Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 11 August 2021
11 August 2021
Last Friday, the Ministry of Health of Guinea informed WHO of a case of Marburg virus disease in the country’s south-west, in a man who died 8 days after onset of symptoms. This is the first known case of Marburg in West Africa. There is no licensed vaccine for Marburg, although there are vaccines under development, and WHO is working with our partners to seek opportunities to assess them during this outbreak through the R&D Blueprint for Epidemics.
In October, WHO reported results of the Solidarity Trial, which tested four treatments for COVID-19, involving almost 13,000 patients in 500 hospitals, in 30 countries. Today we are pleased to announce the next phase in the Solidarity trial, called Solidarity PLUS.  
Solidarity PLUS will test three drugs: artesunate, a treatment for severe malaria; imatinib, a drug for certain cancers; and infliximab, a treatment for immune system disorders such as Crohn’s disease. The trial involves thousands of researchers at more than 600 hospitals in 52 countries.  
I would like to thank the governments, hospitals, researchers and patients who are participating in the trial, as well as the three manufacturers who have donated the drugs for the trial: Ipca, Novartis and Johnson & Johnson.

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Weekly operational update on COVID-19 – 9 August 2021
Overview
n this edition of the COVID-19 Weekly Operational Update, highlights of country-level actions and WHO support to countries include:
Working with indigenous communities in COVID-19 pandemic responses in the Americas
Successful and safe hajj season in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Viet Nam receives additional COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility
Sri Lanka receives a large consignment of AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility
Infectious Substance Shipment Training (ISST) for priority countries in Kazakhstan
Increasing COVID-19 risk messaging to scale-up community knowledge and perceptions in Nigeria
Solidarity Response Fund initiative on engaging civil society organizations in COVID-19 response at national and local levels
Progress on a subset of indicators from the SPRP 2021 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Updates on WHO’s financing to support countries in SPRP 2021 implementation and provision of critical supplies.
Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 10 August 2021
Overview
On 5 August, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases globally surpassed 200 million, just six months after reaching 100 million cases. This week alone, over 4.2 million new cases and over 65 000 new deaths were reported, a slight increase as compared to the previous week. The largest proportionate increases in new cases were reported by the Region of the Americas (14%) and Western Pacific Region (19%), with 1.3 million and over 375 000 new cases reported, respectively. Additionally, a substantial increase (46%) in the number of new deaths was reported this week in the Western Pacific Region (Table 1). Of the 228 Member States and territories, 38 (17%) reported more than a 50% increase in new cases as compared to the previous week and 34 (15%) reported a more than a 50% increase in new deaths.

In this edition, one special focus is included:
A detailed update on the phenotypic characteristics (transmissibility, disease severity, risk of reinfection, and impacts on diagnostics and vaccine effectiveness) of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. It also includes updates on the geographic distribution of VOCs.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

WHO’s Solidarity clinical trial enters a new phase with three new candidate drugs
11 August 2021 News release
Solidarity PLUS trial for promising drugs will roll out in 52 countries, an unprecedented global collaboration for COVID-19 R&D
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the next phase in its Solidarity trial: Solidarity PLUS will enroll hospitalized patients to test three new drugs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
These therapies – artesunate, imatinib and infliximab – were selected by an independent expert panel for their potential in reducing the risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. They are already used for other indications: artesunate is used for severe malaria, imatinib for certain cancers, and infliximab for diseases of the immune system such as Crohn’s Disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
These drugs were donated for the trial by their manufacturers.
“Finding more effective and accessible therapeutics for COVID-19 patients remains a critical need, and WHO is proud to lead this global effort,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I would like to thank the participating governments, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, clinicians and patients, who have come together to do this in true global solidarity.”
The Solidarity PLUS trial is a platform trial that represents the largest global collaboration among WHO Member States. It involves thousands of researchers in over 600 hospitals in 52 countries, 16 more countries than the first phase of trials. This allows the trial to assess multiple treatments at the same time using a single protocol, recruiting thousands of patients to generate robust estimates on the effect a drug may have on mortality–even moderate effects.

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Interim statement on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses
10 August 2021 Statement
WHO, with support of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization and its COVID-19 Vaccines Working Group, is reviewing the emerging evidence on the need for and timing of an additional vaccine dose (booster dose 1)  for the currently available COVID-19 vaccines which have received Emergency Use Listing (EUL). SAGE is continuously reviewing the literature and has reached out to vaccine manufacturers, the research community and Member States to obtain the most complete and recent data on the issue.

Rationale for booster doses
There are several reasons why COVID-19 vaccine booster doses may be needed:  (i) waning protection against infection or disease, in particular severe disease, over time (i.e., waning immunity), (ii) reduced protection against variant(s) of concern (VOC), or (iii) inadequate protection from the currently recommended primary series for some risk groups for which evidence from the Phase 3 clinical trials may have been lacking.  The rationale for booster doses may differ by vaccine product, epidemiological setting, risk group, and vaccine coverage rates…

…Conclusions
In the context of ongoing global vaccine supply constraints, administration of booster doses will exacerbate inequities by driving up demand and consuming scarce supply while priority populations in some countries, or subnational settings, have not yet received a primary vaccination series.  The focus for the time being remains on increasing global vaccination coverage with the primary series (either one or two doses for current EUL vaccines).

Introducing booster doses should be firmly evidence-driven and targeted to the population groups in greatest need. The rationale for implementing booster doses should be guided by evidence on waning vaccine effectiveness, in particular a decline in protection against severe disease in the general population or in high risk populations, or due to a circulating VOC. To date, the evidence remains limited and inconclusive on any widespread need for booster doses following a primary vaccination series. WHO is carefully monitoring the situation and will continue to work closely with countries to obtain the data required for policy recommendations. 

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Interim statement on dose-sparing strategies for COVID-19 vaccines (fractionated vaccine doses)
10 August 2021 Statement
WHO, with support of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization and its COVID-19 Vaccines Working Group, is reviewing the role of fractionating doses as a dose-sparing strategy in light of global vaccine supply constraints. SAGE is continuously reviewing the literature and has reached out to vaccine manufacturers and the research community for available information.

