Principles of Economic Evaluation in a Pandemic Setting: An Expert Panel Discussion on Value Assessment During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

PharmacoEconomics
Volume 39, issue 11, November 2021
https://link.springer.com/journal/40273/volumes-and-issues/39-11

 

Current Opinion
Principles of Economic Evaluation in a Pandemic Setting: An Expert Panel Discussion on Value Assessment During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors (first, second and last of 6) Yumi Asukai, Andrew Briggs, Daniel A. Ollendorf
Open Access
Published: 24 September 2021

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal and associated factors in an adult population in Saskatchewan, Canada: Evidence from predictive modelling

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]

 

Research Article
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal and associated factors in an adult population in Saskatchewan, Canada: Evidence from predictive modelling
Nazeem Muhajarine, Daniel A. Adeyinka, Jessica McCutcheon, Kathryn L. Green, Miles Fahlman, Natalie Kallio
Research Article | published 12 Nov 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259513

A social norms approach intervention to address misperceptions of anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs amongst UK parents

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]

 

A social norms approach intervention to address misperceptions of anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs amongst UK parents
Darel Cookson, Daniel Jolley, Robert C. Dempsey, Rachel Povey
Research Article | published 12 Nov 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258985

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Refugees in the United States

Public Health Reports
Volume 136 Issue 6, November/December 2021
https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/phrg/136/6

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Refugees in the United States
Mengxi Zhang, PhD, MPH, Ashok Gurung, MS, Philip Anglewicz, PhD, Parangkush Subedi, MPH, Colleen Payton, PhD, MPH, Ahmed Ali, PharmD, Anisa Ibrahim, MD, Mahri Haider, MD, MPH, Navid Hamidi, BS, Jacob Atem, PhD, MPH, Jenni Thang, BA, Siqin Wang, PhD, Curi Kim, MD, MPH, Sarah L. Kimball, MD, Fatima Karaki, MD, Najib Nazhat, BA, Mouammar Abouagila, BA, Katherine Yun, MD, MHS

 

First Published September 21, 2021; pp. 774–781

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Vaccine Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions

Public Health Reports
Volume 136 Issue 6, November/December 2021
https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/phrg/136/6

 

Research
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Vaccine Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions
Matthew Z. Dudley, PhD, Rupali J. Limaye, PhD, Daniel A. Salmon, PhD, Saad B. Omer, MBBS, Sean T. O’Leary, MD, Mallory K. Ellingson, MPH, Christine I. Spina, MSPH, Sarah E. Brewer, PhD, Robert A. Bednarczyk, PhD, Fauzia Malik, PhD, Paula M. Frew, PhD, Allison T. Chamberlain, PhD
First Published January 28, 2021; pp. 699–709

Monetary incentives increase COVID-19 vaccinations

Science
Volume 374| Issue 6569| 12 Nov 2021
https://www.science.org/toc/science/current

 

Reports
Monetary incentives increase COVID-19 vaccinations
BY Pol Campos-Mercade, Armando N. Meier, Florian H. Schneider, Stephan Meier, Devin Pope, Erik Wengström
07 Oct 2021: 879-882
Open Access
In Sweden, monetary incentives of US $24 increased vaccination rates from approximately 72% to approximately 76%.

A Research and Development (R&D) roadmap for influenza vaccines: Looking toward the future

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 45 Pages 6565-6712 (29 October 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/45

 

Review article Open access
A Research and Development (R&D) roadmap for influenza vaccines: Looking toward the future
Kristine A. Moore, Julia T. Ostrowsky, Alison M. Kraigsley, Angela J. Mehr, … Jerry Weir
Pages 6573-6584

Preferences for COVID-19 vaccination information and location: Associations with vaccine hesitancy, race and ethnicity

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 45 Pages 6565-6712 (29 October 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/45

 

Short communication Full text access
Preferences for COVID-19 vaccination information and location: Associations with vaccine hesitancy, race and ethnicity
Kimberly A. Fisher, Ngoc Nguyen, Sybil Crawford, Hassan Fouayzi, … Kathleen M. Mazor
Pages 6591-6594

Supporting National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups in the WHO European Region in developing national COVID-19 vaccination recommendations through online communication platform

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 45 Pages 6565-6712 (29 October 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/45

 

Short communication Open access
Supporting National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups in the WHO European Region in developing national COVID-19 vaccination recommendations through online communication platform
Liudmila Mosina, Wiebe Külper-Schiek, Lisa Jacques-Carroll, Andrew Earnshaw, … Siddhartha Sankar Datta
Pages 6595-6600

Anti-COVID Vaccination for Adolescents: A Survey on Determinants of Vaccine Parental Hesitancy

Vaccines
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]

 

Open Access Feature Paper Article
Anti-COVID Vaccination for Adolescents: A Survey on Determinants of Vaccine Parental Hesitancy
by Stefano Zona et al.
Vaccines 2021, 9(11), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9111309 – 10 Nov 2021
Abstract
Vaccine hesitancy has been considered one of the most severe threats to global health, as it represents an obstacle to achieving adequate vaccination coverage. Recent research studies aimed at investigating the propensity for anti-COVID vaccination among adults have found a high prevalence of […]

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Parents’ Non-Intention to Vaccinate Their Children and Adolescents against COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean

Vaccines
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]

 

