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.
.
– 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.

Support this knowledge-sharing service: Your financial support helps us cover our costs and to address a current shortfall in our annual operating budget. Click here to donate and thank you in advance for your contribution.

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

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Immunization Agenda 2030

New dedicated website: www.immunizationagenda2030.org
On the website you will find:
:: IA2030 Vision and Strategy in all six UN languages
:: Strategic Priority technical annexes (translation available shortly)
:: Core Principle annexes (translation available shortly)
:: IA2030 Framework for Action
:: Other IA2030 annexes and companion documents

Important work is now ongoing to finalise a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework and an Ownership & Accountability mechanism for IA2030.
A key effort is also underway to prepare for the IA2030 launch planned to take place in the run up to World Immunization Week in April and WHA in May.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVAX – Ghana, Cote Ivoire

COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout
Press release 02/24/2021
:: COVAX announces 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine licensed to Serum Institute of India have arrived in Accra, Ghana; further deliveries to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire are expected this week
:: Final first round of allocations for doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, to the majority of countries and economies participating in the COVAX Facility, anticipated to be published in the coming days
:: Beginning of global rollout means that, as readiness criteria are met and doses produced, vaccines will be shipped to Facility participants on a rolling basis

GENEVA/NEW YORK/OSLO, 24 February 2021 – Today, Ghana became the first country outside India to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility. This is a historic step towards our goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. The delivery is part of a first wave of arrivals that will continue in the coming days and weeks.

On 23 February, COVAX shipped 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/ Oxford vaccine, from the Serum Institute of India (SII) from Pune, India to Accra, Ghana, arriving on the morning of 24 February.  The arrival in Accra is the first batch shipped and delivered in Africa by the COVAX Facility as part of an unprecedented effort to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021…

::::::

Ghana becomes recipient of historic first shipment of COVAX vaccine
Statement by UNICEF Representative in Ghana, Anne-Claire Dufay and WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr Francis Kasolo on the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Accra
ACCRA, 24 February 2021 – “After a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 80,700 Ghanaians getting infected with the virus and over 580 lost lives, the path to recovery for the people of Ghana can finally begin.

“This is a momentous occasion, as the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines into Ghana is critical in bringing the pandemic to an end. The only way out of this crisis is to ensure that vaccinations are available for all. We thank all partners that are supporting the COVAX Facility to deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to all countries quickly and fairly.

“These 600,000 COVAX vaccines are part of an initial tranche of deliveries of the AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccine licensed to the Serum Institute of India, which represent part of the first wave of COVID vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries.

“The shipments also represent the beginning of what should be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. The COVAX Facility plans to deliver close to 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines this year. This is an unprecedented global effort to make sure all citizens have access to vaccines.

“We are pleased that Ghana has become the first country to receive the COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility. We congratulate the Government of Ghana – especially the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and Ministry of Information – for its relentless efforts to protect the population. As part of the UN Country Team in Ghana, UNICEF and WHO reiterate our commitment to support the vaccination campaign and contain the spread of the virus, in close cooperation with all partners, including Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)…

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVAX: Vaccine Supply

UNICEF signs COVID-19 vaccine supply agreement with AstraZeneca
COPENHAGEN/NEW YORK, 25 February 2021 – UNICEF and AstraZeneca this week signed a long-term agreement for the supply of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca on behalf of the COVAX Facility.
Through the supply agreement, UNICEF, along with procurement partners including the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), will have access to up to 170 million doses of vaccines for around 85 countries. This is the third such agreement for COVID-19 vaccines, following previously announced agreements with Pfizer and the Serum Institute of India.
The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine received WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) on 15 February…

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVAX – Injury Compensation

No-fault compensation programme for COVID-19 vaccines is a world first
:: New programme makes compensation available to eligible individuals in 92 low- and middle-income countries without need to resort to law courts
:: This is the first and only global vaccine injury compensation mechanism
:: The programme is funded by a small levy on each dose supported by the Gavi COVAX AMC
22 February 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB), through ESIS Inc., a Chubb company, signed an agreement on behalf of the COVAX Facility on 17 February 2021 for the administration of a no-fault compensation programme for the 92 low- and middle-income countries and economies eligible for support via the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) of the COVAX Facility.

As the first and only vaccine injury compensation mechanism operating on an international scale, the programme will offer eligible individuals in AMC-eligible countries and economies a fast, fair, robust and transparent process to receive compensation for rare but serious adverse events associated with COVAX-distributed vaccines until 30 June 2022.

By providing a no-fault lump-sum compensation in full and final settlement of any claims, the COVAX programme aims to significantly reduce the need for recourse to the law courts, a potentially lengthy and costly process.

ESIS, as the independent administrator of the programme, was selected in accordance with WHO’s procurement rules and procedures, and charges no fees to applicants.

All vaccines procured or distributed through the COVAX Facility receive regulatory approval or an emergency use authorization to confirm their safety and efficacy.

But, as with all medicines, even vaccines that are approved for general use may, in rare cases, cause serious adverse reactions.

“The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has been matched by the largest ever rollout of new vaccines under the ACT-Accelerator and its vaccines pillar, COVAX. This no-fault compensation mechanism helps to ensure that people in AMC-eligible countries and economies can benefit from the cutting-edge science that has delivered COVID-19 vaccines in record time,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We are pleased to be collaborating with Chubb, which has the capabilities to support the COVAX facility through its global network and claims handling ability. WHO’s agreement with Chubb offers further protection and confidence in the life-saving power of vaccines.”

“The No-Fault Compensation fund is a massive boost for COVAX’s goal of equitable global access to vaccines: by providing a robust, transparent and independent mechanism to settle serious adverse events it helps those in countries who might have such effects, manufacturers to roll out vaccines to countries faster, and is a key benefit for lower-income governments procuring vaccines through the Gavi COVAX AMC,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi.

