Our World in Data
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations [Accessed 19 Mar 2022]
64% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
10.99 billion doses have been administered globally, and 17.03 million are now administered each day.
Only 14.4% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.
U.S.: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment
HHS
News
No new digest content identified.
BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://aspr.hhs.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsRoomHome.aspx
News
No new digest content identified.
::::::
FDA
Press Announcements
No new digest content identified.
Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee– FDA
https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/blood-vaccines-and-other-biologics/vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee
Calendar
No calendar announcements identified.
::::::
White House [U.S.] [to 19 Mar 2022]
Briefing Room – Selected Major COVID Announcements
FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Launches Effort to Improve Ventilation and Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Buildings
March 17, 2022 • Statements and Releases
Statement by President Joe Biden on the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator
March 17, 2022 • Statements and Releases
…To lead this effort, I am excited to name Dr. Ashish Jha as the new White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator. Dr. Jha is one of the leading public health experts in America, and a well known figure to many Americans from his wise and calming public presence. And as we enter a new moment in the pandemic – executing on my National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and managing the ongoing risks from COVID – Dr. Jha is the perfect person for the job.
I appreciate both Jeff and Dr. Jha for working closely to ensure a smooth transition, and I look forward to continued progress in the months ahead.
FACT SHEET: Consequences of Lack of Funding for Efforts to Combat COVID-19 if Congress Does Not Act
March 15, 2022 • Statements and Releases
U.S. Department of State [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.state.gov/coronavirus/releases/
Press Statement
The United States Shares 500 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Worldwide
Antony J. Blinken March 17, 2022
The United States has now shared over 500 million safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses, free of cost, to more than 110 countries and economies around the world – for the sole purpose of saving lives.
Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided nearly $20 billion in health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance to over 120 countries, including rapid response support for urgent health needs and technical assistance to expand vaccine access. We have also invested and supported the expansion of regional COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in Africa and Asia. Today, we continue to work tirelessly with governments and international organizations, vaccine producers, NGOs, the private sector, and others to deliver vaccines, get shots in arms, increase testing and treatment, support and protect healthcare workers, and more. Our recently announced COVID-19 Global Action Plan provides a clear roadmap for this international coordination…
USAID [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/2021
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Announcements
News
USAID Announces an Additional $12.8 million in Assistance to Malawi
March 18, 2022
The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced an additional $12.8 million in assistance for Malawi to tackle food insecurity, strengthen anti-corruption efforts and respond to Tropical Cyclone Ana.
Marking Delivery of Half a Billion U.S.-Donated COVID-19 Vaccines
March 17, 2022
Today, the United States has delivered half a billion COVID-19 vaccines, all donated free of charge, to more than 110 countries in every region of the world—more doses than any other nation. For every shot we have given in the United States, nearly one has been shipped abroad. Today marks an important milestone in reaching President Biden’s extraordinary pledge to donate more than 1.2 billion safe and effective shots worldwide, with no expectations in return.
The United States Announces nearly $585 Million in New Humanitarian Assistance for the People of Yemen as Crisis Threatens Millions of Lives
March 16, 2022
Today, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced nearly $585 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Yemen at the 2022 High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen. In recent weeks, life-saving humanitarian programs in Yemen have been halted or forced to scale back significantly due to a lack of resources. This newly announced funding will enable continued provision of life-saving aid for Yemen’s most vulnerable people amid the intensifying conflict and the country’s devastating economic deterioration. The United States remains one of the largest donors of humanitarian assistance to Yemen, providing nearly $4.5 billion since the conflict began seven years ago.
Europe: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment
European Medicines Agency
News & Press Releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
::::::
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en
Latest Updates [Selected]
Publication
Guidance for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in temporary reception centres in the context of the large numbers of people fleeing Ukraine
Technical report – 18 Mar 2022
::::::
Accessed 19 Mar 2022
https://vaccinetracker.ecdc.europa.eu/public/extensions/COVID-19/vaccine-tracker.html#uptake-tab
::::::
European Commission
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en
Latest [Selected]
Press release 18 March 2022
Ukraine refugees: Operational guidelines to support Member States in applying the Temporary Protection Directive
Today, the Commission is presenting operational guidelines to support Member States in applying the Directive.
Russian and Belarussian oligarchs, has now stepped up its action at international level.
Press release 16 March 2022
Yemen: Commission pledges €154 million for conflict-affected people
The European Commission has today announced €154 million for 2022 to support those most in need in Yemen at the high-level pledging event for Yemen co-hosted by the United Nations, Sweden and Switzerland.
Africa: COVID-19 – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment
Accessed 19 Mar 2022. Full scale, interactive dashboard available at:
https://africacdc.org/covid-19-vaccination/
Russia: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment
Russia: Sputnik V – “the first registered COVID-19 vaccine”
https://sputnikvaccine.com/newsroom/pressreleases/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
India: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/
Government of India – Press Information Bureau
Latest Press Releases
COVID-19 UPDATE
Posted On: 19 MAR 2022 9:24AM by PIB Delhi
181.04 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India’s Active caseload currently stands at 27,802
Active cases stand at 0.06%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.73%
3,383 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,24,61,926
2,075 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate (0.56%)
Weekly Positivity Rate (0.41%)
78.22 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,70,514 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR)
https://www.icmr.gov.in/media.html
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
China: COVID-19 Vaccines – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment
[See China CDC below]
Emergencies
POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
https://polioeradication.org/polio-today/polio-now/this-week/
Polio this week as of 16 March 2022
Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
– DR Congo: three cVDPV2 cases
– Nigeria: one cVDPV2 case
::::::
::::::
Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
No new reports identified.