Open Access Article
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Parents’ Non-Intention to Vaccinate Their Children and Adolescents against COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean
by Diego Urrunaga-Pastor, et a.
Vaccines 2021, 9(11), 1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9111303 – 09 Nov 2021
Abstract
We aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with parents’ non-intention to vaccinate their children and adolescents against COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). We performed a secondary analysis using a database generated by the University of Maryland and Facebook […]

Pre-Print Servers

Pre-Print Servers

 
 
bioRxiv
https://www.biorxiv.org/
bioRxiv (pronounced “bio-archive”) is a free online archive and distribution service for unpublished preprints in the life sciences. It is operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a not-for-profit research and educational institution. By posting preprints on bioRxiv, authors are able to make their findings immediately available to the scientific community and receive feedback on draft manuscripts before they are submitted to journals.
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]
Potent antibody immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants elicited by a third dose of inactivated vaccine
Bin Ju, Bing Zhou, Shuo Song, Qing Fan, Xiangyang Ge, Haiyan Wang, Lin Cheng, Huimin Guo, Dan Shu, Lei Liu, Zheng Zhang
bioRxiv 2021.11.10.468037; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.10.468037

Serum from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic shows limited evidence of cross-neutralization against variants of concern
Marzi, A., Griffin, A., O’Donnell, K. L., Shifflett, K., Lavik, J.-P., Russell, P. M., Zimmerman, M. K., Relich, R. F.
10.1101/2021.11.10.468174 — Posted: 2021-11-12

 
 

Gates Open Research
https://gatesopenresearch.org/browse/articles
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]

[No new digest content identified]

 
 

medRxiv
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/about-medrxiv
medRxiv is a free online archive and distribution server for complete but unpublished manuscripts (preprints) in the medical, clinical, and related health sciences. Preprints are preliminary reports of work that have not been certified by peer review. They should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information. medRxiv is for the distribution of preprints – complete but unpublished manuscripts – that describe human health research conducted, analyzed, and interpreted according to scientific principles…
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]
Selected Content
Protection offered by mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 in Qatar
Abu-Raddad, L. J., Chemaitelly, H., Ayoub, H. H., Tang, P. J., Hasan, M. R., Coyle, P., YASSINE, H. M., Benslimane, F., Al-Khatib, H. A., Al-Kanaani, Z., Al Kuwari, E., Jeremijenko, A., Kaleeckal, A. H., Latif, A. N., Shaik, R. M., Abdul Rahim, H. F., Nasrallah, G., Al Kuwari, M. G., Butt, A. A., Al Romaihi, H. E., Al-Thani, M. H., Al Khal, A., Bertollini, R.
10.1101/2021.11.12.21266250 — Posted: 2021-11-13

Age and product dependent vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalisation among adults in Norway: a national cohort study, January to September 2021.
Starrfelt, J., Buanes, E. A., Juvet, L. K., Lyngstad, T. M., Ro, G. O. I., Veneti, L., Meijerink, H.
10.1101/2021.11.12.21266222 — Posted: 2021-11-12

Vaccine effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca to prevent severe COVID-19 in Costa Rica by September and October 2021: A nationwide, observational study of hospitalisations prevalence.
Rosero-Bixby, L.
10.1101/2021.11.08.21266087 — Posted: 2021-11-09

Parents intention to vaccinate their 5-11 years old children with the COVID-19: vaccine rates, predictors and the role of incentives
Shmueli, L.
10.1101/2021.11.05.21265900 — Posted: 2021-11-09

Third dose vaccine With BNT162b2 and its response on Long COVID after Breakthrough infections
hoque, a., Rahman, M., Imam, H., Nahar, N., Hasan Chowdhury, F. U.
10.1101/2021.11.08.21266037 — Posted: 2021-11-09

Surveillance of COVID-19 in a Vaccinated Population: A Rapid Literature Review
Egunsola, O., Farkas, B., Flanagan, J., Salmon, C., Mastikhina, L., Clement, F.
10.1101/2021.11.05.21265763 — Posted: 2021-11-08

A need of COVID19 vaccination for children aged <12 years: Comparative evidence from the clinical characteristics in patients during a recent Delta surge (B.1.617.2)
Li, H., Lin, H., Chen, X., Li, H., Li, H., Lin, S., Huang, L., Chen, G., Zheng, G., Wang, S., Hu, X., Huang, H., Tu, H., Li, X., Ji, Y., Zhong, W., Li, Q., Fang, J., Lin, Q., Yu, R., Xie, B.
10.1101/2021.11.05.21265712 — Posted: 2021-11-08

Defining the determinants of under-vaccination in migrant populations in Europe to improve routine and COVID-19 vaccine uptake: a systematic review
Crawshaw, A. F., Farah, Y., Deal, A., Rustage, K., Hayward, S. E., Carter, J., Knights, F., Goldsmith, L. P., Campos-Matos, I., Wurie, F., Majeed, A., Bedford, H., Forster, A. S., Hargreaves, S.
10.1101/2021.11.08.21266058 — Posted: 2021-11-08
 
 
Wellcome Open Research [to 13 Nov 2021]
https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/browse/articles
[Accessed 13 Nov 2021]

