::::::

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 21 Aug 21]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/
News
No new digest content identified.

BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
News
No new digest content identified.

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center
Press Releases and Statements
No new digest content identified.

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 21 Aug 21]
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 21 Aug 21]
https://carb-x.org/
News
No new digest content identified.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 21 Aug 21]
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 – August 2021 is now posted here

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 21 Aug 21]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
CEPI enters into funding agreement with Gritstone bio to develop COVID-19 variant vaccine
:: CEPI to provide up to US$20.6 million in funding
:: Funding will support development of a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19 variants
:: Programme forms part of CEPI’s efforts to develop “next-generation” COVID-19 vaccines
August 17, 2021; Oslo, Norway—CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, today announced that it entered into a funding agreement with Gritstone bio, Inc. to advance development of a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19 variants. CEPI will provide up to US$20.6 million to support a phase 1 clinical trial, including manufacturing of clinical trial materials as well as supporting preclinical studies and optimisation of manufacturing processes.
This funding forms part of CEPI’s programme to develop “next-generation” COVID-19 vaccines that are differentiated from those already in advanced development and can be used against COVID-19 variants. CEPI’s portfolio of “next-generation” vaccines currently includes SK bioscience’s nanoparticle vaccine candidate (GBP510), the University of Hong Kong’s intranasal vaccine candidate, VBI Vaccines’ virus-like particle candidate, and ZerunBio’s recombinant vaccine candidate…

CIOMS – COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF MEDICAL SCIENCES [to 21 Aug 21]
https://cioms.ch/
News; Publications
No new digest content identified.

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [to 21 Aug 21
https://www.darpa.mil/news
News
No new digest content identified.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 21 Aug 21]
https://dukeghic.org/
Our Blog
No new digest content identified.

EDCTP [to 21 Aug 21]
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 21 Aug 21]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.

European Vaccine Initiative [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
Malaria vaccine candidate PfAMA1 DiCo demonstrates broadening of immune responses
Aug 19, 2021
Original Article: Remarque, E.J., Faber, B.W., Rodriguez Garcia, R. et al. Accelerated phase Ia/b evaluation of the malaria vaccine candidate PfAMA1 DiCo demonstrates broadening of humoral immune responses. npj Vaccines 6, 55 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-021-00319-2

Fondation Merieux [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
Event
Mérieux Foundation doctorates to present their work during international congresses
August 17, 2021 – Global
Four doctorates’ researchers of the Mérieux Foundation have been selected to present their research work on tuberculosis and antimicrobial resistance during international scientific conferences.

Gavi [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.gavi.org/
News Releases
No new digest content identified.

GHIT Fund [to 21 Aug 21]
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 21 Aug 21]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
News
Global Fund and Tanzania Deepen Partnership to Fight COVID-19 and Accelerate End of HIV, TB and Malaria
17 August 2021
The Global Fund and the Government of Tanzania are deepening their partnership with new investments to fight the COVID-19 crisis and accelerate the end of the epidemics of HIV, TB and malaria while building resilient and sustainable systems for health.

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.glopid-r.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

Hilleman Laboratories [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
Website reports “under maintenance” at inquiry

Human Vaccines Project [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/
News
No new digest content identified.

IAVI [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities [ICMRA]
http://www.icmra.info/drupal/en/news
Selected Statements, Press Releases, Research
ICMRA Informal Innovation Network – Horizon Scanning Assessment Report – Artificial Intelligence
August 16, 2021
The International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) published a report that sets out recommendations to help regulators to address the challenges that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) poses for global medicines regulation.
The report is based on a horizon-scanning exercise, conducted by the ICMRA Informal Network for Innovation working group* and led by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The goal of this network is to identify challenging topics for medicine regulators, to explore the suitability of existing regulatory frameworks and to develop recommendations to adapt regulatory systems in order to facilitate safe and timely access to innovative medicines.
The implementation of the recommendations will be discussed by ICMRA members in the coming months.

ICRC [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases, Statements, Reports
Joint statement on the protection of healthcare
During the recent unrest in parts of South Africa, dozens of medical facilities were destroyed, pharmacies looted, and countless vaccines and other critical medicines were stolen.
19-08-2021 | Statement

Ethiopia: ICRC broadens response to the humanitarian crises
In the first half of 2021, the ICRC’s humanitarian activities mainly focused on responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by the fighting in northern Ethiopia and inter-communal clashes in other parts of the country.
17-08-2021 | Article

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

IFRC [to 21 Aug 21]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
Africa, Global
Profits trumping humanity when it comes to vaccine equity
In response to the news that vaccines manufactured in South Africa are being exported to Europe, Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said: “We have long been calling for companies to consider manufacturing doses in regions that remain inequitably served of COVID-19 vaccines. That they should then be exported to regions that have vaccinated a majority of their population is incomprehensible. The African continent is still the most underserved in terms of receiving doses — barely 2% of people across the region have been vaccinated. Yet, it is clear that profits are still trumping humanity. If compassion will not open the door to the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccine doses, then let it be science, for none of us is safe until we all are. If parts of the world remain unvaccinated, this pandemic will not end.”
19 August 2021

Asia Pacific, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
COVID-19: Southeast Asia battles world’s highest deaths
Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 18 August 2021: Southeast Asia is battling the world’s highest COVID-19 death toll driven by the Delta variant and unequal global distribution of vaccines.  Hospitals remain overwhelmed by record surges across Southeast Asia, from …
18 August 2021

Institut Pasteur [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press Documents
No new digest content identified.