Evidence for fractionated doses
All current COVID-19 vaccines have undergone dose-finding studies in their clinical development. The potential for dose-reduction may depend on the individual vaccine and its platform technology (e.g., mRNA, vectored or inactivated virus). Safety, immunogenicity and programmatic feasibility of fractionating doses has been shown and implemented for various, hitherto well characterized vaccines (e.g., polio, rabies, and yellow fever vaccines) (1, 2). Intradermal administration may enable reduction of dose volume, but intradermal application may also change the immunogenicity, safety and increase the reactogenicity profile of the vaccines. Scaling up intradermal administration at a global level would also have major programmatic challenges that would require substantial investments in training and logistics to address.

Reducing the amount of vaccine given (e.g., 1/2, 1/3 or 1/5) could theoretically be considered with various options: fractionated doses for the priming schedule, or fractionated doses for any booster doses should booster doses prove to be needed in the future.

However, policy recommendations for reducing doses should only be made after an extensive evidence review in terms of immunogenicity and safety. Emergency use listing for all COVID-19 vaccines for which SAGE has issued policy recommendations has been based on the evidence derived from Phase 3 trials using the full dose. Additional clinical studies would therefore be needed to inform policy…

…Conclusion
While SAGE acknowledges the potential public health benefits of dose-sparing strategies to increase vaccine supply and accelerate population-level vaccination coverage, and possibly also a reduction in reactogenicity, SAGE considers there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the use of fractional doses. Any use of a fractional dose at this point in time constitutes an off-label use of the vaccine. SAGE encourages research in the area, with a particular emphasis on research into using fractionated doses as potential boosters and fractional doses in children and adolescents.  Programmatic and operational considerations should be considered from the start.

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Interim statement on heterologous priming for COVID-19 vaccines
10 August 2021 Statement
WHO with support of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization and its COVID-19 Vaccines Working Group is reviewing the emerging evidence on the use of heterologous priming schedules (also known as mix and match schedules). In a heterologous priming schedule, the second dose uses a different vaccine product than the first dose. By contrast, heterologous boosting refers to the administration of a vaccine from a different vaccine platform from the vaccine that was used to complete the primary vaccine series. The interim statement here pertains only to heterologous priming and not heterologous boosting.

Rationale for Heterologous Priming
The most common reason for considering a heterologous COVID-19 vaccine as second priming dose is lack of availability of the same vaccine in settings with limited vaccine supply or unpredictable supply. Interchangeability of vaccine products would therefore allow for added programmatic flexibility. There are other reasons to investigate the utility of heterologous priming such as reducing reactogenicity, increasing immunogenicity and enhancing vaccine effectiveness. Heterologous priming should only be instituted if supportive evidence is available.

Current state of knowledge
SAGE continuously reviews new data on heterologous priming vaccine schedules.  Guidance is available in some of the product specific interim recommendations (to date, for mRNA vaccines, i.e. BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccines).

In general, for COVID-19 vaccines listed for emergency use by WHO with a 2-dose primary series schedule, WHO recommends that the same vaccine product should be used for both doses. If different COVID-19 vaccine products are inadvertently administered in the two doses, no additional doses of either vaccine are recommended. At present, mix and match schedules constitute off-label use of respective vaccines and as such should only be used if benefits outweigh the risks such as in situations of interrupted vaccine supply.

Studies to date of immune responses after a first dose of ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] products followed by an mRNA vaccine (i.e., BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) show higher neutralising antibody levels and higher T cell-mediated immune responses in comparison with two doses of ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] products and similar levels to those of two mRNA vaccines (1). The sequence of the first dose being ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] followed by the mRNA vaccine as second dose was more immunogenic than a first dose mRNA vaccine followed by ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccine.

While these studies are encouraging, they require cautious interpretation given the limited sample sizes and lack of follow up, especially related to safety data, and the uncertain relevance of immunological readouts in relation to clinical impact. The first results on short-term vaccine effectiveness (VE) against infection following a heterologous schedule have become available from Denmark showing an effectiveness of 88% (95% CI 83-92%) when combining the ChAdOx1 and an mRNA vaccine, similar to the VE of two doses of an mRNA vaccine, in a population-wide register-based study when the Alpha variant was dominant (2). More observational data on safety and effectiveness will be forthcoming.

While there are currently no data for heterologous priming with other vaccine products, a large number of clinical studies of various vaccine combinations and schedules are currently ongoing. SAGE will review these data as they become available and update the recommendations accordingly.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process 15 July 2021
For 22 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
[No update since 15 July 2021; click on the link above for full scale view]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVID Vaccine Developer/Manufacturer Announcements [relevant press releases/announcement from organizations from WHO EUL/PQ listing above]

AstraZeneca
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

BioCubaFarma – Cuba
Últimas Noticias
[Website not responding at inquiry; receiving 403=Forbidden message]]

CanSinoBIO
News –
[Website not responding at inquiry]

Clover Biopharmaceuticals – China
News – No new digest announcements identified

Curevac [Bayer Ag – Germany]
News – No new digest announcements identified

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
August 13, 2021
Moderna Announces FDA Authorization of Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine for Immunocompromised Individuals
AMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 13, 2021– Moderna, Inc., (Nasdaq: MRNA) a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an update to the emergency use authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) to include a third dose for immunocompromised individuals 18 years of age or older in the United States who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise…

August 12, 2021
Moderna Announces New Study Showing Its COVID-19 Vaccine Maintains Antibodies Against Variants of Concern and Interest to 6 Months

August 10, 2021
Moderna and Canada Announce Collaboration to Bring mRNA Manufacturing to Canada

August 9, 2021
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration Grants Provisional Registration for Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine

Novavax
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

Pfizer
Recent Press Releases
08.13.2021
U.S. FDA Approves TICOVAC™, Pfizer’s Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Vaccine

Sanofi Pasteur
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

Serum Institute of India
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – No corporate announcements identified
[Last media release still posted is dated February 15, 2021; media release of April 21, 2021 apparently removed]

Sinopharm/WIBPBIBP
News – No new digest announcements identified

Sinovac
Press Releases
SINOVAC Announces Positive Data on Booster Shots of CoronaVac®, Induces Strong Immune Response in Adult and Elderly Populations
2021/08/10’
:: CoronaVac® generates good immune memory after second dose
:: Third dose of vaccine significantly increased neutralizing antibody levels in adults and elderly population
:: Findings indicate a third dose of CoronaVac® is well-tolerated in the elderly population
:: No serious vaccine-related adverse reactions reported
BEIJING–SINOVAC Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SVA) (“Sinovac” or the “Company”), a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, announced today the publication of two papers, which are available on Medrxiv. The publications detail findings from clinical studies on the immunogenicity, safety, and immune response of CoronaVac® in two- and three-dose schedules. The results indicate that a third booster dose of CoronaVac® induces a strong immune response in healthy adults with no serious adverse reactions related to the vaccine. This research provides important scientific data and supplement existing research to help policymakers develop strategies for vaccine rollout and timing of booster doses…