::::::
::::::
WHO/OCHA Emergencies
Editor’s Note:
WHO has issued a single situation report on Ukraine [5 March 2022 Emergency in Ukraine – Situation Report 1] which we featured in last week’s edition. Ukraine has not yet been listed in the omnibus inventory on WHO emergencies below.
Health emergencies list – WHO
“The health emergencies list details the disease outbreaks, disasters and humanitarian crises where WHO plays an essential role in supporting countries to respond to and recover from emergencies with public health consequences.”
Afghanistan crisis
Measles vaccination campaign kicks off in Afghanistan to fight ongoing outbreak: around 1.2 million children in 24 provinces to get vaccinated 14 March 2022
Crisis in Northern Ethiopia [Last apparent update: 1 June 2021]
Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Ebola outbreak outbreak, N’Zerekore, Guinea, 2021 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic [See COVID above]
Ebola outbreak, Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2020
[Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Ebola outbreak, North Kivu, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 – 2020
[Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 [Last apparent update: 24 July 2018]
Yemen crisis [Last apparent update: 12 February 2021]
Syria crisis [Last apparent update: 18 June 2021]
Somalia crisis [Last apparent update: 24 March 2018]
Nigeria crisis [Last apparent update: 1 Oct 2021]
Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Zika virus disease outbreak, 2015-2016[Last apparent update: 24 Jan 2020]
Ebola outbreak: West Africa, 2014-2016 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Iraq crisis [Last apparent update: 9 Jan 2008]
South Sudan crisis [Last apparent update: 23 Sep 2020]
Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus outbreak [Last apparent update: 13 September 2021]
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) outbreak [Last apparent update: 8 July 2019]
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, 2009-2010 pandemic [Last apparent update: 10 Aug 2010]
::::::
UN OCHA – Current Emergencies
Current Corporate Emergencies
Afghanistan
No new updates identified.
Northern Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Northern Ethiopia Humanitarian Update Situation Report, 17 March 2022
HIGHLIGHTS
With the Meher planting season a month away, only 4,000 tonnes of improved seed (of 49,000 tonnes required) is available in Tigray.
Thanks to the batch received through UNHAS, 117,870 animals were vaccinated during the reporting period, and 2.93 million vaccinated since 7 July 2021 in Tigray (24% of target).
Only 5 of 100 large rubber tents required in Jara IDP site in North Wollo Zone, Amhara are in place. Additional plastic sheets also required for 150,000 IDPs to be relocated there.
11 schools are sheltering IDPs in Afdera and Kori woredas in Afar and an additional 198 schools remain closed due to insecurity, impacting more than 48,000 children.
Ukraine
Ukraine: Humanitarian Impact Situation Report (As of 3:00 p.m. (EET) on 18 March 2022)
:: Now in its fourth week, the ongoing military offensive has already caused 2,149 civilian casualties, including 816 killed, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The actual figures are likely much higher as fierce clashes continue across the country.
::::::
::::::
Emergencies
POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
https://polioeradication.org/polio-today/polio-now/this-week/
Polio this week as of 16 March 2022
Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
– DR Congo: three cVDPV2 cases
– Nigeria: one cVDPV2 case
::::::
::::::
Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
No new reports identified.
::::::
::::::
WHO/OCHA Emergencies
Editor’s Note:
WHO has issued a single situation report on Ukraine [5 March 2022 Emergency in Ukraine – Situation Report 1] which we featured in last week’s edition. Ukraine has not yet been listed in the omnibus inventory on WHO emergencies below.
Health emergencies list – WHO
“The health emergencies list details the disease outbreaks, disasters and humanitarian crises where WHO plays an essential role in supporting countries to respond to and recover from emergencies with public health consequences.”
Afghanistan crisis
Measles vaccination campaign kicks off in Afghanistan to fight ongoing outbreak: around 1.2 million children in 24 provinces to get vaccinated 14 March 2022
Crisis in Northern Ethiopia [Last apparent update: 1 June 2021]
Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Ebola outbreak outbreak, N’Zerekore, Guinea, 2021 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic [See COVID above]
Ebola outbreak, Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2020
[Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Ebola outbreak, North Kivu, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 – 2020
[Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 [Last apparent update: 24 July 2018]
Yemen crisis [Last apparent update: 12 February 2021]
Syria crisis [Last apparent update: 18 June 2021]
Somalia crisis [Last apparent update: 24 March 2018]
Nigeria crisis [Last apparent update: 1 Oct 2021]
Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Zika virus disease outbreak, 2015-2016 [Last apparent update: 24 Jan 2020]
Ebola outbreak: West Africa, 2014-2016 [Last apparent update: 17 Aug 2021]
Iraq crisis [Last apparent update: 9 Jan 2008]
South Sudan crisis [Last apparent update: 23 Sep 2020]
Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus outbreak [Last apparent update: 13 September 2021]
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) outbreak [Last apparent update: 8 July 2019]
Influenza A (H1N1) virus, 2009-2010 pandemic [Last apparent update: 10 Aug 2010]
::::::
UN OCHA – Current Emergencies
Current Corporate Emergencies
Afghanistan
No new updates identified.
Northern Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Northern Ethiopia Humanitarian Update Situation Report, 17 March 2022
HIGHLIGHTS
With the Meher planting season a month away, only 4,000 tonnes of improved seed (of 49,000 tonnes required) is available in Tigray.
Thanks to the batch received through UNHAS, 117,870 animals were vaccinated during the reporting period, and 2.93 million vaccinated since 7 July 2021 in Tigray (24% of target).
Only 5 of 100 large rubber tents required in Jara IDP site in North Wollo Zone, Amhara are in place. Additional plastic sheets also required for 150,000 IDPs to be relocated there.
