Yearly Archives: 2021

The CORBEL matrix on informed consent in clinical studies: a multidisciplinary approach of Research Infrastructures Building Enduring Life-science Services

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BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 17 Jul 2021)

 

The CORBEL matrix on informed consent in clinical studies: a multidisciplinary approach of Research Infrastructures Building Enduring Life-science Services
Informed consent forms for clinical research are several and variable at international, national and local levels. According to the literature, they are often unclear and poorly understood by participants. Wit…
Authors: Cinzia Colombo, Michaela Th. Mayrhofer, Christine Kubiak, Serena Battaglia, Mihaela Matei, Marialuisa Lavitrano, Sara Casati, Victoria Chico, Irene Schluender, Tamara Carapina and Paola Mosconi
Citation: BMC Medical Ethics 2021 22:95
Content type: Research article
Published on: 17 July 2021

Consent to research participation: understanding and motivation among German pupils

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BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 17 Jul 2021)

 

Consent to research participation: understanding and motivation among German pupils
The EU’s 2006 Paediatric Regulation aims to support authorisation of medicine for children, thus effectively increasing paediatric research. It is ethically imperative to simultaneously establish procedures th…
Authors: Jana Reetz, Gesine Richter, Christoph Borzikowsky, Christine Glinicke, Stephanie Darabaneanu and Alena Buyx
Citation: BMC Medical Ethics 2021 22:93
Content type: Research article
Published on: 16 July 2021

Consent to research participation: understanding and motivation among German pupils

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BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 17 Jul 2021)

 

Consent to research participation: understanding and motivation among German pupils
The EU’s 2006 Paediatric Regulation aims to support authorisation of medicine for children, thus effectively increasing paediatric research. It is ethically imperative to simultaneously establish procedures th…
Authors: Jana Reetz, Gesine Richter, Christoph Borzikowsky, Christine Glinicke, Stephanie Darabaneanu and Alena Buyx
Citation: BMC Medical Ethics 2021 22:93
Content type: Research article
Published on: 16 July 2021

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy and influencing factors in Korea: A multicenter questionnaire study of pregnant women and obstetrics and gynecology doctors

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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpregnancychildbirth/content
(Accessed 17 Jul 2021)

 

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy and influencing factors in Korea: A multicenter questionnaire study of pregnant women and obstetrics and gynecology doctors
Although the World Health Organization and health authorities in most countries recommend that pregnant women receive inactivated influenza virus vaccines, coverage remains low. This study aimed to investigate…
Authors: Byung Soo Kang, San Ha Lee, Woo Jeng Kim, Jeong Ha Wie, In Yang Park and Hyun Sun Ko
Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2021 21:511
Content type: Research article
Published on: 16 July 2021

Participants communicating online • Community perspectives in Malawi Enrolling Children in Clinical Trials for Genetic Neurodevelopmental Conditions: Ethics, Parental Decisions, and Children’s Identities

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Ethics & Human Research
Volume 43, Issue 4 Pages: 1-44 July–August 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/25782363/current

 

Participants communicating online • Community perspectives in Malawi
Enrolling Children in Clinical Trials for Genetic Neurodevelopmental Conditions: Ethics, Parental Decisions, and Children’s Identities
Erin Turbitt, Ainsley J. Newson, Barbara B. Biesecker, Benjamin S. Wilfond
Pages: 27-36
First Published: 01 July 2021
Abstract
Knowledge of genetic mechanisms contributing to neurodevelopmental conditions is advancing. This is informing development of new drugs to treat or ameliorate these conditions, through targeting underlying genetic pathways. Drugs are tested in clinical trials, necessitating parents to engage with decisions about whether to enroll their child. In this article, we consider important ethical issues to anticipate as clinical research opportunities in genetic neurodevelopmental conditions arise. For example, genetic pathways targeted by the drugs may interact with valued character and personality traits. It is essential that recruitment and consent processes are optimized for families who will grapple with whether these novel drug treatments interact with their child’s personality and authentic identity. We call for focused social science research and further normative analysis so that parents are better supported to make informed choices. Additionally, clinical research regulators should have a sound understanding of the contextual experiences regarding how this population of parents engages with decisions.