Wellcome Open Research provides all Wellcome researchers with a place to rapidly publish any results they think are worth sharing. All articles benefit from rapid publication, transparent peer review and editorial guidance on making all source data openly available.
Systematic Review metrics AWAITING PEER REVIEW
The hidden financial burden of healthcare: a systematic literature review of informal payments in Sub-Saharan Africa [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
Evelyn Kabia, Catherine Goodman, Dina Balabanova, Kui Muraya, Sassy Molyneux, Edwine Barasa
Peer Reviewers Invited
Funder: Wellcome
PUBLISHED 08 Nov 2021

Think Tanks

Think Tanks
 
 
Brookings [to 13 Nov 2021]
http://www.brookings.edu/
Accessed 13 Nov 2021
[No new digest content identified]
 
 
Center for Global Development [to 13 Nov 2021]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Accessed 13 Nov 2021
Why I’m Embarrassed to Receive a COVID Booster
November 12, 2021
Obviously, an ethical vaccine distribution would start with a far more equitable sharing of vaccines between rich and less-rich nations. More pragmatically, the current huge imbalance in the global distribution of shots invites another outbreak of a new variant, against which the US and other high-income countries cannot insulate themselves.
Nancy Birdsall

Staffing Shortages in the UK’s Care Sector: A Sign of Things to Come
November 11, 2021
Today the UK government’s new policy of mandatory vaccination for care home workers takes effect. By the government’s own reckoning this could result in up to 12 percent  of workers in residential care settings leaving their jobs. How worried should we be about staff shortages in the care sector? In short, very.
Claire Kumar and Helen Dempster

Financing our Global Health Commons
Event
11/10/21
COVID-19 will likely be a forerunner of future catastrophic pandemics, fueled by global warming and biodiversity losses, unless significant new investments and reforms are urgently made to bolster capacities and resilient adaptative systems for pandemic preparedness and rapid response. This session will present the conclusions and recommendations of the G20 High Level Independent panel on financing the global commons for pandemic preparedness and control, highlighting the interconnectedness of the pandemic preparedness and the climate change agenda
 
 
Chatham House [to 13 Nov 2021]
https://www.chathamhouse.org/
Accessed 13 Nov 2021
[No new digest content identified]

 
 
CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 13 Nov 2021
Upcoming Event
COVAX Past, Present, and Future: A Conversation with Dr. Seth Berkley
November 15, 2021

Report
Adapting Covid-19 Innovations to Accelerate Progress toward Meeting Global Tuberculosis Goals
November 12, 2021 | By Katherine E. Bliss
 
 

Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
Accessed 13 Nov 2021
November 8, 2021 News Release
COVID-19 Misinformation is Ubiquitous: 78% of the Public Believes or is Unsure About At Least One False Statement, and Nearly a Third Believe At Least Four of Eight False Statements Tested
Most People Who Trust Network and Local Television, CNN, MSNBC and NPR on COVID-19 Believe Little or No Misinformation; Larger Shares Who Trust Newsmax, One American News, and Fox News Hold Many Misconceptions More than three quarters (78%) of U.S. adults either believe or aren’t sure about at least one…
 
 
ODI [Overseas Development Institute] [to 13 Nov 2021]
https://odi.org/en/publications/
Publications
[No new digest content identified]

Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review :: 6 November 2021

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

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

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

– blog edition: comprised of the approx. 35+ entries posted below.

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

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

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

Joint Statement by AMATA [African Medicines Agency Treaty Alliance] welcoming the African Medicines Agency coming into force

Joint Statement by AMATA [African Medicines Agency Treaty Alliance] welcoming the African Medicines Agency coming into force
November 5, 2021
We, as founding members of the African Medicines Agency Treaty Alliance (AMATA), representing patients, academia, civil society, and industry, welcome the official ratification of the AMA Treaty, which has enabled the African Medicines Agency to effectively enter into force today.

We now call on the African Union to build on the current momentum gained with the legal deposition of instrument of ratification of the Treaty by the minimum required 15 AU Member States, to prepare for the practical implementation of the Agency, ensuring the following critical elements:
The African Medicines Agency Governing Board to recognise patients as key partners in the management structures and development of the Agency.
A solid governance structure is put in place and a seamless transition from the AMRH to the AMA is ensured.
Robust regulatory infrastructures continue to be strengthened in all African Union Member States and at regional level.
A Secretariat is formed, and its location is decided without undue delay.
The African Medicines Agency is equipped with adequate human resource capacity to operationalise its mandate.

The African Medicines Agency Governing Board to set up a framework of engagement with non-state actors and to draw upon all available expertise from academia, research bodies, private sector and community and patient groups to provide technical guidance on specific areas. A sustainable funding model is implemented to ensure short and long term stability of the Agency at the time of its inception.

 

We congratulate the 15 Member States of the African Union that completed the process of ratification and invite all remaining AU Member States to follow in their footsteps.

COVID-19 has demonstrated that health security will only be achieved through concerted efforts and cross-border collaboration.

We thus call on all AU Heads of State to seize this historic opportunity to have one regulatory affairs oversight across the Continent to enhance national, regional and continental regulation of medical products and oversee rapid and effective market authorization of safe, quality, effective and accessible medical products, for the good of all African people.
Download the statement

CEPI announces first funding awards in quest to develop ‘variant-proof’ COVID-19 vaccines

CEPI announces first funding awards in quest to develop ‘variant-proof’ COVID-19 vaccines
OSLO, Norway, 4 November 2021: CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, today announced the first funding awards under its $200m programme to advance the development of vaccines that provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants and other betacoronaviruses [1]. CEPI will support researchers at two institutions, MigVax Ltd, Israel, and the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), Canada, as they seek to establish preclinical proof of concept for novel vaccines suitable for use in low-and middle-income countries that are broadly protective against COVID-19 variants.

