s Bazar. Sherin Alsheikh Ahmed describes Islamic Relief Worldwide’s approach to mainstreaming protection and inclusion, while Pauline Thivillier and Valentina Shafina outline IRC’s Client Responsive Programming. The edition ends with reflections by Mirela Turcanu and Yves Ngunzi Kahashi on CAFOD’s SADI approach.

Infectious Diseases of Poverty
http://www.idpjournal.com/content
[Accessed 30 Jan 2021]

Editorial
The new COVID-19 poor and the neglected tropical diseases resurgence
Authors: Peter J. Hotez, Alan Fenwick and David Molyneux
Content type:
29 January 2021
More than 100 million people are facing a return to extreme poverty because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while new estimates suggest that three nations—India, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—may suffer the greatest economic contractions. Such findings will have profound consequences in terms of our ability to control or eliminate the most widely prevalent neglected tropical diseases.

International Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 49, Issue 6, December 2020
https://academic.oup.com/ije/issue

Opinion
Intersections of machine learning and epidemiological methods for health services research
Sherri Rose
International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 49, Issue 6, December 2020, Pages 1763–1770, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa035

International Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 49, Issue 6, December 2020
https://academic.oup.com/ije/issue

Commentary: Towards machine learning-enabled epidemiology
Louisa R Jorm
International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 49, Issue 6, December 2020, Pages 1770–1773, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa242

JAMA
January 26, 2021, Vol 325, No. 4, Pages 323-408
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

Research Letter
National Trends in the US Public’s Likelihood of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine—April 1 to December 8, 2020
Peter G. Szilagyi, MD, MPH; Kyla Thomas, PhD; Megha D. Shah, MD, MPH, MS; et al.
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2021;325(4):396-398. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.26419
This internet survey study describes trends in respondents saying they were likely to accept vaccination for COVID-19 overall and by age, sex, race, and education between April and December 2020.

JAMA
January 26, 2021, Vol 325, No. 4, Pages 323-408
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

Invited Commentary
Building Trust to Achieve Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines
Douglas J. Opel, MD, MPH; Daniel A. Salmon, PhD, MPH; Edgar K. Marcuse, MD, MPH

JAMA Network
COVID-19 Update January 30, 2021

These articles on COVID-19 were published across the JAMA Network in the last week.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
https://joppp.biomedcentral.com/
[Accessed 30 Jan 2021]

Commentary
Addressing the medicines access challenge through balance, evidence, collaboration and transparency: key take-away lessons of the 4th PPRI Conference
Authors: Sabine Vogler, Nina Zimmermann, Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar, Reinhard Busse, Jaime Espin, Aukje K. Mantel-Teeuwisse, Dimitra Panteli, Fatima Suleman and Veronika J. Wirtz
25 January 2021

The Lancet
Jan 30, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10272 p347-444
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Editorial
Health and care workers are owed a better future
The Lancet

The Lancet
Jan 30, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10272 p347-444
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Comment
Vaccines work: a reason for celebration and renewed commitment
Adam L Cohen, Minal K Patel, Thomas Cherian

The Lancet
Jan 30, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10272 p347-444
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

COVID-19 vaccines and women’s security
Sophie Harman, Asha Herten-Crabb, Rosemary Morgan, Julia Smith, Clare Wenham

