::::::
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 16 Oct 2021]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/new s-press/
News
No new digest content identified.
BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
News
No new digest content identified.
BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center
Press Releases and Statements
No new digest content identified.
Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 16 Oct 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 16 Oct 2021]
https://carb-x.org/
News
10.12.2021 |
CARB-X 2020-21 Annual Report: CARB-X surpasses all goals in first five years in combatting antibiotic resistant-bacteria
CARB-X closed its fifth fiscal year on July 31, 2021 with US$361 million awarded to 92 projects funding since inception. In its latest fiscal year, CARB-X invested in 25 new projects across all three pillars – preventatives, diagnostics, and therapeutics. This year saw two more successful graduations from the portfolio, four more First-in Human programs launch, and several strategic augmentations of the portfolio including in the areas of: gonorrhea, bacteriophage, vaccines, peptides and polymyxins, and anti-virulence factors.
Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 16 Oct 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 – October 2021 is now posted here
CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
Could chicken eggs help end the COVID-19 pandemic?
CEPI is supporting PATH’s work as part of an international consortium developing a new egg-based vaccine to tackle COVID-19, inspired by influenza vaccines in longtime use.
11 Oct 2021
CEPI opens Call to evaluate fractional COVID-19 booster and third shots as part of efforts to stretch global vaccine supply
CEPI will make up to US $25m funding available as part of the Call, with the intention to fund several clinical trials looking at dose-sparing booster shots for different COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
11 Oct 2021
DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [to 16 Oct 2021
https://www.darpa.mil/news
News
No new digest content identified.
Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://dukeghic.org/
Our Blog
No new digest content identified.
EDCTP [to 16 Oct 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
News
12 October 2021
First EDCTP and Africa CDC-supported Epidemiologists and Biostatisticians start their training
Emory Vaccine Center [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.
European Vaccine Initiative [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.
Fondation Merieux [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
No new digest content identified.
Gavi [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.gavi.org/
News releases
11 October 2021
Vigne des Nations: 2020 vintage awarded to Gavi by Geneva Canton, for its action for global health
… This recognition honours the commitment of this organisation to guaranteeing fair and equitable access to vaccines around the world…
11 October 2021
First Swiss-donated doses ship to Sierra Leone, as part of 4 million dose pledge
GHIT Fund [to 16 Oct 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 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
News
Drug-resistant TB: Business as usual no longer an option
14 October 2021 by Dr. Mohammed Yassin, Global Fund Senior Tuberculosis Advisor
Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.glopid-r.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.
Hilleman Laboratories [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
Website reports “under maintenance” at inquiry
Human Vaccines Project [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/
News
HVP COVID Report
Oct 15, 2021
Kristen Jill Abboud: Should We Get Back to Worrying About the Flu?
IAVI [to 16 Oct 2021]
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
No new digest content identified.
ICRC [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases, Statements, Reports
Ahead of COP26, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s five asks to world leaders: “It is not too late to act: the survival of humanity depends on the actions we take today”
14/10/2021
IFFIm
http://www.iffim.org/
Press Releases/Announcements
No new digest content identified.
IFRC [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
14/10/2021
Ahead of COP26, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s five asks to world leaders: “It is not too late to act: the survival of humanity depends on the actions we take today”
14/10/2021
Palau and Cook Islands lead the world on COVID-19 vaccinations
Kuala Lumpur/Suva, 14 October 2021 – The small Pacific country of Palau has more than 99 per cent of its eligible population fully vaccinated, contesting top spot in the world for COVID-19 vaccination rates, according to government data.
Other Pacific nations have also raced up the global vaccine leader board. The Cook Islands has 96 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated while 96 per cent have received their first jab in Fiji, according to Cook Islands and Fiji Government data...
Institut Pasteur [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press Documents
No new digest content identified.
IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
News – Selected
News 15 Oct 2021
Free Movement of People a Top Priority, Say West African Nations
News 12 Oct 2021
Global Migration Under Spotlight at EU-IOM Strategic Cooperation Meeting
ISC / International Science Council [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://council.science/current/
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.
News Press
Sir Peter Gluckman, paediatrician, biomedical scientist and science-policy expert becomes President of the International Science Council
14.10.2021
News Press
New Governing Board elected to provide scientific and strategic leadership to the International Science Council
14.10.2021
… “The new Board takes on leadership of the ISC at a critical time and I am honoured and privileged to be given the responsibility of chairing the Board,” said Peter Gluckman, incoming President of the ISC. Membership of the Governing Board reflects the multi-disciplinarity of the Council’s membership base, as well as regional and gender diversity.
The new Governing Board faces the ongoing challenge of ensuring that science has an increasing impact on the multilateral agenda. The natural and social sciences have a critical role to play as the world faces complex challenges from COVID-19 to climate change, and from conflict reduction to inequality, health inequalities, poverty, food, water and energy challenges, and coexistence with rapidly advancing technologies. These issues are compounded by disinformation and the politicisation of knowledge. At the same time, the nature and conduct of science is changing rapidly and the ISC has a critical role to play in working with the scientific community, the policy community and society to ensure better outcomes for people and the planet.
Amongst its duties, the Governing Board provides strategic leadership and develops priority activity and business plans for approval by the General Assembly, as well as monitoring the implementation and performance of such plans. The Board oversees the scientific activities and other operations of the Council and reports to the General Assembly, as well as proposing budgetary outlines and the scale of annual dues to be paid by Members…
News Press
Ten outstanding individual scientists and organizations celebrated in first ever ISC Awards
13.10.2021
IVAC [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
No new digest content identified.
IVI [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.ivi.int/
IVI News & Announcements
No new digest content identified.
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
No new digest content identified.
MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Haiti
Two months after the earthquake, health needs remain high
Project Update 15 Oct 2021
Lebanon
Breaking barriers to mental health care in Lebanon
Project Update 14 Oct 2021
Syria
Worst wave yet of COVID-19 in northern Syria overwhelms health system
Press Release 13 Oct 2021
Mental health
Mental health care needs enormous around the world
Project Update 10 Oct 2021
National Academy of Medicine – USA [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://nam.edu/programs/
Selected News/Programs/Events
Oct 2021
Crossing the Policy and Equity Chasm: Lessons from Compounding Health Crises (NAM Annual Meeting 2021)
Time: 8:00 AM
The National Academy of Medicine will hold its annual meeting on Sunday and Monday, October 17-18, 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in an abundance of caution, the Annual Meeting will be held entirely virtually. In order to help support this event, the symposium will cost $50 to attend live on October 17 and 18.
National Academy of Sciences – USA [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.nasonline.org/news-and-multimedia/
News
No new digest content identified.
National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
No new digest content identified.
NIH [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
News Releases
Antibody treatment for MIS-C works by depleting inflammatory immune cells
October 15, 2021 — NIH-funded study explains how intravenous immune globulin helps children with rare COVID condition.
NIH RADx initiative expands COVID-19 testing innovation for additional types of rapid tests
October 14, 2021 — The home and point-of-care testing platforms target the need for high-performance, low-cost home tests and point-of-care tests that can potentially detect multiple respiratory infections.
New, highly innovative NIH research awards to address health disparities and advance health equity
October 13, 2021 — Eleven grants were awarded to support the work of exceptionally creative researchers across the United States through the NIH Common Fund’s Transformative Research to Address Health Disparities and Advance Health Equity initiative.
PATH [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
Real-world performance of nOPV2 reinforces strong safety profile
October 11, 2021 by PATH
Experts endorse successful completion of initial use period
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) – an independent group of scientific experts that advises the World Health Organization (WHO) on vaccines and immunization – has endorsed the strong safety performance of nOPV2 use in real-world settings. SAGE reviewed data from the initial use period for nOPV2, which began in November 2020.