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
News
Safety of Afghans and Humanitarian Access Must be Top Priorities
2021-08-17 14:58
Geneva – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been following with great concern the developments in Afghanistan and the grave consequences for displaced people and civilians needing humanitarian assistance, in a country already severely affected by years of…

IOM Supports Response to Earthquake in Haiti
2021-08-16 20:03
Port-au-Prince – As Haiti struggles to cope in the aftermath of a deadly weekend earthquake, the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) relief efforts to support national authorities are now also focusing on finding safe buildings where thousands of displaced residents…

ISC / International Science Council [to 21 Aug 21]
ISC is a non-governmental organization with a unique global membership that brings together 40 international scientific Unions and Associations and over 140 national and regional scientific organizations including Academies and Research Councils.
https://council.science/current/
News
No new digest content identified.

IVAC [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
No new digest content identified.

IVI [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News, Announcements, Events
No new digest content identified.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Senior Scholar Caitlin Rivers Seconded to the CDC to Help Establish the Center for Epidemic Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics
August 18, 2021

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Central African Republic
Renewed conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Central African Republic
Project Update 20 Aug 2021

Afghanistan
Medical needs urgent as ever in Afghanistan after Taliban takeover
Project Update 18 Aug 2021

Haiti
Death, destruction and thousands of injured people in wake of Haiti earthquake
Project Update 17 Aug 2021

National Academy of Medicine – USA [to 21 Aug 21]
https://nam.edu/programs/
Selected News/Programs
No new digest content identified.

National Academy of Sciences – USA [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.nasonline.org/news-and-multimedia/
News
No new digest content identified.

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
No new digest content identified.

NIH [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
News Releases
NIH study shows no significant benefit of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 outpatients with early symptoms
August 18, 2021 — Clinical trial results demonstrate COVID-19 convalescent plasma did not prevent disease progression in a high-risk group of outpatients.

NIH hamster study evaluates airborne and fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2
August 17, 2021 — Findings support efforts to reduce SARS-CoV-2 indoor airborne transmission.

NIH sientists develop faster COVID-19 test
August 16, 2021 — Technique avoids RNA degradation and time-consuming extraction.

PATH [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

UNAIDS [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
No new digest content identified.

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected News Releases, Announcements
UNHCR report: Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, facing deadlier journeys in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea
19 Aug 2021

UNICEF [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Press Releases, News Notes, Statements [Selected]
Press release
08/20/2021
New shipment of UNICEF humanitarian aid arrives in earthquake-struck Haiti
First shipment with medical and water supplies has arrived; more to follow in the coming days

Press release
08/17/2021
Over half a million children affected by Haiti earthquake
Torrential rains are hampering relief efforts

Press release
08/17/2021
Geneva Palais briefing note on the current situation of children in Afghanistan
This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF’s Chief of field operations & emergency, Mustapha Ben Messaoud – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Unitaid [to 21 Aug 21]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
18 August 2021
Joint Statement from Unitaid and the World Health Organization (on behalf of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator) regarding availability of tocilizumab
Geneva, 18 August 2021 – WHO and Unitaid are concerned by Roche’s statement yesterday, warning of a global shortage of tocilizumab (brand name Actemra/RoActemra), an IL6 inhibitor WHO recommended in June for use as a treatment for severe COVID-19 cases. Tocilizumab can play a key role in decreasing mortality and reducing need for invasive mechanical ventilation among severely ill patients, when delivered alongside oxygen and corticosteroids.
While we welcome and acknowledge that Roche has announced measures to address the shortage, we call on the company to ensure equitable allocation of current stocks of this medicine for all countries, including low- and middle-income countries.
We also strongly encourage Roche to facilitate technology transfer and knowledge and data sharing to broaden access to this important treatment…

Vaccine Equity Initiative [to 21 Aug 21]
https://vaccineequitycooperative.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin) [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.vaccineacceptance.org/
Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 21 Aug 21]
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 21 Aug 21]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
No new digest content identified.

Wellcome Trust [to 21 Aug 21]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
News and reports
Opinion
Author: Michael Dunn
Our new discovery research funding schemes are open for applications
18 August 2021
Michael Dunn explains more about our three new discovery research funding schemes, which are now open for applications.

The Wistar Institute [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
Aug. 17, 2021
The BEAT-HIV Collaboratory Receives More Than $29 Million in NIH Funding for HIV Cure Research
The collaboratory led by Wistar investigators will continue to test novel combined immunotherapies to advance research towards a cure for HIV.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
EU Commission’s Response to Co-signed Open Letter on Access to COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapies
Aug 18, 2021
“The Commission is committed to the objective of universal equitable access to vaccines and treatments against COVID-19.”

World Bank [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Selected News, Announcements
Food Security and COVID-19
Aug 17, 2021 – An increasing number of countries are facing growing levels of acute food insecurity, reversing years of development gains. Even before COVID-19 reduced incomes and disrupted supply chains…
Date: August 17, 2021 Type: Brief

Nepal to Get 4 Million Doses of Moderna Vaccines through COVAX
KATHMANDU, August 13, 2021 – Nepal is the second country globally to have completed agreements with GAVI to procure 4 million doses of Moderna vaccines, financed by the World Bank, through the COVAX…
Date: August 13, 2021 Type: Press Release

World Customs Organization – WCO [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.wcoomd.org/
Latest News – Selected Items
Website not responding at inquiry

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2021/
Press Releases, Statements
No new digest content identified.

