The Lancet
Mar 06, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10277 p853-940
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Articles
Single-dose administration and the influence of the timing of the booster dose on immunogenicity and efficacy of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine: a pooled analysis of four randomised trials
Merryn Voysey, et al. on behalf of the Oxford COVID Vaccine Trial Group
Open Access
The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine has been approved for emergency use by the UK regulatory authority, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, with a regimen of two standard doses given with an interval of 4–12 weeks. The planned roll-out in the UK will involve vaccinating people in high-risk categories with their first dose immediately, and delivering the second dose 12 weeks later. Here, we provide both a further prespecified pooled analysis of trials of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and exploratory analyses of the impact on immunogenicity and efficacy of extending the interval between priming and booster doses. In addition, we show the immunogenicity and protection afforded by the first dose, before a booster dose has been offered.

The Lancet
Mar 06, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10277 p853-940
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Review
Improving lung health in low-income and middle-income countries: from challenges to solutions
Jamilah Meghji, et al.
Summary
Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionately high burden of the global morbidity and mortality caused by chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and post-tuberculosis lung disease. CRDs are strongly associated with poverty, infectious diseases, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and contribute to complex multi-morbidity, with major consequences for the lives and livelihoods of those affected. The relevance of CRDs to health and socioeconomic wellbeing is expected to increase in the decades ahead, as life expectancies rise and the competing risks of early childhood mortality and infectious diseases plateau. As such, the World Health Organization has identified the prevention and control of NCDs as an urgent development issue and essential to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In this Review, we focus on CRDs in LMICs. We discuss the early life origins of CRDs; challenges in their prevention, diagnosis, and management in LMICs; and pathways to solutions to achieve true universal health coverage.

Lancet Respiratory Medicine
Mar 2021 Volume 9 Number 3 p217-318, e22-e29
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/issue/current

Comment
An issue of trust—vaccinating Black patients against COVID-19
Dale O Okorodudu,Daniel E Okorodudu

Nature
Volume 591 Issue 7848, 4 March 2021

Article | 11 December 2020
Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19
A genome-wide association study of critically ill patients with COVID-19 identifies genetic signals that relate to important host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage that may be targeted by repurposing drug treatments.
Erola Pairo-Castineira, Sara Clohisey & J. Kenneth Baillie

Nature Reviews Immunology
Volume 21 Issue 3, March 2021
https://www.nature.com/nri/volumes/21/issues/3

Comment | 05 January 2021
Endemic SARS-CoV-2 will maintain post-pandemic immunity
Here, Veldhoen and Simas discuss why immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in populations may ultimately be driven by the endemic presence of the virus and not rely on continued mass vaccination programmes.
Marc Veldhoen & J. Pedro Simas

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume 20 Issue 3, March 2021
https://www.nature.com/nrd/volumes/20/issues/3

Comment | 28 May 2020
Supporting a data-driven approach to regulatory intelligence
Drug developers are increasingly applying data-driven analysis of the actions of regulatory agencies to gain insights into their expectations and applications of regulatory policy, but such strategies can be limited by the availability and quality of regulatory datasets. Here, we discuss how establishing a single, robust, accessible database of FDA regulatory actions could help address this limitation.
Andrew S. Robertson, Alexis Reisin Miller & Felipe Dolz

New England Journal of Medicine
March 4, 2021 Vol. 384 No. 9
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

Editorials
Audio Interview: A New SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine and a New Look at Treatment E.J. Rubin, L.R. Baden, and S. Morrissey

New England Journal of Medicine
March 4, 2021 Vol. 384 No. 9
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

Clinical Decisions
Delayed Second Dose versus Standard Regimen for Covid-19 Vaccination S.R. Kadire, R.M. Wachter, and N. Lurie

Pediatrics
Vol. 147, Issue 3 1 Mar 2021
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/

Research Briefs
HPV Vaccine Recommendations and Parental Intent
Kalyani Sonawane, Yenan Zhu, Yueh-Yun Lin, Haluk Damgacioglu, Ying Lin, Jane R. Montealegre, Ashish A. Deshmukh
Pediatrics, Mar 2021, 147 (3) e2020026286

Pediatrics
Vol. 147, Issue 3 1 Mar 2021
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/

Review Articles
Improving Influenza Vaccination in Children With Comorbidities: A Systematic Review
Daniel A. Norman, Rosanne Barnes, Rebecca Pavlos, Mejbah Bhuiyan, Kefyalew Addis Alene, Margie Danchin, Holly Seale, Hannah C. Moore, Christopher C. Blyth
Pediatrics, Mar 2021, 147 (3) e20201433

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 6 Mar 2021]

Allocating epidemic response teams and vaccine deliveries by drone in generic network structures, according to expected prevented exposures
Dean Matter, Linke Potgieter
Research Article | published 05 Mar 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248053

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 6 Mar 2021]

Control strategies for COVID-19 epidemic with vaccination, shield immunity and quarantine: A metric temporal logic approach
Zhe Xu, Bo Wu, Ufuk Topcu
Research Article | published 05 Mar 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247660

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 6 Mar 2021]

The exposure risk to COVID-19 in most affected countries: A vulnerability assessment model
Adriana Nascimento Santos Cartaxo, Francisco Iran Cartaxo Barbosa, Paulo Henrique de Souza Bermejo, Marina Figueiredo Moreira, David Nadler Prata
Research Article | published 04 Mar 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248075

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 6 Mar 2021]

Oral health care professionals recommending and administering the HPV vaccine: Understanding the strengths and assessing the barriers
Denise Guadiana, Nolan M. Kavanagh, Cristiane H. Squarize
Research Article | published 04 Mar 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248047

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 6 Mar 2021]

The anti-vaccination infodemic on social media: A behavioral analysis
Federico Germani, Nikola Biller-Andorno
Research Article | published 03 Mar 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247642

Risk Analysis
Volume 41, Issue 3 Pages: 407-557 March 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15396924/current

Special Issue:40 Years of Social Sciences in Risk Research Reconsidered
Original Research Articles
Trust and Risk Perception: A Critical Review of the Literature
Michael Siegrist
Pages: 480-490
First Published: 02 May 2019
Abstract
Many studies in the field of risk perception and acceptance of hazards include trust as an explanatory variable. Despite this, the importance of trust has often been questioned. The relevant issue is not only whether trust is crucial but also the form of trust that people rely on in a given situation. In this review, I discuss various trust models and the relationship between trust and affect heuristics. I conclude that the importance of trust varies by hazard and respondent group. Most of the studies use surveys that provide limited information about causality. Future research should focus more on experiments that test whether trust is a consequence of people’s attitudes or influences their attitudes toward a technology. Furthermore, there is a need for a better understanding about the factors that determine which heuristics people rely on when evaluating hazards.

Science
05 March 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6533
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Editorial
Science’s new frontier
By Aaron F. Mertz, Abhilash Mishra
Science05 Mar 2021 : 96
Summary
The year 2020 saw a reusable rocket launch two astronauts into space, multiple COVID-19 vaccines developed in record time, and a robot that could write a persuasive op-ed. In the United States, the year also saw public distrust of science contribute to the worst health crisis in modern history. This contrast highlights a sharp dichotomy in the role of science in American public life: breathtaking discovery and innovation alongside growing distrust of scientific evidence and recommendations. How can the country reconcile this dissociation?