The COVAX no-fault compensation programme will be operationalized through its web portal (www.covaxclaims.com) by 31 March 2021, which will include resources such as the programme’s protocol, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and information on how to submit an application.

Eligible individuals may apply for compensation under the programme once the portal becomes operational, even if a COVAX-distributed vaccine is administered to them before 31 March 2021.

The programme is financed initially through Gavi COVAX AMC donor funding, calculated as a levy charged on all doses of COVID-19 vaccines distributed through the COVAX Facility to the AMC eligible economies until 30 June 2022.

WHO is working with Chubb to secure insurance coverage for the programme with Chubb as lead insurer…

About ESIS, a Chubb company
ESIS, Inc. provides claim and risk management services to a wide variety of commercial clients. Our innovative best-in-class approach to program design, integration, and achievement of results aligns with the needs and expectations of our clients’ unique risk management needs. With more than 66 years of experience and offerings in both the U.S. and globally, ESIS provides one of the industry’s broadest selections of risk management solutions covering both pre- and post-loss services

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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 :: 113 076 707 [week ago: 110 384 747] [two weeks ago: 107 838 255]
Confirmed deaths :: 2 512 272 [week ago: 2 446 008] [two weeks ago: 2 373 398]
Countries, areas or territories with cases :: 223

Weekly epidemiological update – 25 February 2021
Overview
This special edition is supplementary to the 23 February Weekly Epidemiological Update.
In this edition, we provide working definitions for SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest and variants of concern and the associated actions WHO will take to support Member States, their national public health institutes and reference laboratories, along with the recommended actions Member States should take.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

WHO: Regulation and Prequalification

Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process 24 Feb 2021
For 16 vaccine candidates, the presents Manufacturer, Name of Vaccine, NRA of Record, Platform, EOI Accepted Status, Pre-submission Meeting Held Status, Dossier Accepted for Review, Status of Assessment; Anticipated/Completed Decision Date
[click on the link above for full scale view]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Our World in Data
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations
Our World in Data and the SDG-Tracker are collaborative efforts between researchers at the University of Oxford, who are the scientific editors of the website content; and the non-profit organization Global Change Data Lab, who publishes and maintains the website and the data tools that make our work possible. At the University of Oxford we are based at the Oxford Martin Programme on Global Development.

Research and data: Hannah Ritchie, Esteban Ortiz-Ospina, Diana Beltekian, Edouard Mathieu, Joe Hasell, Bobbie Macdonald, Charlie Giattino, and Max Roser
Web development: Breck Yunits, Ernst van Woerden, Daniel Gavrilov, Matthieu Bergel, Shahid Ahmad, Jason Crawford, and Marcel Gerber

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

UNICEF COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard :: Agreements Table Accessed 27 Feb 2021
An overview of information collected from publicly announced bilateral and multilateral supply agreements [Agreements view from 2021-02-15 to date]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

U.S.: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment

CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Latest Updates
:: COVID Data Tracker Friday, February 26, 2021

FDA

FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Third COVID-19 Vaccine
Action Advances Fight Against COVID-19, Follows Comprehensive Evaluation of Available Safety, Effectiveness and Manufacturing Quality Information by FDA Career Scientists, Input from External Experts
February 27, 2021
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The EUA allows the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.
“The authorization of this vaccine expands the availability of vaccines, the best medical prevention method for COVID-19, to help us in the fight against this pandemic, which has claimed over half a million lives in the United States,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “The FDA, through our open and transparent scientific review process, has now authorized three COVID-19 vaccines with the urgency called for during this pandemic, using the agency’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization.”
The FDA has determined that the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine has met the statutory criteria for issuance of an EUA…

February 26, 2021 – FDA Statement on Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting
Following today’s positive advisory committee meeting outcome regarding the Janssen Biotech Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has informed the sponsor that it will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization. The agency has also notified our federal partners involved in vaccine allocation and distribution so they can execute their plans for timely vaccine distribution…

White House [U.S.]
Briefing Room
Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
February 26, 2021 • Press Briefings

FACT SHEET: 441 Federally-Supported Community Vaccination Centers in First Month of Biden-Harris Administration
February 26, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Remarks by President Biden at an Event Commemorating the 50 Millionth COVID-19 Vaccine Shot
February 25, 2021 • Speeches and Remarks

A Letter on the Continuation of the National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
February 24, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
February 24, 2021 • Presidential Actions

Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
February 24, 2021 • Press Briefings

FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Deliver Masks to Communities Hit Hard by the Pandemic
February 24, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

News: Adapting COVID-19 vaccines to SARS-CoV-2 variants: guidance for vaccine manufacturers
CHMP, Last updated: 25/02/2021
EMA has issued guidance outlining the requirements for manufacturers planning to modify their COVID-19 vaccines in order to address coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

Currently, three vaccines are authorised for use in the EU: Comirnaty, COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna and COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. Viruses typically mutate and several variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 have already been identified worldwide. The three authorised vaccines provide protection against the variants that are currently prevalent across Europe. However, it appears that with continued mutations and new variants emerging, authorised vaccines may need to be adapted, in time to ensure continued protection. Initial data indicates that some of these variants may have an impact on the level of protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against infection and disease.

Therefore, it is an urgent public health priority to define an expedited regulatory process for the adaptation of vaccines to protect against current or future variants. There are ongoing discussions at international level on how to approach variants and vaccines in a coordinated way.

EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has adopted a reflection paper which details the laboratory (non-clinical), clinical, quality and manufacturing data needed to support the approval of such ‘variant’ vaccines.