 

Under the first awards made in response to a Call for Proposals issued in March 2021:
– CEPI will provide funding of US$4.3m to MigVax Ltd to support the initial development of a new orally administered subunit vaccine tablet.
-CEPI will provide funding of US$5m to the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization to support the initial development of a new vaccine based on VIDO’s novel protein subunit technology.

Both projects aim to establish preclinical proof of concept for ‘variant-proof’ vaccines that protect against new COVID-19 variants of concern. The vaccine platforms may also be applicable for developing vaccines which are protective against a broad range of betacoronaviruses, as well as other pathogens in the CEPI portfolio, including ‘Disease X’ – unknown pathogens with pandemic potential that have yet to emerge. CEPI’s investments in MigVax Ltd and USask’s VIDO will fund antigen and candidate selection, vaccine formulation, manufacturing process development, and preclinical testing against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

CEPI is committed to the principle of equitable access to the vaccines it funds. Under the terms of the funding agreements, MigVax Ltd and USask’s VIDO have committed to achieving equitable access to the outputs of these projects, in line with CEPI’s Equitable Access Policy.

[Excerpt]
CEPI’s Policy Regarding Equitable Access
CEPI is committed to achieving equitable access to the outputs of all CEPI-supported programmes
including vaccines, platforms, data, results, and materials.
Equitable access to epidemic vaccines in the context of an outbreak means that appropriate vaccines are first available to populations when and where they are needed to end an outbreak or curtail an epidemic, regardless of ability to pay.
CEPI will facilitate equitable access to epidemic vaccines by:
1. Funding the development of vaccines and maintaining investigational stockpiles, to be used
free of charge when an outbreak occurs
2. Coordinating with others in the global health community to enable licensure of vaccines
funded by CEPI, including by securing resources for pivotal clinical trials
3. Collaborating with others in the global health community to ensure the procurement,
allocation, deployment and administration of licensed vaccines to protect global health, at a
price that does not limit equitable access and is sustainable to the manufacturer
CEPI will also ensure open access to data, results and publications arising from its funding and
facilitate access to materials to accelerate vaccine development.
The commitment to equitable access guides all CEPI investments and funding agreements

G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration

G20 – Rome
30-31 October 2021
https://www.g20.org/

 

G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration
31 October 2021 :: 20 pages
PDF: https://www.g20.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/G20-ROME-LEADERS-DECLARATION.pdf
[Excerpt on COVID Vaccines; Editor’s text bolding, paragraph formatting for readability]

 

4. Health.
Recognizing that vaccines are among the most important tools against the pandemic, and reaffirming that extensive COVID-19 immunization is a global public good, we will advance our efforts to ensure timely, equitable and universal access to safe, affordable, quality and effective vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, with particular regard to the needs of low- and middle-income countries.

To help advance toward the global goals of vaccinating at least 40 percent of the population in all countries by the end of 2021 and 70 percent by mid-2022, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s global vaccination strategy, we will take steps to help boost the supply of vaccines and essential medical products and inputs in developing countries and remove relevant supply and financing constraints. We ask our Health Ministers to monitor progress toward this end and to explore ways to accelerate global vaccination as necessary.

5. We will reinforce global strategies to support research and development as well as to ensure their production and swift and equitable distribution worldwide, also by strengthening supply chains and by expanding and diversifying global vaccine manufacturing capacity at local and regional level, while promoting vaccine acceptance, confidence and fighting disinformation.

To this end, we commit to refrain from WTO inconsistent export restrictions and to increase transparency and predictability in the delivery of vaccines. We reiterate our support to all pillars of the ACT-Accelerator, including COVAX, and will continue to improve its effectiveness. We support the extension of ACT-A’s mandate throughout 2022 and acknowledge the formation of the Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19. We welcome the work undertaken by the COVAX ACT-A Facilitation Council Vaccine Manufacturing Working Group and its report aimed at creating a broader base for vaccine manufacturing.

In particular, we will support increasing vaccine distribution, administration and local manufacturing capacity in LMICs, including through technology transfer hubs in various regions, such as the newly established mRNA Hubs in South Africa, Brazil and Argentina, and through joint production and processing arrangements.

We will work together towards the recognition of COVID-19 vaccines deemed safe and efficacious by the WHO and in accordance with national legislation and circumstances, and to strengthen the organization’s ability regarding approval of vaccines, including optimizing procedures and processes, with the aim of broadening the list of vaccines authorized for emergency use (EUL), while continuing to protect public health and ensuring privacy and data protection.

As a collective G20 effort, and in light of the enduring vaccination gaps, we commit to substantially increase the provision of and access to vaccines, as well as to therapeutics and diagnostics. We will enhance our efforts to ensure the transparent, rapid and predictable delivery and uptake of vaccines where they are needed.