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]

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GSK
Press releases for media – No new digest announcements identified

SK Biosciences
Press releases
SK bioscience’s COVID-19 Vaccine will enter Phase III clinical trial with Promising Interim Data
2021. 08. 10
:: Phase I/II stage 1 confirms 5~8 folds of neutralizing antibody titer compared to human convalescent sera
:: Acceptable safety profile… concurrently developing vaccine candidates against virus variants
:: Global collaboration enables move to Phase III clinical trial … potential for worldwide equitable vaccine access upon completion of vaccine development

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

UNICEF COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard :: Agreements Table Accessed 14 Aug 2021
An overview of information collected from publicly announced bilateral and multilateral supply agreements [agreements view since last week’s edition]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Duke – Launch and Scale Speedometer

The Race for Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity
A flurry of nearly 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are moving forward through the development and clinical trials processes at unprecedented speed; more than ten candidates are already in Phase 3 large-scale trials and several have received emergency or limited authorization. Our team has aggregated and analyzed publicly available data to track the flow of procurement and manufacturing and better understand global equity challenges. We developed a data framework of relevant variables and conducted desk research of publicly available information to identify COVID vaccine candidates and status, deals and ongoing negotiations for procurement and manufacturing, COVID burden by country, and allocation and distribution plans. We have also conducted interviews with public officials in key countries to better understand the context and challenges facing vaccine allocation and distribution
[accessed 24 July 2021]
See our COVID Vaccine Purchases research
See our COVID Vaccine Manufacturing research
See our COVID Vaccine Donations & Exports research

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Global Dashboard on COVID-19 Vaccine Equity
The Dashboard is a joint initiative of UNDP, WHO and the University of Oxford with cooperation across the UN system, anchored in the SDG 3 Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All.

Dashboard on Vaccine Equity [accessed 14 Aug 2021]: https://data.undp.org/vaccine-equity/
See also visualization on Vaccine Access and Vaccine Affordability

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Our World in Data
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations[Accessed 14 Aug 2021]
31.1% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 23.4% is fully vaccinated.
4.66 billion doses have been administered globally, and 35.85 million are now administered each day.
Only 1.2% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

Media Statement from CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, on Signing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Recommendation for an Additional Dose of an mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
August 13, 2021
Today, I signed CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that endorsed the use of an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine for people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems after an initial two-dose vaccine series.

This official CDC recommendation — which follows FDA’s decision to amend the emergency use authorizations of the vaccines — is an important step in ensuring everyone, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19, can get as much protection as possible from COVID-19 vaccination.

Emerging data suggest some people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems do not always build the same level of immunity compared to people who are not immunocompromised. In addition, in small studiespdf icon, fully vaccinated immunocompromised people have accounted for a large proportion of hospitalized breakthrough cases (40-44%). Immunocompromised people who are infected with SARS CoV-2 are also more likely to transmit the viruspdf icon to household contacts.

While people who are immunocompromised make up about 3% of the U.S. adult population, they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. Included in CDC’s recommendation are people with a range of conditions, such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer, people who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system, and others.  A full list of conditions can be found on CDC’s website. The additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be the same vaccine as the initial series and administered at least four weeks after completing a primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.  While vaccination is likely to increase protection in this population, even after vaccination, people who are immunocompromised should continue follow current prevention measures (including wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they do not live with, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces) to protect themselves and those around them against COVID-19 until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time…

CDC ACIP :: Meeting of August 13, 2021
Final Agenda – August 13, 2021pdf icon
Presentation Slides – August 13, 2021

New CDC Data: COVID-19 Vaccination Safe for Pregnant People
August 11,2021
CDC has released new data on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant people and is recommending all people 12 years of age and older get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“CDC encourages all pregnant people or people who are thinking about becoming pregnant and those breastfeeding to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “The vaccines are safe and effective, and it has never been more urgent to increase vaccinations as we face the highly transmissible Delta variant and see severe outcomes from COVID-19 among unvaccinated pregnant people.”…

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Additional Vaccine Dose for Certain Immunocompromised Individuals – FDA
August 12,2021
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals, specifically, solid organ transplant recipients or those who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise…
“The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease. After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19. As we’ve previously stated, other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time. The FDA is actively engaged in a science-based, rigorous process with our federal partners to consider whether an additional dose may be needed in the future.”…

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee– FDA
:: No meetings scheduled

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White House [U.S.]
Briefing Room – Selected Major COVID Announcements
Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Takes Steps to Address COVID-⁠19 in Rural America and Build Rural Health Back Better
August 13, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Press Briefing by White House COVID-⁠19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
August 12, 2021 • Press Briefings

Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Business, University and Health Care Leaders on COVID-⁠19 Vaccination Requirements
August 11, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Statement by President Joe Biden on COVID-⁠19 Vaccines for Service Members
August 09, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

European Medicines Agency
News & Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

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European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en
Latest Updates
News

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Data as of 2021-08-14
https://vaccinetracker.ecdc.europa.eu/public/extensions/COVID-19/vaccine-tracker.html#uptake-tab

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European Commission
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en
Press release 10 August 2021
EU strengthens support to speed up vaccination in the Eastern Partnership region
As part of the European Union’s efforts to support vaccination in partner countries, the Commission today increased from €40 million to €75 million its assistance package to deploy safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and speed up the vaccination campaigns in the six Eastern Partnership countries.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

Current at 08/11/2021 Full scale, interactive dashboard available at:
https://africacdc.org/covid-19-vaccination/

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
Laboratorios Richmond delivers the first batch of over 1 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine produced in Argentina to the country’s Ministry of Health
Press release, 12.08.2021

The Russian Direct Investment Fund: on the first anniversary of Sputnik V registration official data from leading countries confirms the vaccine’s high safety and efficacy profile
Press release, 11.08.2021