Science
05 March 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6533
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Policy Forum
Human embryo research beyond the primitive streak
By Insoo Hyun, Annelien L. Bredenoord, James Briscoe, Sigal Klipstein, Tao Tan
Science05 Mar 2021 : 998-1000 Restricted Access
It is time to revisit the “14-day limit”
Summary
Since the first successful birth resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the late 1970s, human embryo research has been subject to limits of time and developmental benchmarks. National guidelines, laws, and international norms have prohibited scientists from culturing embryos for research beyond 14 consecutive days, or beyond the appearance of a structure called the “primitive streak,” which defines the beginning of the formation of the principal tissues of the body and the end of the period when an embryo can divide into identical twins (1). At the time this limit was put in place 40 years ago, there were no methods to culture embryos in a dish for anywhere close to 14 days. But research since 2016 (2, 3) shows that it is likely possible to culture human research embryos past the 2-week limit and suggests that doing so will yield scientific insights that could prove important for human health and fertility (4). We thus urge policy-makers and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), which will soon release updated guidelines for stem cell and embryo research, to consider a cautious, stepwise approach to scientific exploration beyond the 14-day limit.

Science
05 March 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6533
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Review
Infectious diseases and social distancing in nature
By Sebastian Stockmaier, Nathalie Stroeymeyt, Eric C. Shattuck, Dana M. Hawley, Lauren Ancel Meyers, Daniel I. Bolnick
Science05 Mar 2021
Nature’s “responsible” response to disease
With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been global calls for the implementation of “social distancing” to control transmission. Throughout the world, some have resisted this requirement with the unfounded argument that it is unnecessary or ineffective. Social distancing, however, is a natural consequence of disease across animals, both human and nonhuman. Stockmaier et al. reviewed responses to disease across animal taxa and reveal how these responses naturally limit disease transmission. Understanding such natural responses and their impacts on pathogenic transmission provides epidemiological insight into our own responses to pandemic challenges.
Abstract
Spread of contagious pathogens critically depends on the number and types of contacts between infectious and susceptible hosts. Changes in social behavior by susceptible, exposed, or sick individuals thus have far-reaching downstream consequences for infectious disease spread. Although “social distancing” is now an all too familiar strategy for managing COVID-19, nonhuman animals also exhibit pathogen-induced changes in social interactions. Here, we synthesize the effects of infectious pathogens on social interactions in animals (including humans), review what is known about underlying mechanisms, and consider implications for evolution and epidemiology.

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 11 Pages 1547-1666 (12 March 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/11

Editorial Full text access
Improving COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: Including insights from human decision-making under conditions of uncertainty and human-centered design
Caroline M. Poland, Allison K.S. Matthews, Gregory A. Poland
Pages 1547-1550

Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 11 Pages 1547-1666 (12 March 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/11

Review article Open access
Situational assessment of adult vaccine preventable disease and the potential for immunization advocacy and policy in low- and middle-income countries
Molly Sauer, Prarthana Vasudevan, Ankita Meghani, Karuna Luthra, … Lois Privor-Dumm
Pages 1556-1564

Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 6 Mar 2021)

Open Access Article
Acceptability of a COVID-19 Vaccine among the Saudi Population
by Eman Ibrahim Alfageeh et al.
Vaccines 2021, 9(3), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030226 – 05 Mar 2021
Abstract
To investigate the associated factors underlying vaccination intentions for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an online cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults 18 years or over in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between 8 and 14 December 2020. A logistic regression […] R

Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 6 Mar 2021)

Open Access Article
Attitude and Behaviors towards SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Poland
by Bartosz Szmyd et al
Vaccines 2021, 9(3), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030218 – 04 Mar 2021
Abstract
Healthcare workers are particularly exposed to biological risk during their daily occupational activities. Nowadays, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become one of the most widespread infectious agents. In the current study, we performed a survey on the attitude and behavior […]

Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 6 Mar 2021)

Open Access Article
Acceptance of a COVID-19 Vaccine in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Masaki Machida et al.
Vaccines 2021, 9(3), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030210 – 03 Mar 2021
Abstract
Vaccination could be a key protective measure against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and it is important to understand the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among the general public. However, there is no study on the acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine in Japan. Therefore, […]

Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 6 Mar 2021)

Open Access Article
COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among an Online Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Men and Transgender Women
by Daniel Teixeira da Silva et al
Vaccines 2021, 9(3), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030204 – 01 Mar 2021
Abstract
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations are particularly vulnerable to poor COVID-19 outcomes and are more likely to experience stigma and medical mistrust that may impact COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This study examined the prevalence of COVID testing and diagnosis and assessed COVID-19 vaccine […]

Media/Policy Watch
This watch section is intended to alert readers to substantive news, analysis and opinion from the general media and selected think tanks and similar organizations on vaccines, immunization, global public health and related themes. Media Watch is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicative of themes and issues CVEP is actively tracking. This section will grow from an initial base of newspapers, magazines and blog sources, and is segregated from Journal Watch above which scans the peer-reviewed journal ecology.
We acknowledge the Western/Northern bias in this initial selection of titles and invite suggestions for expanded coverage. We are conservative in our outlook in adding news sources which largely report on primary content we are already covering above. Many electronic media sources have tiered, fee-based subscription models for access. We will provide full-text where content is published without restriction, but most publications require registration and some subscription level.

The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Ideas
America’s Legalistic Culture Is About to Become a Problem
The vaccine rollout will create new clashes between conflicting rights.
March 4, 2021
Jamal Greene, Professor at Columbia Law School
As vaccine production and distribution accelerate, a new set of challenges around what Americans can and should demand of one another is emerging. And we’re not ready for them. The public has been told for the past year that we need to mask up, physically distance, and lock down for the greater good. Now that vaccines are here, does that same greater good mean that society can discriminate against the unvaccinated? Do Americans have a right not to get vaccinated? If so, how far does that right go?

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
[No new, unique, relevant content]

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Bartleby
How companies should handle vaccines
Balancing the rights of stakeholders
THE PANDEMIC is throwing up a new set of ethical issues for businesses. The premise of “stakeholder capitalism” is not just that firms should consider the interests of employees and customers, as well as shareholders. It is that, by doing so, everyone gains; shareholders will prosper if workers and customers are treated decently. But the pandemic may put different groups at odds. For example, customers may want companies to insist that all employees are vaccinated, while not wanting the same rule to apply to themselves.
Mar 6th 2021

Financial Times
https://www.ft.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Covid-19 vaccines
EU turns to US in scramble for Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
Move is part of bloc’s effort to boost faltering immunisation programme
Sam Fleming and Michael Peel in Brussels, and Kiran Stacey in Washington
March 6
The EU will urge the US to permit the export of millions of doses of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine to Europe as Brussels scrambles to bridge supply shortfalls that have hobbled its inoculation drive.
The European Commission plans to raise the matter in forthcoming transatlantic discussions aimed at boosting collaboration on the fight against Covid-19, EU officials said.
The EU also wants Washington to ensure the free flow of shipments of crucial vaccine ingredients needed in European production, including for groundbreaking mRNA technology vaccines…

