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

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

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

World Health Assembly

Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly #WHA74
24 May to 1 June 2021
Theme: Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world.
:: Provisional agenda
:: Watch live WHA74 sessions
:: Documents

 

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Double COVID-19 Vaccine Production, Bolster Primary Health-Care Systems to Prepare for Next Global Emergency, Secretary-General Tells World Health Assembly
24 May 2021 SG/SM/20740
[Excerpt focused on COVID vaccines/vaccination]
…We are at war with a virus.  We need the logic and urgency of a war economy, to boost the capacity of our weapons.  On Friday, I called on the [Group of 20] (G20) to set up a task force that brings together all countries with vaccine production capacities, the World Health Organization, the ACT-Accelerator partners and international financial institutions, able to deal with the pharmaceutical companies and other key stakeholders.
It should aim to at least double manufacturing capacity by exploring all options, from voluntary licenses and technology transfers to patent pooling and flexibility on intellectual property rights.  The task force should address equitable global distribution by using the ACTAccelerator and its COVAX Facility.  The G20 task force should be co-convened at the highest levels by the major Powers who hold most of the global supply and production capacity, together with the multilateral system.  I am ready to mobilize the entire United Nations system to support this effort…

 

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Director-General’s opening remarks at the World Health Assembly – 24 May 2021
[Excerpt focused on COVID vaccines/vaccination]
…The ongoing vaccine crisis is a scandalous inequity that is perpetuating the pandemic. More than 75% of all vaccines have been administered in just 10 countries. There is no diplomatic way to say it: a small group of countries that make and buy the majority of the world’s vaccines control the fate of the rest of the world.

The number of doses administered globally so far would have been enough to cover all health workers and older people, if they had been distributed equitably. We could have been in a much better situation.

I understand that every government has a duty to protect its own people. I understand that every government wants to vaccinate its entire population. That’s what we want too. And in time, there will be enough supply for everyone, including those at lower risk.

But right now, there is not enough supply. Countries that vaccinate children and other low-risk groups now do so at the expense of health workers and high-risk groups in other countries. That’s the reality.

At the Executive Board meeting in January, I issued a challenge to see vaccination of health workers and older people underway in all countries within the first 100 days of the year. That target was very nearly achieved. But the number of doses available to COVAX remains vastly inadequate.

COVAX works. We have shipped every single one of the 72 million doses we have been able to get our hands on so far to 125 countries and economies. But those doses are sufficient for barely 1 percent of the combined population of those countries.

So today I am calling on Member States to support a massive push to vaccinate at least 10 percent of the population of every country by September, and a “drive to December” to achieve our goal of vaccinating at least 30 percent by the end of the year. This is crucial to stop severe disease and death, keep our health workers safe and reopen our societies and economies.

Sprinting to our September goal means we must vaccinate 250 million more people in low- and middle-income countries in just four months, including all health workers and the most at-risk groups as the first priority. These are the minimum targets we should aim for.

At the G20 Global Health Summit on Friday, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva proposed vaccinating 40 percent of the world’s population by the end of the year and 60 percent by mid-2022.
We are in discussions with the IMF, Member States and our partners about how to make these ambitious targets achievable.

 

Here’s how the “Drive to December” must happen:
First, share doses through COVAX, now. I welcome the commitments made by Member States to donate doses, including the important announcements made at the G20 Global Health Summit on Friday.

But to achieve the goals for September and the end of the year, we need hundreds of millions more doses, we need them to go through COVAX, and we need them to start moving in early June.
Manufacturers must play their part, by ensuring any country that wants to share doses through COVAX can do it within days, not months.

I call on all manufacturers to give COVAX first right of refusal on new volume of vaccines, or to commit 50% of their volumes to COVAX this year. And we need every country that receives vaccines to use them as quickly as possible. No dose can lay idle, or worse, be thrown away. Country-level preparations to reach their populations must move as fast as vaccines.

Second, scale-up manufacturing. The bottom line is that we need a lot more doses, we need them fast, and we must leave no stone unturned to get them. Several manufacturers have said they have capacity to produce vaccines if the originator companies are willing to share licenses, technology and know-how. I find it difficult to understand why this has not happened yet.

I thank India and South Africa for their initiative at the World Trade Organization to waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 products, and I thank those countries that are supporting these efforts. And we urge Member States and manufacturers to join C-TAP, the WHO COVID-19 Technology Access Pool, which provides a powerful mechanism for sharing licenses in a non-exclusive, transparent way. I thank Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for his commitment that Spain will join C-TAP, and we expect more good news in the coming days.

And third, fully fund the ACT Accelerator. There remains an 18.5 billion US dollar gap in the ACT Accelerator.

Ultimately, the pandemic has shown clearly that in an emergency, low and lower-middle income countries cannot rely on imports from vaccine-producing countries. I welcome the draft resolution on strengthening local production of medicines and other health technologies that Member States will consider at this Assembly.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to President Biden for reversing the decision to take the United States out of WHO, for donating US$4 billion to COVAX, and also for their announcement that they will donate 80 million vaccine doses globally – these are the largest contributions announced – and for supporting the intellectual property waiver…

 

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Update from the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly – 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 News release
New resolutions on:
:: Local production of medicines
:: Ending violence against children
:: Addressing social determinants of health

Strengthening local production of medicines and other health technologies to improve access
Member State requests for WHO’s support in strengthening local production have been increasing in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to highlight even more the urgent need for enhancing quality manufacturing capacity in all regions of the world, including for innovative, highly effective health products such as mRNA technologies. Such capacity is necessary to address or even avert future public health emergencies and to improve access to health products in general through stronger health systems.
Sponsored by more than 100 countries, today’s resolution specifically calls for a more comprehensive, all-of-government approach, national strategies and action plans, an enabling business environment, human capital development, multi-stakeholder collaboration and engagement in regional and global networks.
WHO has already committed to holding the first ever World Local Production Forum in June this year, convening countries, partners and other stakeholders to discuss strategies to promote local production to improve access to health products during the current pandemic and beyond…

Tackling social determinants of health
…The resolution aims to strengthen action globally and within countries on the social determinants of health; to reduce health inequities by involving all sectors in taking concrete action to improve living conditions and reduce social inequalities; and improve monitoring of social determinants and health inequities. The resolution lists actions to be taken by governments, civil society, international organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and the WHO Secretariat, including in continuing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and in future recovery efforts.

Update from the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly – 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 News release
:: New resolutions on the health and care workforce and strategic directions for nursing and midwifery
:: Decisions on patient safety; health, environment and climate change; chemicals management; coordination of work on noncommunicable diseases
:: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All
:: Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment

World Health Assembly adopts new resolution on malaria
28 May 2021 Departmental news
The World Health Assembly, the main governing body of the World Health Organization, has adopted a new resolution that aims to revitalize and accelerate efforts to end malaria, a preventable and treatable disease that continues to claim more than 400 000 lives annually…
The resolution urges Member States to step up the pace of progress through plans and approaches that are consistent with WHO’s updated global malaria strategy and the WHO Guidelines for malaria. It calls on countries to extend investment in and support for health services, ensuring no one is left behind; sustain and scale up sufficient funding for the global malaria response; and boost investment in the research and development of new tools…

Update from the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly – 27 May 2021
27 May 2021 News release
:: New resolutions on diabetes, health for people with disabilities; malaria; oral health
:: Decisions on eye care; HIV, Hepatitis and STIs; neglected tropical diseases, noncommunicable diseases
:: WHO programme budget approved 2022-2023

IOAC statement at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly, 25 May 2021
Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme – IOAC
25 May 2021 Statement

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVID Global Response – Calls to Action, Joint Statements

Secretary-General Asks Private Sector to Fund Vaccine Equity, Help Put Humanity on ‘War Footing’ against COVID-19, at Business Leaders’ Event
27 May 2021 SG/SM/20749

Stressing Africa Has Received 2 Per Cent of COVID-19 Vaccines, Secretary-General Urges Developed Countries to Support Continent’s Pandemic Recovery, in Observance Message
24 May 2021 SG/SM/20737

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No-one is safe until everyone is safe – why we need a global response to COVID-19
Joint Statement – Signatories below
GENEVA, 23 May 2021 – [Editor’s text bolding]
“Equitable vaccine distribution is a humanitarian imperative.

“There is a choice. The world of the next 10 years can be one of greater justice, abundance and dignity. Or it can be one of conflict, insecurity and poverty. We are at a turning point.

“COVID-19 has been a truly global crisis in which we all have shouldered a burden. In many cases this has caused us to reflect on those longer injustices that have perpetuated in parts of the world where the pandemic is yet another layer of misery, instability and unrest. These inequalities have been exposed and exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, both between and within countries. The effects will be felt on a global scale for years to come.

“The impact of a catastrophe like the COVID-19 pandemic is measured in the tragedy of individual loss and death, as well as the national and global disruption to almost every part of life. No country in the world has been untouched.