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

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

Government of India – Press Information Bureau
Latest Press Releases
COVID-19 Vaccination Update- Day 211
:: India’s COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage achieves 54Crlandmark milestone
:: Nearly 52 lakh Vaccine Doses administered today till 7 pm
:: Nearly 21 Cr Vaccine doses administered in the age group 18-44, so far
Posted On: 14 AUG 2021 8:33PM by PIB Delhi

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

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

[see China CDC below]

Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Polio this week as of 11 August 2021

Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Burkina Faso: one cVDPV2 case
:: Côte d’Ivoire: two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Ethiopia: one cVDPV2 case and two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Mali: two cVDPV2 cases
:: Niger: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Nigeria: three cVDPV2 cases and three cVDPV2 positive environmental samples

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WHO/OCHA Emergencies

Editor’s Note:
WHO has apparently reorganized and fundamentally shifted how it judges and tracks “emergencies”. We found no announcement of descriptive information to share and present the webpage structure as encountered below. Obviously, the dates associated with some of these emergencies suggest that this is an archival platform as well as a current emergencies resource.

Health emergencies list – WHO
“The health emergencies list details the disease outbreaks, disasters and humanitarian crises where WHO plays an essential role in supporting countries to respond to and recover from emergencies with public health consequences.”

Crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia [Last apparent update: 5 Aug 2021]

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021 [Last apparent update: 3 May 2021]

Ebola outbreak outbreak, N’Zerekore, Guinea, 2021 [Last apparent update: 3 May 2021]

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic [See COVID above]

Ebola outbreak, Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2020 [Last apparent update: 19 July 2021]

Ebola outbreak, North Kivu, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 – 2020 [Last apparent update: 3 May 2021]

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 [Last apparent update: 24 July 2018]

Yemen crisis [Last apparent update: 12 February 2021]

Syria crisis [Last apparent update: 18 June 2021]

Somalia crisis [Last apparent update: 24 March 2018]

Nigeria crisis [Last apparent update: 9 May 2018]

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017 [Last apparent update: 3 May 2021]

Zika virus disease outbreak, 2015-2016 [Last apparent update: 24 Jan 2020]

Ebola outbreak: West Africa, 2014-2016 [Last apparent update: 3 May 2021]

Iraq crisis [Last apparent update: 9 Jan 2008]

South Sudan crisis [Last apparent update: 23 Sep 2020]

Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus outbreak [Last apparent update: 21 May 2021]

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) outbreak [Last apparent update: 8 July 2019]

Influenza A (H1N1) virus, 2009-2010 pandemic [Last apparent update: 10 Aug 2010]

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UN OCHA – Current Emergencies
Current Corporate Emergencies
Northern Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, 13 August 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
Delivery of supplies into Tigray are far below the requirement to sustain assistance to 5.2 million people.
The spill over of the conflict into the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara is significantly increasing humanitarian needs in both regions.
Operations continue to be affected by lack of banking services, cash, fuel, electricity and telecommunications, with some improvements in delivery of cash by humanitarian partners.
Between 29 July – 04 Aug. food partners reached over 242,000 people with food under Round 1 distribution of the Northern Ethiopia Response Plan; and 412,000 people under Round 2.
Nutrition partners reached more than 54,000 children with supplementary food during the reporting period.

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WHO & Regional Offices [to 14 Aug 2021]
13 August 2021
Medical product alert
Medical Product Alert N°4/2021: Falsified remdesivir

12 August 2021
Statement
WHO Statement on advancing the next series of studies to find the origins of SARS-CoV-2
[See COVID above for detail]

12 August 2021
Departmental news
International Youth Day 2021: Quality data crucial for improving adolescents’ health and well-being in countries across the world

11 August 2021
News release
WHO’s Solidarity clinical trial enters a new phase with three new candidate drugs
[See COVID above for detail]

11 August 2021
Departmental news
WHO, Facebook and Praekelt.Org provide critical mobile access to COVID-19 information for vulnerable communities

10 August 2021
Statement
Interim statement on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses
[See COVID above for detail]

10 August 2021
Statement
Interim statement on dose-sparing strategies for COVID-19 vaccines (fractionated vaccine doses)
[See COVID above for detail]

10 August 2021
Statement
Interim statement on heterologous priming for COVID-19 vaccines
[See COVID above for detail]

10 August 2021
Medical product alert
Medical Product Alert N°3/2021: Falsified CYTOTEC

10 August 2021
Departmental news
Target product profile for next-generation TB drug-susceptibility testing at peripheral sites

9 August 2021
Departmental news
West Africa’s first-ever case of Marburg virus disease confirmed in Guinea

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

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
No new digest content identified

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

WHO European Region EURO
:: Health advice: wildfires in the WHO European Region 12-08-2021

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
No new digest content identified

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified

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New WHO Publications [Selected]
https://www.who.int/publications/i

Weekly epidemiological record vol. 29, 2021, 96, 321–328
14 August 2021
Overview
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), an independent expert clinical and scientific advisory body, provides WHO with scientifically rigorous advice on vaccine safety issues of potential global importance; provides scientific safety recommendations for policy-making by WHO, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization, national governments and international organizations; recommends the creation of ad hoc task forces for methodological and empirical research into potential adverse events and prioritizes aspects of vaccine safety to be monitored during their use.
The 44th GACVS meeting on 8–9 June 2021, held online, addressed a number of pharmacovigilance issues, including the following:
– GACVS COVID-19 Sub-committee
– COVID-19 vaccine-related events early warning system
– Safety profile of nOPV2 vaccine

Guidance for surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants: Interim guidance, 9 August 2021
Overview
This document aims to describe a minimum set of surveillance activities recommended at the national level to detect and monitor the relative prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and outline a set of activities for the characterization and assessment of risk posed by these variants. A set of indicators is also provided to standardize monitoring and public reporting of variant circulation…

Considerations for health governance: strengthening institutional capacity and connectedness through COVID-19 responses
5 August 2021  | Technical document
Overview
Coronavirus disease 2019 (‎COVID-19)‎ requires effective whole-of-government and whole-of-society action and collaboration. Legal frameworks play a critical role in enabling this, including by ensuring government accountability and transparency, establishing roles and responsibilities, enabling coordination, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and providing for the engagement of the community and the private sector. This document suggests actions for WHO and Member States to work together to strengthen legal frameworks to support leadership and governance for the COVID-19 response and to achieve Universal Health Coverage beyond the pandemic.