We call on the private sector and on multilateral financial institutions to contribute to this endeavor. We acknowledge the work of the World Bank Group in this respect and of the IMF and the WHO through the vaccine supply forecast dashboard…

Coronavirus [COVID-19] – WHOPublic Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

::::::

 

Coronavirus [COVID-19] – WHO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

 

Weekly Epidemiological and Operational updates
Last update: 05 Nov 2021
Confirmed cases :: 248 467 363 [245 373 039 week ago]
Confirmed deaths :: 5 027 183 [4 979 421 week ago]
Vaccine doses administered: 7 027 377 238 [6 838 727 352 week ago]

 

::::::

WHO issues emergency use listing for eighth COVID-19 vaccine
3 November 2021 News release
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an emergency use listing (EUL) for COVAXIN® (developed by Bharat Biotech), adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.

WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX vaccine supply. It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.

“This emergency use listing expands the availability of vaccines, the most effective medical tools we have to end the pandemic,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. ‘But we must keep up the pressure to meet the needs of all populations, giving priority to the at-risk groups who are still waiting for their first dose, before we can start declaring victory.”

COVAXIN® was assessed under the WHO EUL procedure based on the review of data on quality, safety, efficacy, a risk management plan and programmatic suitability. The Technical Advisory Group (TAG), convened by WHO and made up of regulatory experts from around the world, has determined that the vaccine meets WHO standards for protection against COVID-19, that the benefit of the vaccine far outweighs risks and the vaccine can be used globally.

The vaccine is formulated from an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen and is presented in single dose vials and multidose vials of 5, 10 and 20 doses.

COVAXIN® was also reviewed on 5 October by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), which formulates vaccine specific policies and recommendations for vaccines’ use in populations (i.e. recommended age groups, intervals between doses, specific groups such as pregnant and lactating women).

The SAGE recommended use of the vaccine in two doses, with a dose interval of four weeks, in all age groups 18 and above. COVAXIN® was found to have 78% efficacy against COVID-19 of any severity, 14 or more days after the second dose, and is extremely suitable for low- and middle-income countries due to easy storage requirements.

Available data from clinical trials on vaccination of pregnant women are insufficient to assess vaccine safety or efficacy in pregnancy; however, initial studies were reassuring. The vaccine has been given to over 120 000 pregnant women in India, with no short-term adverse effects noted.  Further studies in pregnant women are planned…

 

::::::

Medical Product Alert N°7/2021: Falsified COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
4 November 2021 Medical product alert
This WHO Medical Product Alert refers to falsified COVID-19 VACCINE AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]) identified in the Islamic Republic of Iran and reported to WHO in October 2021. The genuine manufacturer of COVID-19 VACCINE AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]) has indicated that the product is falsified. The falsified product was reported at the patient level outside authorized and regulated supply chains and authorized immunization programmes in the Islamic Republic of Iran…

 

Medical Product Alert N°6/2021: Falsified Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
4 November 2021 Medical product alert
This WHO Medical Product Alert refers to one lot of falsified Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine identified in the Islamic Republic of Iran and reported to WHO in October 2021. The genuine manufacturer of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has confirmed that the product listed in this Alert is falsified. The falsified product was reported at the patient level outside authorized and regulated supply chains and authorized vaccination programmes in the Islamic Republic of Iran…

Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 2 November 2021

Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 2 November 2021
WHO
Overview
During the week 25 to 31 October 2021, a slight upward trend in new weekly cases was observed, with just over 3 million new cases reported. Apart from the European Region, which reported a 6% increase in new weekly cases as compared to the previous week, other regions reported declines or stable trends. New weekly deaths increased by 8% as compared with the previous week, with over 50 000 new fatalities. Cumulatively, over 246 million confirmed cases and nearly 5 million deaths have been reported.
In this edition, we provide updates on the geographic distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOCs), and summarise their phenotypic characteristics (transmissibility, disease severity, risk of reinfection, and impacts on diagnostics and vaccine performance) based on published studies.

WHO Director General Speeches [selected]

WHO Director General Speeches [selected]
https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches
Selected
4 November 2021
Speech
WHO Director-General’s  remarks at the opening session of the VIII Global Baku Forum entitled “The World After COVID-19” – 4 November 2021

4 November 2021
Speech
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 4 November 2021
More than 5 million deaths have now been reported, and we know the real number is higher. Last week, 56 countries, from all regions, reported an increase in deaths from COVID-19 of more than 10%.
Yesterday we added another new tool, with the Emergency Use Listing of Covaxin, the 8th vaccine to receive WHO validation for safety, efficacy and quality.
We continue to call on manufacturers of vaccines that already have WHO Emergency Use Listing to prioritize COVAX, not shareholder profit. No more vaccines should go to countries that have already vaccinated more than 40% of their population, until COVAX has the vaccines it needs to help other countries get there too. 
The world was not prepared for COVID-19 – and we knew we weren’t prepared. In 2018, WHO and the World Bank formed the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board – the GPMB – an independent panel of experts to identify gaps in the world’s defences, and make recommendations on how to close them.
The GPMB published its third report last week. Instead of making more recommendations, the GPMB is calling the world to act on the recommendations it has already made, which are more relevant now than before the pandemic, but on which there remains little action.