Supplement: E-Mental-Health: Exploring the Evidence Base and Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Internet-Based Interventions for the Prevention of Mental Health Conditions

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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

Using maternal and neonatal data collection systems for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines active safety surveillance in low- and middle-income countries: an international modified Delphi study

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Gates Open Research
https://gatesopenresearch.org/browse/articles
[Accessed 17 Jul 2021]

 

Research Article metrics AWAITING PEER REVIEW
Using maternal and neonatal data collection systems for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines active safety surveillance in low- and middle-income countries: an international modified Delphi study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
Veronica Pingray, María Belizán, Sarah Matthews, Sabra Zaraa, Mabel Berrueta, Lisa M. Noguchi, Xu Xiong, Alejandra Gurtman, Judith Absalon, Jennifer C. Nelson, Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, Esperanca Sevene, Flor M. Munoz, Fernando Althabe, Kissa W. Mwamwitwa, Federico Rodriguez Cairoli, Steven A. Anderson, Elizabeth M. McClure, Christine Guillard, Annettee Nakimuli, Andy Stergachis, Pierre Buekens
Peer Reviewers Invited
Funder – Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
PUBLISHED 12 Jul 2021

An international policy on returning genomic research results

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Genome Medicine
https://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles
[Accessed 17 Jul 2021]

 

An international policy on returning genomic research results
Authors: Anna C. F. Lewis, Bartha Maria Knoppers and Robert C. Green
Citation: Genome Medicine 2021 13:115
Content type: Comment
Published on: 15 July 2021
Abstract
The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health has approved a policy for the return of clinically actionable genomic research results, the first such policy approved by an international body. The policy acknowledges the potential medical benefits to millions of individuals who are participating in genomics research. It ties the pace of implementation to each country’s clinical standards, including for the return of secondary findings, and urges funders to set aside resources to support responsible return.

Israel: Family Court Authorizes Vaccination of Minors Without Father’s Consent

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Global Legal Monitor – Library of Congress/USA
https://www.loc.gov/collections/global-legal-monitor/
[Accessed 17 Jul 2021]

 

Article
Israel: Family Court Authorizes Vaccination of Minors Without Father’s Consent
In a decision rendered on July 1, 2021, the Haifa Family Court president, Judge Shelly Eisenberg, authorized a mother to vaccinate her two 15-year-old minors against the coronavirus despite their father’s objection.According to the mother, the Ministry of Health had encouraged vaccination of minors ages 12–15 in view of the rise in infections in this … Continue reading “Israel: Family Court Authorizes Vaccination of…
Contributor: Levush, Ruth
Date: 2021-07-13

July 2021 | Borders, Immigrants & Health

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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.

Localisation and local humanitarian action

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

 

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

Associations of Vaccination and of Prior Infection With Positive PCR Test Results for SARS-CoV-2 in Airline Passengers Arriving in Qatar

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JAMA
July 6, 2021, Vol 326, No. 1, Pages 11-96
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Research Letter
Associations of Vaccination and of Prior Infection With Positive PCR Test Results for SARS-CoV-2 in Airline Passengers Arriving in Qatar
Roberto Bertollini, MD, MPH; Hiam Chemaitelly, MSc; Hadi M. Yassine, PhD; et al.
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2021;326(2):185-188. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.9970
This study explores the association of vaccination against COVID-19 or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection with PCR test positivity in airline passengers arriving in Qatar, February-April 2021.

COVID-19 Vaccination of Minors Without Parental ConsentRespecting Emerging Autonomy and Advancing Public Health

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JAMA Pediatrics
July 2021, Vol 175, No. 7, Pages 663-756
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/currentissue

 

July 12, 2021
Viewpoint online First
COVID-19 Vaccination of Minors Without Parental ConsentRespecting Emerging Autonomy and Advancing Public Health
Larissa Morgan, JD, MBE; Jason L. Schwartz, PhD; Dominic A. Sisti, PhD
free access
JAMA Pediatr. Published online July 12, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.1855
This Viewpoint discusses allowing minors to consent and receive the COVID-19 vaccine without parental authorization.