The assumption behind the CHMP’s guidance is that a new variant vaccine would largely rely on the same technology and platform as the ‘parent’ vaccine – a vaccine already approved in the EU for the prevention of COVID-19. The difference would be in the specific structure (antigen) selected to trigger the immune response in the body…
Reflection paper on the regulatory requirements for vaccines intended to provide protection against variant strain(s) of SARS-CoV-2 (PDF/240.55 KB) (new)

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

No new announcements identified.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

Russia: Sputnik V – “the first registered COVID-19 vaccine”
https://sputnikvaccine.com/newsroom/pressreleases/
Press Releases
Sputnik V registered in countries with total population of over 1.1 billion people
Press release, 25.02.2021

Guatemala authorizes Sputnik V
Press release, 25.02.2021

Honduras authorizes Sputnik V
Press release, 24.02.2021

Egypt grants emergency use authorization for Sputnik V
Press release, 24.02.2021

Sputnik V approved in Guyana
Press release, 23.02.2021

Sputnik V registered in Kyrgyzstan
Press release, 23.02.2021

First batch of Sputnik V vaccine delivered to Mexico
Press release, 23.02.2021

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

Children aged 3-17 to be eligible for Sinopharm vaccine
Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm said people aged 3 to 17 years old who are currently not included in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout will soon become eligible to receive inoculation…
Results from clinical trials involving the younger population have shown “no obvious differences” from trial data concerning those aged 18 to 59 years old, Liu said during an interview with China Central Television on Sunday.
“So we believe those aged 3 to 17 will soon be able to use the vaccines,” he said…

NMPA grants conditional approval to CanSino’s recombinant COVID-19 vaccine
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (adenovirus type-5-vectored vaccine) developed by CanSino Biologics on Feb 25.

NMPA conditionally approves COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm’s Wuhan institute
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (Vero cell) developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products administered by Sinopharm on Feb 25.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVID Vaccine Developer Announcements

Johnson & Johnson Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Unanimously Recommended for Emergency Use Authorization by U.S. FDA Advisory Committee
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) (the Company) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) unanimously voted to recommend Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Company’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine candidate for adults 18 and older, developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The vote was based on a totality of scientific evidence provided by the Company, including efficacy and safety data from the Phase 3 ENSEMBLE trial…

Pfizer and BioNTech Initiate a Study as Part of Broad Development Plan to Evaluate COVID-19 Booster and New Vaccine Variants
February 25, 2021

Moderna Announces Additional Capital Investments to Increase Global Manufacturing Capacity for COVID-19 Vaccine
February 24, 2021

Moderna Announces it has Shipped Variant-Specific Vaccine Candidate, mRNA-1273.351, to NIH for Clinical Study
February 24, 2021

Takeda Provides Updates on Phase 1/2 Clinical Trials of Novavax’ and Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates in Japan
February 23, 2021

Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Polio this week as of 24 February 2021
:: As we head towards International Women’s Day (marked on 8 March), GPEI honours two women who left a mark in polio eradication and in women’s empowerment within the U.N.
:: On 15 February, polio eradication Gender Champion Arancha González Laya, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, visited the Notre Dame des Apôtres hospital in N’Djamena, Chad where she administered polio drops to two newborn children. Read more…
“”In a special interview, PolioNews (PN) talks to Holger Knaack (HK), President of Rotary International, about why it is more important than ever to support PolioPlus, Rotary’s polio eradication program, and what lessons it can offer to the global pandemic response.

Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Afghanistan: six cVDPV2 cases
:: Pakistan: one WPV1 and two cVDPV2 cases, six WPV1 and five cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Congo: one cVDPV2 case and one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Egypt: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Ethiopia: one cVDPV2 case
:: Guinea: six cVDPV2 cases
:: Mali: two cVDPV2 cases

::::::
::::::

WHO/OCHA Emergencies

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 27 Feb 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]

::::::

WHO Grade 2 Emergencies [to 27 Feb 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 04 février 2021]
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: 2 March 2020]
Iraq – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 21 February 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: 11 février 2021]
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]

::::::

WHO Grade 1 Emergencies [to 27 Feb 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]

::::::
::::::

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. 
Yemen
::  Yemen: COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Monthly Report (January 2021)
23 February 2021

Syrian Arab Republic – No new digest announcements identified

::::::

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.
East Africa Locust Infestation
:: Desert Locust situation update 23 February 2021

COVID-19
:: Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19 Progress Report: Final Progress Report, 22 February 2021
[See Week in Review above for detail]

::::::
::::::

WHO & Regional Offices [to 27 Feb 2021]
25 February 2021
How WHO transforms funding into action in regions around the world

25 February 2021
The life-saving power of medical oxygen

26 February 2021
Departmental news
WHO and ITU launch new guide on introduction of dementia risk reduction and carer support programmes using mobile technology

26 February 2021
Departmental news
Consultation on discussion paper on Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders

25 February 2021
Joint News Release
COVID-19 oxygen emergency impacting more than half a million people in low- and middle-income countries every day, as demand surges

25 February 2021
News release
El Salvador certified as malaria-free by WHO

25 February 2021
Departmental news
Four years on, the Global Observatory on Health R&D continues to identify gaps and new trends in the health R&D space

::::::

WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
No new digest content identified

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
:: WHO/Europe calls for action on post-COVID conditions/“long COVID” 25-02-2021
:: New WHO expert group to identify gaps and solutions to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 25-02-2021
:: Spain moves towards a more resilient health coverage policy during COVID-19 25-02-2021
:: New policy brief calls on decision-makers to support patients as 1 in 10 report symptoms of “long COVID” 25-02-2021
:: COVID-19 response review in the Republic of Moldova informs next steps 24-02-2021

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
No new digest content identified

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases, Announcements

Emergency ACIP Meeting – February 28-March 1, 2021
Virtual meeting. No registration is required.
Meeting times: Feb 28, 11:00am – 4:00pm EST; March 1, 11:00am – 3:00pm EST (times subject to change).
Webcast link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/VWBXKBR8af4
Draft Agenda [includes Janssen COVID-19 vaccine]