“Variants of the virus, potentially more infectious and resistant to vaccines, will continue to threaten us if they are not controlled now. Those of us who have signed this declaration represent organizations with roots in communities across the world. We work closely with those affected by conflict, disaster and famine, and know the immense challenges they face – but also of their resilience even in the worst of situations.

“In 2021, the world economy is facing the worst downturn since 1945. For some countries this will sharply increase poverty and suffering. For others it means hunger and death. The fallout from the pandemic will be with us for a long time to come. There will be a continued economic impact, with all the human suffering that brings. A generation of children, especially girls, have left school and will not return.

“The world is facing the challenge of how to reverse these devastating dynamics with health being a key part of such a response. We advocate here for ‘Health for All’, where each person’s life is valued, and every person’s right to healthcare is upheld. People not only need vaccinations – they need access to healthcare workers who are skilled and equipped to deliver adequate medical support.

“We need to build a world where each community, regardless of where they live, or who they are, has urgent access to vaccinations: not just for COVID-19, but also for the many other diseases that continue to harm and kill. As the pandemic has shown us, in our interdependent world no one is safe until everyone is safe.

“We have a choice: vaccine nationalism or human solidarity.

“Thanks to effective international action, several vaccines have been produced. The World Health Organisation, GAVI and CEPI are leading the COVAX initiative, which is currently the best effort we have to ensure that vaccines reach people around the world. However, COVAX is only intended to cover 20% of the global population– the most vulnerable in lower-income countries – by the end of 2021 and it is not yet clear if it will meet this target. Meanwhile studies show that if we focus only on vaccinating our own populations, the world risks global GDP losses of up to US$9.2 trillion (with half of that cost being incurred by high income countries) this year alone.

“But it is not just a matter of money. In order to achieve wider global vaccination, complex logistical, infrastructure and scaling issues must be addressed. The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator is focused on providing a means to accelerate the development, manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 diagnostic and treatment products. The ACT recognizes and aims to address the requirement for information sharing – whether about technology, intellectual property or manufacturing.

“However, more needs to be done. The sharing of information, the transfer of technology and the strengthening of manufacturing processes, to name a few, require the active involvement of States and the private sector.

“We therefore call on world leaders to:
1. Ensure equitable access to vaccines between countries by providing vaccines, sharing knowledge and expertise, and fully funding the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which is working to provide equitable access to and implementation of COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

2. Ensure equitable access to vaccines within countries by ensuring all sectors of the population are included in national distribution and vaccination programs, regardless of who they are or where they live, including stigmatized and marginalized communities for whom access to healthcare might not be straightforward.

3. Support countries financially, politically and technically to ensure that curbing COVID-19 is not a standalone goal, and instead is one important element of a broader health strategy, implemented alongside communities to bring longer-term improvements to people’s health and access to healthcare. We are committed, in our different institutions, to offering all the help we can to support actions by communities and authorities.

“It is time for decisive leadership. Countries and organizations across the world have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address global inequality and reverse some of the fallout from the past year. In doing so, they will bring hope not only for the poorest in the world, but for us all.”

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The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Bishop Ivan M Abrahams, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council
HE Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Ecumenical Patriarchate
The Reverend Dr Chris Ferguson, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF
The Reverend Dr Martin Junge, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation
Dr Azza Karam, Secretary-General, Religions for Peace
Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Rabbi David Rosen, Co-President, Religions for Peace
Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, The Grand Imam of al-Azhar
HE Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Rome

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

COVAX Joint Statement: Call to action to equip COVAX to deliver 2 billion doses in 2021
Joint statement by:
:: Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI),
:: Dr Seth Berkley Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi),
:: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) and
:: Henrietta Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF

NEW YORK/GENEVA/OSLO, 27 May 2021 – “Countries that are advanced in their vaccination programmes are seeing cases of COVID-19 decline, hospitalisations decrease and early signs of some kind of normality resume. “However, the global picture is far more concerning.

“At no point in this pandemic have we seen such an acute need to look to the future challenges and not rest on the patchy achievements made so far. “We are seeing the traumatic effects of the terrible surge of COVID-19 in South Asia – a surge which has also severely impacted global vaccine supplies.

“We are also witnessing why access to vaccines before a surge occurs is so important. For that reason, we must focus on ensuring countries who have not benefitted from these life-saving tools do so now, and with urgency.

“As the global mechanism for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, COVAX has proven it works. Designed and implemented in the midst of an unprecedented global public health crisis, it has delivered over 70 million doses to 126 countries and economies around the world since February – from remote islands to conflict settings – managing the largest and most complex rollout of vaccines in history. Over 35 countries received their first COVID-19 vaccine doses thanks to COVAX.

“However, the terrible surge of the virus in India has had a severe impact on COVAX’s supply in the second quarter of this year, to the point where, by the end of June we will face a shortfall of 190 million doses.

“Even though COVAX will have larger volumes available later in the year through the deals it has already secured with several manufacturers, if we do not address the current, urgent shortfall the consequences could be catastrophic. “But we can meet this challenge with concerted action and global leadership.

“Millions of dollars and doses were committed to COVAX on 21 May, bringing the total of doses pledged so far to more than 150 million. At the World Health Assembly, governments have been united in recognising the political and financial urgency of supporting COVAX with doses and dollars. It is now imperative to build on this momentum to secure full funding for COVAX and more vaccines – right now – for lower-income countries at the Advance Market Commitment Summit on 2 June.

 

“If the world’s leaders rally together, the original COVAX objectives – delivery of 2 billion doses of vaccines worldwide in 2021, and 1.8 billion doses to 92 lower-income economies by early 2022 are still well within reach.

“But it will require governments and the private sector to urgently unlock new sources of doses, with deliveries starting in June, and funding so we can deliver. COVAX has the infrastructure in place to facilitate and coordinate this complex global effort.

“To enable COVAX to deliver on the promise of global equitable access, we call for the following immediate actions:
:: Fund the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC). The AMC mechanism is how COVAX provides doses to lower-income economies. Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the AMC has already secured 1.3 billion doses for delivery in 2021. This is enough to protect the most at-risk population groups: health workers, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. We need an additional $2 billion to lift coverage in AMC countries up to nearly 30%, and we need it by June 2 to lock in supplies now so that doses can be delivered through 2021, and into early 2022.

:: Share doses, now. The pandemic has just taken a frightening new turn, as a deadly surge of cases rages across South Asia and other hotspots. Countries with the largest supplies should redirect doses to COVAX now, to have maximum impact.
“We are starting to see countries stepping forward with doses, with the United States and Europe collectively pledging to share 180 million doses. But we still need more, we need them to go through COVAX, and we need them to start moving in early June. At least one billion doses could be shared by wealthy countries in 2021.
“COVAX’s need for doses is greatest right now. Countries with higher coverage rates, which are due to receive doses soon should swap their places in supply queues with COVAX so that doses can be equitably distributed as quickly as possible.

:: Free up supply chains by removing trade barriers, export control measures, and other transit issues that block, restrict or slow down the supply and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, raw materials, components and supplies.
“Now more than ever, at the peak of the pandemic, we need ambitious, global solutions. When it comes to worldwide vaccine distribution, COVAX is the only initiative capable of rising to the challenge of this moment.
“It’s understandable that some countries want to press ahead and vaccinate all of their populations. By donating vaccines to COVAX alongside domestic vaccination programmes, the most at-risk populations can be protected globally, which is instrumental to ending the acute phase of the pandemic, curbing the rise and threat of variants, and accelerating a return to normality.

 

COVAX is hugely appreciative to France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden and the UAE for their initial commitments to donate doses through COVAX, and to Canada for funding to support the design and operationalization of the COVAX dose sharing mechanism. We also welcome announcements by the USA, Norway, Croatia, Romania, Australia and Portugal to donate doses to countries in need and we put COVAX forward as the proven mechanism for global, rapid and equitable distribution to facilitate this.

“Since COVAX was established in mid-2020, it has had the support and resources of 192 of the world’s economies. This tremendous vote of confidence has enabled us to demonstrate our ability to deliver an unprecedented global rollout. It’s time to finish the job.”

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Notes to editors:
The goal of sharing at least 1 billion excess doses by the end of 2021 is based on a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation analysis of current projections of excess doses globally. Even under conservative estimates, the analysis finds that after sharing 1 billion doses, wealthy countries would have sufficient doses to vaccinate 80% of their populations 12 years and older in 2021. [No citation/link provided]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

COVID – Region Assessment: South Asia

UNICEF News note
Geneva Palais Briefing Note on COVID-19 in South Asia
This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

GENEVA/KATHMANDU, 25 May 2021 – “The scenes we are witnessing in South Asia are unlike anything our region has seen before. Family members of patients are carrying oxygen cylinders inside hospitals, risking their own lives in hopes of saving a loved one. Exhausted health workers are working sixteen-hour days, unable to pay individual attention to every patient under their care. We are faced with a real possibility of fragile health systems collapsing.