Association of Rotavirus Vaccines With Reduction in Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children Younger Than 5 YearsA Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials and Observational Studies

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JAMA Pediatrics
July 2021, Vol 175, No. 7, Pages 663-756
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/currentissue

 

Original Investigation
Association of Rotavirus Vaccines With Reduction in Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children Younger Than 5 YearsA Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials and Observational Studies
Zi-Wei Sun, MSc; Yu Fu, BS; Hai-Ling Lu, MD; et al.
online only
JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175(7):e210347. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.0347
This meta-analysis synthesizes randomized clinical trials and observational studies to evaluate the comparative benefit, risk, and immunogenicity of different rotavirus vaccines.

Overview of the Issue

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

 

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

Influenza Vaccine Failure Associated With Age and Immunosuppression

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 224, Issue 2, 15 July 2021
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/224/2

 

VIRUSES
Influenza Vaccine Failure Associated With Age and Immunosuppression
Joanna Kimball, Yuwei Zhu, Dayna Wyatt, Christopher H Trabue, H Keipp Talbot
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 224, Issue 2, 15 July 2021, Pages 288–293, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa757
Vaccine failure continues to be a challenge in our efforts to prevent influenza illnesses and hospitalizations. When evaluating influenza-vaccinated patients hospitalized with an influenza-like illness, older and immunosuppressed patients were found to be at increased risk for hospitalization with influenza.

Development of a structured process for fair allocation of critical care resources in the setting of insufficient capacity: a discussion paper

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Journal of Medical Ethics
July 2021 – Volume 47 – 7
http://jme.bmj.com/content/current

 

Development of a structured process for fair allocation of critical care resources in the setting of insufficient capacity: a discussion paper (20 November, 2020) Free
Tim Cook, Kim Gupta, Chris Dyer, Robin Fackrell, Sarah Wexler, Heather Boyes, Ben Colleypriest, Richard Graham, Helen Meehan, Sarah Merritt, Derek Robinson, Bernie Marden

Public involvement in the governance of population-level biomedical research: unresolved questions and future directions (6 October, 2020)

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Journal of Medical Ethics
July 2021 – Volume 47 – 7
http://jme.bmj.com/content/current

 

Brief reports
Public involvement in the governance of population-level biomedical research: unresolved questions and future directions (6 October, 2020)
Sonja Erikainen, Phoebe Friesen, Leah Rand, Karin Jongsma, Michael Dunn, Annie Sorbie, Matthew McCoy, Jessica Bell, Michael Burgess, Haidan Chen, Vicky Chico, Sarah Cunningham-Burley, Julie Darbyshire, Rebecca Dawson, Andrew Evans, Nick Fahy, Teresa Finlay, Lucy Frith, Aaron Goldenberg, Lisa Hinton, Nils Hoppe, Nigel Hughes, Barbara Koenig, Sapfo Lignou, Michelle McGowan, Michael Parker, Barbara Prainsack, Mahsa Shabani, Ciara Staunton, Rachel Thompson, Kinga Varnai, Effy Vayena, Oli Williams, Max Williamson, Sarah Chan, Mark Sheehan

Mitigating Ethical Risks in Public-Private Partnerships in Public Health

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Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
July/August 2021 – Volume 27 – Issue 4
https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/pages/currenttoc.aspx

 

Research Reports
Mitigating Ethical Risks in Public-Private Partnerships in Public Health
Yassanye, Diana M.; Anason, Andrea P.; Barrett, Drue H.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 27(4):E177-E182, July/August 2021.
Partnerships between the public and private sectors are necessary in public health and health care. Each partner provides skills, resources, and capabilities. When the public sector, including government, enters into a partnership with a nongovernmental or corporate entity, it is important to determine in advance whether there are real or perceived ethical, financial, or programmatic risks to the organization that might need mitigation.