Coronavirus:
Germany urges EU coordination after Italy blocks vaccine shipment
Germany has urged caution on vaccines, after France backed Italy’s decision to block a shipment of jabs to Australia.
The German health minister on Friday said that such unilateral steps were unhelpful and could disrupt supply chains, adding that Europe should act in a more coordinated way when it comes to such export restrictions.
March 5, 2021

Bottom of Form

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Mar 6, 2021
Europe’s Vaccine Struggle Will Change Its Politics
France and much of Europe has fallen behind with vaccinating its citizens, this may lead to political stress down the line and raises questions as to what countries are ready for the post COVID world.
By Mike O’Sullivan Senior Contributor

Mar 5, 2021
How Pfizer’s Head Of Vaccine Development Made Covid-19 Vaccine In Record Time And Led A Large Team
Kathrin Jansen has made waves in healthcare having led the development of Gardasil, now the Covid-19 vaccine and others. She leads with strength, organization and often, creativity and gut instincts. During the pandemic she led hundreds of people on this mission to develop an effective vaccine.
By Monica Haider Contributor

Mar 5, 2021
Fauci Says Military Who Refuse Covid-19 Vaccine Are ‘Part Of The Problem’ After High Rate Of Service Members Refuse Jab
Pentagon officials have said one in three military troops are refusing to take the optional Covid-19 shot.
By Robert Hart Forbes Staff

Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
[No new, unique, relevant content]

Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Argument
To Democratize Vaccine Access, Democratize Production
U.S. and European COVID-19 shots aren’t enough. It is time to tap into Africa, Asia, and Latin America’s enormous production capacity.
By Matthew M. Kavanagh, Mara Pillinger, Renu Singh, Katherine Ginsbach

The Guardian
http://www.guardiannews.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
[No new, unique, relevant content]

New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Annals of Populism
The Vaccine Resisters
Why do so many people say that they won’t be immunized against COVID-19?
By Benjamin Wallace-Wells
March 5, 2021

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
The Interpreter
Vaccine Passports, Covid’s Next Political Flash Point
A world divided between the vaccinated and unvaccinated promises relief for economies and families, but the ethical and practical risks are high.
March 2, 2021

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama gets vaccine shot
Associated Press · Mar 6, 2021

After days of halting statements about vaccine morality, multiple Catholic leaders call the shots urgent, important
Michelle Boorstein · Religion · Mar 5, 2021

WHO head pushes for waiver of some intellectual property rights for coronavirus vaccines, in bid to broaden access
Miriam Berger · World · Mar 5, 2021

France backs Italy in vaccine ban as EU defends mechanism
BRUSSELS — Europe’s vaccine solidarity got a boost on Friday after France said it could emulate Italy’s move to block coronavirus vaccine exports outside the European Union if that’s what is needed to enforce the bloc’s own contracts with drugs manufacturers.·
Mar 5, 2021

Think Tanks et al

Brookings
http://www.brookings.edu/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
One year in, COVID-19’s uneven spread across the US continues
William H. Frey
Friday, March 5, 2021

FixGov
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine: Progress, and equity questions for the next phase
Elaine Kamarck and William A. Galston
Thursday, March 4, 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Examining and addressing COVID-19 racial disparities in Detroit
Rashawn Ray, Jane Fran Morgan, Lydia Wileden, Samantha Elizondo, and Destiny Wiley-Yancy
Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Center for Global Development [to 6 Mar 2021]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Publication
Equity and Scale in Global Immunization: New Evidence from Nigeria on Cash Transfers for Vaccination
Event
3/10/21
Even prior to COVID-19, full immunization for age was vastly unequal in large middle-income countries like Nigeria. As the COVID-19 crisis deepens, routine immunization has plummeted, and world leaders are seeking ways to regain ground and trust, even while considering how to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine.

Global Trends in 2021: How COVID-19 Is Transforming International Development
Publication
3/2/21
In this note, we explore some of the changes and trends in development agency strategic direction brought about by the pandemic, as well as fundamental challenges that bilateral development agencies will need to address in the years to come.

Chatham House [to 6 Mar 2021]
https://www.chathamhouse.org/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
[No new digest content identified]

CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
Upcoming Event
A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci and Professor Paul Kelly
March 9, 2021

Transcript
A Global Approach to COVID-19 Vaccination
March 4, 2021

Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
Accessed 6 Mar 2021
March 4, 2021 News Release
THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us, A New Campaign By Black Health Care Workers for Black People about the COVID-19 Vaccines
March 4, 2021 – THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us. is a new campaign to provide Black communities with credible information about the COVID-19 vaccines co-developed by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) and the Black Coalition Against COVID. Black doctors, nurses and researchers dispel misinformation and provide accessible facts in 50…

March 3, 2021 News Release
KFF Tracking Poll: More Than a Third of Americans Say They’ve Struggled to Pay Living Expenses Since December; 6 in 10 Families Hit by COVID Have Lost A Job or Income
Majorities Favor Provisions to Expand Marketplace Tax Credits and Encourage States to Expand Medicaid As Congress considers an additional $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan, more than a third (37%) of Americans say that someone in their household has had trouble paying basic living expenses over the past three months, the…

March 1, 2021 News Release
Many Nonelderly People With Disabilities Face COVID-19 Risks Similar to Those of the Elderly in Nursing Homes, But Do Not Have Equal Footing When it Comes to Vaccine Priority
While the toll of COVID-19 on nursing home residents has been well documented, less noticed has been the experience of nonelderly people with disabilities who rely on long-term care services and supports outside of nursing homes. In many ways the two groups face similar health risks from the virus, but…

March 1, 2021 News Release
Analysis: Spending on Health Care Would Drop by an Estimated $352 Billion in 2021 if Private Insurance Used Medicare Rates to Reimburse Hospitals and Other Health Care Providers
Total health care spending for people with private health insurance would be an estimated $352 billion lower in 2021 if private insurers used Medicare rates to pay hospitals and other health care providers, rather than the substantially higher rates they currently pay, a new KFF analysis finds. That would represent…

Urban Institute [to 6 Mar 2021]
https://www.urban.org/publications
Publications
Reforming Long-Term Care with Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
In October 2020, the Urban Institute hosted a roundtable of leading experts to discuss how the US cares for older adults in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants highlighted key areas for reform and identified potential improvements. These included redesigning Medicaid; creating a strong foundation for home- and community-based services; integrating medical care and long-term services and
Howard Gleckman, Melissa M. Favreault
March 2, 2021
Brief

World Economic Forum [to 6 Mar 2021]
https://agenda.weforum.org/news/
Media
[No new relevant content]

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

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Immunization Agenda 2030

New dedicated website: www.immunizationagenda2030.org
On the website you will find:
:: IA2030 Vision and Strategy in all six UN languages
:: Strategic Priority technical annexes (translation available shortly)
:: Core Principle annexes (translation available shortly)
:: IA2030 Framework for Action
:: Other IA2030 annexes and companion documents

Important work is now ongoing to finalise a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework and an Ownership & Accountability mechanism for IA2030.
A key effort is also underway to prepare for the IA2030 launch planned to take place in the run up to World Immunization Week in April and WHA in May.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVAX – Ghana, Cote Ivoire

COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout
Press release 02/24/2021
:: COVAX announces 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine licensed to Serum Institute of India have arrived in Accra, Ghana; further deliveries to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire are expected this week
:: Final first round of allocations for doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, to the majority of countries and economies participating in the COVAX Facility, anticipated to be published in the coming days
:: Beginning of global rollout means that, as readiness criteria are met and doses produced, vaccines will be shipped to Facility participants on a rolling basis

GENEVA/NEW YORK/OSLO, 24 February 2021 – Today, Ghana became the first country outside India to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility. This is a historic step towards our goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. The delivery is part of a first wave of arrivals that will continue in the coming days and weeks.