WTO – World Trade Organisation [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm
WTO News and Events
No new digest content identified.

::::::

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 21 Aug 21]
Press Releases – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (alliancerm.org)
Selected Press Releases
Global Cell & Gene Therapy Sector on Pace for Annual Records in Product Approvals and Financings, Says Alliance for Regenerative Medicine
August 18, 2021 Washington, DC
The regenerative medicine and advanced therapies sector completed its best-ever six-month period of financing, raising $14.1B from January through June and reaching 71% of the record amount raised in all of 2020, according to the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine’s (ARM) H1 2021 Report released today.

BIO [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases, Letters, Testimony, Comments [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 21 Aug 21]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

IFPMA [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
No new digest content identified.

International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]
https://www.igbamedicines.org/
News
IGBA LAUNCHES A WHITEPAPER: A VISION FOR THE GLOBAL GENERIC AND BIOSIMILAR MEDICINES INDUSTRY
7 July 2021
Today the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) is launching a whitepaper: A Vision for the Global Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Industry, which covers the strong contribution of this pharmaceutical sector to global health outcomes and economies, the opportunities, challenges and disruptions for the industry, its 2030 vision as well as actions needed to achieve this vision… The whitepaper is the result of extensive input from fourteen generic and biosimilar medicines companies and IGBA member associations, and supports the global recovery efforts to rethink, build and secure a future which addresses the inequalities in healthcare, while supporting sustainability…

International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations – IAPO [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.iapo.org.uk/news/topic/6
Press and media [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

PhRMA [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.phrma.org/
Latest News [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

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

American Journal of Public Health
July 2021 111(52)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

Supplement 2 2021
When Dying Really Counts
This new fully Open Access supplement issue looks at the urgent need to improve the quality of mortality data and routine surveillance in the context of COVID-19 and beyond. Consequences of inaccuracies in mortality data threaten the mission of public health, while challenges facing the professions of those who encounter and study death are facing unprecedented pressures

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 105 (2021): Issue 2 (Aug 2021)
https://www.ajtmh.org/view/journals/tpmd/105/2/tpmd.105.issue-2.xml

EDITORIAL
Short-term and Potentially Long-term Negative Impacts of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from the Africa Research, Implementation Science, and Education Network Rapid Monitoring Survey
Davidson H. Hamer

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 105 (2021): Issue 2 (Aug 2021)
https://www.ajtmh.org/view/journals/tpmd/105/2/tpmd.105.issue-2.xml

PERSPECTIVE PIECES
Equitable and Feasible Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines for All in Africa
Abu Bakarr Rogers, Mohamed Bailor Barrie, Mosoka P. Fallah, and J. Daniel Kelly

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 105 (2021): Issue 2 (Aug 2021)
https://www.ajtmh.org/view/journals/tpmd/105/2/tpmd.105.issue-2.xml

ARTICLES
Global Health Partnerships During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives and Insights from International Partners
Megan S. McHenry, Reena P. Tam, Amira A. Nafiseh, Mary Ann Etling, Adelaide E. Barnes, Amy R. L. Rule, Heather L. Crouse, Heather Haq, Lee E. Morris, Brittany L. Murray, Lisa A. Umphrey, and Elizabeth M. Keating
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-0156

BMC Health Services Research
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservres/content
(Accessed 21 Aug 21)

Designing an SMS reminder intervention to improve vaccination uptake in Northern Nigeria: a qualitative study
Penta3 coverage in Nigeria was low at 33 % in 2017. The most reported reason for non-vaccination was lack of knowledge about the immunization place, time, and need. To address knowledge gaps and improve vaccin…
Authors: Chisom Obi-Jeff, Cristina Garcia, Obinna Onuoha, Funmi Adewumi, Winnie David, Tobi Bamiduro, Abdulrasheed Bello Aliyu, Alain Labrique and Chizoba Wonodi
Citation: BMC Health Services Research 2021 21:844
Content type: Research
Published on: 20 August 2021

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 21 Aug 21)

Trends and determinants of vaccination among children aged 06–59 months in Bangladesh: country representative survey from 1993 to 2014
Vaccination has important consequences for childhood development, mortality, and inequalities in health and well-being. This research explores the trend of vaccinations coverage from 1993 to 2014 and determine…
Authors: Md. Moyazzem Hossain, Md. Abdus Sobhan, Azizur Rahman, Sanzida Sharmin Flora and Zahida Sultana Irin
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1578
Content type: Research article
Published on: 21 August 2021

Cell
Aug 19, 2021 Volume 184 Issue 17 p4373-4596
https://www.cell.com/cell/current

Articles
Structure-guided T cell vaccine design for SARS-CoV-2 variants and sarbecoviruses
Anusha Nathan, ET AL.
Structure-based network analyses identify regions in the SARS-CoV-2 proteome that are mutationally constrained and bear CD8+ T cell epitopes that are also conserved in emerging variants as well as other sarbecoviruses. These epitopes elicit stronger CD8+ T cell responses in convalescent individuals over mRNA vaccine recipients and provide a framework for a broad T-cell-based vaccine against coronaviruses.