Since 2015, PATH has helped advance the development of nOPV2 by serving as the convener of the product development consortium; providing technical input into manufacturing and clinical trials; overseeing the development and execution of novel tests to assess the vaccine’s genetic stability; and facilitating data-sharing among partners.
In November 2020, the vaccine received a recommendation for initial use under WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, based on the urgent need to contain outbreaks and on promising clinical data from Phase 1 and Phase 2 nOPV2 trials….
Fact sheet
Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
UNAIDS [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
13 October 2021
Community mobilization and digital technologies accelerate the response to HIV and COVID-19 in Gabon
12 October 2021
Partnering to strengthen community engagement in the HIV and COVID-19 responses in Namibia
11 October 2021
Helping Haiti build a sustainable HIV response
11 October 2021
People living with HIV at higher risk of COVID-19 illness but have lower access to COVID-19 vaccines
UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected News Releases, Announcements
World Food Day: Celebrating efforts to strengthen local food systems for displaced and host communities
13 Oct 2021
UNICEF [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Press Releases, News Notes, Statements [Selected]
Press release
10/15/2021
UNICEF: 75 years of engagement in and with Europe, but no time to celebrate!
“Bold and effective commitment to children’s rights are important more than ever before in the EU, and with the EU for the world”, says UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Charlotte Petri Gornitza
Press release
10/15/2021
FACT SHEET: On Global Handwashing Day, UNICEF warns that 3 in 10 people do not have basic handwashing facilities at home to fight off infectious diseases
Unitaid [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
No new digest content identified.
Vaccine Equity Cooperative [nee Initiative] [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://vaccineequitycooperative.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.
Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin) [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.vaccineacceptance.org/
Announcements
No new digest content identified.
Vaccine Confidence Project [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
News, Research and Reports
Coronavirus global impact
Launched April 2, 2020 and recurring every 3 days, Premise Data is utilizing its global network of Contributors to assess economic, social, and health sentiment surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
No new digest content identified.
Wellcome Trust [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
News and reports
No new digest content identified.
The Wistar Institute [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
Press Release
Oct. 14, 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci and Philadelphia FIGHT’s Jane Shull Receive Wistar Legacy Award at 25th Anniversary of Jonathan Lax Memorial Lecture
Virtual event celebrates local HIV research and advocacy influencers/communities that paved way for global HIV impact
WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
Reducing Maternal Mortality Ratio in low- and Middle Income Countries
Oct 14, 2021
Reducing Maternal Mortality Ratio in low- and Middle-income CountriesThe World Health Organization (WHO) has long identified maternal mortality as a global priority for improving global health outcomes. Yet, the United Nations Millennium…
Policy Statement on Climate Change
Oct 14, 2021
Policy Statement on Climate ChangeClimate change is a global problem. It is harming human health and wellbeing today, and we have clear evidence that lack of effective response will render the global poor, people living in low lying areas, along…
Polio Eradication: Last Battle?
Oct 12, 2021
Polio Eradication: Last Battle?Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that attacks the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis and death. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented through immunisation….
World Bank [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Selected News, Announcements
Accelerating COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake to Boost Malawi’s Economic Recovery
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries including Malawi have struggled to mitigate its impact amid limited fiscal support and fragile health systems. The pandemic has plunged the continent…
Date: October 13, 2021 Type: Opinion
Improving Maternal and Children Health Care in Times of Cholera
Challenge Ten months after a devastating earthquake hit in 2010, a severe cholera outbreak placed additional pressure on Haiti’s already fragile health system, further compromising the welfare and health…
Date: October 13, 2021 Type: Result Brief
Low-Income Country Debt Rises to Record $860 Billion in 2020
Debt reduction, restructuring, and transparency needed to help low-income countries overcome debt challenges
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2021— Governments around the world responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with massive fiscal, monetary, and financial stimulus packages. While these measures were aimed at addressing the health emergency, cushioning the impact of the pandemic on the poor and vulnerable and putting countries on a path to recovery, the resulting debt burden of the world’s low-income countries rose 12% to a record $860 billion in 2020, according to a new World Bank report.