11 schools are sheltering IDPs in Afdera and Kori woredas in Afar and an additional 198 schools remain closed due to insecurity, impacting more than 48,000 children.
Ukraine
Ukraine: Humanitarian Impact Situation Report (As of 3:00 p.m. (EET) on 18 March 2022)
:: Now in its fourth week, the ongoing military offensive has already caused 2,149 civilian casualties, including 816 killed, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The actual figures are likely much higher as fierce clashes continue across the country.
::::::
::::::
WHO & Regional Offices [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.who.int/
News [Selected]
15 March 2022
Departmental news
WHO and Kuaishou Technology provide access to COVID-19 information and mental health tips
14 March 2022
Departmental news
WHO released a new operational guide to promote COVID-19 vaccination uptake and tackle vaccine hesitancy among refugees and migrants
13 March 2022
Statement
Stop attacks on health care in Ukraine
::::::
WHO Director General Speeches [selected]
https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches
Selected
17 March 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s remarks at United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine – 17 March 2022
17 March 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s keynote speech at the Thailand International Health Expo 2022 – 17 March 2022
17 March 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the Member State Information Session on COVID-19 – 17 March 2022
16 March 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at 28th Tripartite Executive Annual Meeting Tripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR – 17 March 2022
16 March 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the WHO press conference – 16 March 2022
16 March 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s closing remarks at the High-level pledging event for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen – 16 March 2022
16 March 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s remarks at the 4th Meeting of Global Leaders Group on AMR – 16 March 2022
::::::
WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region
:: More than 80 million doses to be administered to southern African children targeted in mass polio vaccination drives 18 March 2022
:: Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake increases by 15% 17 March 2022
WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: 16 Mar 2022 As cases rise in other regions, the Americas must focus on vaccines to protect the most vulnerable
While many countries and territories in the region are on track to reach 70% coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, 21 have yet to reach half their populations. Washington D.C., 16 March 2022 (PAHO) – As COVID-19 vaccination continues to expand in the Americas, countries must continue to focus on the protection of the most vulnerable, such as the…
WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
No new digest content identified
WHO European Region EURO
:: Hungary: the importance of mental health and psychosocial support to refugees and displaced people – one mother’s story of a life upended through the Ukraine war 18-03-2022
:: Prioritizing the health of refugees and migrants: an urgent, necessary plan of action for countries and regions in our interconnected world 18-03-2022
:: The impacts of war on children with cancer – ensuring continuation of care for those whose lives depend on it 16-03-2022
:: Romania: civil society on the front line of health-care provision to refugees from Ukraine 15-03-2022
WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: High-level delegation of WHO visits Iraq to boost health system 16 March 2022
:: Measles vaccination campaign begins in Afghanistan to fight ongoing outbreak :: 14 March 2022
:: Integrated public health teams helping Sudan move forward on polio transition 13 March 2022
WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified
::::::
WHO Events
https://www.who.int/news-room/events/1
[Selected]
COVID-19 Case Management Webinar Series: COVID-19 in children and young persons
22 March 2022 13:30 – 15:30 CET
21st meeting of the Malaria Policy Advisory Group (MPAG)
23 – 24 March 2022
World TB Day
World TB Day 2022: Invest to End TB. Save Lives
24 March 2022
::::::
New WHO Publications
https://www.who.int/publications/i
Selected Titles
17 March 2022
Emergency in Ukraine: external situation report #3, published 17 March 2022: reporting period: 11–16…
15 March 2022
Interim recommendations for use of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac, developed by Sinovac
15 March 2022
Annexes to the recommendations for use of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine against COVID-19: Grading of…
15 March 2022
Interim recommendations for use of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BIBP developed by China National…
15 March 2022
Annexes to the interim recommendations for use of the Bharat Biotech BBV152 COVAXIN® vaccine against…
15 March 2022
Interim recommendations for use of the Bharat Biotech BBV152 COVAXIN® vaccine against COVID-19
15 March 2022
Interim recommendations for use of the ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccine against COVID-19 (AstraZeneca…
15 March 2022
Annexes to the interim recommendations for use of theChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccine against COVID-19…
14 March 2022
Strengthening COVID-19 vaccine demand and uptake in refugees and migrants
14 March 2022
Virtual cGMP Training Marathon for Vaccine Manufacturing: Questions & Answers
ACIP Meetings
Next meeting scheduled for June 22-23, 2022
MMWR Weekly: Current Volume (71)
March 18, 2022 / No. 11
PDF of this issue
Progress Toward Achieving and Sustaining Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2020
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Recommendation for Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in Adults Aged ≥18 Years and Considerations for Extended Intervals for Administration of Primary Series Doses of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines — United States, February 2022
Effectiveness of 2-Dose BNT162b2 (Pfizer BioNTech) mRNA Vaccine in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children Aged 5–11 Years and Adolescents Aged 12–15 Years — PROTECT Cohort, July 2021–February 2022
Hospitalization of Infants and Children Aged 0–4 Years with Laboratory- Confirmed COVID-19 — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 2020–February 2022
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC
Approximately 25 announcements/reports/data summaries.