On 23 February, COVAX shipped 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/ Oxford vaccine, from the Serum Institute of India (SII) from Pune, India to Accra, Ghana, arriving on the morning of 24 February.  The arrival in Accra is the first batch shipped and delivered in Africa by the COVAX Facility as part of an unprecedented effort to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021…

::::::

Ghana becomes recipient of historic first shipment of COVAX vaccine
Statement by UNICEF Representative in Ghana, Anne-Claire Dufay and WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr Francis Kasolo on the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Accra
ACCRA, 24 February 2021 – “After a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 80,700 Ghanaians getting infected with the virus and over 580 lost lives, the path to recovery for the people of Ghana can finally begin.

“This is a momentous occasion, as the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines into Ghana is critical in bringing the pandemic to an end. The only way out of this crisis is to ensure that vaccinations are available for all. We thank all partners that are supporting the COVAX Facility to deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to all countries quickly and fairly.

“These 600,000 COVAX vaccines are part of an initial tranche of deliveries of the AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccine licensed to the Serum Institute of India, which represent part of the first wave of COVID vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries.

“The shipments also represent the beginning of what should be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. The COVAX Facility plans to deliver close to 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines this year. This is an unprecedented global effort to make sure all citizens have access to vaccines.

“We are pleased that Ghana has become the first country to receive the COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility. We congratulate the Government of Ghana – especially the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and Ministry of Information – for its relentless efforts to protect the population. As part of the UN Country Team in Ghana, UNICEF and WHO reiterate our commitment to support the vaccination campaign and contain the spread of the virus, in close cooperation with all partners, including Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)…

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVAX: Vaccine Supply

UNICEF signs COVID-19 vaccine supply agreement with AstraZeneca
COPENHAGEN/NEW YORK, 25 February 2021 – UNICEF and AstraZeneca this week signed a long-term agreement for the supply of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca on behalf of the COVAX Facility.
Through the supply agreement, UNICEF, along with procurement partners including the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), will have access to up to 170 million doses of vaccines for around 85 countries. This is the third such agreement for COVID-19 vaccines, following previously announced agreements with Pfizer and the Serum Institute of India.
The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine received WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) on 15 February…

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVAX – Injury Compensation

No-fault compensation programme for COVID-19 vaccines is a world first
:: New programme makes compensation available to eligible individuals in 92 low- and middle-income countries without need to resort to law courts
:: This is the first and only global vaccine injury compensation mechanism
:: The programme is funded by a small levy on each dose supported by the Gavi COVAX AMC
22 February 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB), through ESIS Inc., a Chubb company, signed an agreement on behalf of the COVAX Facility on 17 February 2021 for the administration of a no-fault compensation programme for the 92 low- and middle-income countries and economies eligible for support via the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) of the COVAX Facility.

As the first and only vaccine injury compensation mechanism operating on an international scale, the programme will offer eligible individuals in AMC-eligible countries and economies a fast, fair, robust and transparent process to receive compensation for rare but serious adverse events associated with COVAX-distributed vaccines until 30 June 2022.

By providing a no-fault lump-sum compensation in full and final settlement of any claims, the COVAX programme aims to significantly reduce the need for recourse to the law courts, a potentially lengthy and costly process.

ESIS, as the independent administrator of the programme, was selected in accordance with WHO’s procurement rules and procedures, and charges no fees to applicants.

All vaccines procured or distributed through the COVAX Facility receive regulatory approval or an emergency use authorization to confirm their safety and efficacy.

But, as with all medicines, even vaccines that are approved for general use may, in rare cases, cause serious adverse reactions.

“The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has been matched by the largest ever rollout of new vaccines under the ACT-Accelerator and its vaccines pillar, COVAX. This no-fault compensation mechanism helps to ensure that people in AMC-eligible countries and economies can benefit from the cutting-edge science that has delivered COVID-19 vaccines in record time,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We are pleased to be collaborating with Chubb, which has the capabilities to support the COVAX facility through its global network and claims handling ability. WHO’s agreement with Chubb offers further protection and confidence in the life-saving power of vaccines.”

“The No-Fault Compensation fund is a massive boost for COVAX’s goal of equitable global access to vaccines: by providing a robust, transparent and independent mechanism to settle serious adverse events it helps those in countries who might have such effects, manufacturers to roll out vaccines to countries faster, and is a key benefit for lower-income governments procuring vaccines through the Gavi COVAX AMC,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi.

The COVAX no-fault compensation programme will be operationalized through its web portal (www.covaxclaims.com) by 31 March 2021, which will include resources such as the programme’s protocol, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and information on how to submit an application.

Eligible individuals may apply for compensation under the programme once the portal becomes operational, even if a COVAX-distributed vaccine is administered to them before 31 March 2021.

The programme is financed initially through Gavi COVAX AMC donor funding, calculated as a levy charged on all doses of COVID-19 vaccines distributed through the COVAX Facility to the AMC eligible economies until 30 June 2022.

WHO is working with Chubb to secure insurance coverage for the programme with Chubb as lead insurer…

About ESIS, a Chubb company
ESIS, Inc. provides claim and risk management services to a wide variety of commercial clients. Our innovative best-in-class approach to program design, integration, and achievement of results aligns with the needs and expectations of our clients’ unique risk management needs. With more than 66 years of experience and offerings in both the U.S. and globally, ESIS provides one of the industry’s broadest selections of risk management solutions covering both pre- and post-loss services

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

Weekly Epidemiological and Operational updates
Last update: 23 January 2021
Confirmed cases :: 113 076 707 [week ago: 110 384 747] [two weeks ago: 107 838 255]
Confirmed deaths :: 2 512 272 [week ago: 2 446 008] [two weeks ago: 2 373 398]
Countries, areas or territories with cases :: 223

Weekly epidemiological update – 25 February 2021
Overview
This special edition is supplementary to the 23 February Weekly Epidemiological Update.
In this edition, we provide working definitions for SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest and variants of concern and the associated actions WHO will take to support Member States, their national public health institutes and reference laboratories, along with the recommended actions Member States should take.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

WHO: Regulation and Prequalification

Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process 24 Feb 2021
For 16 vaccine candidates, the 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
[click on the link above for full scale view]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Our World in Data
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations
Our World in Data and the SDG-Tracker are collaborative efforts between researchers at the University of Oxford, who are the scientific editors of the website content; and the non-profit organization Global Change Data Lab, who publishes and maintains the website and the data tools that make our work possible. At the University of Oxford we are based at the Oxford Martin Programme on Global Development.