“South Asia is home to almost 2 billion people, and more than a quarter of the world’s children. The region now accounts for half of known new infections globally. Over three new COVID-19 infections are being recorded every second. Mortality in the region has risen sharply, with one person dying every 17 seconds from COVID-19.

“The sheer scale and speed of this new surge of COVID-19 is outstripping countries’ abilities to provide life-saving treatment.

“Just last week, India recorded the highest number of daily deaths ever in the history of the COVID-19 pandemic: 4,529. “Neighboring Nepal has experienced case positivity rates as high as 47 per cent. In Banke district, there are reports of nurses taking care of 20 critically ill patients on their own.
“Sri Lanka is recording new highs in COVID-19 cases and deaths on a daily basis. 88% of hospital beds are currently in use.

“Maldives is witnessing an unprecedented peak in cases, particularly in its capital, Malé. Its health system is under severe strain and the government has had to increase bed capacity in medical facilities. “Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan could all face similar devastating surges.

“We need to act fast to save lives now. But we also need to do everything within our power to keep the critical health care services that children and mothers so heavily rely on running.

“During the first wave of the pandemic, an estimated 228,000 children and 11,000 mothers across South Asia died due to severe disruptions to essential health services, such as routine immunization, care during pregnancy and childbirth, and treatment for pneumonia and malnutrition. With a surge that is four times the size of the first, we are facing a real possibility of a severe spike in child and maternal deaths in South Asia.

“We simply cannot let this happen…

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

COVID Vaccines – Customs/Cross-border Movement/Regulations

The WCO Secretariat Note on the cross-border movement of vaccines enhanced with further guidance and good practices
World Customs Organization – WCO
28 May 2021
The World Customs Organization (WCO) published the 2nd edition of the Secretariat Note on the Role of Customs in facilitating and securing the cross-border movement of situationally critical medicines and vaccines that enhances the inaugural version launched on 25 February 2021.

WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya stated, “How to achieve equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is critical, and Customs administrations around the world should support global efforts by not only facilitating the cross-border movement of the vaccines themselves, but also by speeding up and facilitating the Customs clearance of the raw materials and components used in the vaccine manufacturing process.” He added that “This will greatly contribute to the efforts to scale up vaccine manufacturing and the 2nd edition of the Secretariat Note highlights the critical role Customs”.

The document contains further guidance on practical ways to implement the measures of the December 2020 Resolution of the Customs Co-operation Council on the Role of Customs in facilitating the cross-border movement of situationally critical medicines and vaccines, a greater number of Members’ case studies, and operational guidelines developed for the WCO Membership by the Australian Border Force.

The guidance outlined in the Secretariat Note draws upon relevant WCO instruments and tools, Members’ good practices and insights gathered as a result of the collaboration with other international organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, logistics providers and other relevant private sector entities.

The Secretariat Note is designed to be a living document that will be enhanced with more Members’ practices and further practical guidance as WCO Members and the industry gain experience and share information with the WCO Secretariat on the Customs clearance of COVID-19 vaccines, related supplies, inputs and equipment.

[Excerpt from 2nd edition of the Secretariat Note, page 6]
c. Practical ways to implement measure 10 of the Resolution are to:
:: Nominate contact points/enquiry points in Customs and other relevant government agencies to exchange information in a timely manner and respond to requests by supply chain stakeholders.
:: Establish a task force with the participation of all relevant government agencies, including Customs, as well as relevant private sector representatives.
:: Coordinate through the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF).
:: Engage with all relevant government agencies and supply chain stakeholders to develop Standard Operating Procedures for the exportation and importation of situationally critical medicines, vaccines and related supplies, inputs and equipment.
:: Perform all border clearance procedures through a Single Window facility.
:: Cooperate with health authorities and supply chain stakeholders to provide training to operational Customs staff.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

COVID Vaccines – OCHA:: HDX

COVID-19 Data Explorer: Global Humanitarian Operations
COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out
May 29, 2021 | COVAX (WHO,GAVI,CEPI), UNDESA, Press Reports | DATA
Global COVID-19 Figures: 168M total confirmed cases; 3.5M total confirmed deaths
Global vaccines administered: 1.81B [1.59B]
Number of Countries: 26 [26]
COVAX First Allocations (Number of Doses): 73M [73M]
COVAX Delivered (Number of Doses): 15M [15M]
Other Delivered (Number of Doses): 24M [24M]
Total Delivered (Number of Doses): 40M [40M]
Total Administered (Number of Doses): 27M [23M]

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: 29 May 2021
Confirmed cases :: 169 118 995 [week ago: 165 772 430]
Confirmed deaths :: 3 519 175 [week ago: 3 437 545]
Vaccine doses administered: 1 546 316 352 [week ago: 1 448 242 899]

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Weekly operational update on COVID-19 – 24 May 2021
In this edition of the COVID-19 Weekly Operational Update, highlights of country-level actions and WHO support to countries include:
:: Medical supplies reach Indian states and Union Territories
:: Egypt and Philippines receive additional shipments of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility
:: Strengthening quality assurance and biosafety for SARS-CoV-2 sample collection sites in Azerbaijan
COVID-19 posing unprecedented threat on war-torn Yemen
:: Online training on vaccination to frontline workers in Uruguay
:: WHO EPI-WIN hosted discussion for youth networks on mental health and how ten years of
:: Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) strengthened capacities to support the COVID-19 response
:: Regular updates on WHO’s resource requirements and funds received to support countries in implementing the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan 2021, WHO/PAHO procurement of critical supplies, and implementation of the Unity Studies

Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 25 May 2021
Overview
For the second successive week, the number of COVID-19 cases globally remains at the highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic with over 5.7 million new weekly cases, following nine consecutive weeks of increases. New deaths continue to increase for the seventh consecutive week, with over 93 000 deaths. The South-East Asia Region continues to report marked increases in both case and death incidences.
In this edition, special focus updates are provided on:
:: World Hand Hygiene Day, 5 May 2021
:: WHO partnership with SeroTracker — synthesizing “real-time” seroprevalence data to support global pandemic response
:: SARS-CoV-2 variants

[Excerpt, p. 7]
Special Focus: Update on SARS-CoV-2 variants
WHO, in collaboration with national authorities, institutions and researchers, routinely assesses if variants of SARS-CoV-2 result in changes in transmissibility, clinical presentation and severity, or if they result in changes in public health and social measures (PHSM) implementation by national health authorities. Systems have been established to detect “signals” of potential variants of concern (VOCs) or variants of interest (VOIs) and assess these based on the risk posed to global public health (see also working definitions). National authorities may choose to designate other variants of local interest/concern. Detailed information on currently circulating VOCs and VOIs is available in previously published editions of the Weekly Epidemiological Update. Here we provide a brief update on the geographical distribution of the three VOCs as of 4 May 2021, as well as an update on detected VOIs (Table 2).

As surveillance activities to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants are strengthened at local and national levels, including by strategic genomic sequencing, the number of countries/areas/territories (hereafter countries) reporting VOCs and VOIs has continued to increase. Since our last update on 27 April, VOC 202012/01 has been detected in three additional countries, variant 501Y.V2 in ten additional countries, and variant P.1 has been reported in three additional countries. As of 4 May, a total 142 countries have reported VOC 202012/01 (Figure 3), 97 countries variant 501Y.V2 (Figure 4), and 56 countries variant P.1 (Figure 5) – see also Annex 2. The information presented here should be interpreted with due consideration of surveillance limitations, including differences in sequencing capacities and prioritization of samples for sequencing between countries.

Draft landscape and tracker of COVID-19 candidate vaccines

28 May 2021 | Publication

   The COVID-19 candidate vaccine landscape and tracker database compiles detailed information on COVID-19 vaccine candidates in development.

  The landscape is updated regularly – twice a week (Tuesday and Friday, 17:00 CET).

Download: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/blue-print/28.05.2021-novel-coronavirus_landscape_covid-19.xlsx.zip?sfvrsn=e352acfa_3&download=true

Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process  28 May 2021

   For 19 vaccine candidates, 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

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

COVID Vaccine Developer/Manufacturer Announcements [organizations from WHO EUL/PQ listing above]

 

AstraZeneca
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

Bharat Biotech, India
Press Releases – Website not responding at inquiry

BioCubaFarma – Cuba
Últimas Noticias
Más de 1 millón 115 mil cubanos ya han recibido al menos una dosis de los candidatos vacunales cubanos
24/05/2021 10:57:58    |   Redacción de Cubadebate
[Google translate: More than 1,115,000 Cubans have already received at least one dose of the Cuban Soberana 02 vaccine candidates.