The Lancet
Jan 30, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10272 p347-444
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Articles
Estimating the health impact of vaccination against ten pathogens in 98 low-income and middle-income countries from 2000 to 2030: a modelling study
Xiang Li, et al for the Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium
Open Access
Summary
Background
The past two decades have seen expansion of childhood vaccination programmes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We quantify the health impact of these programmes by estimating the deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted by vaccination against ten pathogens in 98 LMICs between 2000 and 2030.
Methods
16 independent research groups provided model-based disease burden estimates under a range of vaccination coverage scenarios for ten pathogens: hepatitis B virus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, human papillomavirus, Japanese encephalitis, measles, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A, Streptococcus pneumoniae, rotavirus, rubella, and yellow fever. Using standardised demographic data and vaccine coverage, the impact of vaccination programmes was determined by comparing model estimates from a no-vaccination counterfactual scenario with those from a reported and projected vaccination scenario. We present deaths and DALYs averted between 2000 and 2030 by calendar year and by annual birth cohort.
Findings
We estimate that vaccination of the ten selected pathogens will have averted 69 million (95% credible interval 52–88) deaths between 2000 and 2030, of which 37 million (30–48) were averted between 2000 and 2019. From 2000 to 2019, this represents a 45% (36–58) reduction in deaths compared with the counterfactual scenario of no vaccination. Most of this impact is concentrated in a reduction in mortality among children younger than 5 years (57% reduction [52–66]), most notably from measles. Over the lifetime of birth cohorts born between 2000 and 2030, we predict that 120 million (93–150) deaths will be averted by vaccination, of which 58 million (39–76) are due to measles vaccination and 38 million (25–52) are due to hepatitis B vaccination. We estimate that increases in vaccine coverage and introductions of additional vaccines will result in a 72% (59–81) reduction in lifetime mortality in the 2019 birth cohort.
Interpretation
Increases in vaccine coverage and the introduction of new vaccines into LMICs have had a major impact in reducing mortality. These public health gains are predicted to increase in coming decades if progress in increasing coverage is sustained.
Funding
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Nature
Volume 589 Issue 7843, 28 January 2021
http://www.nature.com/nature/current_issue.html

Editorial | 27 January 2021
How epidemiology has shaped the COVID pandemic
Nature’s third progress report, coming at the end of the pandemic’s first year, highlights key findings from epidemiology — from sounding the early alarm to following the impact of new variants.

Nature Human Behaviour
Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2021
https://www.nature.com/nathumbehav/volumes/5/issues/1

Editorial | 20 January 2021
COVID-19 is a marathon, not a sprint
The COVID-19 pandemic rendered 2020 a year like no other in recent history. Although 2021 starts hopeful—with COVID-19 vaccines already being rolled out in more than 30 countries—the fight against the pandemic is far from over.

Nature Human Behaviour
Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2021
https://www.nature.com/nathumbehav/volumes/5/issues/1

Comment | 26 October 2020
Coping with cascading collective traumas in the United States
The year 2020 has been marked by unprecedented cascading traumas, including the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic recession, race-driven social unrest and weather-related disasters. Mental health consequences of direct and media-based exposure to compounding stressors may be profound. Policymakers must act to ease the burden of trauma to protect public health.
Roxane Cohen Silver, E. Alison Holman & Dana Rose Garfin

New England Journal of Medicine
January 28, 2021 Vol. 384 No. 4
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

Editorial
Audio Interview: A Covid-19 Conversation with Anthony Fauci E.J. Rubin, L.R. Baden, A.S. Fauci, and S. Morrissey

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 30 Jan 2021]

The differential impact of pediatric COVID-19 between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of fatality and ICU admission in children worldwide
Taito Kitano, Mao Kitano, Carsten Krueger, Hassan Jamal, Hatem Al Rawahi, Rachelle Lee-Krueger, Rose Doulin Sun, Sandra Isabel, Marta Taida García-Ascaso, Hiromi Hibino, Bettina Camara, Marc Isabel, Leanna Cho, Helen E. Groves, Pierre-Philippe Piché-Renaud, Michael Kossov, Ikuho Kou, Ilsu Jon, Ana C. Blanchard, Nao Matsuda, Quenby Mahood, Anupma Wadhwa, Ari Bitnun, Shaun K. Morris
Research Article | published 29 Jan 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246326

Prehospital & Disaster Medicine
Volume 36 – Issue 1 – February 2021
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/prehospital-and-disaster-medicine/latest-issue

Special Report
Global Public Health Database Support to Population-Based Management of Pandemics and Global Public Health Crises, Part I: The Concept
Frederick M. Burkle, David A. Bradt, Benjamin J. Ryan
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 October 2020, pp. 95-104