Research and data: Hannah Ritchie, Esteban Ortiz-Ospina, Diana Beltekian, Edouard Mathieu, Joe Hasell, Bobbie Macdonald, Charlie Giattino, and Max Roser
Web development: Breck Yunits, Ernst van Woerden, Daniel Gavrilov, Matthieu Bergel, Shahid Ahmad, Jason Crawford, and Marcel Gerber

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

UNICEF COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard :: Agreements Table Accessed 27 Feb 2021
An overview of information collected from publicly announced bilateral and multilateral supply agreements [Agreements view from 2021-02-15 to date]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Latest Updates
:: COVID Data Tracker Friday, February 26, 2021

FDA

FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Third COVID-19 Vaccine
Action Advances Fight Against COVID-19, Follows Comprehensive Evaluation of Available Safety, Effectiveness and Manufacturing Quality Information by FDA Career Scientists, Input from External Experts
February 27, 2021
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The EUA allows the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.
“The authorization of this vaccine expands the availability of vaccines, the best medical prevention method for COVID-19, to help us in the fight against this pandemic, which has claimed over half a million lives in the United States,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “The FDA, through our open and transparent scientific review process, has now authorized three COVID-19 vaccines with the urgency called for during this pandemic, using the agency’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization.”
The FDA has determined that the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine has met the statutory criteria for issuance of an EUA…

February 26, 2021 – FDA Statement on Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting
Following today’s positive advisory committee meeting outcome regarding the Janssen Biotech Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has informed the sponsor that it will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization. The agency has also notified our federal partners involved in vaccine allocation and distribution so they can execute their plans for timely vaccine distribution…

White House [U.S.]
Briefing Room
Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
February 26, 2021 • Press Briefings

FACT SHEET: 441 Federally-Supported Community Vaccination Centers in First Month of Biden-Harris Administration
February 26, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Remarks by President Biden at an Event Commemorating the 50 Millionth COVID-19 Vaccine Shot
February 25, 2021 • Speeches and Remarks

A Letter on the Continuation of the National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
February 24, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
February 24, 2021 • Presidential Actions

Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
February 24, 2021 • Press Briefings

FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Deliver Masks to Communities Hit Hard by the Pandemic
February 24, 2021 • Statements and Releases

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

News: Adapting COVID-19 vaccines to SARS-CoV-2 variants: guidance for vaccine manufacturers
CHMP, Last updated: 25/02/2021
EMA has issued guidance outlining the requirements for manufacturers planning to modify their COVID-19 vaccines in order to address coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

Currently, three vaccines are authorised for use in the EU: Comirnaty, COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna and COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. Viruses typically mutate and several variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 have already been identified worldwide. The three authorised vaccines provide protection against the variants that are currently prevalent across Europe. However, it appears that with continued mutations and new variants emerging, authorised vaccines may need to be adapted, in time to ensure continued protection. Initial data indicates that some of these variants may have an impact on the level of protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against infection and disease.

Therefore, it is an urgent public health priority to define an expedited regulatory process for the adaptation of vaccines to protect against current or future variants. There are ongoing discussions at international level on how to approach variants and vaccines in a coordinated way.

EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has adopted a reflection paper which details the laboratory (non-clinical), clinical, quality and manufacturing data needed to support the approval of such ‘variant’ vaccines.

The assumption behind the CHMP’s guidance is that a new variant vaccine would largely rely on the same technology and platform as the ‘parent’ vaccine – a vaccine already approved in the EU for the prevention of COVID-19. The difference would be in the specific structure (antigen) selected to trigger the immune response in the body…
Reflection paper on the regulatory requirements for vaccines intended to provide protection against variant strain(s) of SARS-CoV-2 (PDF/240.55 KB) (new)

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

No new announcements identified.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

Russia: Sputnik V – “the first registered COVID-19 vaccine”
https://sputnikvaccine.com/newsroom/pressreleases/
Press Releases
Sputnik V registered in countries with total population of over 1.1 billion people
Press release, 25.02.2021

Guatemala authorizes Sputnik V
Press release, 25.02.2021

Honduras authorizes Sputnik V
Press release, 24.02.2021

Egypt grants emergency use authorization for Sputnik V
Press release, 24.02.2021

Sputnik V approved in Guyana
Press release, 23.02.2021

Sputnik V registered in Kyrgyzstan
Press release, 23.02.2021

First batch of Sputnik V vaccine delivered to Mexico
Press release, 23.02.2021

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

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

Children aged 3-17 to be eligible for Sinopharm vaccine
Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm said people aged 3 to 17 years old who are currently not included in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout will soon become eligible to receive inoculation…
Results from clinical trials involving the younger population have shown “no obvious differences” from trial data concerning those aged 18 to 59 years old, Liu said during an interview with China Central Television on Sunday.
“So we believe those aged 3 to 17 will soon be able to use the vaccines,” he said…

NMPA grants conditional approval to CanSino’s recombinant COVID-19 vaccine
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (adenovirus type-5-vectored vaccine) developed by CanSino Biologics on Feb 25.

NMPA conditionally approves COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm’s Wuhan institute
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (Vero cell) developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products administered by Sinopharm on Feb 25.

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

COVID Vaccine Developer Announcements

Johnson & Johnson Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Unanimously Recommended for Emergency Use Authorization by U.S. FDA Advisory Committee
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) (the Company) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) unanimously voted to recommend Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Company’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine candidate for adults 18 and older, developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The vote was based on a totality of scientific evidence provided by the Company, including efficacy and safety data from the Phase 3 ENSEMBLE trial…

Pfizer and BioNTech Initiate a Study as Part of Broad Development Plan to Evaluate COVID-19 Booster and New Vaccine Variants
February 25, 2021

Moderna Announces Additional Capital Investments to Increase Global Manufacturing Capacity for COVID-19 Vaccine
February 24, 2021

Moderna Announces it has Shipped Variant-Specific Vaccine Candidate, mRNA-1273.351, to NIH for Clinical Study
February 24, 2021

Takeda Provides Updates on Phase 1/2 Clinical Trials of Novavax’ and Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates in Japan
February 23, 2021

Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Polio this week as of 24 February 2021
:: As we head towards International Women’s Day (marked on 8 March), GPEI honours two women who left a mark in polio eradication and in women’s empowerment within the U.N.
:: On 15 February, polio eradication Gender Champion Arancha González Laya, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, visited the Notre Dame des Apôtres hospital in N’Djamena, Chad where she administered polio drops to two newborn children. Read more…
“”In a special interview, PolioNews (PN) talks to Holger Knaack (HK), President of Rotary International, about why it is more important than ever to support PolioPlus, Rotary’s polio eradication program, and what lessons it can offer to the global pandemic response.

Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Afghanistan: six cVDPV2 cases
:: Pakistan: one WPV1 and two cVDPV2 cases, six WPV1 and five cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Congo: one cVDPV2 case and one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Egypt: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Ethiopia: one cVDPV2 case
:: Guinea: six cVDPV2 cases
:: Mali: two cVDPV2 cases

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

WHO/OCHA Emergencies

Editor’s Note:
Continuing with this edition, we include information about the last apparent update evident on the WHO emergency country webpages, recognizing almost universal and significant interims since last update regardless of the level of the emergency listed.