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases, Announcements
Media Statement from CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, on Signing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Recommendation for an Additional Dose of an mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People Friday, August 13, 2021

New CDC Data: COVID-19 Vaccination Safe for Pregnant People Wednesday, August 11, 2021

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, August 13, 2021
:: West Nile Virus and Other Domestic Nationally Notifiable Arboviral Diseases — United States, 2019
:: Alternative Methods for Grouping Race and Ethnicity to Monitor COVID-19 Outcomes and Vaccination Coverage
:: Reduced Risk of Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 After COVID-19 Vaccination — Kentucky, May–June 2021 (Early Release August 6, 2021)
:: Rapid Increase in Circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant — Mesa County, Colorado, April–June 2021 (Early Release August 6, 2021)
:: Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing Hospitalization Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — COVID-NET, 13 States, February–April 2021 (Early Release August 6, 2021)
:: Use of COVID-19 Vaccines After Reports of Adverse Events Among Adult Recipients of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna): Update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, July 2021 (Early Release August 10, 2021)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC
Approximately 50 announcements/reports/data summaries.
13 Aug 21
Overall US COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Fri, 13 Aug 2021 06:00:00 EST

COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

Talking with Patients Who Are Immunocompromised

Africa CDC [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Africa Trade Insurance Agency supports Africa CDC in COVID-19 Response in Africa
10 August 2021

Republic of Guinea confirmed death relating to Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)
9 August 2021

China CDC http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
Aug 14: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On Aug 13, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 66 new cases of confirmed infections.

Xi’s quotes on international vaccine cooperation
2021-08-12

China works to make COVID-19 vaccines more available in developing countries
2021-08-11

Xi calls for international vaccine cooperation
2021-08-10

China’s latest COVID-19 resurgence a challenge, but controllable
2021-08-10

National Medical Products Administration – PRC [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/news.html
News
Over 1.82 bln doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in China
2021-08-12
Over 1.82 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in China by Wednesday, the National Health Commission said on Aug 12.

CCDC Weekly – Weekly Reports: Current Volume (3)
2021-08-13 / No. 33
PDF of this issue
Outbreak Reports: Norovirus Detection in Environmental Samples from Norovirus Outbreaks in Schools and Kindergartens — Beijing Municipality, China, October–December 2020

::::::

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 14 Aug 2021]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/
News
No new digest content identified.

BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
News
No new digest content identified.

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center
Press Releases and Statements
No new digest content identified.

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 14 Aug 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 14 Aug 2021]
https://carb-x.org/
News
No new digest content identified.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 14 Aug 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 – August 2021 is now posted here

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

CIOMS – COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF MEDICAL SCIENCES [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://cioms.ch/
News; Publications
No new digest content identified.

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [to 14 Aug 2021
https://www.darpa.mil/news
News
No new digest content identified.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://dukeghic.org/
Our Blog
No new digest content identified.

EDCTP [to 14 Aug 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
12 August 2021
Recommendations from the EDCTP/ECRIN session on clinical trial infrastructure and capacity building in Africa

Emory Vaccine Center [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.

European Vaccine Initiative [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

FDA [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements
August 13, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: August 13, 2021
:: On Thursday, FDA amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals, specifically, solid organ transplant recipients or those who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. This action does not apply to people who are not immunocompromised.
August 12, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Additional Vaccine Dose for Certain Immunocompromised Individuals

Fondation Merieux [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
No new digest content identified.

Gavi [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.gavi.org/
News Releases
13 August 2021
UK-donated COVID-19 vaccine doses reach African countries
119,200 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine shared by the United Kingdom are landing in Zambia and 51,840 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 13 August. 119,040 doses are due to arrive in Malawi on 14 August, 140,160 doses in Senegal on 15 August, 299,680 doses in Egypt on 16 August, and 299,520 doses are scheduled to touch down in Uganda on 18 August. The UK has pledged to share 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines with COVAX, as part of a broader pledge to share 100 million doses with the rest of the world. The UK Government has already committed £548 million in funding to the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment.

GHIT Fund [to 14 Aug 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 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
News
Global Fund grants US$37 million to FIND to advance tuberculosis prevention and control in India
13 August 2021
FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced that FIND has been awarded over US$37 million to ensure the inception and continuation of three projects dedicated to advancing tuberculosis prevention and control in India: project SHAQTI; project JEET; and Unite to ACT.

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.glopid-r.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

Hilleman Laboratories [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
Website reports “under maintenance” at inquiry

Human Vaccines Project [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/
News
News webpage not responding at inquiry

IAVI [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
Latest News
FEATURES
IAVI launches Leadership Development Program to strengthen scientific research in Africa and India
August 9, 2021
New leadership program positions homegrown scientists to drive research into HIV and other infectious
With support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), IAVI has commenced a Leadership Development Program (LDP) that will position African and Indian scientists to take the lead in fashioning, driving, and supporting the scientific research enterprise. The new initiative will offer opportunities to early- and mid-career scientists to develop their skills to become the next generation of science leadership in their respective fields of expertise.
LDP, in its first cohort, will support 30 participants from African and Indian Clinical Research Centers (CRCs), who range from laboratory scientists to clinical trials specialists. This first cohort includes scientifically experienced participants who have run independent science projects, as well as those who have managed only parts of much larger research enterprises. The cohort also includes recently appointed postdoctoral fellows in HIV prevention research at the respective partner CRCs…

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 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases, Statements, Reports
COVID-19 vaccination: ICRC’s work in armed conflicts and hard-to-reach places
The ICRC is working with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world to support COVID-19 vaccination in armed conflicts as well as hard-to-reach and volatile areas.
11-08-2021 | Article
Interactive map of our operational support for COVID-19 vaccination plan (527 KB)
map_icrc_covid19.pdf

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

IFRC [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
Algeria, Middle East and North Africa, Tunisia
Combination of wildfires and COVID-19 threaten tens of thousands of lives in Algeria and Tunisia
Algeria/Tunisia/Beirut, 13 August 2021 – The wildfires currently spreading in Algeria and Tunisia threaten the lives of tens of thousands, while also damaging local ecosystems, infrastructures and livelihoods.  Both countries face a multi-hazard situat …
13 August 2021

Fiji
Pacific: Young people encouraged to join the fight against the pandemic
Suva, 12 August 2021 – As global preparations take place this week to mark the celebration of International Youth Day, young people in the Pacific are urged to follow the example of Red Cross volunteers and join the battle against COVID-19, as the glob …
12 August 2021

Bangladesh
Mass COVID-19 vaccinations kick off in Bangladesh camps
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 10 August 2021: Vaccinations have begun for people in the camps for displaced people, amid a record COVID-19 surge in Bangladesh and a widening global vaccine divide.  The vaccination campaign begins on 10 August with priority …
10 August 2021

Institut Pasteur [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press Documents
No new digest content identified.