Prehospital & Disaster Medicine
Volume 36 – Issue 1 – February 2021
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/prehospital-and-disaster-medicine/latest-issue

Global Public Health Database Support to Population-Based Management of Pandemics and Global Public Health Crises, Part II: The Database
Frederick M. Burkle, David A. Bradt, Joseph Green, Benjamin J. Ryan
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 October 2020, pp. 105-110

Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
https://www.dovepress.com/risk-management-and-healthcare-policy-archive56
[Accessed 30 Jan 2021]

Original Research
Does High Public Trust Amplify Compliance with Stringent COVID-19 Government Health Guidelines? A Multi-country Analysis Using Data from 102,627 Individuals
Pak A, McBryde E, Adegboye OA
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy ²⁰²¹, 14:293-302
Published Date: 26 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose: To examine how public trust mediates the people’s adherence to levels of stringent government health policies and to establish if these effects vary across the political regimes.
Methods: This study utilizes data from two large-scale surveys: the global behaviors and perceptions at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT). Linear regression models were used to estimate the effects of public trust and strictness of restriction measures on people’s compliance level. The model accounted for individual and daily variations in country-level stringency of preventative measures. Differences in the dynamics between public trust, the stringent level of government health guidelines and policy compliance were also examined among countries based on political regimes.
Results: We find strong evidence of the increase in compliance due to the imposition of stricter government restrictions. The examination of heterogeneous effects suggests that high public trust in government and the perception of its truthfulness double the impact of policy restrictions on public compliance. Among political regimes, higher levels of public trust significantly increase the predicted compliance as stringency level rises in authoritarian and democratic countries.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of public trust in government and its institutions during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results are relevant and help understand why governments need to address the risks of non-compliance among low trusting individuals to achieve the success of the containment policies.

Science
29 January 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6528
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

EDITORIAL
Science, civics, and democracy
Michael J. Feuer is Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development and a professor at The George Washington University and is the Immediate Past President of The National Academy of Education, Washington, DC, USA.
mjfeuer@email.gwu.edu
Summary
Will the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris—a transition made “orderly” with barbed wire, National Guard soldiers, and the closure of downtown Washington, D.C.—be remembered as an inflection point? After 4 years of boorish incivility, incendiary nativist extremism, a crippling pandemic, resurgent racism, and riotous mobs incited to attack the Capitol, can the United States rebuild its civic and moral infrastructure? To repair the damage and prepare the next generation of citizens and leaders requires a new spirit of cooperation between the science and civics education communities.

Science
29 January 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6528
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Perspectives
Translating viral vaccines into immunity
By Jennifer A. Juno, Shelby L. O’Connor
Science29 Jan 2021 : 460-461 Full Access
How adenoviral vaccines orchestrate adaptive immunity from innate responses is uncovered

Social Science & Medicine
Volume 268 January 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/social-science-and-medicine/vol/268/suppl/C

Research article Full text access
HPV Vaccine Promotion: The church as an agent of change
Ariana Y. Lahijani, Adrian R. King, Mary M. Gullatte, Monique Hennink, Robert A. Bednarczyk
Article 113375
Highlights
:: Tailored behavior change strategies are needed to increase HPV vaccination coverage.
:: Collaboration with faith communities maximizes social capital for vaccine promotion.
:: Church-based interventions may reduce HPV-associated cancer rates.

Systematic Reviews
https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles
[Accessed 30 Jan 2021]

https://stm.sciencemag.org/
Research
A mapping of facilitators and barriers to evidence-based management in health systems: a scoping review study
Healthcare settings are complex, and the decision-making process is usually complicated, too. Precise use of best evidence from different sources for increasing the desired outcomes is the result of EBM.
Authors: Tahereh Shafaghat, Mohammad Hasan Imani Nasab, Mohammad Amin Bahrami, Zahra Kavosi, Mahsa Roozrokh Arshadi Montazer, Mohammad Kazem Rahimi Zarchi and Peivand Bastani
Citation: Systematic Reviews 2021 10:42
Published on: 30 January 2021