WHO Grade 3 Emergencies [to 27 Feb 2021]

Democratic Republic of the Congo – No new digest announcements [Last apparent update: 12 Jan 2021]
Mozambique floods – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 3 November 2020]
Nigeria – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 29 Jun 2020]
Somalia – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 17 July 2020]
South Sudan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 4 February 2020]
Syrian Arab Republic – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 24 October 2020]
Yemen – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 30 June 2020]

::::::

WHO Grade 2 Emergencies [to 27 Feb 2021]
Afghanistan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 5 July 2020]
Angola – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 03 December 2020]
Burkina Faso – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update 04 février 2021]
Burundi – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 04 July 2019]
Cameroon – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 22 August 2019]
Central African Republic – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 12 June 2018]
Ethiopia – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 22 August 2019]
Iran floods 2019 – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 2 March 2020]
Iraq – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 21 February 2020]
Libya – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 7 October 2019]
Malawi Floods – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 09 October 2019]
Measles in Europe – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 16-12-2020]
MERS-CoV – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 8 July 2019]
Mozambique – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 03 November 2020]
Myanmar – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: :: 3 January 2021
Niger – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 11 février 2021]
occupied Palestinian territory – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 4 September 2019]
HIV in Pakistan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 27 August 2019]
Sao Tome and Principe Necrotizing Cellulitis (2017) – No new digest announcements
Sudan – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 24 June 2020]
Ukraine – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 1 May 2019]
Zimbabwe – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 10 May 2019]

::::::

WHO Grade 1 Emergencies [to 27 Feb 2021]

Chad – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 30 June 2018]
Djibouti – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 25 novembre 2020]
Kenya – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 11 December 2020]
Mali – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 3 May 2017]
Namibia – viral hepatitis – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 20 July 2018]
Tanzania – No new digest announcements identified [Last apparent update: 21 October 2020]

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

UN OCHA – L3 Emergencies
The UN and its humanitarian partners are currently responding to three ‘L3’ emergencies. This is the global humanitarian system’s classification for the response to the most severe, large-scale humanitarian crises. 
Yemen
::  Yemen: COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Monthly Report (January 2021)
23 February 2021

Syrian Arab Republic – No new digest announcements identified

::::::

UN OCHA – Corporate Emergencies
When the USG/ERC declares a Corporate Emergency Response, all OCHA offices, branches and sections provide their full support to response activities both at HQ and in the field.
East Africa Locust Infestation
:: Desert Locust situation update 23 February 2021

COVID-19
:: Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19 Progress Report: Final Progress Report, 22 February 2021
[See Week in Review above for detail]

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::::::

WHO & Regional Offices [to 27 Feb 2021]
25 February 2021
How WHO transforms funding into action in regions around the world

25 February 2021
The life-saving power of medical oxygen

26 February 2021
Departmental news
WHO and ITU launch new guide on introduction of dementia risk reduction and carer support programmes using mobile technology

26 February 2021
Departmental news
Consultation on discussion paper on Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders

25 February 2021
Joint News Release
COVID-19 oxygen emergency impacting more than half a million people in low- and middle-income countries every day, as demand surges

25 February 2021
News release
El Salvador certified as malaria-free by WHO

25 February 2021
Departmental news
Four years on, the Global Observatory on Health R&D continues to identify gaps and new trends in the health R&D space

::::::

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

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
No new digest content identified

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

WHO European Region EURO
:: WHO/Europe calls for action on post-COVID conditions/“long COVID” 25-02-2021
:: New WHO expert group to identify gaps and solutions to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 25-02-2021
:: Spain moves towards a more resilient health coverage policy during COVID-19 25-02-2021
:: New policy brief calls on decision-makers to support patients as 1 in 10 report symptoms of “long COVID” 25-02-2021
:: COVID-19 response review in the Republic of Moldova informs next steps 24-02-2021

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
No new digest content identified

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases, Announcements

Emergency ACIP Meeting – February 28-March 1, 2021
Virtual meeting. No registration is required.
Meeting times: Feb 28, 11:00am – 4:00pm EST; March 1, 11:00am – 3:00pm EST (times subject to change).
Webcast link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/VWBXKBR8af4
Draft Agenda [includes Janssen COVID-19 vaccine]

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, February 26, 2021
:: Suspected Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Residents of a Skilled Nursing Facility During a Second COVID-19 Outbreak — Kentucky, July–November 2020
:: First Identified Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.7 in Minnesota — December 2020–January 2021 (Early Release February 17, 2021)
:: Detection of B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 Variant Strain — Zambia, December 2020 (Early Release February 17, 2021)
:: First Month of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring — United States, December 14, 2020–January 13, 2021 (Early Release February 19, 2021)
:: Clusters of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Elementary School Educators and Students in One School District — Georgia, December 2020–January 2021 (Early Release February 22, 2021)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC
Selected Resources
:: Overall US COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Fri, 26 Feb 2021 06:00:00 EST Friday, February 26, 2021
:: First Month of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring – United States, December 14, 2020-January 13, 2021 Thursday, February 25, 2021
:: US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants Thursday, February 25, 2021

Africa CDC [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Outbreak Brief 58: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
23 February 2021

China CDC
http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/
No new digest content identified.

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
Feb 27: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On Feb 26, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 10 new cases of confirmed infections.

Children aged 3-17 to be eligible for Sinopharm vaccine
Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm said people aged 3 to 17 years old who are currently not included in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout will soon become eligible to receive inoculation…
Results from clinical trials involving the younger population have shown “no obvious differences” from trial data concerning those aged 18 to 59 years old, Liu said during an interview with China Central Television on Sunday.
“So we believe those aged 3 to 17 will soon be able to use the vaccines,” he said…

National Medical Products Administration – PRC [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/news.html
News
NMPA grants conditional approval to CanSino’s recombinant COVID-19 vaccine
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (adenovirus type-5-vectored vaccine) developed by CanSino Biologics on Feb 25.

NMPA conditionally approves COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm’s Wuhan institute
2021-02-27
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) conditionally approved the registration application of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (Vero cell) developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products administered by Sinopharm on Feb 25.

Organization Announcements

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-pr ess/
News
No new digest content identified.

BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
BARDA News
No new digest content identified.

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases
Press Releases and Statements
No new digest content identified.

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.gatesmri.org/
The Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute is a non-profit biotech organization. Our mission is to develop products to fight malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases—three major causes of mortality, poverty, and inequality in developing countries. The world has unprecedented scientific tools at its disposal; now is the time to use them to save the lives of the world’s poorest people
No new digest content identified.

CARB-X [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://carb-x.org/
News
02.22.2021  |
CARB-X is funding The University of Queensland to develop a new drug targeted to low- and middle-income countries that would breathe new life into existing readily-available antibiotics in the fight against drug-resistance
CARB-X is awarding up to US$2.2 million to The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) to expand its Octapeptin research program to develop a new drug designed for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there are high levels of drug-resistant bacteria.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/
News/Analysis/Statements
Past weekly editions of Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review are available here.