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
News
IOM Director General’s Statement on the Situation in Afghanistan
2021-08-10 19:32

ISC / International Science Council [to 14 Aug 2021]
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
A new social contract must include genuine participation and partnership of Indigenous peoples in decision-making about research
09.08.2021
Daya Reddy, ISC President and Chair of the Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) has added his support to the United Nations’ call for a new social contract based on genuine participation and partnership that respects the rights, dignity and freedoms of all.

IVAC [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
No new digest content identified.

IVI [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News, Announcements, Events
IVI partners with SK bioscience to conduct late-stage global clinical trials of SK bioscience’s COVID-19 vaccine
:: IVI to conduct Phase 3 clinical trials of SK bioscience’s recombinant protein vaccine candidate (GBP510) in Europe and Southeast Asia
:: Additionally, IVI forms partnership with SK and KNIH to jointly conduct antibody testing for the global trials to accelerate development of “Wave 2” vaccines
August 10, 2021

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Commends U.S. Senators Baldwin, Casey, King, and Smith for Introducing the Disease X Act to Respond to Future Viral Outbreaks
August 9, 2021

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic
Responding to COVID-19: Global Accountability Report 4 – January to April 2021
Report 12 Aug 2021

Yemen
Treating COVID-19 in Yemen amongst fear, stigma and misinformation
Project Update 11 Aug 2021

Afghanistan
As violence soars across Afghanistan access to healthcare is dangerously limited
Project Update 10 Aug 2021

National Academy of Medicine – USA [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://nam.edu/programs/
Selected News/Programs
No new digest content identified.

National Academy of Sciences – USA [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.nasonline.org/news-and-multimedia/
News
No new digest content identified.

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
No new digest content identified.

NIH [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
News Releases
Monoclonal antibody prevents malaria in small NIH trial
August 11, 2021 — Additional NIH studies underway will build on encouraging early results.

NIH launches study of third COVID-19 vaccine dose in kidney transplant recipients
August 10, 2021 — Trial will assess antibody response in people who did not respond to two-dose regimen.

PATH [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

UNAIDS [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
12 August 2021
UNAIDS strongly supports calls for the rejection of draft law targeting LGBTI people in Ghana

10 August 2021
Defending rights and overcoming fear in Kyrgyzstan

UNESCO [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Latest News
Covid-19 and vaccination in Latin America and the Caribbean: challenges, needs and opportunities
04/08/2021 88 pages
UNESCO publishes a document that generates more evidence on the production, access and distribution of vaccines in the region, with the aim of improving existing vaccination policies, applying a human rights, open science and ethical standards approach
The report (available in Spanish) studies the vaccination plans of all Latin American and Caribbean countries and analyzes the region’s capacity to produce vaccines against Covid-19.
UNESCO has called for considering the vaccine as a universal public good and ensuring its equitable, affordable and timely access. In addition, they have insisted on redoubling scientific and technological cooperation to accelerate vaccine production and thus guarantee access to as many people as possible in the shortest time possible.
PDF: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000378377
Ethical principles to guide COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Africa
03/08/2021 Fact Sheet :: 2 pages
PDF: https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/factsheet.pdf
Key Ethical Considerations
The Ubuntu principle – sense of the Community – is of vital importance – it is vital landmark to guide actions.
Promotion of Universal Access to a Public Good. Avoid Vaccine Nationalism and Predatory Rush.
Protection from vulnerability must be applied to observe fairness within and between countries.
Public-Private Partnerships are required, to observe Equality, Justice, and Solidarity. The development of vaccines by the pharmaceutical industry was also supported by public funds, often in collaboration with public academic institutions.
Public Trust and people-centred approach are key in reaching herd immunity. Trust can only grow from a respectful dialogue, Public Transparency, Critical and Open Deliberations on the scientific practices
behind vaccines, and as well as on public policies on vaccination.

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected News Releases, Announcements
UNHCR concerned over U.S. expulsion flights under COVID-19 asylum restrictions
11 Aug 2021

UNICEF [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Press Releases, News Notes, Statements [Selected]
Press release
08/14/2021
UNICEF set to reach children and families in Haiti with humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of powerful earthquake

Unitaid [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
Digital technologies support patients with treatment from a distance, allowing more flexibility in care
Geneva, 11 August 2021 – As the Unitaid-funded ASCENT project launches the main research phase, investigating the effectiveness of digital adherence technologies and data-driven support interventions on TB treatment completion and success rates, we asked the researchers leading the study to tell us more about their work and its potential impact.
Three digital adherence technologies – smart pillboxes, video supported treatment and medication labels or sleeves – connect patients remotely to health centres, allowing patients flexibility in their treatment while ensuring clinics can track patients’ adherence and provide tailored care where needed…

Vaccine Equity Initiative [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://vaccineequitycooperative.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin) [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.vaccineacceptance.org/
Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 14 Aug 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).

MacArthur Grant
Our work on the crucial role confidence and cooperation plays in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 caught the attention of the MacArthur Foundation. The foundation has given The Confidence Project a major grant so it can begin this work in a focused and specific way…

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
No new digest content identified.

Wellcome Trust [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
News and reports
Explainer
When will the world be vaccinated against Covid-19?
10 August 2021
How should the global community prioritise the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to give us the best chance of ending the pandemic and saving lives? Could booster vaccines impact global roll out?

The Wistar Institute [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

World Bank [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Selected News, Announcements
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 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.wcoomd.org/
Latest News – Selected Items
11 August 2021
WCO Secretary General addresses UPU Ministerial Conference

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2021/
Press Releases, Statements
No new digest content identified.