COVID-19 in Africa: a lesson in solidarity

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The Lancet
Jul 17, 2021 Volume 398 Number 10296 p185-276, e7
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Editorial
COVID-19 in Africa: a lesson in solidarity
The Lancet
Many countries in Africa face a serious third wave of COVID-19 that is both larger and more burdensome on health systems than previous waves. This predictable turn of events has been driven by a morally reprehensible lack of vaccine equity (<1% of the population are fully vaccinated), leaving the continent vulnerable to new and more transmissible variants of the virus, behavioural and economic pandemic fatigue, and complacency. A lack of diagnostic capacity in some countries means the epidemiology of this current wave is uncertain, but South Africa, Namibia, and Zambia are reporting the highest numbers of new cases. The Delta variant has been detected in more than 14 countries across the region and pathogen genomic monitoring in South Africa shows that it is quickly becoming the dominant variant there. Unless vaccines are rolled out quickly there will be subsequent waves of infection. But in the face of adversity, the African health community continues to work collaboratively, balancing short-term needs and long-term health security plans, and creating grounds for hope. Collaboration and solidarity are prerequisites for success in a pandemic. Unfortunately, beyond scientific discovery, they have rarely been displayed globally. A new report from Chatham House explores the concept of solidarity in response to COVID-19. It highlights that international, regional, and within-country solidarity has been poor, but commends the alliance between the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the African Union, and the WHO Regional Office for Africa in galvanising cooperation in the region. Together, this alliance has launched initiatives ranging from the Africa Medical Supplies Platform, which pools orders for medical supplies, to the Africa Vaccine Delivery Alliance, which aims to organise vaccine roll-out plans. Rarely for COVID-19 response leadership, women occupy key positions in these organisations. This progressive unity has been driven by local scientists and the health community and should be fully engaged with and amplified by all politicians of African Union member states.

One of the most promising results of this partnership is the acquisition of 400 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine before the end of 2022. African Union member states can purchase the vaccine through a pooled procurement mechanism. When these vaccines will arrive is uncertain, and supply chains might slow delivery. But in theory, the deal should give countries a predictable supply of vaccine.

Implementation of vaccination programmes, though, is a challenge. 60% of countries with an extreme shortage of health-care workers are found in Africa. The continent has a population of 74 million people older than 60 years (of a total population of 1·3 billion), and many people who might be considered at high risk from COVID-19 because of comorbidities might be unaware, so prioritising groups for vaccination will need to be done locally. Although the vaccine doses themselves are funded, it is unclear how getting vaccines into people’s arms will be financed. It is estimated that for every US$1 spent on a COVID-19 vaccine dose, $5 is needed for delivery. Even if the supply of Johnson & Johnson vaccine materialises in the coming months, vaccines are needed now. The need to vaccinate large proportions of the population while health systems strain under a third wave could have been avoided had international dissonance and vaccine nationalism not left African countries at the back of the vaccine queue. Nevertheless, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should cover 30% of the population, COVAX should supply enough doses to cover 30% more, and, with additional bilateral agreements, more than 60% vaccine coverage can be achieved. These achievements in negotiating and organising this arrangement beg the question, why were African health leaders not more involved in the construction of COVAX?

There is a serious need and desire for Africa to take control of its own health security, so that countries can shape their future health. There is an ambitious drive for each country to have its own public health institution, supported by a centralised Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and a plan for the continent to manufacture its own vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, with the public health workforce expanded to act as an epidemic response service.

The regional solidarity on display by many within the African health community has been impressive but can only go so far when international solidarity remains so derisory. A reckoning must be had over how the multilateral system approaches Africa, with a promise that no global health initiative, foundation, or organisation is governed without involvement from African health leaders at every decision-making level.