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
In the fight against novel COVID-19 variants, Norway and Germany provide vital additional funds to CEPI
The donations come at a critical time as CEPI works to advance vaccines against COVID-19 variants.
25 Feb 2021
Norway, one of the co-founders of CEPI, announced this week that it will contribute US $24 million (NOK 200 million) towards CEPI’s R&D efforts to future-proof vaccines against current and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The financial commitment follows the US $145 million (EUR 120 million) donation announced by the Government of Germany last week following the extraordinary G7 virtual summit to support CEPI’s COVID-19 vaccine programmes. The funding is as part of a wider US $1.82 billion (EUR 1.5 billion) donation package to partners of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.
These investments come at a critical time of the COVID-19 pandemic, with CEPI seeking to expand its efforts and respond to the rapidly evolving crisis…

COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout
600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine licensed to Serum Institute of India have arrived in Accra, Ghana; further deliveries are expected this week.
24 Feb 2021

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [to 27 Feb 2021
https://www.darpa.mil/
News
No new digest content identified.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://dukeghic.org/
Launch and Scale Speedometer
No new digest content identified.

EDCTP [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.edctp.org/
The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as other poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on phase II and III clinical trials
25 February 2021
GHIT and EDCTP co-invest additional €7.8 million in access programme for treatment of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children

Emory Vaccine Center [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.

European Commission [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
Latest
News 26 February 2021
Von der Leyen at the video conference of the members of the European Council discusses vaccination, security and defence, and Southern Neighbourhood
To continue increasing the speed of our vaccination effort, she called on everyone to play a role. The Commission is working with the companies to ramp up production and address bottlenecks in the supply, she explained.

News 23 February 2021
President von der Leyen joins the Global Citizen campaign to end COVID-19 and kick start a global recovery
“We have to fight the pandemic right now, but we also have to address its broader impact on the most vulnerable and tackle the root causes,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

European Medicines Agency [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
News & Press Releases
News: Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 22-25 February 2021
CHMP, Last updated: 26/02/2021

News: Adapting COVID-19 vaccines to SARS-CoV-2 variants: guidance for vaccine manufacturers
CHMP, Last updated: 25/02/2021
EMA has issued guidance outlining the requirements for manufacturers planning to modify their COVID-19 vaccines in order to address coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

Currently, three vaccines are authorised for use in the EU: Comirnaty, COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna and COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. Viruses typically mutate and several variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 have already been identified worldwide. The three authorised vaccines provide protection against the variants that are currently prevalent across Europe. However, it appears that with continued mutations and new variants emerging, authorised vaccines may need to be adapted, in time to ensure continued protection. Initial data indicates that some of these variants may have an impact on the level of protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against infection and disease.

Therefore, it is an urgent public health priority to define an expedited regulatory process for the adaptation of vaccines to protect against current or future variants. There are ongoing discussions at international level on how to approach variants and vaccines in a coordinated way.

EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has adopted a reflection paper which details the laboratory (non-clinical), clinical, quality and manufacturing data needed to support the approval of such ‘variant’ vaccines.

The assumption behind the CHMP’s guidance is that a new variant vaccine would largely rely on the same technology and platform as the ‘parent’ vaccine – a vaccine already approved in the EU for the prevention of COVID-19. The difference would be in the specific structure (antigen) selected to trigger the immune response in the body…
Reflection paper on the regulatory requirements for vaccines intended to provide protection against variant strain(s) of SARS-CoV-2 (PDF/240.55 KB) (new)

News: International cooperation to align approaches for regulation of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines
Last updated: 25/02/2021
Regulators around the globe are committed to aligning their regulatory requirements and addressing knowledge gaps to facilitate the development, authorisation and monitoring of safe, effective and high-quality vaccines and medicines against COVID-19. This was highlighted in a series of regulatory workshops, convened under the umbrella of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) in the first weeks of 2021, which focused on three areas: responding to emerging COVID-19 virus variants, addressing knowledge gaps regarding COVID-19 vaccines and treatments in pregnant and breastfeeding women, and strengthening collaboration on safety monitoring of vaccines…

News: EMA starts rolling review of Celltrion antibody regdanvimab for COVID-19
Last updated: 24/02/2021

European Vaccine Initiative [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

FDA [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements /Selected Details
February 26, 2021 – FDA Statement on Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting
Following today’s positive advisory committee meeting outcome regarding the Janssen Biotech Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has informed the sponsor that it will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization. The agency has also notified our federal partners involved in vaccine allocation and distribution so they can execute their plans for timely vaccine distribution…

February 26, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: February 26, 2021

February 25, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Allows More Flexible Storage, Transportation Conditions for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

FDA – COVID-19 Vaccines [to 27 Feb 2021]
www.fda.gov/covid19vaccines
News and Updates; Upcoming Events
FDA Statement on Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting
02/26/2021
Following today’s positive advisory committee meeting outcome regarding the Janssen Biotech Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA has informed the sponsor that it will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization.

Fondation Merieux [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
Mérieux Foundation co-organized event
MERACON: Returning to rabies elimination in 2021 webinar
February 26, 2021 – 9:00am -12:00pm (CET)
Context
The COVID-19 pandemic has hampered global travel and has placed a strain on public health systems globally. Because of this, many rabies activities were postponed or cancelled in 2020. Similarly, the planned in-person regional MERACON workshop that was initially scheduled for mid-2020 was postponed to 2021. As a means to continue remote support, foster collaboration and continue to drive progress towards rabies elimination in the MERACON countries, the MERACON steering committee has scheduled a digital meeting in webinar format. This webinar will act as a precursor to a more detailed workshop later in the year which we hope to host in-person (COVID-19 restrictions permitting).

Gavi [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.gavi.org/
News Releases
COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global roll-out

No-fault compensation programme for COVID-19 vaccines is a world first
[See COVID above for detail on these announcements]

GHIT Fund [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press
GHIT was set up in 212 with the aim of developing new tools to tackle infectious diseases that
Press Releases
February 25, 2021
GHIT and EDCTP co-invest additional 7.8 million Euro in the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium’s access program to ensure treatment of schistosomiasis for preschool-aged children

Global Fund [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
News
The Republic of the Congo and Global Fund Sign New Grants to Increase Access to HIV, TB and Malaria Prevention and Treatment
25 February 2021
The Global Fund, the Government of the Republic of the Congo and health partners launched the implementation of two new grants to strengthen prevention and treatment services to fight HIV, TB and malaria and build resilient and sustainable systems for health.

News
Burkina Faso and Global Fund Launch New Grants to Accelerate Progress against HIV, TB and Malaria
25 February 2021
The Government of Burkina Faso, the Global Fund and health partners strengthened their partnership by launching four new grants to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen health systems. The new grants will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period.

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.glopid-r.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

Hilleman Laboratories [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
No new digest content identified.

Human Vaccines Project [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/media/press-releases/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

IAVI [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
PRESS RELEASES/FEATURES
No new digest content identified.

International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities [ICMRA]
http://www.icmra.info/drupal/en/news
Selected Statements, Press Releases, Research
No new digest content identified.

International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]
https://www.igbamedicines.org/
*News
Press Releases/Announcements
No new digest content identified.