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, February 26, 2021
:: Suspected Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Residents of a Skilled Nursing Facility During a Second COVID-19 Outbreak — Kentucky, July–November 2020
:: First Identified Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.7 in Minnesota — December 2020–January 2021 (Early Release February 17, 2021)
:: Detection of B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 Variant Strain — Zambia, December 2020 (Early Release February 17, 2021)
:: First Month of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring — United States, December 14, 2020–January 13, 2021 (Early Release February 19, 2021)
:: Clusters of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Elementary School Educators and Students in One School District — Georgia, December 2020–January 2021 (Early Release February 22, 2021)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC
Selected Resources
:: Overall US COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Fri, 26 Feb 2021 06:00:00 EST Friday, February 26, 2021
:: First Month of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring – United States, December 14, 2020-January 13, 2021 Thursday, February 25, 2021
:: US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants Thursday, February 25, 2021

Africa CDC [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Outbreak Brief 58: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
23 February 2021

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

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
Feb 27: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On Feb 26, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 10 new cases of confirmed infections.

Children aged 3-17 to be eligible for Sinopharm vaccine
Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm said people aged 3 to 17 years old who are currently not included in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout will soon become eligible to receive inoculation…
Results from clinical trials involving the younger population have shown “no obvious differences” from trial data concerning those aged 18 to 59 years old, Liu said during an interview with China Central Television on Sunday.
“So we believe those aged 3 to 17 will soon be able to use the vaccines,” he said…

National Medical Products Administration – PRC [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/news.html
News
NMPA grants conditional approval to CanSino’s recombinant COVID-19 vaccine
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (adenovirus type-5-vectored vaccine) developed by CanSino Biologics on Feb 25.

NMPA conditionally approves COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm’s Wuhan institute
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (Vero cell) developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products administered by Sinopharm on Feb 25.

Organization Announcements

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-pr ess/
News
No new digest content identified.

BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
BARDA News
No new digest content identified.

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 27 Feb 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 27 Feb 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 27 Feb 2021]
https://carb-x.org/
News
02.22.2021  |
CARB-X is funding The University of Queensland to develop a new drug targeted to low- and middle-income countries that would breathe new life into existing readily-available antibiotics in the fight against drug-resistance
CARB-X is awarding up to US$2.2 million to The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) to expand its Octapeptin research program to develop a new drug designed for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there are high levels of drug-resistant bacteria.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/
News/Analysis/Statements
Past weekly editions of Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review are available here.

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
In the fight against novel COVID-19 variants, Norway and Germany provide vital additional funds to CEPI
The donations come at a critical time as CEPI works to advance vaccines against COVID-19 variants.
25 Feb 2021
Norway, one of the co-founders of CEPI, announced this week that it will contribute US $24 million (NOK 200 million) towards CEPI’s R&D efforts to future-proof vaccines against current and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The financial commitment follows the US $145 million (EUR 120 million) donation announced by the Government of Germany last week following the extraordinary G7 virtual summit to support CEPI’s COVID-19 vaccine programmes. The funding is as part of a wider US $1.82 billion (EUR 1.5 billion) donation package to partners of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.
These investments come at a critical time of the COVID-19 pandemic, with CEPI seeking to expand its efforts and respond to the rapidly evolving crisis…

COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout
600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine licensed to Serum Institute of India have arrived in Accra, Ghana; further deliveries are expected this week.
24 Feb 2021

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [to 27 Feb 2021
https://www.darpa.mil/
News
No new digest content identified.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://dukeghic.org/
Launch and Scale Speedometer
No new digest content identified.

EDCTP [to 27 Feb 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
25 February 2021
GHIT and EDCTP co-invest additional €7.8 million in access programme for treatment of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children

Emory Vaccine Center [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.

European Commission [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
Latest
News 26 February 2021
Von der Leyen at the video conference of the members of the European Council discusses vaccination, security and defence, and Southern Neighbourhood
To continue increasing the speed of our vaccination effort, she called on everyone to play a role. The Commission is working with the companies to ramp up production and address bottlenecks in the supply, she explained.

News 23 February 2021
President von der Leyen joins the Global Citizen campaign to end COVID-19 and kick start a global recovery
“We have to fight the pandemic right now, but we also have to address its broader impact on the most vulnerable and tackle the root causes,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

European Medicines Agency [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
News & Press Releases
News: Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 22-25 February 2021
CHMP, Last updated: 26/02/2021

News: Adapting COVID-19 vaccines to SARS-CoV-2 variants: guidance for vaccine manufacturers
CHMP, Last updated: 25/02/2021
EMA has issued guidance outlining the requirements for manufacturers planning to modify their COVID-19 vaccines in order to address coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

Currently, three vaccines are authorised for use in the EU: Comirnaty, COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna and COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. Viruses typically mutate and several variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 have already been identified worldwide. The three authorised vaccines provide protection against the variants that are currently prevalent across Europe. However, it appears that with continued mutations and new variants emerging, authorised vaccines may need to be adapted, in time to ensure continued protection. Initial data indicates that some of these variants may have an impact on the level of protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against infection and disease.

Therefore, it is an urgent public health priority to define an expedited regulatory process for the adaptation of vaccines to protect against current or future variants. There are ongoing discussions at international level on how to approach variants and vaccines in a coordinated way.

EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has adopted a reflection paper which details the laboratory (non-clinical), clinical, quality and manufacturing data needed to support the approval of such ‘variant’ vaccines.