:: 3/18/22 COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults
:: 3/18/22 COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults
:: 3/17/2 2The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Recommendation for Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in Adults Aged ≥18 Years and Considerations for Extended Intervals for Administration of Primary Series Doses of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines — United States, February 2022
:: 3/17/22 Hospitalization of Infants and Children Aged 0–4 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 2020–February 2022
Africa CDC [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Outbreak Brief 113: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Date of Issue: 14 March 2022
… As of 6 p.m. East African Time (EAT) 14 March 2022, a total of 11,283,362 COVID-19 cases and 250,393 deaths (CFR: 2.2%) have been reported by the 55 African Union (AU) Member States (MS). This represents 3% of all cases and 4.1% of all deaths reported globally. Thirty-four (62%) AU MS are reporting CFRs higher than the global CFR. Since the detection of COVID-19 on the African continent in February 2020, 53 (96%) AU MS have experienced three COVID-19 waves, 47 (72%) countries have experienced four waves and nine countries have experienced five waves.One country (Mauritius) is currently experiencing a sixth wave. Figure 1 shows the trend of new COVID-19 cases reported per day by the AU region from 15 February 2020 to 14 March 2022. Despite a test positivity rate of 11.2%, the daily reported number of new cases across the continent is on a downward trend. More information on the COVID-19 situation in Africa is available on the Africa CDC daily dashboard and hotspot dashboard
Editor’s Note:
Careful readers will note that the number and range of organizations now monitored in our Announcements section below has grown as the impacts of the pandemic have spread across global economies, supply chains and programmatic activity of multilateral agencies and INGOs.
Airfinity [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.airfinity.com/insights
INSIGHTS & COMPANY NEWS
No new digest content identified.
Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://alleninstitute.org/news-press/
News
No new digest content identified.
BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center
Press Releases and Statements
Press release
Mar 14, 2022
Global initiative will accelerate the discovery and development of antiviral drug candidates that can be distributed quickly and equitably next time the world faces a pandemic threat
COPENHAGEN – SAN FRANCISCO – SEATTLE (March 14, 2022) – Today, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Open Philanthropy, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced an initial commitment of up to $90 million of coordinated funding toward Pandemic Antiviral Discovery (PAD), a new initiative to catalyze discovery and early development of antiviral medicines for future pandemics. With equitable access as a core principle of the initiative, the founding partners are committed to ensuring that discoveries and innovations supported by PAD are accessible to people in low- and middle-income countries…
Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 19 Mar 2022]
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.
News
No new digest content identified.
Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/
:: Informed Consent: A Monthly Review – March 2022is now posted here
:: Past weekly editions and posting of all segments of Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review are available here.
CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 19 Mar 2022]
Latest News
Nipah survivors study to advance new vaccines against highly fatal threat
15 Mar 2022 By CEPI
DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [U.S.] [to 19 Mar 2022
News
3/3/2022
Developing Algorithms that Make Decisions Aligned with Human Experts
Military operations – from combat, to medical triage, to disaster relief – require complex and rapid decision-making in dynamic situations where there is often no single right answer. Two seasoned military leaders facing the same scenario on the battlefield, for example, may make different tactical decisions when faced with difficult options. As AI systems become more advanced in teaming with humans, building appropriate human trust in the AI’s abilities to make sound decisions is vital.
Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 19 Mar 2022]
No new digest content identified.
The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as other poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on phase II and III clinical trials
News
No new digest content identified.
Emory Vaccine Center [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.
European Vaccine Initiative [to 19 Mar 2022]
Latest News, Events
No new digest content identified.
Evidence Aid [to 19 Mar 2022]
Evidence Aid aims to save lives and livelihoods in disasters by providing decision-makers with the best available evidence and by championing its use.
Fondation Merieux [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
Mérieux Foundation co-organized event
2nd Workshop of the Global Collaboration on Advanced Vaccinology Training
March 22 – 24, 2022 – Centre des Pensières, Veyrier-du-Lac (France)
From March 22-24, 2022, the second Workshop of the Global Collaboration on Advanced Vaccinology Training will be held at Les Pensières Center for Global Health, with approximately 70 participants.
News Releases
No new digest content identified.
https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press
No new digest content identified.
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
Update on the RTS,S Malaria Vaccine
17 March 2022
The Global Fund’s malaria Strategic Initiative, alongside Gavi and Unitaid, continues to fund the Malaria Vaccine implementation program to generate further evidence on the RTS,S vaccine’s impact, safety, and feasibility over the next two years.
Global Health Supply Chain Dialogue
17 March 2022
The Global Fund is organizing a Global Health Supply Chain Dialogue from 29 to 31 March 2022 under the theme “Building Resilient Supply Chains for Effective Pandemic Preparedness”. The conference aims to foster discussion between countries and partners on NEXTGen market shaping strategies, and generate commitment to an action plan that will strengthen public health supply chains, an essential element in the path to more resilient health systems.
Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 19 Mar 2022]
News
07/03/2022
The second webinar in the ZonMw series ‘Response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with a hematological condition and primary immunodeficiencies’… Monday April 4, 2022, from 5pm to 6pm CET.
Hilleman Laboratories [to 19 Mar 2022]
News & Insights
No new digest content identified
HHMI – Howard Hughes Medical Institute [to 19 Mar 2022]
Press Room
No new digest content identified
Human Vaccines Project [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/
News
Mar 18, 2022
Michelson Philanthropies and Science Reveal the Next Innovators in Immunology
IAVI [to 19 Mar 2022]
March 17, 2022
HVTN 302 begins first dosing of mRNA HIV vaccine antigens
HVTN, NIAID, and Moderna partner on trial of HIV Env trimers designed by IAVI’s William Schief.
ICRC [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
What’s New
ICRC President: The suffering in Mariupol must not become the future of Ukraine
The following is a statement from Peter Maurer, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who is currently in Ukraine: Kyiv (ICRC) – Driving toward Kyiv this week, the signs of conflict grew.
17-03-2022 | News release
Yemen: Even as global attention shifts, the world must not abandon Yemen
Seven years of raging conflict in Yemen has exhausted the population’s capacity to cope, even as global attention is shifting toward other high-profile crises.