“Cuba será posiblemente el primer país en vacunar a toda su población con una vacuna propia”
24/05/2021 10:47:43    |   Redacción Cubadebate
[Google translate: “Cuba will possibly be the first country to vaccinate its entire population with its own vaccine”]

Más de 440 000 personas han sido vacunadas en Cuba como parte de la intervención sanitaria
24/05/2021 10:40:58    |   Redacción de Cubadebate
[Google translate: More than 440,000 people have been vaccinated in Cuba as part of the health intervention ]

 

CanSinoBIO
News – No new digest announcements identified

Clover Biopharmaceuticals – China
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Curevac [Bayer Ag – Germany]
News
May 28, 2021
CureVac’s First-Generation COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate, CVnCoV, Continues Toward Phase 2b/3 Efficacy Readout in Variant-rich Environment Following DSMB Recommendation

 

Gamaleya National Center
Latest News and Events – No new digest announcements identified [See Russia/RFID below]

IMBCAMS, China
Home – No new digest announcements identified

 

Janssen/JNJ
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

Moderna
Press Releases
May 25, 2021
Moderna Announces TeenCOVE Study of its COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents Meets Primary Endpoint and Plans to Submit Data to Regulators in Early June
:: Primary endpoint of non-inferior immunogenicity versus the Phase 3 study adult comparator group was met
:: No cases of COVID-19 observed after two doses of vaccine using the primary case definition, consistent with a vaccine efficacy of 100%
:: Safety and tolerability generally consistent with Phase 3 COVE study in adults; no significant safety concerns identified
:: Company plans to submit data to regulators globally in early June

May 24, 2021
Moderna and Aldevron Announce Expanded Partnership for mRNA Vaccine and Therapeutic Pipeline
:: Aldevron will supply plasmid DNA to serve as the genetic template for generating the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and other investigational programs in Moderna’s pipeline.

 

Novavax
Press Releases
Novavax to Present at International Society for Vaccines Virtual Congress COVID-19 Vaccine Update 5/24/2021

 

Pfizer
Recent Press Releases
Pfizer and BioNTech Receive First Authorization in European Union for COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents
NEW YORK and MAINZ, GERMANY, May 28, 2021 — Pfizer Inc.(NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech SE
(Nasdaq: BNTX) today announced that the Conditional Marketing Authorization (CMA) for COMIRNATY® in the European Union (EU) has been expanded to include individuals 12 to 15 years of age. This follows the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) positive opinion to authorize the vaccine in this age group. The extended indication for the CMA for COMIRNATY is valid in all 27 EU member states.
COMIRNATY was the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive authorization in the EU and is the first to have its CMA extended to adolescents. Distribution and administration of COMIRNATY by the EU member states will continue to be determined according to the populations identified in the EU and per national guidance…

Pfizer Initiates Study Exploring Coadministration of Its 20-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Candidate Along With a Third Dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in Older Adults
Monday, May 24, 2021
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that the first enrolled subjects have received their immunizations as part of a new study in adults ages 65 or older exploring the coadministration of the company’s 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (20vPnC) candidate following a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The primary objective in the trial is to describe safety when both vaccines are co-administered, with follow up six months after vaccination. Secondary objectives are to describe immune responses produced by each of the vaccines.
The trial will include 600 adults who will be recruited from the pivotal Phase 3 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine trial and will have received their second dose of the vaccine at least six months prior to entering the coadministration study. The participants are being randomized to one of three groups:
:: 20vPnC plus Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster, which is a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
:: 20vPnC plus placebo
:: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster plus placebo

 

Serum Institute of India
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – No corporate announcements identified [Last release April 21.2021]

 

Sinopharm/WIBPBIBP
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Sinovac
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

Vector State Research Centre of Viralogy and Biotechnology
Home – No new digest announcements identified

Zhifei Longcom, China
[Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biologic Pharmacy Co., Ltd.]
[No website identified]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

UNICEF COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard :: Agreements Table Accessed 29 May 2021
An overview of information collected from publicly announced bilateral and multilateral supply agreements [Agreements view from 2021-05-02 to date]

 

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Our World in Data
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

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

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
:: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee June 10, 2021 Meeting Announcement

 

::::::

White House [U.S.]
Briefing Room – Selected Major COVID Announcements
Remarks by President Biden Celebrating the Significant Progress Virginia Has Made in the Fight Against COVID-19
May 28, 2021 • Speeches and Remarks

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Investigation into the Origins of COVID-19
May 26, 2021 • Statements and Releases
…As of today, the U.S. Intelligence Community has “coalesced around two likely scenarios” but has not reached a definitive conclusion on this question. Here is their current position: “while two elements in the IC leans toward the former scenario and one leans more toward the latter – each with low or moderate confidence – the majority of elements do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other.”
  I have now asked the Intelligence Community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days. As part of that report, I have asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required, including specific questions for China. I have also asked that this effort include work by our National Labs and other agencies of our government to augment the Intelligence Community’s efforts. And I have asked the Intelligence Community to keep Congress fully apprised of its work…

Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
May 25, 2021 • Press Briefings

 

::::::

COVID Data Tracker [U.S.] May 8, 2021

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

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

 

European Medicines Agency
News & Press Releases 
News: First COVID-19 vaccine approved for children aged 12 to 15 in EU (new)
CHMP, Last updated: 28/05/2021
EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended granting an extension of indication for the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty to include use in children aged 12 to 15. The vaccine is already approved for use in adults and adolescents aged 16 and above.
…The use of the Comirnaty vaccine in children from 12 to 15 will be the same as it is in people aged 16 and above. It is given as two injections in the muscles of the upper arm, given three weeks apart.
The effects of Comirnaty in children were investigated in 2,260 children aged 12 to 15 years. This study was carried out in accordance with Comirnaty’s paediatric investigation plan (PIP), which was agreed by EMA’s Paediatric Committee (PDCO)…

 

News: Insufficient data on use of inhaled corticosteroids to treat COVID-19 (new)
Last updated: 27/05/2021

 

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en
Latest Updates
SARS-CoV-2 variants dashboard

 

European Commission
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en
News
Press release 28 May 2021
The European Union outlines a €3 billion economic support package to a future democratic Belarus
Today, the European Commission is presenting to the Council its outline for a comprehensive plan of economic support to a future democratic Belarus. The plan, of up to €3 billion, reflects the European Union’s commitment to support the Belarusian people’s wishes for a peaceful democratic transition.

Press release 27 May 2021
Ukraine: EU allocates €25.4 million in humanitarian aid
As the conflict in eastern Ukraine enters its eighth year, the European Commission has announced €25.4 million in humanitarian aid to help people still suffering from the ongoing hostilities.

Press release 25 May 2021
EU increases humanitarian assistance for Palestine to over €34 million
Today, the EU has increased its humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Palestine by €8 million, taking the total to €34.4 million this year.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

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

Kenya’s Statement on the Africa CDC Trusted Travels Platform
25 May 2021
… I am particularly proud that Kenya was the pioneer country in the deployment of the Trusted Travel Platform, and this week also became the pioneer country to digitize vaccine data records in a manner that is compatible with the Trusted Vaccines Framework. These are unified digital platforms built and sustained through a public-private partnership among the AU institutions, on the one hand, and the Continental private sector, with support from Civil Society…

Press Releases
Multi-Sectoral Task Force on Trusted Travel and Safe Re-Opening of Borders to foster Saving Lives, Economies, and Livelihoods on the African Continent
Addis Ababa 24 May 2021 – African Ministers responsible for Health, ICT, and Transport have made a call to the African States to work towards harmonizing pre-entry and exit requirements for cross-border travel, increase mutual recognition, and cross-border information exchange. The Africa CDC, the lead COVID-19 response organ of the African Union, has gone further to provide a platform to member states to support this undertaking known as Trusted Travel (www.africacdc.org/trusted-travel). The Ministers also called for cross-collaboration among different sectors and stakeholders.  The Call to Action comes under the umbrella of Africa Against COVID-19: “Saving Lives, Economies, and Livelihoods” campaign, which recognizes the need to define our “new normal” by striking a balance between saving lives, re-opening of economies, and revitalizing livelihoods within the African continent..