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

Perspective Open Access
Governing Heritable Human Genome Editing: A Textual History and a Proposal for the Future
LeRoy Walters, Robert M. Cook-Deegan, and Eli Y. Adashi
Pages:469–476
Published Online:16 August 2021
https://doi.org/10.1089/crispr.2021.0043
Abstract
Heritable human genome editing (HHGE) has become a topic of intense public interest, especially since 2015. In the early 1980s, a related topic—human genetic engineering—was the subject of sustained public discussion. There was particular concern about germline genetic intervention. During the 1980s debate, an advisory committee to the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC)—agreed to provide initial public review of proposals for deliberate introduction of DNA into human beings. In 1984 and 1985, the RAC developed guidelines for research involving DNA transfer into patients. The committee also commented on the possibility of deliberately altering the human germline. We track the textual changes over time in the RAC’s response to the possibility of germline genetic intervention in humans. In 2019, the NIH RAC was abolished. New techniques for genome editing, including CRISPR-based techniques, make both somatic and germline alterations much more feasible. These novel capabilities have again raised questions about oversight. We propose the creation of a new structure for the public oversight of proposals to perform HHGE. In parallel with a technical review by a regulatory agency, such proposals should also be publicly evaluated by a presidentially appointed Bioethics Advisory Commission.

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

Review Article
Application of CRISPR-Cas9 Editing for Virus Engineering and the Development of Recombinant Viral Vaccines
Na Tang, Yaoyao Zhang, Zhiqiang Shen, Yongxiu Yao, and Venugopal Nair
Pages:477–490
Published Online:16 August 2021
https://doi.org/10.1089/crispr.2021.0017

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

Review Article
Application of CRISPR-Cas9 Editing for Virus Engineering and the Development of Recombinant Viral Vaccines
Na Tang, Yaoyao Zhang, Zhiqiang Shen, Yongxiu Yao, and Venugopal Nair
Pages:477–490
Published Online:16 August 2021
https://doi.org/10.1089/crispr.2021.0017
Abstract
The advent of human gene editing has stimulated international interest in how best to govern this research. However, research on stakeholder views has neglected scientists themselves. We surveyed 212 scientists who use gene editing in their work. Questions captured views on oversight and use of somatic and germline human gene editing for treatment, prevention, and enhancement. More respondents were supportive of somatic than germline editing, and more supported gene editing for treatment compared to prevention. Few supported its use for enhancement. When presented with specific conditions, levels of support for somatic editing differed by type of condition. Almost all respondents said scientists and national government representatives should be involved in oversight, but only 28% said scientists are best positioned to oversee gene-editing research. These results can inform the development of sound approaches to research governance, demonstrating the importance of identifying specific gene-editing uses when considering oversight.

Developing World Bioethics
Volume 21, Issue 2 June 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14718847/current

Special Issue: Conscientious objection to termination of pregnancy in the global south: legal and ethical challenges
Issue Edited by:  Anita Kleinsmidt

The European Journal of Public Health
SUPPLEMENT – Volume 31, Issue Supplement_1, July 2021
https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1

Supplement: E-Mental-Health: Exploring the Evidence Base and Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Internet-Based Interventions for the Prevention of Mental Health Conditions
Mental illness represents an enormous personal, social and societal burden for European citizens1 calling for the need to expand existing models of mental healthcare delivery. In Europe, the Internet is a key source of health information,2 and technology-enhanced (psychological) interventions such as Internet- and mobile-delivered applications (‘eHealth’3 and ‘m-Health’4) have become increasingly popular and studied. There is already strong evidence of the efficacy of online interventions for the prevention and treatment of several psychological disorders5,6 and meta-analyses show effect sizes similar to face-to-face interventions.7

Health Affairs
Vol. 40, No. 7 July 2021
https://www.healthaffairs.org/toc/hlthaff/current

July 2021 | Borders, Immigrants & Health
About one in seven residents of the US is an immigrant, and about fifteen million people live within 100 kilometers of the US-Mexico border. Disparities in health status exist between people born in the US and those who have immigrated. Immigration policy has been contentious throughout US history, and current policies in the US and Mexico have significant effects on the health and well-being of tens of millions of people. This thematic issue of Health Affairs focuses on immigrants and borders. The overview article by Arturo Vargas Bustamante and coauthors describes a range of health policy issues raised by the continuously shifting demography of US immigrants.

Health Policy and Planning
Volume 36, Issue 6, July 2021
https://academic.oup.com/heapol/issue/36/6

ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Health gains and financial protection from human papillomavirus vaccination in Ethiopia: findings from a modelling study
Allison Portnoy, Steven Sweet, Dawit Desalegn, Solomon Tessema Memirie, Jane J Kim …

Health Policy and Planning
Volume 36, Issue 6, July 2021
https://academic.oup.com/heapol/issue/36/6

REVIEWS
Implementing ‘universal’ access to antiretroviral treatment in South Africa: a scoping review on research priorities
Hanlie Myburgh, Lindsey Reynolds, Graeme Hoddinott, Dianne van Aswegen, Nelis Grobbelaar …

Humanitarian Exchange Magazine
Number 79, May 2021
https://odihpn.org/magazine/localisation-and-local-humanitarian-action/

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.

Infectious Diseases of Poverty
http://www.idpjournal.com/content
[Accessed 21 Aug 21]

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide transmission based on evolutionary dynamics and specific viral mutations in the spike protein
Authors: Jiluo Liu, Xi Chen, Yan Liu, Jiansheng Lin, Jiaying Shen, Hongwei Zhang, Jianhua Yin, Rui Pu, Yibo Ding and Guangwen Cao
Content type: Research Article
21 August 2021

JAMA
August 17, 2021, Vol 326, No. 7, Pages 587-680
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

Racial and Ethnic Disparities and Inequities in Medicine and Health Care
Viewpoint
Partnering With the Faith-Based Community to Address Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Rates and Outcomes Among US Black and Latino Populations
Anthony Evans, MDiv; Joseph Webster, MD; Glenn Flores, MD
free access
JAMA. 2021;326(7):609-610. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.12652
This Viewpoint discusses the low rates at which Black and Latino individuals in the US are being vaccinated against COVID-19 and how the National Black Church Initiative plans to address gaps in vaccination as well as other health care disparities.