The assumption behind the CHMP’s guidance is that a new variant vaccine would largely rely on the same technology and platform as the ‘parent’ vaccine – a vaccine already approved in the EU for the prevention of COVID-19. The difference would be in the specific structure (antigen) selected to trigger the immune response in the body…
Reflection paper on the regulatory requirements for vaccines intended to provide protection against variant strain(s) of SARS-CoV-2 (PDF/240.55 KB) (new)

News: International cooperation to align approaches for regulation of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines
Last updated: 25/02/2021
Regulators around the globe are committed to aligning their regulatory requirements and addressing knowledge gaps to facilitate the development, authorisation and monitoring of safe, effective and high-quality vaccines and medicines against COVID-19. This was highlighted in a series of regulatory workshops, convened under the umbrella of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) in the first weeks of 2021, which focused on three areas: responding to emerging COVID-19 virus variants, addressing knowledge gaps regarding COVID-19 vaccines and treatments in pregnant and breastfeeding women, and strengthening collaboration on safety monitoring of vaccines…

News: EMA starts rolling review of Celltrion antibody regdanvimab for COVID-19
Last updated: 24/02/2021

European Vaccine Initiative [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

FDA [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements /Selected Details
February 26, 2021 – FDA Statement on Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting
Following today’s positive advisory committee meeting outcome regarding the Janssen Biotech Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has informed the sponsor that it will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization. The agency has also notified our federal partners involved in vaccine allocation and distribution so they can execute their plans for timely vaccine distribution…

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

February 25, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Allows More Flexible Storage, Transportation Conditions for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

FDA – COVID-19 Vaccines [to 27 Feb 2021]
www.fda.gov/covid19vaccines
News and Updates; Upcoming Events
FDA Statement on Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting
02/26/2021
Following today’s positive advisory committee meeting outcome regarding the Janssen Biotech Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA has informed the sponsor that it will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization.

Fondation Merieux [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
Mérieux Foundation co-organized event
MERACON: Returning to rabies elimination in 2021 webinar
February 26, 2021 – 9:00am -12:00pm (CET)
Context
The COVID-19 pandemic has hampered global travel and has placed a strain on public health systems globally. Because of this, many rabies activities were postponed or cancelled in 2020. Similarly, the planned in-person regional MERACON workshop that was initially scheduled for mid-2020 was postponed to 2021. As a means to continue remote support, foster collaboration and continue to drive progress towards rabies elimination in the MERACON countries, the MERACON steering committee has scheduled a digital meeting in webinar format. This webinar will act as a precursor to a more detailed workshop later in the year which we hope to host in-person (COVID-19 restrictions permitting).

Gavi [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.gavi.org/
News Releases
COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global roll-out

No-fault compensation programme for COVID-19 vaccines is a world first
[See COVID above for detail on these announcements]

GHIT Fund [to 27 Feb 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
February 25, 2021
GHIT and EDCTP co-invest additional 7.8 million Euro in the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium’s access program to ensure treatment of schistosomiasis for preschool-aged children

Global Fund [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
News
The Republic of the Congo and Global Fund Sign New Grants to Increase Access to HIV, TB and Malaria Prevention and Treatment
25 February 2021
The Global Fund, the Government of the Republic of the Congo and health partners launched the implementation of two new grants to strengthen prevention and treatment services to fight HIV, TB and malaria and build resilient and sustainable systems for health.

News
Burkina Faso and Global Fund Launch New Grants to Accelerate Progress against HIV, TB and Malaria
25 February 2021
The Government of Burkina Faso, the Global Fund and health partners strengthened their partnership by launching four new grants to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen health systems. The new grants will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period.

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.glopid-r.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

Hilleman Laboratories [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
No new digest content identified.

Human Vaccines Project [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/media/press-releases/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

IAVI [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
PRESS RELEASES/FEATURES
No new digest content identified.

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 27 Feb 2021]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Institut Pasteur [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press release 26.02.2021
Covid-19: Keeping schools as safe as possible
A year into the pandemic, and confronted with continued resurgence in transmission, over 800 million schoolchildren, more than half the world’s student population, still face substantial disruptions to their education…
Read the full editorial in the BMJ

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index
Media highlights [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

IVAC [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
No new digest content identified.

IVI [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News, Announcements, Events
George Bickerstaff re-elected Chairperson of the International Vaccine Institute’s Board of Trustees
February 22, 2021, SEOUL, Korea – The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) announced today that its Board of Trustees (BOT) re-elected Mr. George Bickerstaff as Chairperson of the BOT. His second three-year term will begin this May…

JEE Alliance [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.jeealliance.org/
Selected News and Events
No new digest content identified.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
New Report: Crisis Standards of Care: Lessons from New York City Hospitals’ COVID-19 Experience: The Emergency Medicine Perspective
February 25, 2021

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
DRC Ebola outbreaks
MSF responds in North Kivu to twelfth Ebola outbreak in DRC
Project Update 25 Feb 2021

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
No new digest content identified.

NIH [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
News Releases
NIH study finds that people with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies may have a low risk of future infection
February 24, 2021 — Results may explain why reinfection appears to be relatively rare.

Monoclonal antibodies against MERS coronavirus show promise in Phase 1 NIH-sponsored trial
February 23, 2021 — Antibodies were well tolerated and generally safe when administered simultaneously to healthy adults.

UN OCHA [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.unocha.org/
Research
Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19 Progress Report: Final Progress Report
OCHA 22 Feb 2021
PDF: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/GHRP_ProgressReport_22FEB.pdf
COVID-19 AND THE HUMANITARIAN LANDSCAPE
2020 was a year like no other. Amidst on-going humanitarian crises, largely fuelled by conflict and violence but also driven by the effects of climate change – such as the largest locust infestation in a generation – the world had to contend with a global pandemic. In less than one year (March-December 2020), more than 82 million COVID-19 cases and 1.8 million deaths were recorded. In that timeframe, out of the global COVID-19 totals, 30 per cent of COVID-19 cases and 39 per cent deaths were recorded in GHRP countries…

PATH [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

UNAIDS [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
25 February 2021
COVID-19 spurs on multimonth dispensing of HIV treatment in Cambodia

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected Announcements
No new digest content identified.