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
RDIF and UNICEF sign Sputnik V vaccine supply agreement
Moscow, May 27, 2021 – Human Vaccine LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) announces the signing of an agreement for the supply of 220 million doses of two-dose Sputnik V Russian COVID-19 vaccine with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This amount is sufficient to vaccinate 110 million people.
The supply agreement with UNICEF for Sputnik V vaccine will broaden access to help meet vaccine demand around the world. Procurement and delivery of the vaccine by UNICEF is subject to the vaccine receiving WHO Emergency Use Listing. The decision is expected soon on the Sputnik V application for WHO Emergency Use Listing that was submitted in October 2020.
Concurrently, RDIF will be holding a separate discussion with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to see the Sputnik V vaccine considered for inclusion in the COVAX Facility’s Portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines…
[See UNICEF announcement just below]

A study in Argentina confirms Sputnik V highly-effective against Manaus variant of coronavirus
Press release, 24.05.2021

RDIF and Panacea Biotec launch the production of Sputnik V in India
Press release, 24.05.2021
…The first batch produced at Panacea Biotec’s facilities at Baddi will be shipped to the Gamaleya Center for quality control. Full-scale production of the vaccine is due to start this summer. Company’s facilities comply with GMP standards and are prequalified by WHO.
Sputnik V was registered in India under the emergency use authorization procedure on April 12, 2021 and vaccination against coronavirus with the Russian vaccine started on May 14. As announced in April, RDIF and Panacea have agreed to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V…

 

::::::

UNICEF signs supply agreement for Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine
News note 27 May 2021
NEW YORK/COPENHAGEN, 27 May 2021 –  UNICEF and Human Vaccine (Limited Liability Company), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), today announced a long-term agreement (LTA) for the supply of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. This is the fourth long-term supply agreement UNICEF has signed with a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer. So far this year, UNICEF has signed such agreements with the Serum Institute of India, Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
Procurement by UNICEF under this agreement is conditional on the product achieving an Emergency Use Listing from WHO, to confirm the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
In addition, an Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will also be needed for procurement to begin on behalf of the COVAX Facility. Should the COVAX Facility decide to enter into an advance purchase agreement for the supply of the Sputnik V vaccine, UNICEF will be ready to deliver as soon as regulatory milestones have been met. At this point, UNICEF through this LTA, stands ready to access up to 220 million doses of the vaccine available for supply in 2021, to meet country demand.  The Sputnik V vaccine consists of two different components of the vaccine to be administered 21 days apart. An exact delivery schedule will be determined in collaboration with the manufacturer…

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

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

 

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/

27.05.2021
Guidelines on near to Home COVID Vaccination Centres for Elderly & Differently Abled Citizens

 

Government of India – Press Information Bureau
Latest Press Releases
PM CARES For Children- Empowerment of COVID Affected Children launched for support & empowerment of Covid affected children
Posted on: 29 May 2021

Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR)
https://www.icmr.gov.in/media.html
No new digest content identified.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

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

[See China CDC section below]

Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Polio this week as of 26 May 2021
:: Come and join the virtual launch of the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026, at an online event on Thursday 10 June 2021 (at 2pm, Central European Summer Time).  More information, including registration details, are available here, where you will find the ‘Save the Date’.
:: Understanding gender-related barriers to immunization is essential to achieve polio eradication. But what is gender? What is the difference between gender and sex? How do sex and gender influence health, including immunization? This newly released Q&A examines the links between gender and health, highlighting WHO’s ongoing work to address gender-related barriers to healthcare, advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity, and achieve health for all.

Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Pakistan: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Burkina Faso: one cVDPV2 case
:: Congo: one cVDPV2 case
:: DR Congo: five cVDPV2 cases
:: Guinea: one cVDPV2 case
:: Liberia: two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Madagascar: three cVDPV1 cases and one cVDPV1 positive environmental sample
:: Mali: one cVDPV2 case
:: Tajikistan: two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples

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

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 29 May 2021]

Democratic Republic of the Congo – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 3 May 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: 13 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 29 May 2021]
Afghanistan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 5 July 2020]
Angola – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 16 March 2021]
Burundi – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 04 July 2019]
Burkina Faso – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 21 mai 2021]
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: 12 May 2021
Libya – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 7 October 2019]
Malawi – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 22 April 2021
Measles in Europe – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 26-04-2021]
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: ²9 March 2021]
Niger – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 16 avril 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 29 May 2021]

Kenya
:: Urgent immunization response launched to tackle polio outbreak in 13 counties
21 May 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]
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 2019]

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

UN OCHA – Current Emergencies
Current Corporate Emergencies
Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, 20 May 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
:: Humanitarian needs continue to be grave, exceeding to current capacities.
:: While some areas were accessible, others remain hard to reach due to movement restrictions and ongoing conflict.
:: An alarming number of cases of acute malnutrition among children has been reported.
:: Only about 2 per cent of the targeted 720,000 school children have access to learning opportunities.
:: About US$200 million is needed to respond to humanitarian needs until the end of July.

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

WHO & Regional Offices [to 29 May 2021]
https://www.who.int/
29 May 2021
News release
Update from the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly – 29 May 2021

28 May 2021
Statement
Statement by the Malaria Policy Advisory Group on the urgent need to address the high prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in the Horn of Africa and beyond

28 May 2021
Departmental news
World Health Assembly adopts new resolution on malaria

28 May 2021
News release
Update from the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly – 28 May 2021

28 May 2021
News release
WHO supports people quitting tobacco to reduce their risk of severe COVID-19

28 May 2021
Departmental news
Public notice and comment on new Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) members

27 May 2021
Statement
The President of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Director-General of the World Health Organization call once again on all WHO Member States to actively support the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP)

27 May 2021
News release
Update from the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly – 27 May 2021

27 May 2021
Statement
COVAX Joint Statement: Call to action to equip COVAX to deliver 2 billion doses in 2021

27 May 2021
Departmental news
World Health Assembly adopts decision to recognize 30 January as World NTD Day

26 May 2021
Departmental news
Kangaroo mother care started immediately after birth critical for saving lives, new research shows

26 May 2021
Statement
COVID-19 subcommittee of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) reviews cases of mild myocarditis reported with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines

25 May 2021
Statement
IOAC statement at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly, 25 May 2021

24 May 2021
Departmental news
World No Tobacco Day 2021 awards – the winners

24 May 2021
News release
WHO and Switzerland launch global BioHub for pathogen storage, sharing and analysis

 

::::::

Weekly Epidemiological Record, Vol. 96, No. 21, pp. 173–196 28 May 2021
:: Dracunculiasis eradication: global surveillance summary, 2020194
:: Monthly report on dracunculiasis cases, January-March 2021196
:: Elimination of Human African Trypanosomiasis as public health problem)

 

::::::

WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
:: Inside Africa’s drive to boost medicines and vaccine manufacturing 27 May 2021
With COVID-19 vaccine supplies to Africa slowing down, the continent is working to boost its own manufacturing capacities for vaccines, medicines and vital health technologies.

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
No new digest content identified

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: 23 May 2021 News release
As COVID-19 cases surge, WHO provides over 340 MT of essential supplies to countries in South-East Asia Region

WHO European Region EURO
:: WHO recognizes decades of service of Ukrainian researchers in radiation medicine 28-05-2021
:: The Beautiful Game: keeping spectators, players and communities safe 28-05-2021
:: World No Tobacco Day 2021: awards for tobacco control in the WHO European Region 26-05-2021
:: Using big data to inform health care: opportunities, challenges and considerations 26-05-2021
:: WHO/Europe launches a new Russian-language podcast on the hottest health topics 25-05-2021

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Many countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region lagging behind in vaccination efforts
Cairo, 26 May 2021 – Almost 6 months into 2021, the Eastern Mediterranean Region is still far from vaccinating 20% of each country’s population, the initial goal that WHO had set for 2021. Only 2 out of 22 countries in the Region have administered at least 1 dose of vaccine to over 50% of their populations. Most of the other countries have…

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 29 May 2021]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases, Announcements
No new digest content identified

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, May 28, 2021
:: HIV Viral Load Monitoring Among Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy — Eight Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, 2013–2018
:: Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements To Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020 (Early Release May 21, 2021)
:: COVID-19 Testing To Sustain In-Person Instruction and Extracurricular Activities in High Schools — Utah, November 2020–March 2021 (Early Release May 21, 2021)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC
Selected Resources
Approximately 90 announcements/reports/data summaries.

Africa CDC [to 29 May 2021]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Statement
Kenya’s Statement on the Africa CDC Trusted Travels Platform
25 May 2021

Press Releases
Multi-Sectoral Task Force on Trusted Travel and Safe Re-Opening of Borders to foster Saving Lives, Economies, and Livelihoods on the African Continent
Addis Ababa 24 May 2021 a

China CDC
http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/
CCDC Weekly – Weekly Reports: Current Volume (3)
2021-05-28 / No. 22
PDF of this issue
No new digest content identified.

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China [to 29 May 2021]
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
May 29: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On May 28, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 16 new cases of confirmed infections.

Xi’s remarks on promoting global cooperation against COVID-19 pandemic
Updated: 2021-05-28
Xinhua

National Medical Products Administration – PRC [to 29 May 2021]
http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/news.html
News
Over 560 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across China
2021-05-28
More than 566.72 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China as of Wednesday, the National Health Commission said on May 27.

Organization Announcements

Editor’s Note:

Careful readers will note that the number and range of organizations now monitored in our Announcements section below has grown as the impacts of the pandemic have spread across global economies, supply chains and programmatic activity of multilateral agencies and INGOs.

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group    [to 29 May 2021]

https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/

News

No new digest content identified.

BARDA – U.S. Department of  HHS   [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx

News

No new digest content identified.

BMGF – Gates Foundation  [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center

Press Releases and Statements

No new digest content identified.

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute    [to 29 May 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 29 May 2021]

News

05.27.2021  | 

CARB-X is funding SNIPR BIOME to develop a CRISPR-engineered drug to eradicate Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in cancer patients to prevent deadly infections

   CARB-X is awarding SNIPR BIOME ApS, a CRISPR- and microbiome-biotechnology company in Copenhagen, Denmark, up to US $3.9 million to develop an innovative new drug to prevent E. coli infections in cancer patients, which can be life-threatening. Under the award, SNIPR BIOME may be eligible for up to $6.3 million in additional funds from CARB-X if the project achieves certain milestones, subject to available funds.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation   [to 29 May 2021]

https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/

News/Analysis/Statements

:: Past weekly editions and posting of all segments of Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review are available here.