Even prior to the pandemic, many low- and middle-income countries were in a vulnerable position, with slowing economic growth and public and external debt at elevated levels. External debt stocks of low- and middle-income countries combined rose 5.3% in 2020 to $8.7 trillion. According to the new International Debt Statistics 2022 report, an encompassing approach to managing debt is needed to help low- and middle-income countries assess and curtail risks and achieve sustainable debt levels.
“We need a comprehensive approach to the debt problem, including debt reduction, swifter restructuring and improved transparency,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass. “Sustainable debt levels are vital for economic recovery and poverty reduction.”
The deterioration in debt indicators was widespread and impacted countries in all regions. Across all low- and middle-income countries, the rise in external indebtedness outpaced Gross National Income (GNI) and export growth. Low- and middle-income countries’ external debt-to-GNI ratio (excluding China) rose to 42% in 2020 from 37% in 2019 while their debt-to-export ratio increased to 154% in 2020 from 126% in 2019…
World Customs Organization – WCO [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.wcoomd.org/
Latest News – Selected Items
13 October 2021
WCO concludes the cycle of regional consultations on the Strategic Plan with the Asia/Pacific region
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.oie.int/en/media/news/
Press Releases, Statements
No new digest content identified.
WTO – World Trade Organisation [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm
WTO News and Events
Members pursue convergence for an IP COVID-19 response
14 October 2021
At a meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 13-14 October 2021, WTO members noted encouraging exchanges at recent small group discussions and bilateral meetings which helped to identify points of convergence on how to provide a common intellectual property (IP) response to COVID-19. The chair of the TRIPS Council, Ambassador Dagfinn Sørli of Norway, announced he would continue to consult with members on how to move towards a consensus before the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), to be held on 30 November — 3 December
News item
[See COVID above for detail]
WTO briefs members and observers on COVID-19 related initiatives and analysis
12 October 2021
Over 180 representatives from 111 members and observers participated on 12 October in a virtual information session on the WTO Secretariat’s work to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Deputy Director-General Anabel González hosted the Virtual Information Session on Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, Collaborative Initiatives and Analysis on Supply Chains and Tariffs. She briefed participants on the Secretariat’s contributions to a range of collaborative initiatives, such as the Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19, the WHO, WIPO, WTO Trilateral Cooperation in support of capacity building, the COVAX Manufacturing Task Force and the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.
The programme included presentations on the most recent information notes prepared by the WTO Secretariat:
:: update of the Indicative List of Trade-Related Bottlenecks and Trade-Facilitating Measures on Critical Products to Combat COVID-19, a Joint Indicative List of Critical COVID-19 Vaccine Inputs,
:: new report on COVID-19 vaccines production and tariffs on vaccine inputs,
:: comments by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The recording of the session is available here. The programme and background materials are available here. The WTO COVID-19 gateway is available here.
News item
::::::
ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://alliancerm.org/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
BIO [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases, Letters, Testimony, Comments [Selected]
No new digest content identified.
DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.
ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.
IFPMA [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
R&D-based pharmaceutical industry’s innovative partnerships to meet urgent global supply needs
05 October 2021
International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]
https://www.igbamedicines.org/
News
No new digest content identified.
International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations – IAPO [to 16 Oct 2021]
https://www.iapo.org.uk/news/topic/6
Press and media [Selected]
No new digest content identified.
PhRMA [to 16 Oct 2021]
http://www.phrma.org/
Latest News [Selected]
New report shows more than 260 medicines in development to fight neurodegenerative diseases
October 12, 2021
Today, PhRMA released a new report detailing the more than 260 medicines in development for 29 neurodegenerative diseases.
Blog Post
vaccines and global health :: ethics and policy 