17-03-2022 | News release
ICRC President Peter Maurer makes four calls regarding the conflict in Yemen at High-level Pledging Conference for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
17-03-2022 | Statement
Somalia is the most severely affected of the countries facing the ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa. The situation is alarming, and it is deteriorating. People are massively abandoning their homes in search for water and food.
16-03-2022 | News release
International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities [ICMRA]
http://www.icmra.info/drupal/en/news
Selected Statements, Press Releases, Research
No new digest content identified.
IFFIm
Press Releases/Announcements
No new digest content identified.
IFRC [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
IFRC urges countries in the Caribbean to build vaccine confidence in communities
Jamaica, 17 March 2022 – The low rate of vaccination against COVID-19 in the Caribbean must be addressed through building confidence among the population as well as responding to the inequity of vaccine access, says the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Building this confidence is a key factor in promoting universal vaccination and therefore fostering socio-economic recovery in the Caribbean, where only 40 per cent of the population counts with a complete scheme of vaccination, in comparison with 68 per cent in South America and 60 per cent in Central America. In the Americas region more than 1.7 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered…
Philippines: 2 million exposed to climate disasters 3 months after Typhoon Rai
Institut Pasteur [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press release
14.03.2022
Discovery of an immune escape mechanism promoting Listeria infection of the central nervous system
Some “hypervirulent” strains of Listeria monocytogenes have a greater capacity to infect the central nervous system….
IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
News – Selected
No new digest content identified.
ISC / International Science Council [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://council.science/current/
ISC is a non-governmental organization with a unique global membership that brings together 40 international scientific Unions and Associations and over 140 national and regional scientific organizations including Academies and Research Councils.
No new digest content identified.
IVAC [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Webinar: Reaching Zero-dose Children and Supporting Immunization Equity in Humanitarian Contexts
March 2022
Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/zero-dose-ivac-webinar When: March 28th from 8:00-9:00am Description: How do we restore and strengthen immunization to effectively reach populations in humanitarian settings? An estimated two-thirds of zero-dose children live in conflict-affected settings. Research suggests that global conflicts are lasting longer and becoming more complex with greater impacts on civilian populations. A panel […]
Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/zero-dose-ivac-webinar
When: March 28th from 8:00-9:00am
IVI [to 19 Mar 2022]
IVI welcomes the United Arab Emirates as its 37th member state with flag-raising ceremony
March 17, 2022 – SEOUL, South Korea – The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) announced today that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined IVI, becoming the international organization’s 37th member state. His Excellency Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Korea, raised the flag of the UAE at IVI headquarters…
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
No new digest content identified.
MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 19 Mar 2022]
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Central American Migration
Peru: Venezuelan migrants struggle to survive
Project Update 18 Mar 2022
War in Ukraine
Staff in major Kyiv hospital receive training for potential increase in casualties
Project Update 18 Mar 2022
Ethiopia Tigray crisis
Ethiopia: MSF seeks answers from government after new media report on killing of its staff
Statement 17 Mar 2022
War in Ukraine
War in Ukraine has displaced me twice and I’m on the road again
Voices from the Field 16 Mar 2022
War in Ukraine
Every day thousands of Ukrainians arrive in Slovakia – traumatised and exhausted
Interview 14 Mar 2022
National Academy of Medicine – USA [to 19 Mar 2022]
News
Statement by NAM President Victor Dzau on Responding to the Health Crisis In and Around Ukraine
March 15, 2022
I have been watching with increasing sadness and alarm as health care facilities come under fire during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with devastating impacts on patients, civilians, and frontline workers. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization confirmed at least 31 such attacks, including the shelling of a children’s and maternity hospital. Many facilities are […]
National Academy of Sciences – USA [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.nasonline.org/news-and-multimedia/
News
No new digest content identified.
National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
Vaccines Federal Implementation Plan 2021-2025
On Wednesday March 2, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit stakeholder written public comments on the draft Vaccines Federal Implementation Plan 2021-2025- PDF*. HHS values input from all stakeholders and will take all public comments into consideration before finalizing this document.
We encourage your input or comments and ask that you circulate this information to others who may also wish to provide comments. Information about how to provide written public comment is found on HHS.gov and the deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. EST Tuesday March 29, 2022.
The Vaccines Federal Implementation Plan is a companion document to the Vaccines National Strategic Plan 2021-2025 published in January 2021. This plan outlines the federal government’s broad national vaccination goals and offers a framework to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases through safe and effective vaccination over the lifespan, for both federal agencies and external partners.
The implementation plan focuses on the specific actions that federal agencies can take to further those same national vaccination goals.
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
March 17, 2022 — Contributions from diverse participants set to change the landscape of genomics ressearch.
NIH launches clinical trial of three mRNA HIV vaccines
March 14, 2022 — Phase 1 study is among first to examine mRNA technology for HIV.
OECD [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/publicationsdocuments/bydate/
Newsroom
OECD calls for well-targeted support to the vulnerable as war undermines global recovery
Russia’s war against the people of Ukraine is a deeply distressing moment for the world. Thousands of people have been killed with millions fleeing from the war. Beyond the ongoing humanitarian disaster, the economic damage is already being felt worldwide and risks becoming increasingly severe.