:: [NEW] Informed Consent: A Monthly Review – May 2021 is now posted here

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations  [to 29 May 2021]

http://cepi.net/

Latest News

COVAX Joint Statement: Call to action to equip COVAX to deliver 2 billion doses in 2021

   Now more than ever, at the peak of the pandemic, we need ambitious, global solutions.

27 May 2021

[See COVID above for full text]

CEPI funds expansion of “mix and match” vaccine study, led by Oxford University

   Expanded study will assess the use of mixed COVID-19 vaccine regimens, specifically to include the Moderna and Novavax vaccines

COVID-19

26 May 2021

CEPI and SK bioscience expand partnership to advance multiple COVID-19 variant vaccines and scale-up manufacturing

   CEPI to provide up to US$173.4 million of additional funding to SK bioscience for its COVID-19 vaccine programme.

24 May 2021

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency  [to 29 May 2021

https://www.darpa.mil/news

News

No new digest content identified.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center  [to 29 May 2021]

WEEKLY COVID VACCINE RESEARCH UPDATE

Last dated update: FRIDAY, April 16, 2021

EDCTP    [to 29 May 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 29 May 2021]

http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/

Vaccine Center News

No new digest content identified.

European Vaccine Initiative  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.euvaccine.eu/

Latest News

No new digest content identified.

FDA [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm

Press Announcements /Selected Details

May 28, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: May 28, 2021

May 26, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Additional Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of COVID-19

May 25, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: May 25, 2021

[See U.S. COVID Actions above for detail]

Fondation Merieux  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.fondation-merieux.org/

News, Events

Mérieux Foundation co-organized event

8th Annual meeting of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC)

June 8 – 10, 2021 – Virtual Event

Gavi [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.gavi.org/

News Releases

27 May 2021

Call to action to equip COVAX to deliver 2 billion doses in 2021

[See COVID above for full text]

GHIT Fund   [to 29 May 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

No new digest content identified.

Global Fund  [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/

News & Stories

No new digest content identified.

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 29 May 2021]

News

No new digest content identified.

Hilleman Laboratories   [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.hillemanlabs.org/

Website not responding at inquiry

Human Vaccines Project   [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/media/press-releases/

Less Antibody than Expected May be Enough To Knock Out SARS-CoV-2  

Danny Altmann, Ph.D.
Professor of Immunology
Imperial College London

IAVI  [to 29 May 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.

ICRC  [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

Selected News Releases, Statements, Reports          

DR Congo: The population of Goma flees a volcano’s menace as a major humanitarian crisis looms

28-05-2021 | News release                  

5 years on, there has not been significant change: access to health care continues to be impeded

Speech given by Mr Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC, in the the Side Event on Protection of Health Care of the United Nations protection of civilians in armed conflict week.

26-05-2021 | Statement

International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]

https://www.igbamedicines.org/

News

No new digest content identified.

IFFIm

http://www.iffim.org/

Press Releases/Announcements

No new digest content identified.

IFRC   [to 29 May 2021]

http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/

Selected Press Releases, Announcements

Americas

Pandemic not over, as transmission increases and health systems are at risk of collapsing in the Americas, IFRC warns

   Panama City/Geneva, 28 May – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) is warning that the pandemic is far from over in the Americas as cases continue to surge. The region has the highest incidence of COVID-19 cases pe …

29 May 2021

Bangladesh, India

India/Bangladesh: Millions threatened as cyclone spells double trouble

   Kuala Lumpur/Delhi/Dhaka, 25 May – Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are helping people stay safe in India and Bangladesh as a major cyclone threatens millions of people and devastating COVID-19 surges continue in both countries. While India has been fa …

25 May 2021

Global

No-one is safe until everyone is safe – why we need a global response to COVID-19

    Equitable vaccine distribution is a humanitarian imperative. There is a choice. The world of the next 10 years can be one of greater justice, abundance and dignity. Or it can be one of conflict, insecurity and poverty. We are at a turning point. …

24 May 2021

Institut Pasteur   [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area

Press Info

No new digest content identified.

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 29 May 2021]   

http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases

News

COVID-19 Behind Unprecedented Changes in the Number of Migrants Moving Across East and Horn of Africa: IOM Report

2021-05-25 15:35

Nairobi – At least 300,000 migrants across the East and Horn of Africa have been affected by COVID-19 in 2020, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s annual flagship report on migration trends and population movements in the region, released this week… The highest concentration of displaced persons is in Shire, where 575,115 IDPs are residing in overcrowded collective shelters, including schools, within the host community and in open spaces. The majority are from Western and Northwestern Tigray. Other urban areas with high displacement concentrations included Adwa (188,910), Sheraro (165,223), and Mekele Zone (200,909)…

IRC  International Rescue Committee  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

Media highlights [Selected]

No new digest content identified.

IVAC  [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html

Updates; Events

No new digest content identified.

IVI   [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.ivi.int/

Selected IVI News, Announcements, Events

No new digest content identified.

JEE Alliance  [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.jeealliance.org/

Selected News and Events

No new digest content identified.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security   [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/

Center News

New Report: School Ventilation: A Vital Tool to Reduce COVID-19 Spread
May 26, 2021

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security receives a grant from The Rockefeller Foundation to deliver COVID-19 Response Research as part of the Exemplars in Global Health program
May 25, 2021

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.msf.org/

Latest [Selected Announcements

Myanmar

All parties must ensure unimpeded access to healthcare in Myanmar

Press Release 28 May 2021

Attacks on medical care

Trauma continues long after the bombing stops in Gaza

Project Update 28 May 2021

National Academy of Medicine – USA  [to 29 May 2021]

Selected News/Programs

News

Expert Papers from the National Academy of Medicine Identify Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs for Health Care Payers and Clinicians and Professional Societies after COVID-19

May 26, 2021

   WASHINGTON – In response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the American health system, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has convened experts in 9 sectors of health, health care, and biomedical research to review how each sector responded to COVID-19, identify challenges encountered in combating the pandemic, and outline what opportunities exist to […]

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS  [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html

Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates

No new digest content identified.

NIH  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases

News Releases 

No new digest content identified.

UN OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs[to 29 May 2021]

https://www.unocha.org/

Press Releases

No new digest content identified.

PATH  [to 29 May 2021]                                     

https://www.path.org/media-center/

Press Releases

STANDARD G6PD Test receives regulatory approval by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration

May 25, 2021 by PATH

Point-of-care test critical to improving the treatment and elimination of relapsing malaria receives regulatory approval.

   PATH congratulates SD BIOSENSOR for the regulatory approval by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on April 21, 2021, of their STANDARD™ G6PD Test. The STANDARD G6PD Test is the first point-of-care test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency that can support safe access to the currently available drugs that treat Plasmodium vivax malaria in both men and women. The recent approval by the TGA certifies that the test is appropriate for use in point-of-care settings and meets rigorous quality standards…

Sabin Vaccine Institute  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases

Statements and Press Releases

Sabin Vaccine Institute Names Richard Adegbola and Yacine Djibo to Board of Trustees

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

   Washington, D.C. – The Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) announced that Professor Richard Adegbola and Yacine Djibo have been elected to the Board of Trustees. Professor Adegbola is a microbiologist, public health advocate and professor in Lagos, Nigeria. Ms. Djibo is founder and executive director of Speak Up Africa, a policy and advocacy action tank promoting public health and development based in Dakar, Senegal…

UNAIDS [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.unaids.org/en

Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements

25 May 2021

UNAIDS supports the Partnership for Accelerated COVID-19 Testing in Ghana

25 May 2021

How the LGBTI community is surviving the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

UNDP  United Nations Development Programme [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html

Latest from News Centre

No new digest content identified.

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS

Selected News Releases, Announcements

Older refugees at heightened risk of exclusion as COVID-19 continues to strike the Americas

26 May 2021

Statement: No-one is safe until everyone is safe – why we need a global response to COVID-19

24 May 2021

[See COVID above for detail]

UNICEF  [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases

Selected Press Releases, Statements

Statement  05/27/2021

COVAX Joint Statement: Call to action to equip COVAX to deliver 2 billion doses in 2021

[See COVID above for detail]

News note  05/27/2021

UNICEF signs supply agreement for Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

[See COVID above for detail]

News note  05/25/2021

Geneva Palais Briefing Note on COVID-19 in South Asia

[See COVID above for detail]

Statement  05/24/2021

No-one is safe until everyone is safe – why we need a global response to COVID-19

 [See COVID above for detail]

Unitaid  [to 29 May 2021]

Featured News

No new digest content identified.

Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin)  [to 29 May 2021]

https://vaccineacceptance.org/

Announcements

No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/

News, Research and Reports

Coronavirus global impact

   Launched April 2, 2020 and recurring every 3 days, Premise Data is utilizing its global network of Contributors to assess economic, social, and health sentiment surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center

News

Vaccine Update for Providers

May 25, 2021

Announcements: Updated and new COVID-19 resources; essay contest deadline approaching

Wellcome Trust  [to 29 May 2021]

https://wellcome.ac.uk/news

News and reports

No new digest content identified.

The Wistar Institute   [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases

Press Releases

No new digest content identified.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations  [to 29 May 2021]

Latest News

WFPHA at WHA74: WFPHA Diplomats of the Global Charter for the Public’s Health: A Call for Pandemic Preparedness

May 28, 2021

WFPHA at WHA74: A Pandemic Treaty to Fight Inequalities & Health Emergencies

May 26, 2021

World Bank [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all

Selected News, Announcements

Jordan: The World Bank Group Adapts its Strategy to Support COVID-19 Response, Inclusive and Resilient Recovery, and Continued Reforms

The World Bank Group Board of Executive Directors Approves the Performance and Learning Review of the Country Partnership Framework for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan AMMAN, May 29, 2021 – Approved today…

Date: May 29, 2021 Type: Press Release

New $30 million Grant to Support Palestinian Reforms in Digital Economy, Governance and Pandemic resilience

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2021 –The World Bank approved today a US$30 million Development Policy Grant (DPG) to support the digital foundations of the Palestinian economy, strengthen recovery and resilience…

Date: May 28, 2021 Type: Press Release

World Customs Organization – WCO  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.wcoomd.org/

Latest News – Selected Items

28 May 2021

The WCO Secretariat Note on the cross-border movement of vaccines enhanced with further guidance and good practices

[See COVID above for detail]

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)   [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2021/

Press Releases

News

New official disease status recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

27 May 2021

    Two countries were the first to receive the endorsement of their dog-mediated rabies control programmes and 13 new official disease status were recognised by OIE Delegates… Having gathered evidence that their official control programmes comply with OIE international Standards, Namibia and the Philippines will be able to advocate for support from their governments to progressively prevent and control the disease. The ultimate objective will be to eventually eliminate the disease from their territories and self-declare its freedom, thus contributing to the ‘Zero by 30’ global goal to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies…

News

A new strategy propels international community to improve aquatic animal health and welfare worldwide

26 May 2021    

   The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is a leader in animal disease reporting. The recent innovation of the World Animal Health Information System (OIE-WAHIS) system is a testimony to the OIE’s progressive evolution of its digital services. The platform provides Members with a new tool for animal disease surveillance for strengthened risk analysis and the monitoring during disease emergencies…

Striving for One Health resilience

25 May 2021

   The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is using lessons learned to re-envision its role, and that of its Members, on wildlife health, emergency management and sustainable laboratories. A specific Resolution addressing global vulnerabilities identified before and during the COVID-19 era in these domains will be proposed for adoption with the aim to better prepare against future health threats.

WTO – World Trade Organisation [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm

WTO News and Events

Webinar to explore role of regulatory cooperation in easing access to medical technologies

28 May 2021

   On 2 June 2021, a panel of experts will discuss regulatory cooperation and its role in facilitating access to medical technologies, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goods barometer reveals strength of trade recovery, depth of COVID-19 shock

28 May 2021

   Global merchandise trade is continuing to recover in 2021 following a steep but brief pandemic-induced drop in the second quarter of last year, according to the latest WTO Goods Trade Barometer released on 28 May.

::::::

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine]  [to 29 May 2021]

Press Releases – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (alliancerm.org)

Selected Press Releases

Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, and European Association for Bioindustries Call for Advanced Therapies to be Exempt from EU GMO Legislation

May 25, 2021

BIO    [to 29 May 2021]

https://www.bio.org/press-releases

Press Releases

No new digest content identified.

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network  [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.dcvmn.org/

News; Upcoming events

No new digest content identified.

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations   [to 29 May 2021]

https://internationalbiotech.org/news/

News

EU Healthcare Biotech Policy Priorities for SMEs

3 JUN. 2021 — 03 Jun. 2021

   Join the EuropaBio Healthcare Biotechnology Team for a dive into EU policies that impact your current operations and will shape your future strategies.  With EU-level strategies within Pharmaceuticals, Intellectual Property, Orphan Medicines and the proposed ‘European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)’…

IFPMA   [to 29 May 2021]

http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/

Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications

Global biopharmaceutical industry sees upcoming World Health Assembly as a critical milestone to take stock

   24 May 2021, Geneva – The 74th World Health Assembly, taking place in extraordinary circumstances, represents a critical milestone in analyzing the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Member States will engage in conversations on improving current systems for pandemic surveillance and response, against the backdrop of having multiple effective, safe and quality COVID-19 vaccines available.

   Since the last World Health Assembly, innovative vaccine manufacturers and biotech companies – from both developed and developing countries – have broken records in drug innovation and collaboration.        

   In a matter of months, they have developed multiple COVID-19 vaccines, and have forged collaborations in order to ramp up production.

   With nearly 300 partnerships and collaborations among manufacturers worldwide, production has increased, in just a few months from zero to 2.2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of May, with an astounding estimate of 11 billion doses by the end of 2021[1].

   Critically, however, COVID-19 vaccines currently are not equally reaching all priority populations worldwide. Innovative vaccine manufacturers and biotech companies committed last week to a five-step plan that will deliver results in the short-term…

PhRMA    [to 29 May 2021]                                                                                                             

http://www.phrma.org/

Selected Press Releases, Statements

A year later: Reflections on the meaning of equity

May 25, 2021

   Over the past year, we have committed ourselves to this work, anew, through our Equity Initiative.

Courtney Christian is a Senior Director of Policy and Research at PhRMA/

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 5: E371-433 May 2021
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/issue/ending-hiv-epidemic

 

Ending the HIV Epidemic
A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic began in the United States in the 1970s. “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” was launched in October 2019 by the US Department of Health and Human Services, with the goal of stopping the spread of HIV by 2030. Accomplishing this goal demands not only expanding existing programs, but recognizing and responding to clinically, ethically, socially, and culturally relevant features of contemporary patients’ experiences of stigma, oppression, and living with HIV. This issue considers ethical and clinical complexities patients and clinicians encounter in HIV care today.

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 29 May 2021)

 

Modes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and evidence for preventive behavioral interventions
COVID-19 is a novel disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. During the global vaccination rollout, it is vital to thoroughly understand the modes of transmission of the virus in order to prevent further spread of varian…
Authors: Lucas Zhou, Samuel K. Ayeh, Vignesh Chidambaram and Petros C. Karakousis
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:496
Content type: Review
Published on: 28 May 2021

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 29 May 2021)

 

Favipiravir for the treatment of patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Favipiravir possesses high utility for treating patients with COVID-19. However, research examining the efficacy and safety of favipiravir for patients with COVID-19 is limited.
Authors: Toshie Manabe, Dan Kambayashi, Hiroyasu Akatsu and Koichiro Kudo
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:489
Content type: Research article
Published on: 27 May 2021

BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 29 May 2021)

 

Stakeholders’ perspectives on research integrity training practices: a qualitative study
Even though research integrity (RI) training programs have been developed in the last decades, it is argued that current training practices are not always able to increase RI-related awareness within the scien…
Authors: Daniel Pizzolato and Kris Dierickx
Citation: BMC Medical Ethics 2021 22:67
Content type: Research article
Published on: 28 May 2021

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 29 May 2021)

 

Intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine: results from a population-based survey in Canada
The success of any COVID-19 vaccine program ultimately depends on high vaccine uptake. This study determined overall intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and identified factors that predict intentions to be…
Authors: Gina S. Ogilvie, Shanlea Gordon, Laurie W. Smith, Arianne Albert, C. Sarai Racey, Amy Booth, Anna Gottschlich, David Goldfarb, Melanie C. M. Murray, Liisa A. M. Galea, Angela Kaida, Lori A. Brotto and Manish Sadarangani
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1017
Content type: Research
Published on: 29 May 2021

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 29 May 2021)

 

Attitudes of Lebanese adults regarding COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 was first detected in Lebanon on February 21, 2020; it reached its peak in January 2021, with a total number of 418,448 confirmed cases and 5380 deaths (until March 15, 2021). Gaining insight into fac…
Authors: Carina Kasrine Al Halabi, Sahar Obeid, Hala Sacre, Marwan Akel, Rabih Hallit, Pascale Salameh and Souheil Hallit
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:998
Content type: Research
Published on: 27 May 2021

Ethics & Human Research
Volume 43, Issue 3 Pages: 1-44 May–June 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/25782363/current

 

Underrepresented populations in clinical research Human infection challenge trials
Articles
SARS-CoV-2 Human Challenge Trials: Rethinking the Recruitment of Healthy Young Adults First
Kenji Matsui, Yusuke Inoue, Keiichiro Yamamoto
Pages: 37-41
First Published: 06 April 2021