Efficacy and safety of an inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac): interim results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial in Turkey

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The Lancet
Jul 17, 2021 Volume 398 Number 10296 p185-276, e7
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Articles
Efficacy and safety of an inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac): interim results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial in Turkey
Mine Durusu Tanriover, et al. and the CoronaVac Study Group

Evaluating the potential economic and health impact of rotavirus vaccination in 63 middle-income countries not eligible for Gavi funding: a modelling study

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Lancet Global Health
Jul 2021 Volume 9 Number 7 e880-e1027
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/issue/current

 

Articles
Evaluating the potential economic and health impact of rotavirus vaccination in 63 middle-income countries not eligible for Gavi funding: a modelling study
Frédéric Debellut, et al

Impact and effectiveness of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on population incidence of vaccine and non-vaccine serotype invasive pneumococcal disease in Blantyre, Malawi, 2006–18: prospective observational time-series and case-control studies

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Lancet Global Health
Jul 2021 Volume 9 Number 7 e880-e1027
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/issue/current

 

Impact and effectiveness of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on population incidence of vaccine and non-vaccine serotype invasive pneumococcal disease in Blantyre, Malawi, 2006–18: prospective observational time-series and case-control studies
Naor Bar-Zeev, et al for the VacSurv Consortium

Vaccine side-effects and SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in users of the COVID Symptom Study app in the UK: a prospective observational study

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Lancet Infectious Diseases
Jul 2021 Volume 21 Number 7 p889-1050, e182-e207
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/issue/current

 

Articles
Vaccine side-effects and SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in users of the COVID Symptom Study app in the UK: a prospective observational study
Cristina Menni, et al.

Ebola as a case study for the patent landscape of medical countermeasures for emerging infectious diseases

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Nature Biotechnology
Volume 39 Issue 7, July 2021
https://www.nature.com/nbt/volumes/39/issues/7

 

Patents | 13 July 2021
Ebola as a case study for the patent landscape of medical countermeasures for emerging infectious diseases
A survey of patenting activity can facilitate coordination of R&D activities to fight emerging infectious diseases.
Nasir Mohajel, Arash Arashkia

Transforming global health through equity-driven funding

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 7, July 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/7

 

Comment | 24 June 2021
Transforming global health through equity-driven funding
Black people living in Africa must be involved in setting the priorities for global health research, policies and programs that affect their daily lives, in order to move away from a funding culture that fosters colonialism, racism and white supremacy.
Jacob O. Olusanya, Olufunmilayo I. Ubogu, Bolajoko O. Olusanya

Equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 7, July 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/7

 

Analysis | 18 May 2021
Equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States
An analysis of COVID-19 vaccine allocation frameworks in the United States across 64 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention jurisdictions reveals that, as of 31 March 2021, 37 jurisdictions had adopted disadvantage indices to reduce health disparities. The analysis also highlights the importance of vaccine prioritization based on health and place.
Harald Schmidt, Rebecca Weintraub, Angela A. Shen

Testing at scale during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Nature Reviews Genetics
Volume 22 Issue 7, July 2021
https://www.nature.com/nrg/volumes/22/issues/7

 

Review Article | 04 May 2021
Testing at scale during the COVID-19 pandemic
Population-scale testing is an essential component of responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and is likely to become increasingly important in public health. Here, Mercer and Salit describe the roles of testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in genomic surveillance, contact tracing and environmental testing.
Tim R. Mercer, Marc Salit

COVID-19 vaccine success enables a bolder vision for mRNA cancer vaccines, says BioNTech CEO

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Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume 20 Issue 7, July 2021
https://www.nature.com/nrd/volumes/20/issues/7

 

An Audience With
COVID-19 vaccine success enables a bolder vision for mRNA cancer vaccines, says BioNTech CEO
Uğur Şahin, an oncologist and mRNA pioneer, discusses his firm’s development plans for cancer vaccines, mRNA-encoded proteins and more.
Asher Mullard

Averting Future Vaccine Injustice

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New England Journal of Medicine
July 15, 2021 Vol. 385 No. 3
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

 

Perspective
Averting Future Vaccine Injustice S. Moon, A. Alonso Ruiz, and M. Vieira
Both rapid innovation and equitable access to vaccines are necessary to protect the world from viral pandemics. Today, however, we face gross inequities in global access to Covid-19 vaccines. As high-income countries, such as the United States and European countries, have secured a majority of the world’s vaccine supply (more than twice the volumes needed to cover their populations1), many low-income countries have barely begun the immunization process. It will take political courage to end such vaccine injustice now and political vision to negotiate the binding international rules needed to avert similar inequities in the future…

Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Adolescents

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New England Journal of Medicine
July 15, 2021 Vol. 385 No. 3
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

 

Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Adolescents R.W. Frenck, Jr., and Others
Conclusions
The BNT162b2 vaccine in 12-to-15-year-old recipients had a favorable safety profile, produced a greater immune response than in young adults, and was highly effective against Covid-19. (Funded by BioNTech and Pfizer; C4591001 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04368728. opens in new tab.)

The Myanmar military coup: Propelling the 2030 milestones for neglected tropical diseases further out of reach

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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://www.plosntds.org/
(Accessed 17 Jul 2021)

 

Viewpoints
The Myanmar military coup: Propelling the 2030 milestones for neglected tropical diseases further out of reach
Bethany Moos, Russell Roberts, Mo Aye
| published 15 Jul 2021 PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009532

Beyond the new normal: Assessing the feasibility of vaccine-based suppression of SARS-CoV-2

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 17 Jul 2021]

 

Beyond the new normal: Assessing the feasibility of vaccine-based suppression of SARS-CoV-2
Madison Stoddard, Sharanya Sarkar, Lin Yuan, Ryan P. Nolan, Douglas E. White, Laura F. White, Natasha S. Hochberg, Arijit Chakravarty
Research Article | published 16 Jul 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254734

The impact of vaccination to control COVID-19 burden in the United States: A simulation modeling approach

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 17 Jul 2021]

 

The impact of vaccination to control COVID-19 burden in the United States: A simulation modeling approach
Oguzhan Alagoz, Ajay K. Sethi, Brian W. Patterson, Matthew Churpek, Ghalib Alhanaee, Elizabeth Scaria, Nasia Safdar
Research Article | published 14 Jul 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254456

Beware explanations from AI in health care

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Science
16 July 2021 Vol 373, Issue 6552
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

 

Policy Forum
Beware explanations from AI in health care
By Boris Babic, Sara Gerke, Theodoros Evgeniou, I. Glenn Cohen
Science16 Jul 2021 : 284-286 Restricted Access
The benefits of explainable artificial intelligence are not what they appear
Summary
Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms are increasingly developed in health care for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of medical conditions (1). However, despite the technical prowess of such systems, their adoption has been challenging, and whether and how much they will actually improve health care remains to be seen. A central reason for this is that the effectiveness of AI/ML-based medical devices depends largely on the behavioral characteristics of its users, who, for example, are often vulnerable to well-documented biases or algorithmic aversion (2). Many stakeholders increasingly identify the so-called black-box nature of predictive algorithms as the core source of users’ skepticism, lack of trust, and slow uptake (3, 4). As a result, lawmakers have been moving in the direction of requiring the availability of explanations for black-box algorithmic decisions (5). Indeed, a near-consensus is emerging in favor of explainable AI/ML among academics, governments, and civil society groups. Many are drawn to this approach to harness the accuracy benefits of noninterpretable AI/ML such as deep learning or neural nets while also supporting transparency, trust, and adoption. We argue that this consensus, at least as applied to health care, both overstates the benefits and undercounts the drawbacks of requiring black-box algorithms to be explainable.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness of decision aids for vaccination decision-making

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Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 28 Pages 3645-3784 (23 June 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/28

 

Review article Abstract only
A systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness of decision aids for vaccination decision-making
Cassandra Vujovich-Dunn, Jessica Kaufman, Catherine King, S. Rachel Skinner, … Julie Leask
Pages 3655-3665

A systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness of decision aids for vaccination decision-making

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Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 28 Pages 3645-3784 (23 June 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/28

 

Review article Abstract only
A systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness of decision aids for vaccination decision-making
Cassandra Vujovich-Dunn, Jessica Kaufman, Catherine King, S. Rachel Skinner, … Julie Leask
Pages 3655-3665