JAMA Network
COVID-19 Update August 21, 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…

The Lancet
Aug 21, 2021 Volume 398 Number 10301 p641-724, e10
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Articles
Protection by vaccination of children against typhoid fever with a Vi-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine in urban Bangladesh: a cluster-randomised trial
Firdausi Qadri, et al.
Open Access
Typhoid fever remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries. Vi-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (Vi-TT) is recommended by WHO for implementation in high-burden countries, but there is little evidence about its ability to protect against clinical typhoid in such settings… Vi-TT provided protection against typhoid fever to children vaccinated between 9 months and less than 16 years. Longer-term follow-up will be needed to assess the duration of protection and the need for booster doses.

Nature
Volume 596 Issue 7872, 19 August 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/596/issues/7872

Editorial | 17 August 2021
The WHO is right to call a temporary halt to COVID vaccine boosters
Richer countries should focus on ramping up vaccine supply to the billions who are still waiting for their first dose.

Nature
Volume 596 Issue 7872, 19 August 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/596/issues/7872

Article | 12 July 2021
Systems vaccinology of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in humans
Profiling the immune responses of 56 volunteers vaccinated with BNT162b2 reveals how this mRNA vaccine primes the innate immune system to mount a potent response to SARS-CoV-2 after booster immunization.
Prabhu S. Arunachalam, Madeleine K. D. Scott, Bali Pulendran

Nature
Volume 596 Issue 7872, 19 August 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/596/issues/7872

Article | 30 June 2021 | Open Access
Age-related immune response heterogeneity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2
Individuals over eighty years of age are less likely to mount a good immune response against SARS-CoV-2 (measured by neutralization titres) after the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, but achieve good neutralization after the second dose.
Dami A. Collier, Isabella A. T. M. Ferreira, Ravindra K. Gupta

Nature
Volume 596 Issue 7872, 19 August 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/596/issues/7872

Article | 23 June 2021 | Open Access
Protective efficacy of Ad26.COV2.S against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 in macaques
SARS-CoV-2 challenge of rhesus macaques demonstrates that the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine induces robust protection against both the WA1/2020 isolate and the B.1.351 variant of concern.
Jingyou Yu, Lisa H. Tostanoski, Dan H. Barouch

New England Journal of Medicine
August 19, 2021 Vol. 385 No. 8
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

Perspective
The Covid-19 Infodemic — Applying the Epidemiologic Model to Counter Misinformation D. Scales, J. Gorman, and K.H. Jamieson
Throughout the world, including the United States, medical professionals and patients are facing both a pandemic and an infodemic — the first caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the second by misinformation and disinformation. The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s tracking of social and legacy media has found that millions of people have been exposed to deceptive material alleging that SARS-CoV-2 is a hoax or that experts are exaggerating its severity and the extent of its spread, that masks are ineffective or increase infection risk, or that Covid-19 vaccines cause the disease, alter the recipient’s DNA, or include tracking devices. Believing such claims is associated with a lower likelihood of engaging in preventive behavior and a lower willingness to be vaccinated.¹
We believe the intertwining spreads of the virus and of misinformation and disinformation require an approach to counteracting deceptions and misconceptions that parallels epidemiologic models by focusing on three elements: real-time surveillance, accurate diagnosis, and rapid response…

PLoS Biology
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/
(Accessed 21 Aug 21)

Empowering grassroots innovation to accelerate biomedical research
Bastian Greshake Tzovaras, Michael Rera, Edwin H. Wintermute, Katharina Kloppenborg, Juliette Ferry-Danini, Guy Aidelberg, Rachel Aronoff, Ariel Lindner, Dusan Misevic
Perspective | published 09 Aug 2021 PLOS Biology
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001349

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://www.plosntds.org/

Research Article
Cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses of dengue vaccination in Indonesia
Auliya Abdurrohim Suwantika, Woro Supadmi, Mohammad Ali, Rizky Abdulah
Research Article | published 12 Aug 2021 PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009664

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 21 Aug 21]

Peoples’ understanding, acceptance, and perceived challenges of vaccination against COVID-19: A cross-sectional study in Bangladesh
Alak Paul, Dwaipayan Sikdar, Janardan Mahanta, Sanjib Ghosh, Md. Akib Jabed, Sujat Paul, Fahmida Yeasmin, Suranjana Sikdar, Bishawjit Chowdhury, Tapan Kumar Nath
Research Article | published 20 Aug 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256493

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 21 Aug 21]

Preferences for COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategies in the US: A discrete choice survey
Ingrid Eshun-Wilson, Aaloke Mody, Khai Hoan Tram, Cory Bradley, Alexander Sheve, Branson Fox, Vetta Thompson, Elvin H. Geng
Research Article | published 20 Aug 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256394

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 21 Aug 21]