17-March-2022
Media reaction in response to reports of a compromise on the vaccines TRIPS waiver
16 March 2022
[See Perspectives above for deatil]
PATH [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
UNAIDS [to 19 Mar 2022]
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
18 March 2022
UNAIDS staff member talks about the invasion of Ukraine
17 March 2022
Supporting the HIV response for young people in Eswatini
15 March 2022
Social enterprises and financial saving supporting Madagascan sex workers through COVID-19
14 March 2022
UNAIDS Executive Director’s Statement at the 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
14 March 2022
Discriminatory attitudes remain common
UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected News Releases, Announcements
UNHCR and partners seek US$1.2 billion to address Africa’s largest refugee crisis
Poland welcomes more than two million refugees from Ukraine
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Press Releases, News Notes, Statements [Selected]
UNICEF sends additional life-saving supplies for Ukraine response
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-sends-additional-life-saving-supplies-ukraine-response
Syria: children struggle with physical and psychological scars after 11 years of war
Yemen: Acute hunger at unprecedented levels as funding dries up
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/yemen-acute-hunger-unprecedented-levels-funding-dries
Stop attacks on health care in Ukraine
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/stop-attacks-health-care-ukraine
Featured News
18 March 2022
17 March 2022
Vaccine Equity Cooperative [nee Initiative] [to 19 Mar 2022]
News
No new digest content identified.
Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin) [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.vaccineacceptance.org/
Announcements, Blog
No new digest content identified.
Vaccine Confidence Project [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
News, Research and Reports
No new digest content identified.
Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
No new digest content identified.
Wellcome Trust [to 19 Mar 2022]
News. Opinion, Reports
New funding calls aim to improve mental health interventions
17 March 2022
Some mental health treatments and interventions are effective. Others aren’t. And there’s still little to no understanding of why, or how to improve the outlook for anxiety, depression and psychosis. New Wellcome funding aims to address that.
The Wistar Institute [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
No new digest content identified.
WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 19 Mar 2022]
Latest News – Blog
No new digest content identified.
World Bank [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Monitoring COVID-19 impacts on Latin American and Caribbean Households
To respond swiftly to the growing demand for data to monitor the welfare impacts of COVID-19 on households, the World Bank and various partners embarked on an initiative to implement High-Frequency Phone…
Date: March 14, 2022 Type: Brief L
DUSHANBE, March 14, 2022 – The Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank signed today a $25 million grant agreement as additional financing to the Tajikistan Emergency COVID-19 Project, which has been…
Date: March 14, 2022 Type: Press Release
World Customs Organization – WCO [to 19 Mar 2022]
Latest News
16 March 2022
WCO reiterates the key role of Customs in humanitarian crises
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.oie.int/en/media/news/
Press Releases, Statements
Editor’s Choice 15 March 2022
WTO – World Trade Organisation [to 19 Mar 2022]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm
DDG González: the trading system, a crucial ally in the fight against the pandemic
17 March 2022
Trade policy is health policy, and WTO members have a unique responsibility to leverage the full force of trade to achieve better health outcomes around the world, according to Deputy Director-General Anabel González. In an article published on 17 March in Think Global Health Trade, a multi-contributor website by the Council on Foreign Relations, DDG González points at the three main lessons which have emerged from the pandemic: global trade equals strength, a rules-based trading system matters in times of crisis, and better trade collaboration will improve health outcomes around the world.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala hails breakthrough on TRIPS COVID-19 solution
16 March 2022
World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala today warmly welcomed the breakthrough among four WTO Members on a waiver of the Trade Related Intellectual Property agreement for the production of vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic.
[See Perspectives above for detail]
::::::
ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 19 Mar 2022]
Selected Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
BIO [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases, Letters, Testimony, Comments [Selected]
No new digest content identified.
DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 19 Mar 2022]
No new digest content identified.
ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
ICBA Statement on Leaked QUAD Proposal for a COVID-19 Vaccine IP Rights Waiver
[undated]
Steve Bates Chair of ICBA said “The leaked QUAD proposal of a waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID vaccines would, if agreed, have a chilling impact on investment into the small companies that have been at the heart of the solutions to COVID-19. It would do nothing to solve the challenges we face in 2022 and make it far harder for small companies pioneering in this space in future”
“Small biotechs throughout ICBA member countries, including, for example, companies such as Canada-based Acuitas Therapeutics, BioNtech from Germany and the UK’s Vaccitech, all depend on their intellectual property to deliver key innovations that underpin the current generation of COVID -19 vaccines. Alongside these successes are many, many companies in our community that invested heavily and failed to make breakthroughs. This proposal directly threatens this innovative ecosystem’s ability to attract the capital needed to develop next generation of vaccines whilst doing nothing to solve the access challenges we have in 2022.”
“The reported proposal misguidedly casts IP as a barrier to COVID-19 vaccine access and distribution despite there being abundant supply of COVID-19 vaccines given the collective manufacturing globally of over 11 billion doses in 2021. Weakening IP rights does nothing to facilitate the distribution of these manufactured vaccines to people around the world who most need them – rather prioritizing addressing healthcare infrastructure and vaccine hesitancy in the developing world would lead to more shots in arms.”
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
IFPMA statement on TRIPS discussion document
16 March 2022
[See Perspectives above for detail]
International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]
https://www.igbamedicines.org/
News
No new digest content identified.
International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations – IAPO [to 19 Mar 2022]
https://www.iapo.org.uk/news/topic/6
Press and media [Selected]
No new digest content identified.
PhRMA [to 19 Mar 2022]
Latest News [Selected]
PhRMA Statement on the War in Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 16, 2022) – The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America released the following statement on the war in Ukraine:
“We are deeply saddened by the war taking place against the people of Ukraine. The biopharmaceutical research industry is united in our mission of providing vaccines and treatments to all patients who need them. Like the broader health care sector, biopharmaceutical companies serve a critical humanitarian role in sustaining access to medicines and clinical trials for patients wherever they are. PhRMA’s member companies are working in a variety of ways to support those affected by this humanitarian crisis, including by providing free essential medicines, making monetary donations to non-profits providing aid, monitoring for supply chain disruptions, and addressing the safety of employees and their families through financial assistance, transportation and other resources.