WTO – World Trade Organisation [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm
WTO News and Events
DDG González underscores importance of women’s economic empowerment in trade
9 August 2021
In an opening address to a joint webinar marking the launch of a research and outreach project on “Gender and Trade in the Americas” on 3 August, Deputy Director-General Anabel González emphasized the central role of women in economic and social lives and the WTO´s work in supporting gender responsive trade policies. The webinars were organized by member institutions of the WTO Chairs Programme in Barbados, Chile, and Mexico with project funding provided by the Netherlands.

::::::

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 14 Aug 2021]
Press Releases – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (alliancerm.org)
Selected Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

BIO [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases, Letters, Testimony, Comments [Selected]
Biden Drug Plan Adds Barriers to Seniors Accessing Lifesaving Medicines
August 12, 2021
President Joe Biden today announced a slew of drug pricing reforms, including changes that would radically alter the widely successful Medicare program for seniors and people with disabilities. Rich Masters, BIO’s Chief Public Affairs and Advocacy…

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

IFPMA [to 14 Aug 2021]
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
No new digest content identified.

International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations – IAPO [to 14 Aug 2021]
https://www.iapo.org.uk/news/topic/6
Press and media [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

PhRMA [to 14 Aug 2021]
http://www.phrma.org/
Latest News [Selected]
PhRMA Statement on President Biden’s Remarks to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
August 12, 2021
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America president and CEO Stephen J. Ubl issued the following statement today after President Biden’s call on Congress to lower prescription drug prices.
“We stand ready to work with lawmakers and do our part so that patients can see lower costs at the pharmacy and continued access to the cures and treatments they need. Unfortunately, the policies the president outlined today would undermine access to life-saving medicines and fail to address an insurance system that shifts the cost of treatments onto vulnerable patients…

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

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 14 Aug 2021)

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage in Germany: systematic review
Despite being considered as a low prevalence country for hepatitis B (HBV), some populations in Germany are at higher risk of infection. In the context of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) viral hepatitis …
Authors: Gyde Steffen, Ida Sperle, Thomas Harder, Navina Sarma, Sandra Beermann, Roma Thamm, Viviane Bremer, Ruth Zimmermann and Sandra Dudareva
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:817
Content type: Research
Published on: 14 August 2021

BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 14 Aug 2021)

South African traditional values and beliefs regarding informed consent and limitations of the principle of respect for autonomy in African communities: a cross-cultural qualitative study
The Western-European concept of libertarian rights-based autonomy, which advocates respect for individual rights, may conflict with African cultural values and norms. African communitarian ethics focuses on the interests of the collective whole or community, rather than rugged individualism. Hence collective decision-making processes take precedence over individual autonomy or consent. This apparent conflict may impact informed consent practice during biomedical research in African communities and may hinder ethical principlism in African bioethics. This study explored African biomedical researchers’ perspectives regarding informed consent and potential limitations to the principle of respect for autonomy in African communities.
Authors: Francis Akpa-Inyang and Sylvester C. Chima
Citation: BMC Medical Ethics 2021 22:111
Content type: Research article
Published on: 14 August 2021

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 14 Aug 2021)

SARS-CoV-2 infection risk during delivery of childhood vaccination campaigns: a modelling study
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the delivery of immunisation services globally. Many countries have postponed vaccination campaigns out of concern about infection risks to the staff delivering vaccination,…
Authors: Simon R. Procter, Kaja Abbas, Stefan Flasche, Ulla Griffiths, Brittany Hagedorn, Kathleen M. O’Reilly and Mark Jit
Citation: BMC Medicine 2021 19:198
Content type: Research article
Published on: 12 August 2021

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 14 Aug 2021)

National and provincial impact and cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in China: a modeling analysis
Globally, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine has substantially reduced the burden of Hib invasive disease. However, China remains the only country not to include Hib vaccine into its national immunizatio…
Authors: Haijun Zhang, Cristina Garcia, Wenzhou Yu, Maria Deloria Knoll, Xiaozhen Lai, Tingting Xu, Rize Jing, Ying Qin, Zundong Yin, Brian Wahl and Hai Fang
Citation: BMC Medicine 2021 19:181
Content type: Research article
Published on: 11 August 2021

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 14 Aug 2021)

Influenza vaccination should have no border: cost-effectiveness of cross-border subsidy
Influenza is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality for Israel and the Palestinian territory. Given the extensive interaction between the two populations, vaccination in one population may indirectly b…
Authors: Dan Yamin, Dor Kahana, Edan Shahmoon, Meagan C. Fitzpatrick and Alison P. Galvani
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1543
Content type: Research article
Published on: 12 August 2021

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 14 Aug 2021)

Information needs during an emerging outbreak of meningococcal W135 disease in the Netherlands: a study among teenagers, their parents and healthcare professionals
To counter the rise in invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) serogroup W, the Netherlands introduced a menACWY catch-up vaccination campaign for teenagers in 2018 and 2019. Teenagers and parents who have questi…
Authors: Marion de Vries, Feray R. Çoban, Liesbeth Claassen, Margreet J. M. te Wierik, Danielle R. M. Timmermans and Aura Timen
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1540
Content type: Research
Published on: 12 August 2021

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 99(8);  2021 Aug 1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/issues/386733/

Editorials
COVID-19 and palliative care capacity, African Region
Oladayo A Afolabi, Mary Abboah-Offei, Eve Namisango, Emeka Chukwusa, Adejoke O Oluyase, Emmanuel BK Luyirika, Richard Harding, Kennedy Nkhoma
Bull World Health Organ. 2021 Aug 1; 99(8): 542–542A. Published online 2021 Aug 1. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.285286
PMCID: PMC8319866

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 99(8);  2021 Aug 1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/issues/386733/

Research
Progress towards antibiotic use targets in eight high-income countries
Bryony Simmons, Koya Ariyoshi, Norio Ohmagari, Celine Pulcini, Benedikt Huttner, Sumanth Gandra, Giovanni Satta, Lorenzo Moja, Michael Sharland, Nicola Magrini, Marisa Miraldo, Graham Cooke
Bull World Health Organ. 2021 Aug 1; 99(8): 550–561. Published online 2021 Apr 29. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.270934
PMCID: PMC8319863

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 99(8);  2021 Aug 1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/issues/386733/

Perspectives
Pandemic prevention and unsustainable animal-based consumption
Harman S Sandhu, Anish Arora, Saadia I Sarker, Bindra Shah, Anusha Sivendra, Emily S Winsor, Anahat Luthra
Bull World Health Organ. 2021 Aug 1; 99(8): 603–605. Published online 2021 Jun 1. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.276238
PMCID:
PMC8319869

Current Genetic Medicine Reports
Volume 9, issue 3, September 2021
https://link.springer.com/journal/40142/volumes-and-issues/9-3

Article
Horizon Scanning in Cancer Genomics: How Advances in Genomic Medicine Will Change Cancer Care Over the Next Decade
Lydia M. Seed
Content type: Cancer Genomics (K Snape and H Hanson, Section Editors)
Open Access
Published: 15 July 2021
Advances in genomic medicine have the potential to revolutionise cancer patient care by driving forwards the clinical practice of precision oncology. This review aims to outline how genomic medicine advances may alter the care of cancer patients and their families over the next 10 years.