UNICEF [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Selected Press releases, Statements
Press release
02/26/2021
Latter-day Saint Charities commits US$20 million in support of UNICEF’s global COVID-19 response
Latter-day Saint Charities becomes the single largest private sector donor to date to support UNICEF’s ACT-Accelerator and COVAX work

Press release
02/26/2021
Côte d’Ivoire becomes second African country and first French-speaking country to receive vaccine doses via COVAX Facility

News note
02/25/2021
UNICEF signs COVID-19 vaccine supply agreement with AstraZeneca

Press release
02/24/2021
COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout

Statement
02/24/2021
Ghana becomes recipient of historic first shipment of COVAX vaccine
Statement by UNICEF Representative in Ghana, Anne-Claire Dufay and WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr Francis Kasolo on the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Accra

Unitaid [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
25 February 2021
COVID-19 oxygen emergency impacting more than half a million people in low- and middle-income countries every day, as demand surges
:: More than half a million COVID-19 patients in LMICs estimated to need oxygen treatment every day.
:: New assessments show US$90 million immediate funding required to meet urgent need in up to 20 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Unitaid and Wellcome will make an immediate contribution of up to US$20 million in total for the emergency response.
:: COVID-19 Oxygen Emergency Taskforce brings together key organisations working on oxygen access under ACT-Accelerator Therapeutics pillar, as COVID-19 surges and preventable deaths occur
:: Taskforce partners will work together to measure oxygen demand, work with financing partners, and secure oxygen supplies and technical support for worst-affected countries

Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN) [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://vaccineacceptance.org/news.html#header1-2r
Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
News, Research and Reports
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
Vaccine Update for Providers = February 2021

Wellcome Trust [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
Opinion
COVAX campaign for equitable vaccine access delivers first doses to West Africa
The largest mass vaccination campaign in history has begun. Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire have become the first countries to receive Covid-19 vaccines through COVAX. Richard Hatchett, CEO at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the vaccine research and development partnership co-leading COVAX, reacts to this historic moment.
25 February 2021

The Wistar Institute [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
Operation Vaccination: An Analysis of Global COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategies is a weekly post which will explore the policy, logistics, obstacles and controversies involved in procuring and distributing vaccines against COVID-19.
The theme of this week is “Communication and Trust: Keeping the Public Informed and On Board”.
Focusing on the 9 countries featured in this blog (Brazil, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Nigeria, Taiwan, UK, US) and COVAX, communication strategies are analysed, focusing on mitigating vaccine hesitancy and explanations of the structure and timing of immunization drives..

World Bank [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Selected News, Announcements
IDA’s COVID-19 Response: Speed, Scale and Selectivity
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, IDA has provided substantial support to IDA countries’ crisis response and development programs, helping them transition to a resilient and…
Date: February 23, 2021 Type: Infographic [full image at title link]
[The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries. Overseen by 173 shareholder nations, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing zero to low-interest loans (called “credits”) and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions.]

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 27 Feb 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 27 Feb 2021]
Press Releases – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (alliancerm.org)
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

BIO [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

IFPMA [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
No new digest content identified.

PhRMA [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.phrma.org/
Selected Press Releases, Statements
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Paul Perreault, CEO and Managing Director of CSL
February 24, 2021
This year, our industry has been working around the clock to combat the COVID-19 virus, including developing effective therapeutics to treat COVID-19 and vaccines to prevent future infections. I had the opportunity to connect with Paul Perreault, CEO and Managing Director of CSL Limited, the world’s third largest biotech, about the company’s efforts to address COVID-19.
Blog Post

ICYMI: Report provides actional recommendations to strengthen America’s preparedness and future health crises response
February 22, 2021
As America’s biopharmaceutical researchers continue working around the clock to fight COVID-19, leaders in the health care ecosystem have come together to provide recommendations to strengthen America’s preparedness and future health care crises response…
The report provides a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve the nation’s capabilities for disaster preparedness and response. The recommendations include:
:: Creation by the White House of a standing disaster preparedness group that will include private sector expertise in areas such as production capacity, supply chain and distribution, and acute care delivery.
:: Modernizing the health care supply chain through digitalization, automation, and predictive analytics, with standardized approaches for allocating resources based on need and equity to prevent bidding wars between states and healthcare providers.
:: Improving supply chain resilience with strategic incentives such as zero percent loans, federally-guaranteed purchase commitments, and geographic diversification of production for critical medical products.
:: Construction of a 21st century public health early warning system that will utilize all available electronic health records and public health data collection.
:: Legislation and regulatory reform to create rapid response capabilities in areas such as medical licensure portability, telehealth accessibility, and swift access to PPE stockpiles.
:: Creation of measures to ensure health equity and address disparities, identifying high-risk vulnerable populations and directing resources accordingly.
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

AMA Journal of Ethics
Volume 23, Number 2: E83-211 Feb 2021
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/issue/racial-and-ethnic-health-equity-us-part-1

Racial and Ethnic Health Equity in the US: Part 1
Health equity is defined by the World Health Organization as the “absence of unfair and avoidable or remediable differences in health among social groups.” Domestically and globally, health inequity is not a historical accident. Inequity today is not unfortunate—that is, not a product of a mere turn of the proverbial cosmic wheel—but unjust—that is, generated by colonial, White supremacist policies and practices structured and maintained over time, forged to persist in hierarchies that serve some of us, our ancestors, and our descendants well and some of us, our ancestors, and our descendants ill. This first of a 2-part theme issue focuses specifically on racial and ethnic inequity in morbidity, mortality, and access to services that are endemic to American life. We investigate health inequity as a product of transgenerational patterns of oppression that must be remediated by all of us compassionately and more deliberately and quickly than they were created.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
March 2021 Volume 60 Issue 3 p311-452
http://www.ajpmonline.org/current