“We condemn the violence unfolding against the people of Ukraine and hope for its immediate end.”
To learn more about individual company efforts, please visit the website set up by our European sister association, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations’ (EFPIA), found here.
Journal Watch
Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review continues its weekly scanning of key peer-reviewed journals to identify and cite articles, commentary and editorials, books reviews and other content supporting our focu-s on vaccine ethics and policy. Journal Watch is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicative of themes and issues the Center is actively tracking. We selectively provide full text of some editorial and comment articles that are specifically relevant to our work. Successful access to some of the links provided may require subscription or other access arrangement unique to the publisher.
If you would like to suggest other journal titles to include in this service, please contact David Curry at: david.r.curry@centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.org
AMA Journal of Ethics
Volume 24, Number 2: E107-163 Feb 2022
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/issue/tactical-health-and-law-enforcement
Tactical Health and Law Enforcement
Tactical health involves providing field-based clinical support to law enforcement operations during frontline crisis interventions and prehospital emergency care. Health professional skill can inform individual officers’ occupational health maintenance and help agents of the state navigate primary and secondary trauma and posttrauma experiences in field- and clinic-based settings. Tactical health expertise can also inform department- and agency-level policies, decisions, and responses to community health and safety threats. Ethical questions considered in this issue focus on the nature and scope of health professionals’ collaborations with law enforcement personnel during and following critical event preparation and responses.
Annals of Internal Medicine
March 2022 Volume 175, Issue 3
http://annals.org/aim/issue
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Antibody Response and Breakthrough Infection in Patients Receiving Dialysis
FREE
Shuchi Anand, MD, Maria E. Montez-Rath, PhD, Jialin Han, MS, Pablo Garcia, MD, LinaCel adden, CLS,
… et al.
Pages:371–378
Annals of Internal Medicine
March 2022 Volume 175, Issue 3
http://annals.org/aim/issue
Carditis After COVID-19 Vaccination With a Messenger RNA Vaccine and an Inactivated Virus Vaccine – A Case–Control Study
FREE
Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, PhD, Xue Li, PhD, Kuan Peng, MHS, Lei Huang, MSc, Patrick Ip, MPH, … et al.
Pages:362–370
Show
Annals of Internal Medicine
March 2022 Volume 175, Issue 3
http://annals.org/aim/issue
Original Research
COVID-19 Vaccination Effectiveness Against Infection or Death in a National U.S. Health Care System – A Target Trial Emulation Study
FREE
George N. Ioannou, BMBCh, MS, Emily R. Locke, MPH, Ann M. O’Hare, MD, … et al.
Pages:352–361
BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
On the accuracy of short-term COVID-19 fatality forecasts
Forecasting new cases, hospitalizations, and disease-induced deaths is an important part of infectious disease surveillance and helps guide health officials in implementing effective countermeasures. For disea…
Authors: Nino Antulov-Fantulin and Lucas Böttcher
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2022 22:251
Content type: Research article Published on: 14 March 2022
BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
Impact of a delayed second dose of mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) and inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) on risks of all-cause mortality, emergency department visit, and unscheduled hospitalization
Safety after the second dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine remains to be elucidated, especially among individuals reporting adverse events after their first dose. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a delaye…
Authors: Carlos King Ho Wong, Xi Xiong, Kristy Tsz Kwan Lau, Celine Sze Ling Chui, Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Xue Li, Esther Wai Yin Chan, Eric Yuk Fai Wan, Ivan Chi Ho Au, Benjamin John Cowling, Cheuk Kwong Lee and Ian Chi Kei Wong
Citation: BMC Medicine 2022 20:119
Content type: Research article Published on: 17 March 2022
BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
Public knowledge, attitude, and acceptance toward COVID-19 vaccines in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health in addition to the global economy are huge. Vaccination is a pivotal measure to decrease COVID-19 morbidity and mortality and to help bri…
Authors: Mohammed Al-kafarna, Sajeda Ghassan Matar, Hossam Waleed Almadhoon, Bashar Khaled Almaghary, Mohamed Sayed Zaazouee, Asmaa Ahmed Elrashedy, Dalia Sami Wafi, Sami D. Jabari, Omar H. Salloum, Eman Ahmed Ibrahim, Hala ZI Alagha and Elfatih A. Hasabo
Citation: BMC Public Health 2022 22:529
Content type: Research Published on: 17 March 2022
BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
Public perception of isolation, quarantine, social distancing and community containment during COVID-19 pandemic
Effective strategies of prevention have been and can aid in reducing and overcoming contagious diseases including COVID-19, still there is dearth of knowledge regarding general public awareness and perception….