 

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

Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process 20 October 2021
For 23 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
[Full scale view available at title ling above]

 

::::::

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]

 

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
Moderna Provides Update on Timing of U.S. Emergency Use Authorization of its COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 31, 2021– Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA), a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, today provided an update that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified the Company that it will require additional time to complete its assessment of Moderna’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) request for the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) at the 100 µg dose level in adolescents 12 to 17 years of age.
On Friday evening, the FDA informed Moderna that the agency requires additional time to evaluate recent international analyses of the risk of myocarditis after vaccination. The FDA notified Moderna that this review may not be completed before January 2022. The safety of vaccine recipients is of paramount importance to Moderna. The Company is fully committed to working closely with the FDA to support their review and is grateful to the FDA for their diligence…

 

Novavax
Press Releases
Novavax Files COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use Listing with World Health Organization Nov 4, 2021
All modules required for regulatory review of Novavax vaccine, including CMC data, are now complete for WHO

Novavax Files COVID-19 Vaccine for Provisional Approval in New Zealand Nov 3, 2021

Novavax and Serum Institute of India Receive Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccine in Indonesia Nov 3, 2021

Novavax Files for COVID-19 Vaccine Authorization with Health Canada and Completes Submission for Rolling Review to European Medicines Agency Nov 3, 2021

 

Pfizer
Recent Press Releases
11.05.2021
Pfizer’s Novel COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment Candidate Reduced Risk of Hospitalization or Death by 89% in Interim Analysis of Phase 2/3 EPIC-HR Study
:: PAXLOVID™ (PF-07321332; ritonavir) was found to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% compared to placebo in non-hospitalized high-risk adults with COVID-19
:: In the overall study population through Day 28, no deaths were reported in patients who received PAXLOVID™ as compared to 10 deaths in patients who received placebo
:: Pfizer plans to submit the data as part of its ongoing rolling submission to the U.S. FDA for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as soon as possible

 

Sanofi Pasteur
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

Serum Institute of India
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Novavax and Serum Institute of India Receive Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccine in Indonesia Monday, November 01, 2021

 

Sinopharm/WIBPBIBP
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Sinovac
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

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

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

 

::::::

GSK
Press releases for media – No new digest announcements identified

 

Merck
News releases
Merck and Ridgeback’s Molnupiravir, an Oral COVID-19 Antiviral Medicine, Receives First Authorization in the World
October 29, 2021
:: U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Authorizes Molnupiravir for the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 in Adults With a Positive SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic Test and Who Have at Least One Risk Factor for Developing Severe Illness
:: Applications Remain Under Review by Other Regulatory Authorities, Including U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency

 

Novartis
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

SK Biosciences
Press releases – No new digest announcements identified

The Race for Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity

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

Global Dashboard on COVID-19 Vaccine Equity

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 06 Nov 2021]: https://data.undp.org/vaccine-equity/
See also visualization on Vaccine Access and Vaccine Affordability

COVID Vaccines – OCHA:: HDX

COVID Vaccines – OCHA:: HDX

COVID-19 Data Explorer: Global Humanitarian Operations
COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out
06 Nov 2021 | COVAX (WHO,GAVI,CEPI), UNDESA, Press Reports | DATA
Global COVID-19 Figures: 248M total confirmed cases; 5.0M total confirmed deaths
Global vaccines administered: 7.23B
Number of Countries: 30 [29 week ago]
COVAX Allocations Round 4-6 (Number of Doses): 120M [120M week ago]
COVAX Delivered (Number of Doses): 130M [120M week ago]
Other Delivered (Number of Doses): 230M [210M week ago]
Total Delivered (Number of Doses): 360M [330M week ago]
Total Administered (Number of Doses): 300M [270M week ago]

Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19 [IMF, World Bank Group, WHO, WTO]

Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19 [IMF, World Bank Group, WHO, WTO]
A joint initiative from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics by leveraging multilateral finance and trade solutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Website accessed 06 Nov 2021: https://data.covid19taskforce.com/data The global view below is complemented by country-specific dashboards here.

CDC-ACIP

CDC-ACIP
ACIP Meetings
:: November 2-3, 2021
Agenda
Presentations

 

FDA
Press Announcements
November 5, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: November 5, 2021
:: Today, Friday, November 5, 2021, the FDA authorized the use, under the EUA for the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, of two additional batches of vaccine drug substance manufactured at the Emergent facility…
:: On Monday, November 1, 2021, Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. and the Director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., discussed the FDA’s EUA of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age. Health care professionals, patient advocacy groups, trade associations, consumer organizations, national immunization organizations and state and local public health organizations were invited to the call. To watch the video, visit the FDA’s YouTube channelExternal Link Disclaimer.

November 2, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: November 2, 2021

 

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee– FDA
https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/blood-vaccines-and-other-biologics/vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee
No meetings on calendar

White House [U.S.]

White House [U.S.]
Briefing Room – Selected Major COVID Announcements
Statement by President Joe Biden on Vaccination Requirements
November 04, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Background Press Call on OSHA and CMS Rules for Vaccination in the Workplace
November 04, 2021 • Press Briefings

Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Announces Details of Two Major Vaccination Policies
November 04, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Remarks by President Biden on the Authorization of the COVID-⁠19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5 to 11
November 03, 2021 • Speeches and Remarks

Press Briefing by White House COVID-⁠19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
November 03, 2021 • Press Briefings

Statement of President Joe Biden on Vaccinations for Children Age Five to 11
November 02, 2021 • Statements and Releases

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

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

 

 

European Medicines Agency
News & Press Releases
News: EMA ends rolling review of the antibodies bamlanivimab and etesevimab for COVID-19 following withdrawal by Lilly (new)
CHMP, Last updated: 02/11/2021

 

 

::::::

 

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en
Latest Updates
No new digest content identified.