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

Expert Review of Vaccines
Vol 20 (5) 2021
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ierv20/current

Perspective
Article
Current understandings of the impact of mandatory vaccination laws in Europe
Anna Odone, Giulia Dallagiacoma, Beatrice Frascella, Carlo Signorelli & Julie Leask
Pages: 559-575
Published online: 30 Jun 2021

Expert Review of Vaccines
Vol 20 (5) 2021
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ierv20/current

Article
Seasonal influenza vaccine hesitancy profiles and determinants among Chinese children’s guardians and the elderly
Zheng Wei, Xiu Sun, Yingying Yang, Siyi Zhan & Chuanxi Fu
Pages: 601-610
Published online: 01 Apr 2021

Expert Review of Vaccines
Vol 20 (5) 2021
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ierv20/current

Article
Drivers of hesitancy towards recommended childhood vaccines in African settings: a scoping review of literature from Kenya, Malawi and Ethiopia
Abdu a Adamu, Téné-Alima Essoh, Gbadebo Collins Adeyanju, Rabiu I Jalo, Yusuf Saleh, Aristide Aplogan & Charles S Wiysonge
Pages: 611-621
Published online: 22 Mar 2021

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 …

Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 14 Aug 2021]

Using participatory action research to improve immunization utilization in areas with pockets of unimmunized children in Nigeria
In 2005, Nigeria adopted the Reaching Every Ward strategy to improve vaccination coverage for children 0–23 months of age. By 2015, Ogun state had full coverage (100%) in 12 of its 20 local government areas, b…
Authors: Ngozi N. Akwataghibe, Elijah A. Ogunsola, Oluwafemi A. Popoola, Adanna I. Agbo and Marjolein A. Dieleman
Citation: Health Research Policy and Systems 2021 19(Suppl 2):88
Content type: Research
Published on: 11 August 2021

Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 14 Aug 2021]

Cross-cutting lessons from the Decision-Maker Led Implementation Research initiative
Almost 20 million children under one year of age did not receive basic vaccines in 2019, and most of these children lived in low- and middle-income countries. Implementation research has been recognized as an emerging area that is critical to strengthen the implementation of interventions proven to be effective. As a component of strengthening implementation, WHO has called for greater embedding of research within decision-making processes. One strategy to facilitate the embedding of research is to engage decision-makers as Principal Investigators of the research. Since 2015, the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research within the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund have supported decision-maker led research by partnering with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in an initiative called “Decision-Maker Led Implementation Research”. This synthesis paper describes the cross-cutting lessons from the initiative to further understand and develop future use of the decision-maker led strategy.
Authors: Arielle Mancuso, Shahira Ahmed Malm, Alyssa Sharkey, A. S. M. Shahabuddin and Zubin Cyrus Shroff
Citation: Health Research Policy and Systems 2021 19(Suppl 2):83
Content type: Research
Published on: 11 August 2021

Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 14 Aug 2021]

The influence of linkages, feedback mechanisms, and caregiver mobility on immunization follow-up visits in Lideta sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Losing children to follow-up is one of the major barriers identified in Ethiopia’s immunization programme. In many urban slum areas like Lideta sub-city, Addis Ababa, several demand- and supply-side factors af…
Authors: Thewodros Zewde, Alula Teklu, Diriba Bedada and Yoseph Tsehaye
Citation: Health Research Policy and Systems 2021 19(Suppl 2):69
Content type: Research
Published on: 11 August 2021

Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 14 Aug 2021]

Decision-maker led implementation research on immunization: learning from low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Zubin Cyrus Shroff, Arielle Buijs Mancuso, Alyssa Sharkey, A. S. M. Shahabuddin, Binay Kumar, Hope Johnson and Abdul Ghaffar
Citation: Health Research Policy and Systems 2021 19(Suppl 2):68
Content type: Introduction
Published on: 11 August 2021

Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 14 Aug 2021]

Evaluation of the feasibility and sustainability of the joint human and animal vaccination and its integration to the public health system in the Danamadji health district, Chad
One Health approaches such as the Joint human and animal vaccination programmes (JHAVP) are shown to be feasible and to increase health care access to hard-to-reach communities such as mobile pastoralists. How…
Authors: Mahamat Fayiz Abakar, Djimet Seli, Filippo Lechthaler, Lisa Crump, Arielle Mancus, Nhan Tran, Jakob Zinsstag and Daniel Cobos Muñoz
Citation: Health Research Policy and Systems 2021 19(Suppl 2):44
Content type: Review
Published on: 11 August 2021

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 14 Aug 2021]

Impact of vaccine supplies and delays on optimal control of the COVID-19 pandemic: mapping interventions for the Philippines
This study aims to identify the optimal level of interventions for COVID-19 from 2021 to 2022 in the Philippines, which as a developing country is particularly vulnerable to shifting assumptions around vaccine availability. Furthermore, we explore optimal strategies in scenarios featuring delays in vaccine administration, expansions of vaccine supply, and limited combinations of interventions.
Authors: Carlo Delfin S. Estadilla, Joshua Uyheng, Elvira P. de Lara-Tuprio, Timothy Robin Teng, Jay Michael R. Macalalag and Maria Regina Justina E. Estuar
Content type: Research Article
9 August 2021

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
Vol 8, No 8 (2021) August 2021
https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/issue/view/79

Original Research Articles
Assessing the capacity of primary health care centres to provide routine immunization services amidst COVID-19 lockdown in Kaduna state, Nigeria
Auwal G. Suleiman, Abdulhakeem A. Olorukooba, Zaharadeen S. Babandi, Shehu S. Umar, Umar M. Umar
DOI: 10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20212997