Research Articles
Asynchrony Between Individual and Government Actions Accounts for Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Communities
Moustafa Abdalla, Arjan Abar, Evan R. Beiter, Mohamed Saad
Published online: November 13, 2020

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
March 2021 Volume 60 Issue 3 p311-452
http://www.ajpmonline.org/current

Effect of Medicaid Expansions on HIV Diagnoses and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use
Bita Fayaz Farkhad, David R. Holtgrave, Dolores Albarracín
Published online: January 24, 2021

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
March 2021 Volume 60 Issue 3 p311-452
http://www.ajpmonline.org/current

Potential Clinical and Economic Value of Norovirus Vaccination in the Community Setting
Sarah M. Bartsch, Kelly J. O’Shea, Patrick T. Wedlock, Marie C. Ferguson, Sheryl S. Siegmund, Bruce Y. Lee
Published online: January 26, 2021

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
March 2021 Volume 60 Issue 3 p311-452
http://www.ajpmonline.org/current

Geographic Variation in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Initiation and Completion Among Young Adults in the U.S.
Eric Adjei Boakye, Oluwole A. Babatunde, Maggie Wang,…Wiley Jenkins, Minjee Lee, Minjin Kim
Published online: December 17, 2020

American Journal of Public Health
March 2021 111(3)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

EDITORIALS
Preparing the Public Health Workforce for the Post–COVID-19 Era
Health Education, Public Health Practice, Public Health Workers
Sandro Galea and Roger Vaughan

American Journal of Public Health
March 2021 111(3)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

PERSPECTIVES
The Syndemics of Emergency: How COVID-19 Demands a Holistic View of Public Health Promotion and Preparedness
Public Health Practice, Health Promotion, Injury/Emergency Care/Violence
Vinyas Harish

American Journal of Public Health
March 2021 111(3)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

Communicating Effectively About Emergency Use Authorization and Vaccines in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Government, Media, Immunization/Vaccines, Prevention, Health Promotion
Sandra Crouse Quinn, Amelia M. Jamison and Vicki Freimuth

American Journal of Public Health
March 2021 111(3)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

Building Trust in COVID-19 Vaccines and Beyond Through Authentic Community Investment
Other Race/Ethnicity, Immunization/Vaccines, Prevention, Community Health, Race/Ethnicity
Bisola O. Ojikutu, Kathyrn E. Stephenson, Kenneth H. Mayer and Karen M. Emmons

American Journal of Public Health
March 2021 111(3)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

Enhancing the WHO’s Proposed Framework for Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines Among Countries
Global Health, Ethics
Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Florencia Luna, G. Owen Schaefer, Kok-Chor Tan and Jonathan Wolff

American Journal of Public Health
March 2021 111(3)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

INTERNATIONAL FORUM
Equitable Enforcement of Pandemic-Related Public Health Laws: Strategies for Achieving Racial and Health Justice
Government, Socioeconomic Factors, Health Law, Health Policy
Maya Hazarika Watts, Katie Hannon Michel, Jessica Breslin and Elizabeth Tobin-Tyler

BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 27 Feb 2021)

Research article
Digital tools in the informed consent process: a systematic review
Providing understandable information to patients is necessary to achieve the aims of the Informed Consent process: respecting and promoting patients’ autonomy and protecting patients from harm. In recent decades, new, primarily digital technologies have been used to apply and test innovative formats of Informed Consent. We conducted a systematic review to explore the impact of using digital tools for Informed Consent in both clinical research and in clinical practice. Understanding, satisfaction and participation were compared for digital tools versus the non-digital Informed Consent process…
Digital technologies for informed consent were not found to negatively affect any of the outcomes, and overall, multimedia tools seem desirable. Multimedia tools indicated a higher impact than videos only. Presence of a researcher may potentially enhance efficacy of different outcomes in research IC processes. Studies were heterogeneous in design, making evaluation of impact challenging. Robust study design including standardization is needed to conclusively assess impact.
Authors: Francesco Gesualdo, Margherita Daverio, Laura Palazzani, Dimitris Dimitriou, Javier Diez-Domingo, Jaime Fons-Martinez, Sally Jackson, Pascal Vignally, Caterina Rizzo and Alberto Eugenio Tozzi
27 February 2021

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 27 Feb 2021)

The epidemiologic impact and cost-effectiveness of new tuberculosis vaccines on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in India and China
Despite recent advances through the development pipeline, how novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccines might affect rifampicin-resistant and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) is unknown. We investigated the…
Authors: Chathika K Weerasuriya, Rebecca C Harris, C Finn McQuaid, Fiammetta Bozzani, Yunzhou Ruan, Renzhong Li, Tao Li, Kirankumar Rade, Raghuram Rao, Ann M Ginsberg, Gabriela B Gomez and Richard G White
Citation: BMC Medicine 2021 19:60
Content type: Research article
Published on: 26 February 2021

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 27 Feb 2021)

Following the science? Comparison of methodological and reporting quality of covid-19 and other research from the first wave of the pandemic
Following the initial identification of the 2019 coronavirus disease (covid-19), the subsequent months saw substantial increases in published biomedical research. Concerns have been raised in both scientific and lay press around the quality of some of this research. We assessed clinical research from major clinical journals, comparing methodological and reporting quality of covid-19 papers published in the first wave (here defined as December 2019 to May 2020 inclusive) of the viral pandemic with non-covid papers published at the same time… Across various measures, we have demonstrated that covid-19 research from the first wave of the pandemic was potentially of lower quality than contemporaneous non-covid research. While some differences may be an inevitable consequence of conducting research during a viral pandemic, poor reporting should not be accepted.
Authors: Terence J. Quinn, Jennifer K. Burton, Ben Carter, Nicola Cooper, Kerry Dwan, Ryan Field, Suzanne C. Freeman, Claudia Geue, Ping-Hsuan Hsieh, Kris McGill, Clareece R. Nevill, Dikshyanta Rana, Alex Sutton, Martin Taylor Rowan and Yiqiao Xin
Citation: BMC Medicine 2021 19:46
Content type: Research article
Published on: 23 February 2021