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

IFRC [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Institut Pasteur [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press release 26.02.2021
Covid-19: Keeping schools as safe as possible
A year into the pandemic, and confronted with continued resurgence in transmission, over 800 million schoolchildren, more than half the world’s student population, still face substantial disruptions to their education…
Read the full editorial in the BMJ

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index
Media highlights [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

IVAC [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
No new digest content identified.

IVI [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News, Announcements, Events
George Bickerstaff re-elected Chairperson of the International Vaccine Institute’s Board of Trustees
February 22, 2021, SEOUL, Korea – The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) announced today that its Board of Trustees (BOT) re-elected Mr. George Bickerstaff as Chairperson of the BOT. His second three-year term will begin this May…

JEE Alliance [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.jeealliance.org/
Selected News and Events
No new digest content identified.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
New Report: Crisis Standards of Care: Lessons from New York City Hospitals’ COVID-19 Experience: The Emergency Medicine Perspective
February 25, 2021

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
DRC Ebola outbreaks
MSF responds in North Kivu to twelfth Ebola outbreak in DRC
Project Update 25 Feb 2021

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
No new digest content identified.

NIH [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
News Releases
NIH study finds that people with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies may have a low risk of future infection
February 24, 2021 — Results may explain why reinfection appears to be relatively rare.

Monoclonal antibodies against MERS coronavirus show promise in Phase 1 NIH-sponsored trial
February 23, 2021 — Antibodies were well tolerated and generally safe when administered simultaneously to healthy adults.

UN OCHA [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.unocha.org/
Research
Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19 Progress Report: Final Progress Report
OCHA 22 Feb 2021
PDF: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/GHRP_ProgressReport_22FEB.pdf
COVID-19 AND THE HUMANITARIAN LANDSCAPE
2020 was a year like no other. Amidst on-going humanitarian crises, largely fuelled by conflict and violence but also driven by the effects of climate change – such as the largest locust infestation in a generation – the world had to contend with a global pandemic. In less than one year (March-December 2020), more than 82 million COVID-19 cases and 1.8 million deaths were recorded. In that timeframe, out of the global COVID-19 totals, 30 per cent of COVID-19 cases and 39 per cent deaths were recorded in GHRP countries…

PATH [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

UNAIDS [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
25 February 2021
COVID-19 spurs on multimonth dispensing of HIV treatment in Cambodia

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected Announcements
No new digest content identified.

UNICEF [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Selected Press releases, Statements
Press release
02/26/2021
Latter-day Saint Charities commits US$20 million in support of UNICEF’s global COVID-19 response
Latter-day Saint Charities becomes the single largest private sector donor to date to support UNICEF’s ACT-Accelerator and COVAX work

Press release
02/26/2021
Côte d’Ivoire becomes second African country and first French-speaking country to receive vaccine doses via COVAX Facility

News note
02/25/2021
UNICEF signs COVID-19 vaccine supply agreement with AstraZeneca

Press release
02/24/2021
COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout

Statement
02/24/2021
Ghana becomes recipient of historic first shipment of COVAX vaccine
Statement by UNICEF Representative in Ghana, Anne-Claire Dufay and WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr Francis Kasolo on the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Accra

Unitaid [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
25 February 2021
COVID-19 oxygen emergency impacting more than half a million people in low- and middle-income countries every day, as demand surges
:: More than half a million COVID-19 patients in LMICs estimated to need oxygen treatment every day.
:: New assessments show US$90 million immediate funding required to meet urgent need in up to 20 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Unitaid and Wellcome will make an immediate contribution of up to US$20 million in total for the emergency response.
:: COVID-19 Oxygen Emergency Taskforce brings together key organisations working on oxygen access under ACT-Accelerator Therapeutics pillar, as COVID-19 surges and preventable deaths occur
:: Taskforce partners will work together to measure oxygen demand, work with financing partners, and secure oxygen supplies and technical support for worst-affected countries

Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN) [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://vaccineacceptance.org/news.html#header1-2r
Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
News, Research and Reports
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
Vaccine Update for Providers = February 2021

Wellcome Trust [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
Opinion
COVAX campaign for equitable vaccine access delivers first doses to West Africa
The largest mass vaccination campaign in history has begun. Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire have become the first countries to receive Covid-19 vaccines through COVAX. Richard Hatchett, CEO at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the vaccine research and development partnership co-leading COVAX, reacts to this historic moment.
25 February 2021

The Wistar Institute [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
Operation Vaccination: An Analysis of Global COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategies is a weekly post which will explore the policy, logistics, obstacles and controversies involved in procuring and distributing vaccines against COVID-19.
The theme of this week is “Communication and Trust: Keeping the Public Informed and On Board”.
Focusing on the 9 countries featured in this blog (Brazil, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Nigeria, Taiwan, UK, US) and COVAX, communication strategies are analysed, focusing on mitigating vaccine hesitancy and explanations of the structure and timing of immunization drives..

World Bank [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Selected News, Announcements
IDA’s COVID-19 Response: Speed, Scale and Selectivity
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, IDA has provided substantial support to IDA countries’ crisis response and development programs, helping them transition to a resilient and…
Date: February 23, 2021 Type: Infographic [full image at title link]
[The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries. Overseen by 173 shareholder nations, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing zero to low-interest loans (called “credits”) and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions.]

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2021/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

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ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 27 Feb 2021]
Press Releases – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (alliancerm.org)
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

BIO [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 27 Feb 2021]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

IFPMA [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
No new digest content identified.

PhRMA [to 27 Feb 2021]
http://www.phrma.org/
Selected Press Releases, Statements
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Paul Perreault, CEO and Managing Director of CSL
February 24, 2021
This year, our industry has been working around the clock to combat the COVID-19 virus, including developing effective therapeutics to treat COVID-19 and vaccines to prevent future infections. I had the opportunity to connect with Paul Perreault, CEO and Managing Director of CSL Limited, the world’s third largest biotech, about the company’s efforts to address COVID-19.
Blog Post

ICYMI: Report provides actional recommendations to strengthen America’s preparedness and future health crises response
February 22, 2021
As America’s biopharmaceutical researchers continue working around the clock to fight COVID-19, leaders in the health care ecosystem have come together to provide recommendations to strengthen America’s preparedness and future health care crises response…
The report provides a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve the nation’s capabilities for disaster preparedness and response. The recommendations include:
:: Creation by the White House of a standing disaster preparedness group that will include private sector expertise in areas such as production capacity, supply chain and distribution, and acute care delivery.
:: Modernizing the health care supply chain through digitalization, automation, and predictive analytics, with standardized approaches for allocating resources based on need and equity to prevent bidding wars between states and healthcare providers.
:: Improving supply chain resilience with strategic incentives such as zero percent loans, federally-guaranteed purchase commitments, and geographic diversification of production for critical medical products.
:: Construction of a 21st century public health early warning system that will utilize all available electronic health records and public health data collection.
:: Legislation and regulatory reform to create rapid response capabilities in areas such as medical licensure portability, telehealth accessibility, and swift access to PPE stockpiles.
:: Creation of measures to ensure health equity and address disparities, identifying high-risk vulnerable populations and directing resources accordingly.
Blog Post