Improving routine immunization data quality using daily short message system reporting platform: An experience from Nasarawa state, Nigeria
Adekunle Akerele, Belinda Uba, Matthew Aduloju, Sulaiman Etamesor, Jamila A. Umar, Olorunsogo Bidemi Adeoye, Ameh Enyojo, Friday Josiah, Esther Ayandipo, Itse Olaoye, Oluwasegun Joel Adegoke, Sampson Sidney, Murtala Bagana, Okposen Bassey, Margherita E. Ghiselli, Waziri Ndadilnasiya, Omotayo Bolu, Faisal Shuaib
Research Article | published 19 Aug 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255563

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 21 Aug 21]

Burden of disease among the world’s poorest billion people: An expert-informed secondary analysis of Global Burden of Disease estimates
Matthew M. Coates, Majid Ezzati, Gisela Robles Aguilar, Gene F. Kwan, Daniel Vigo, Ana O. Mocumbi, Anne E. Becker, Julie Makani, Adnan A. Hyder, Yogesh Jain, D. Cristina Stefan, Neil Gupta, Andrew Marx, Gene Bukhman
Research Article | published 16 Aug 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253073

Preventive Medicine
Volume 149 August 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/preventive-medicine/vol/149/suppl/C

Research article Abstract only
Effect of Internet use for searching information on vaccination on the uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine in France: A path-analysis approach
Fadia Dib, Philippe Mayaud, Laetitia Longfier, Pierre Chauvin, Odile Launay
Article 106615

Preventive Medicine
Volume 149 August 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/preventive-medicine/vol/149/suppl/C

Research article Abstract only
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among health care workers in Palestine: A call for action
Beesan Maraqa, Zaher Nazzal, Razan Rabi, Nafez Sarhan, … Mai Al-Kaila
Article 106618

Science
20 August 2021 Vol 373, Issue 6557
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Reports
Malaria infection and severe disease risks in Africa
By Robert S. Paton, Alice Kamau, Samuel Akech, Ambrose Agweyu, Morris Ogero, Charles Mwandawiro, Neema Mturi, Shebe Mohammed, Arthur Mpimbaza, Simon Kariuki, Nancy A. Otieno, Bryan O. Nyawanda, Amina F. Mohamed, George Mtove, Hugh Reyburn, Sunetra Gupta, Philip Bejon, José Lourenço, Robert W. Snow
Science20 Aug 2021 : 926-931 Full Access
Childhood malaria
Understanding how changes in community parasite prevalence alter the rate and age distribution of severe malaria is essential for optimizing control efforts. Paton et al. assessed the incidence of pediatric severe malaria admissions from 13 hospitals in East Africa from 2006 to 2020 (see the Perspective by Taylor and Slutsker). Each 25% increase in community parasite prevalence shifted hospital admissions toward younger children. Low rates of lifetime infections appeared to confer some immunity to severe malaria in very young children. Children under the age of 5 years thus need to remain a focus of disease prevention for malaria control.
Abstract
The relationship between community prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and the burden of severe, life-threatening disease remains poorly defined. To examine the three most common severe malaria phenotypes from catchment populations across East Africa, we assembled a dataset of 6506 hospital admissions for malaria in children aged 3 months to 9 years from 2006 to 2020. Admissions were paired with data from community parasite infection surveys. A Bayesian procedure was used to calibrate uncertainties in exposure (parasite prevalence) and outcomes (severe malaria phenotypes). Each 25% increase in prevalence conferred a doubling of severe malaria admission rates. Severe malaria remains a burden predominantly among young children (3 to 59 months) across a wide range of community prevalence typical of East Africa. This study offers a quantitative framework for linking malaria parasite prevalence and severe disease outcomes in children.

Systematic Reviews
https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles
[Accessed 21 Aug 21]

Enrollment, retention, and strategies for including disadvantaged populations in randomized controlled trials: a systematic review protocol
Many randomized controlled trials fail to reach their target sample size. When coupled with the omission and underrepresentation of disadvantaged groups in randomized controlled trials, many trials fail to obtain data that accurately represents the true diversity of their target population. Policies and practices have been implemented to increase representation of disadvantaged groups in many randomized controlled trials, with some trials specifically targeting such groups. To our knowledge, no systematic review has quantified the enrollment metrics and effectiveness of inclusion and retention strategies in randomized controlled trials focused on disadvantaged populations specifically.
Authors: Abigail LaPlante, Renata W. Yen, Talia Isaacs, Joanna Crocker, Zsofia Demjen, Danielle Schubbe, Alice M. Kennedy, Jaclyn Engel, Nancy O’Brien, Carla Richters and Marie-Anne Durand
Citation: Systematic Reviews 2021 10:233
Content type: Protocol
Published on: 18 August 2021

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 32 Pages 4391-4570 (22 July 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/32

Review article Abstract only
Promoting, seeking, and reaching vaccination services: A systematic review of costs to immunization programs, beneficiaries, and caregivers
Tatenda T. Yemeke, Elizabeth Mitgang, Patrick T. Wedlock, Colleen Higgins, … Sachiko Ozawa
Pages 4437-4449

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 32 Pages 4391-4570 (22 July 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/32

Research article Open access
Safety and immunogenicity of two formulations of rotavirus vaccine in Vietnamese infants
V.D. Thiem, D.D. Anh, V.H. Ha, N.D. Hien, … N. Rathi
Pages 4463-4470

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 32 Pages 4391-4570 (22 July 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/32

Research article Abstract only
Vaccine hesitancy among hospital staff physicians: A cross-sectional survey in France in 2019
Pierre Verger, Christian Dualé, Nezha Lenzi, Dimitri Scronias, … Odile Launay
Pages 4481-4488