Ethics & Human Research
Volume 43, Issue 3 Pages: 1-44 May–June 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/25782363/current

 

Underrepresented populations in clinical research Human infection challenge trials
Articles
SARS-CoV-2 Human Challenge Trials: Rethinking the Recruitment of Healthy Young Adults First
Kenji Matsui, Yusuke Inoue, Keiichiro Yamamoto
Pages: 37-41
First Published: 06 April 2021

Ethics & Human Research
Volume 43, Issue 3 Pages: 1-44 May–June 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/25782363/current

 

Commentary Free Access
Human Infection Challenge Experiments: Then and Now
Franklin G. Miller, Jonathan D. Moreno
Pages: 42-44
First Published: 15 March 2021

Genome Medicine
https://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles
[Accessed 29 May 2021]

 

Demonstrating trustworthiness when collecting and sharing genomic data: public views across 22 countries
Public trust is central to the collection of genomic and health data and the sustainability of genomic research. To merit trust, those involved in collecting and sharing data need to demonstrate they are trustworthy. However, it is unclear what measures are most likely to demonstrate this.
We analyse the ‘Your DNA, Your Say’ online survey of public perspectives on genomic data sharing including responses from 36,268 individuals across 22 low-, middle- and high-income countries, gathered in 15 languages. We examine how participants perceived the relative value of measures to demonstrate the trustworthiness of those using donated DNA and/or medical information. We examine between-country variation and present a consolidated ranking of measures.
Authors: Richard Milne, Katherine I. Morley, Mohamed A. Almarri, Shamim Anwer, Jerome Atutornu, Elena E. Baranova, Paul Bevan, Maria Cerezo, Yali Cong, Alessia Costa, Christine Critchley, Josepine Fernow, Peter Goodhand, Qurratulain Hasan, Aiko Hibino, Gry Houeland…
Citation: Genome Medicine 2021 13:92
Content type: Research
Published on: 25 May 2021

Global Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 6 (2021)
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current

 

Special Symposium on Social Norms and Violence against Children
[New issue; No digest content identified]

Health Policy and Planning
Volume 36, Issue 4, May 2021
https://academic.oup.com/heapol/issue/36/4

 

ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Socio-economic determinants of global COVID-19 mortalities: policy lessons for current and future pandemics
Nicholas Ngepah
Health Policy and Planning, Volume 36, Issue 4, May 2021, Pages 418–434, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czaa161

Health Policy and Planning
Volume 36, Issue 4, May 2021
https://academic.oup.com/heapol/issue/36/4

Impact of campaign-style delivery of routine vaccines: a quasi-experimental evaluation using routine health services data in India
Emma Clarke-Deelder, Christian Suharlim, Susmita Chatterjee, Logan Brenzel, Arindam Ray …

 

Health Policy and Planning, Volume 36, Issue 4, May 2021, Pages 454–463, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czab026

Humanitarian Exchange Magazine
Number 79, May 2021
https://odihpn.org/magazine/inclusion-of-persons-with-disabilities-in-humanitarian-action-what-now/

 

Localisation and local humanitarian action
by HPN October 2020
The theme of this edition of Humanitarian Exchange is localisation+ and local humanitarian action. Five years ago this week, donors, United Nations (UN) agencies,  non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) committed within the Grand Bargain to increase multi-year investments in the institutional capacities of local and national responders, and to provide at least 25% of humanitarian funding to them as directly as possible. Since then, there is increasing consensus at policy and normative level, underscored by the Covid-19 pandemic, that local leadership should be supported.  Localisation has gone from a fringe conversation among policy-makers and aid agencies in 2016 to a formal priority under the Grand Bargain. Wider global movements on anti-racism and decolonisation have also brought new momentum to critical reflections on where power, knowledge and capacity reside in the humanitarian system. Yet progress has been slow and major gaps remain between the rhetoric around humanitarian partnerships, funding and coordination and practices on the ground.

JAMA Network
COVID-19 Update May 29, 2021

 

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

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU)
Volume 32, Number 2, May 2021 Supplement
https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/44396

 

Table of Contents
Overview of the Issue
Kevin B. Johnson, Tiffani J. Bright, Cheryl R. Clark
…The importance of techquity—defined as the strategic development and deployment of technology in health care and health to advance health equity—was even more apparent after the events of 2020. COVID-19 upended access to care and illuminated the impact of structural racism as a cause for a widening gap of access during the pandemic. Black Lives Matter became more than a trending hashtag on Twitter, or a movement resulting in peaceful protests and calls for policy reform: it put additional focus on the issue of race as a social and not a biological construct and called into question the rationale for common practices in health care that were triggered by race. A notable example was the emerging realization that kidney function assessment was tied to race and hardwired into many of our electronic health records. The real-world evidence around our lack of techquity was incontrovertible.
This Supplemental Issue of JHCPU provides articles that describe challenges to techquity, frameworks to improve the role of technology in care, and examples of how technology can transform health, public health, and health care…

Nature
Volume 593 Issue 7860, 27 May 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/593/issues/7860

 

Editorial | 26 May 2021
Protect precious scientific collaboration from geopolitics
Rivalry between China and other countries could diminish global scientific collaboration — just when it is most needed.

Nature
Volume 593 Issue 7860, 27 May 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/593/issues/7860

 

Editorial | 25 May 2021
A patent waiver on COVID vaccines is right and fair
Wealthier countries must join the United States, Russia and China in recognizing that everyone benefits if vaccine manufacturing is distributed evenly around the world.

Nature
Volume 593 Issue 7860, 27 May 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/593/issues/7860

 

World View | 26 May 2021
Stem-cell guidelines: why it was time for an update
New oversight criteria aim to reassure the public and permit progress in contentious research, such as growing human embryos in the lab.

New England Journal of Medicine
May 27, 2021 Vol. 384 No. 21
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

 

Perspective
The “Legal Epidemiology” of Pandemic Control
Scott Burris, J.D., Evan D. Anderson, J.D., Ph.D., and Alexander C. Wagenaar, M.S.W., Ph.D.
The centrality of law as a public health intervention has been undeniable during the Covid-19 pandemic. In just the first half of 2020, more than 1000 laws and orders were issued by federal, state, and local authorities in the United States in an effort to reduce disease transmission. Legal interventions include stay-at-home orders, mask mandates, and travel restrictions, as well as more particular rules for business operations, alcohol sales, curfews, and health care. Given their heavy use, importance, and obvious socioeconomic side effects, and the social and behavioral complexities of their implementation, one might have expected the National Institutes of Health (NIH), other research funders, and the research community to jump to the work of determining the right mix, intensity, and enforcement approaches of legal restrictions to control transmission with the least and most equitably distributed harms. No organized research program emerged…

New England Journal of Medicine
May 27, 2021 Vol. 384 No. 21
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

 

Perspective
A Hidden Opportunity — Medicaid’s Role in Supporting Equitable Access to Clinical Trials
Samuel U. Takvorian, M.D., M.S.H.P., Carmen E. Guerra, M.D., M.S.C.E., and William L. Schpero, Ph.D.
Hidden deep within the $2.3 trillion omnibus spending and relief package passed by Congress in December 2020 lies a little-known but powerful provision intended to promote equitable access to clinical trials. Beginning in January 2022, coverage of the “routine costs” associated with clinical trial participation will be guaranteed for all Medicaid beneficiaries for the first time in the program’s history. The absence of federal policy in this area until now has most likely suppressed the representation of low-income and minority populations in the clinical research that underlies therapeutic advances, thereby limiting equitable access to potentially state-of-the-art therapies and compromising the generalizability of research findings…

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://www.plosntds.org/
(Accessed 29 May 2021)

 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rabies reemergence in Latin America: The case of Arequipa, Peru
Brinkley Raynor, Elvis W. Díaz, Julianna Shinnick, Edith Zegarra, Ynes Monroy, Claudia Mena, Micaela De la Puente-León, Michael Z. Levy, Ricardo Castillo-Neyra
Research Article | published 21 May 2021 PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009414

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 29 May 2021]

 

Impact of influenza vaccination in the Netherlands, 2007–2016: Vaccinees consult their general practitioner for clinically diagnosed influenza, acute respiratory infections, and pneumonia more often than non-vaccinees
Saverio Caini, John Paget, Peter Spreeuwenberg, Joke C. Korevaar, Adam Meijer, Mariëtte Hooiveld
Research Article | published 28 May 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249883

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 29 May 2021]

 

Willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials; a survey among a population of healthcare workers in Uganda
Jonathan Kitonsa, Onesmus Kamacooko, Ubaldo Mushabe Bahemuka, Freddie Kibengo, Ayoub Kakande, Anne Wajja, Vincent Basajja, Alfred Lumala, Edward Ssemwanga, Robert Asaba, Joseph Mugisha, Benjamin F. Pierce, Robin Shattock, Pontiano Kaleebu, Eugene Ruzagira
Research Article | published 27 May 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251992