 

 

::::::

Accessed 06 Nov 2021
https://vaccinetracker.ecdc.europa.eu/public/extensions/COVID-19/vaccine-tracker.html#uptake-tab

 

 

::::::

 

European Commission
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en

Press release 3 November 2021
South Sudan: EU provides €2 million in emergency humanitarian funding for victims of floods
The European Commission has allocated emergency humanitarian funding of €2 million for those affected by recent unprecedented floods in South Sudan.

Statement 2 November 2021
Launch by United States, the European Union, and Partners of the Global Methane Pledge to Keep 1.5C Within Reach

Press release 2 November 2021
COP26: European Commission announces €1 billion pledge to protect world forests
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced today €1 billion at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow as the European Union contribution to the Global Forests pledge.

Press release 2 November 2021
Commission, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and European Investment Bank advance partnership in climate technologies
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Bill Gates, the Founder of Breakthrough Energy, together with European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer, have officially entered into a pioneering partnership that will boost investments in critical climate technologies.

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

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

 

 

Russia: Sputnik V – “the first registered COVID-19 vaccine”
https://sputnikvaccine.com/newsroom/pressreleases/
Press Releases
A study published in The Lancet confirms the one-shot Sputnik Light vaccine has a high safety profile and induces a strong humoral and cellular immune response both in the seronegative and seropositive groups
Press release, 03.11.2021
The article in The Lancet is available at:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(21)00227-1/fulltext

A study in the city of Buenos Aires confirms high efficacy of the Sputnik V in protecting individuals aged 60+
Press release, 01.11.2021

Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines authorized in Cambodia
Press release, 31.10.2021

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

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
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 107.92 Cr
Recovery Rate at 98.23% is highest since March 2020
10,929New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India’s Active Caseload(1,46,950) is lowest in 255 days
Weekly Positivity Rate (1.27%) less than 2% for last 43 days

Posted On: 06 NOV 2021 9:48AM by PIB Delhi

 

 

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

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

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

Over 2.3 bln COVID-19 vaccine doses administered on Chinese mainland
2021-11-05
More than 2.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered on the Chinese mainland as of Thursday, data from the National Health Commission showed on Nov 5.

Booster shots recommended
2021-11-04
China’s leading pulmonologists affirmed the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots and warned that elderly people should pay more attention to disease prevention, as many of them have not yet been vaccinated

China provides 1.6 billion vaccine doses for int’l community: Xi
2021-11-02
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday said China has provided over 1.6 billion doses of vaccines for more than 100 countries and international organizations to date.

Xi calls for enhancing vaccine accessibility, affordability in developing countries
2021-11-02
China is ready to work with all parties to enhance vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries and make positive contribution to building a global line of defense through vaccination, President Xi Jinping said on Saturday.

Xi calls for advancing mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccines
2021-11-02
President Xi Jinping on Saturday called for equal treatment of different vaccines and advancing mutual recognition of vaccines in accordance with the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing.

POLIO Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
https://polioeradication.org/polio-today/polio-now/this-week/

Polio this week as of 03 November 2021
:: The newly launched PIM Identification tool is a digital version of the PIM Guidance – 2nd edition allowing facilities worldwide to efficiently assess if the samples stored or handled are considered potentially infectious materials for polioviruses. Facilities utilizing this tool are encouraged to report their findings to their National Poliovirus Containment Coordinator (NPCC), National Certification Committee for Poliomyelitis Eradication (NCC), National Task Force for containment (NTF) or responsible national authority, using the form: Web Annex C. For more information on the tool, please contact: containment@who.int
:: “I am excited that both vaccines are accessible as they would encourage many people who bring their children for the polio vaccine to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  As a parent, I would not like to have a child that is paralyzed,” Says Joan Ewah, during a polio vaccination campaign that was leveraged by integrating COVID-19 vaccination in Cross River State, Nigeria

 

Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
– Cameroon: one cVDPV2 case
– DR Congo: one cVDPV2 cases
– Niger: two cVDPV2 cases
– Nigeria: eight cVDPV2 cases and five positive environmental samples

 

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

WHO/OCHA Emergencies

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.”
Afghanistan crisis [Last apparent update: 5 Aug 2021]

Crisis in Northern Ethiopia [Last apparent update: 18 Oct 2021]

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]

Ebola outbreak outbreak, N’Zerekore, Guinea, 2021 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]

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

 

Ebola outbreak, Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2020
[Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]

Ebola outbreak, North Kivu, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 – 2020
[Last apparent update: 17 Aug 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: 1 Oct 2021]

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]

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

Ebola outbreak: West Africa, 2014-2016 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 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: 13 September 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]

 

::::::

UN OCHA – Current Emergencies
Current Corporate Emergencies
Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (25 – 31 October 2021)

 

Northern Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Northern Ethiopia Humanitarian Update Situation Report, 4 Nov 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
No humanitarian supplies have arrived into Tigray since 18 October.
Movement of humanitarian workers in and out of Tigray by road has been denied since 28 October, while movement within Amhara and Afar regions is restricted.
Lack of fuel significantly reduced life-saving operations in Northern Ethiopia, including water trucking, food distribution, nutrition, health and protection services.
Only nine of 46 WASH partners were able to operate during the reporting period in Tigray, and at reduced capacity.
Only 20,000 people received food assistance in Amhara during the reporting period due to access constraints.