Think Tanks et al
 
 
Brookings [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.brookings.edu/
Report
A proposal for long-term COVID-19 control
Universal vaccination, prophylactic drugs, rigorous mitigation, and international cooperation

William A. Haseltine
Friday, August 20, 2021
…In this paper, I propose a multimodal strategy for long-term COVID control, one that sets up multiple barriers of protection so that we are able to not only contain SARS-CoV-2 and eliminate COVID-19 as a major life-threatening disease, but also return to a new social and economic life. The strategy uses the best of what we have on hand today—a rapidly growing arsenal of vaccines and antiviral drugs and public health measures— with an eye towards future improvements and developments…
 
 
Center for Global Development [to 21 Aug 21]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
The Challenge of Reallocating SDRs: A Primer
Publication
August 18, 2021
The approval of a new allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the first effort to deal with the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis on a global level. The purpose of this note is to reframe the concept of SDRs and then to outline in broad the types of proposals that have been mooted as a basis for more detailed work over the coming months.

Retooling UNICEF: New Leadership Needs to Couple Humanitarian Imperatives with Systems Reform
August 16, 2021
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, recently announced that she will step down from her position. With a change in leadership imminent, we consider the organization’s dual imperative: to protect children during humanitarian crises – including the current COVID-19 crisis-, and to shift from direct service delivery towards support for systems and policies that will drive sustainable improvements in child well-being today and tomorrow.
Amanda Glassman and Sudhanshu Handa
 
 
Chatham House [to 21 Aug 21]
https://www.chathamhouse.org/
Accessed 21 Aug 21
[No new digest content identified]

CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 21 Aug 21
Podcast Episode
Insuring Quality Vaccines during a Global Pandemic
August 19, 2021 | By Katherine E. Bliss

 
 
Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
August 19, 2021 News Release
Four in Ten Parents of School-Aged Children Say a Child Fell Behind Academically Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Four in Ten Parents Say Someone in Their Household Left a Job or Worked Fewer Hours to Care for Their Children, Including Higher Shares of Black, Hispanic, and Lower-income Parents As a result of the pandemic, about four in ten (39%) parents of school-aged children (ages 5-17) say at least…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVID

Editor’s Note:
As is obvious to all, the sheer volume of strategic announcements, regulatory actions, country program decisions, commentary, and, indeed, misinformation around COVID response continues at extraordinary levels. Our weekly digest strives to present a coherent and comprehensive snapshot, but cannot be exhaustive, If you recognize a missed strategic development, a new source of rigorous analysis, or an insight/commentary that would benefit our common understanding, please advise me…we will review all suggestions and consider for inclusion in a subsequent edition: david.r.curry@ge2p2global.org

We are seeking access to modelling which engages scenarios and articulates imperatives around a pandemic end-game through at least a 2025 horizon. We assess that WHO must be conducting or contracting for such modeling – or should recognize an imperative to be doing so in its global health governance role. If we have missed such modeling in progress, we would be delighted to be advised of it and will include it in our coverage.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Pandemic preparedness and the role of science
S20 ACADEMIES JOINT STATEMENT July 2021 :: 8 pages
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Based on consideration by the Scientific Academies of the G20 countries of how the
experience of the response to COVID-19 might inform pandemic preparedness in the
future, the governments of G20 are urged to undertake the following actions:

1. Promote the creation of a global network of surveillance, with agreed criteria to:
Detect emerging unusual clusters of morbidity and mortality that may be the
harbingers of a potential new pandemic by:
building on existing infrastructures including the global alert and response system
for disease outbreaks;
promoting enhanced support for systems such as the Epidemic Intelligence from
Open Sources initiative (EIOS);
developing robust policies and platforms for collating and sharing detailed data –
for example on pathogen genomics.
Provide molecular epidemiological surveillance for directly transmitted respiratory
infections (the most dangerous in terms of rapid spread) and bacterial infections in
the context of the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
Strengthen the system for worldwide antimicrobial resistance surveillance.
Advertise, educate and promote support for these, and build capacity and skills for
their use.
The network should be underpinned by the governance, infrastructure and skills to
interpret, analyse and connect across countries, and to learn from international data.

2. Promote the distributed manufacture and delivery of diagnostics, drugs, vaccines, medical supplies and equipment for:
Increased technology and manufacturing capability worldwide, but especially in
low and middle-income countries.
Streamlined regulatory processes for novel diagnostics, drugs and vaccines.
International regulatory agencies to look at the lessons learned from swift
development of vaccines in the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure new regulatory
processes can be implemented in a timely fashion.
Provide an international structure to compile and advise on the sensitivity and
specificity of different diagnostic tools.
Enhance access to new technologies, accounting for intellectual property,
patenting and pricing mechanisms.

3. Launch an Intergovernmental Convention that should:
Pave the way to the formulation of an International Agreement on Pandemic
Preparedness and Management, as recently proposed by more than 20 world leaders.
Provide a unique forum to assess the experience of COVID-19 for successes and
failures in global cooperation.
Discuss the need for incentives and mechanisms to reinforce the International
Health Regulations (2005) that must become a sharper instrument for action and
more timely reporting of potential outbreaks.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

WHO Statement on advancing the next series of studies to find the origins of SARS-CoV-2
12 August 2021 Statement
[Editor’s text bolding]
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has been working with Member States and the scientific community to better understand how this pandemic began so that we can be better prepared for the next one.