Clinical Therapeutics
January 2021 Volume 43 Issue 1 p1-210, e1-e32
http://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/current

Review
Regulatory Agilities in the Time of COVID-19: Overview, Trends, and Opportunities
While many regulatory measures have been introduced temporarily as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, there are opportunities for leveraging an understanding from these approaches in order to collectively achieve more efficient regulatory systems and to mitigate and address the impact of COVID-19 and further future-proof the regulatory environment.
Winona Rei Bolislis, et al
Published online: November 30, 2020

Clinical Therapeutics
January 2021 Volume 43 Issue 1 p1-210, e1-e32
http://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/current

Original Research
Reduced Mortality After Oral Polio Vaccination and Increased Mortality After Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis Vaccination in Children in a Low-income Setting
Christian Bjerregård Øland, et al
Published online: December 02, 2020

The CRISPR Journal
Volume 4, Issue 1 / February 2021
https://www.liebertpub.com/toc/crispr/4/1

Correspondence Free
Re: Human Germline and Heritable Genome Editing: The Global Policy Landscape
Guillaume Levrier
Pages:3–4
Published Online:19 February 2021
https://doi.org/10.1089/crispr.2021.29121.gle

The CRISPR Journal
Volume 4, Issue 1 / February 2021
https://www.liebertpub.com/toc/crispr/4/1

Response to Levrier re: Human Germline and Heritable Genome Editing: The Global Policy Landscape
Marcy Darnovsky, Katie Hasson, and Timothy M. Krahn
Pages:4–5
Published Online:19 February 2021

The CRISPR Journal
Volume 4, Issue 1 / February 2021
https://www.liebertpub.com/toc/crispr/4/1

Perspectives Open Access
A Code of Ethics for Gene Drive Research
George J. Annas, et al
Pages:19–24
Published Online:10 February 2021
https://doi.org/10.1089/crispr.2020.0096
Abstract
Gene drives hold promise for use in controlling insect vectors of diseases, agricultural pests, and for conservation of ecosystems against invasive species. At the same time, this technology comes with potential risks that include unknown downstream effects on entire ecosystems as well as the accidental or nefarious spread of organisms that carry the gene drive machinery. A code of ethics can be a useful tool for all parties involved in the development and regulation of gene drives and can be used to help ensure that a balanced analysis of risks, benefits, and values is taken into consideration in the interest of society and humanity. We have developed a code of ethics for gene drive research with the hope that this code will encourage the development of an international framework that includes ethical guidance of gene drive research and is incorporated into scientific practice by gaining broad agreement and adherence.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 27, Number 3—March 2021
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

Expedited Articles
Genomic Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Involving E484K Spike Mutation, Brazil

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 27, Number 3—March 2021
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

Perspective
Parallels and Mutual Lessons in Tuberculosis and COVID-19 Transmission, Prevention, and Control [PDF – 607 KB – 6 pages]
P. C. Hopewell et al.

Global Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 3 (2021)
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current

Article
COVID-19 vaccines and treatments nationalism: Challenges for low-income countries and the attainment of the SDGs
Godwell Nhamo, David Chikodzi, Hlengiwe Precious Kunene & Nthivhiseni Mashula
Pages: 319-339
Published online: 15 Dec 2020

Global Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 3 (2021)
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current

Article
Acceptability of the human papillomavirus vaccine in schools in Lusaka in Zambia: Role of community and formal health system factors
Fortress Kucheba, Oliver Mweemba, Tulani Francis L. Matenga & Joseph Mumba Zulu
Pages: 378-389
Published online: 25 Aug 2020

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.

JAMA
February 23, 2021, Vol 325, No. 8, Pages 705-798
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

Research Letter
All-Cause Excess Mortality and COVID-19–Related Mortality Among US Adults Aged 25-44 Years, March-July 2020
Jeremy Samuel Faust, MD, MS; Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM; Chengan Du, PhD; et al.
free access has active quiz has multimedia has audio
JAMA. 2021;325(8):785-787. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.24243
This study compares all-cause excess mortality and COVID-19–related mortality during the early pandemic period (March-July 2020) with unintentional drug overdoses, the usual leading cause of death in young adults, during the same period in 2018 among adults aged 25 to 44 years.

JAMA
February 23, 2021, Vol 325, No. 8, Pages 705-798
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

Health Policy
Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Related to COVID-19
Leo Lopez III, MD, MHS; Louis H. Hart III, MD; Mitchell H. Katz, MD
free access has active quiz has audio
JAMA. 2021;325(8):719-720. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.26443
This Viewpoint reviews data demonstrating worse risk and outcomes for non-White patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and makes policy proposals to mitigate the disparities, including expansion of Medicaid eligibility to expand health care access, multilingual and culturally appropriate communication and outreach, and easing accessibility to social services through health care contacts to address housing, food, legal, and economic stressors.

JAMA
February 23, 2021, Vol 325, No. 8, Pages 705-798
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

A Viral Pandemic, Vaccine Safety, and Compensation for Adverse Events
H. Cody Meissner, MD
free access
JAMA. 2021;325(8):721-722. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.26792
This Viewpoint reviews the system in place to compensate US residents for proven vaccine injury via the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program and emphasizes that the benefit of COVID-19 vaccines outweighs any potential harm.