 

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

WHO & Regional Offices [to 06 Nov 2021]

WHO & Regional Offices [to 06 Nov 2021]
https://www.who.int/
Selected News, Statements
5 November 2021
Note for Media
FAO/WHO Joint Media Advisory: Codex Alimentarius Commission

4 November 2021
Departmental news
Director-General’s Global Health Leaders Award for Annette Kennedy, President of the International Council of Nurses

4 November 2021
Medical product alert
Medical Product Alert N°7/2021: Falsified COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
[See COVID above for detail]

4 November 2021
Medical product alert
Medical Product Alert N°6/2021: Falsified Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
[See COVID above for detail]

3 November 2021
Departmental news
Innovative diagnostics are key to achieving the 2030 targets for neglected tropical diseases

3 November 2021
News release
WHO issues emergency use listing for eighth COVID-19 vaccine
[See COVID above for detail]

3 November 2021
Departmental news
Interim guidance for use of the Bharat BBV152 Covaxin vaccine published

3 November 2021
Departmental news
WHO issues a new compendium of data and evidence-related tools for use in TB planning and programming

2 November 2021
Departmental news
Urgent need for vaccine to prevent deadly Group B streptococcus

::::::

Weekly Epidemiological Record, Vol. 96, No. 44, pp. 537–548 5 November 2021
:: El Salvador and China certified as malaria-free by WHO
:: Routine vaccination coverage – worldwide, 2020

::::::

 

WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
:: WHO emergency teams learning and supporting in Malawi 03 November 2021

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
:: Europe and central Asia again at the epicentre of the pandemic 04-11-2021
:: No polio detected in Tajikistan since third round of supplemental immunization 01-11-2021

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
No new digest content identified

WHO Western Pacific Region
:: East Asia and Pacific countries commit to ending violence against children during COVID-19 and beyond 5 November 2021

::::::

New WHO Publications [Selected]
https://www.who.int/publications/i
Selected Titles
4 November 2021
Key planning recommendations for mass gatherings in the context of COVID-19
Overview
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to host governments, health authorities and national or international event organizers on taking decisions related to holding mass gatherings in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on decreasing the risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and strain on health systems associated with such events, through dedicated precautionary measures.
The information contained in this document includes considerations for the practical planning and management of mass gatherings, as well as technical recommendations derived from WHO guidance on specific aspects; these have been consolidated and tailored to facilitate their application to the context of mass gatherings.
This is the fourth version (third update) of this interim document. First published on 14 February 2020 as Key planning recommendations for mass gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak , it has been updated on 19 March 2020 and on 29 May 2020 prior to this version. The current version of all WHO information products and publications is authoritative.

3 November 2021
Interim recommendations for use of the Bharat Biotech BBV152 COVAXIN® vaccine against COVID-19

3 November 2021
Annexes to the interim recommendations for use of the Bharat Biotech BBV152 COVAXIN® vaccine against…

3 November 2021
Compendium of data and evidence-related tools for use in TB planning and programming

3 November 2021
Background document on the Bharat Biotech BBV152 COVAXIN® (COVID-19) vaccine

3 November 2021
World Health Organization strategy for engaging religious leaders, faith-based organizations and faith communities in health emergencies

2 November 2021
Full Value of Vaccine Assessment: Group B Streptococcus Vaccine Executive Summary

2 November 2021
Group B Streptococcus Vaccine: full value vaccine assessment

2 November 2021
Full Value of Vaccine Assessment: Group B Streptococcus Vaccine – Policy and Implementation Issues

2 November 2021
Group B Streptococcus vaccine: full value of vaccine assessment. Financial analysis

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 06 Nov 2021]

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 06 Nov 2021]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases, Announcements [Selected]
Importance of One Health for COVID-19 and Future Pandemics
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Today marks the sixth annual One Health Day, a global campaign that highlights the need for a One Health approach to address shared health threats by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, and our environment. This approach is more important than ever as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is a zoonotic virus, which means it can spread between people and animals. As more animals are reported infected with the COVID-19 virus, it becomes increasingly clear that a One Health approach is crucial to address new disease threats that affect both people and animals…

CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
[See U.S. above for detail]

ACIP Meetings
:: November 2-3, 2021
Agenda
Presentations

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, November 5, 2021
Selected Content
:: Progress Toward Global Eradication of Dracunculiasis, January 2020–June 2021
:: National Surveillance for Acute Flaccid Myelitis — United States, 2018–2020
:: Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Among Adults Hospitalized with COVID-19-Like Illness with Infection-Induced or mRNA Vaccine-Induced SARS-CoV-2 Immunity — Nine States, January–September 2021
:: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Interim Recommendations for Additional Primary and Booster Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines — United States, 2021
:: Effectiveness of 2-Dose Vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Against COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations Among Immunocompromised Adults — Nine States, January–September 2021

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC
Approximately 25 announcements/reports/data summaries.
11/5/21
EARLY RELEASE: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Interim Recommendation for Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in Children Aged 5–11 Years — United States, November 2021

11/5/21
Overall US COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Fri, 05 Nov 2021 06:00:00 EST