Following the publication of the WHO-China joint report of the phase one studies on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in March 2021, WHO has outlined the next series of studies that need to be undertaken and continues to be in discussions with Member States and experts on next steps.

To move forward, WHO calls for all governments to depoliticize the situation and cooperate to accelerate the origins studies, and importantly to work together to develop a common framework for future emerging pathogens of pandemic potential. 

WHO’s priority is for scientists to build on the first phase of studies, implement the recommendations outlined in the March 2021 report and accelerate scientific efforts on all hypotheses. Searching for the origins of any novel pathogen is a difficult process, which is based on science, and takes collaboration, dedication and time.

WHO reiterates that the search for the origins of SARS-CoV-2 is not and should not be an exercise in attributing blame, finger-pointing or political point-scoring. It is vitally important to know how the COVID-19 pandemic began, to set an example for establishing the origins of all future animal-human spillover events.

Countries have a collective responsibility to work together in the true spirit of partnership and to ensure scientists and experts have the space they need to find the origins of the worst pandemic in a century. Building on what has already been learned, the next series of studies would include a further examination of the raw data from the earliest cases and sera from potential early cases in 2019. Access to data is critically important for evolving our understanding of science and should not be politicised in any way.

WHO is working with a number of countries that have reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 in samples from stored biological specimens from 2019. For example, in Italy, WHO facilitated an independent evaluation by international laboratories of the findings of one such study, which included the blind retesting of pre-pandemic blood samples. Sharing raw data and giving permission for the retesting of samples in labs outside of Italy reflects scientific solidarity at its best and is no different from what we encourage all countries, including China, to support so that we can advance the studies of the origins quickly and effectively.

The International Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of Novel Pathogens, or SAGO, is a new advisory group for WHO, which will be responsible for advising WHO on the development of a global framework to systematically study the emergence of future emerging pathogens with pandemic potential. For SARS-CoV-2, it will support the rapid undertaking of recommended studies outlined in the March 2021 report. 

By issuing an open call for nominations to SAGO, WHO is providing a transparent foundation for the new scientific advisory group that we expect all Member States will engage with. WHO hopes for continuity from previous missions to China for SARS-CoV-2, as well as other missions studying the origins of, for example, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, avian influenza, Lassa and Ebola.

This open call aims to ensure that a broad range of scientific skills and expertise are identified to advise WHO on the studies needed to identify the origins of any future emerging or re-emerging pathogen of pandemic potential.

China and a number of other Member States have written to WHO regarding the basis for further studies of the SARS-CoV-2 “lab hypothesis.” They have also suggested the origins study has been politicised, or that WHO has acted due to political pressure.

On review of the phase one study report, WHO determined that there was insufficient scientific evidence to rule any of the hypotheses out. Specifically, in order to address the “lab hypothesis,” it is important to have access to all data and consider scientific best practice and look at the mechanisms WHO already has in place. WHO is only focused on science, providing solutions and building solidarity.

Smallpox is the only human virus to have ever been eradicated. There are two countries in the world that keep stocks of smallpox in secure labs: Russia and the US. Inspections by the WHO biosafety team of VECTOR and CDC smallpox labs occur every two years, most recently in Jan-Feb 2019 (VECTOR) and May 2019 (CDC). A report is then provided to the World Health Assembly and the inspection reports are published on the WHO website.

Analysing and improving lab safety and protocols in all laboratories around the world, including in China, is important for our collective biosafety and security.

Searching for the origins of a novel virus is an immensely difficult scientific task that takes time. WHO is committed to following the science, and we call on all governments to put differences aside and work together to provide all data and access required so that the next series of studies can be commenced as soon as possible.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19 [IMF, World Bank Group, WHO, WTO]
A joint initiative from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics by leveraging multilateral finance and trade solutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Data to help track, coordinate, and advance delivery of COVID-19 health tools to developing countries and to mobilize relevant stakeholders and national leaders to remove critical roadblocks – in support of the priorities set out by the WBG, IMF, WHO, and WTO.
Website accessed 14 Aug 2021: https://data.covid19taskforce.com/data
The global view below is complemented by country-specific dashboards here.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

World Bank Vaccine Operations Portal
https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/news/coronavirus-covid19/world-bank-support-for-country-access-to-covid-19-vaccines
As of July 29, 2021, the World Bank approved operations to support vaccine rollout in 54 countries amounting to $4.6 billion. See the latest project financing, project documents and procurement information in the list below:

Countries receiving World Bank support for vaccines
As of July 29, 2021
This list of countries, project documents, and procurement notices and contracts will be updated as data becomes available.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVID Vaccines – OCHA:: HDX

COVID-19 Data Explorer: Global Humanitarian Operations
COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out
Aug 14, 2021 | COVAX (WHO,GAVI,CEPI), UNDESA, Press Reports | DATA

Global COVID-19 Figures: 205M total confirmed cases; 4.3M total confirmed deaths
Global vaccines administered: 4.62B
Number of Countries: 26 [26]
COVAX Allocations (Number of Doses): 73M
COVAX Delivered (Number of Doses): 46M [44M week ago]
Other Delivered (Number of Doses): 61M [57M week ago]
Total Delivered (Number of Doses): 110M [100M week ago]
Total Administered (Number of Doses): 110M [96M week ago]

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: 13 Aug 2021
Confirmed cases :: 205 338 159 [200 840 180 week ago]
Confirmed deaths :: 4 333 094 [4 265 903 week ago]
Vaccine doses administered: 4 428 168 759 [3 984 596 440 week ago]