Authors: Tahreem Hussain, Nida Jawed, Saba Mughal and Kashif Shafique
Citation: BMC Public Health 2022 22:528
Content type: Research Published on: 17 March 2022
BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
Determinants of pentavalent and measles vaccination dropouts among children aged 12–23 months in The Gambia
Every year, vaccination averts about 3 million deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). However, despite that immunization coverage is increasing globally, many children in developing countries are sti…
Authors: Peter A. M. Ntenda, Alick Sixpence, Tisungane E. Mwenyenkulu, Kondwani Mmanga, Angeziwa C. Chirambo, Andy Bauleni and Owen Nkoka
Citation: BMC Public Health 2022 22:520
Content type: Research Published on: 17 March 2022
BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
How (not) to mobilize health workers in the fight against vaccine hesitancy: Experimental evidence from Germany’s AstraZeneca controversy
COVID-19 vaccine hesistancy is a serious policy issue in Germany as vaccinations have stagnated at low levels compared to most other European countries. In this context, we study whether and how health workers…
Authors: Jan Priebe, Henning Silber, Christoph Beuthner and Steffen Pötzschke
Citation: BMC Public Health 2022 22:516
Content type: Research Published on: 16 March 2022
BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
Ethical challenges and moral distress among field epidemiologists
As ‘disease detectives’ and directors of public health programs, field epidemiologists play essential roles in protecting public health. Although ethical issues receive considerable attention in medical and re…
Authors: Emma Cooke, George Lopez, Angela Hilmers and David G. Addiss
Citation: BMC Public Health 2022 22:510
Content type: Research Published on: 16 March 2022
BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 19 Mar 2022)
Exploring perceived risk for COVID-19 and its role in protective behavior and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: a qualitative study after the first wave
The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has had severe impacts on morbidity and mortality globally.
Authors: Naomi J. Patterson, Valerie A. Paz-Soldan, Richard Oberhelman, Lina Moses, Aubrey Madkour and Thomas T. Miles
Citation: BMC Public Health 2022 22:503
Cell
Mar 17, 2022 Volume 18 5 Issues 6 p939-1104
https://www.cell.com/cell/current
Articles
Immune imprinting, breadth of variant recognition, and germinal center response in human SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination
Katharina Röltgen, et al
Open Access
Human antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 differ between vaccination and infection, with mRNA vaccination inducing more productive lymph node GC responses and several vaccine types stimulating IgG antibodies capable of recognizing a broader range of viral variants.
Clinical Therapeutics
January 2022 Volume 44 Issue 1 p1-154
http://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/current
Reviews
Dynamic Regulatory Assessment: evolving the European Regulatory Framework for the Benefit of Patients and Public Health—an EFPIA View
Esteban Herrero-Martinez, Nasir Hussain, Nadege Le Roux,…Mark Mayer, Rodrigo Palacios, Thomas C. Kühler
Published online: November 27, 2021
p132-138
Open Access
ABSTRACT
The European Union regulatory framework supports development, review, authorization, and maintenance of medicines to benefit public health; however, many elements are 2 decades old and undergoing review. Scrutiny was triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the need to support future innovative medicines, the digital transformation of data exchange, and the need to address efficiency and capacity limitations. There are also ongoing evolutions in regulatory science for medicines (eg, cell and gene therapies), medical device combinations, and software, as well as the need to fully leverage contemporary information technology (IT). Important initiatives to address these challenges include the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Regulatory Science Strategy,1 the EU Regulatory Network Strategy,2 and the Big Data Steering Group,3 alongside European Commission–led initiatives such as the Pharmaceutical Strategy.4
Dynamic regulatory assessment (DRA) is a concept that seeks to integrate these various elements to re-imagine regulatory review interactions across the product life cycle. DRA calls for iterative regulatory dialogue, data submission, and evidence assessment, enabled by contemporary IT. DRA will facilitate iterative interaction and data assessment as it accumulates over a product’s life cycle, bringing significant efficiencies for all product types. The DRA concept primarily evolved through dialogue within working groups of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. This article describes the long-term vision of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and outlines important strategic elements of progress, including: aligning on a multi-stakeholder vision for DRA in the European Union and across regions; leveraging learnings from ongoing initiatives; and advancing IT, governance, and standards considerations. Ultimately, DRA should consider outcomes that deliver optimal benefits for patients in the European Union and worldwide.
Clinical Therapeutics
January 2022 Volume 44 Issue 1 p1-154
http://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/current
Original Research
Willingness to Accept Expedited COVID-19 Vaccine Research for Children Aged <12 Years After Adult Vaccine Approval
Ran D. Goldman, Jeffrey N. Bone, Renana Gelernter,… Mark A. Griffiths, Ahmed Mater, for the International COVIPAS (COVID-19 Parental Attitude Study) Group
Published online: November 15, 2021
ABSTRACT
Purpose
The goal of this study was to assess if caregivers’ attitudes toward the regulatory process of approving the vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for children aged <12 years changed after a vaccine was approved for adults. Methods This was a larger scale COVIPAS (COVID-19 Parental Attitude Study) survey of caregivers presenting with their children aged ≤12 years for emergency care in 12 hospitals in the United States, Canada, and Israel. The study compared willingness to support abridged research into COVID-19 vaccines for children between the peak of the pandemic (March–May 2020) and after a COVID-19 vaccine became available for adults (December 2020–March 2021). Findings A total of 1956 surveys were included in the analyses. Overall, 385 (30.9%) caregivers in the pre–vaccine approval period and 250 (35.3%) caregivers in the post–adult vaccine phase supported abridged research into COVID-19 vaccines (P < 0.001). In both phases, mothers were less likely to favor abridged approval. Those with children who were fully vaccinated based on the pediatric schedule in their country favored abridged approval in phase 1 (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–3.08) but less so in phase 2. In both phases, age and concerns of parents that they had COVID-19 or their child had COVID-19 were not associated with changes in response between phases. Implications Willingness to expedite vaccine approval increased after the emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccine for adults. Mothers are much less likely to approve expedited approval. No significant changes have been found in the composition of caregivers willing to forego regulatory demands on vaccine approval.
Global Public Health
Volume 17, Issue 4 (2022)
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current
Article
European Union: Commission Proposes Directive to Establish Due Diligence Procedures in Global Value Chains to Safeguard Human Rights and the Environment
On February 23, 2022, the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. The directive would lay down rules for companies with regard to actual and potential adverse human rights and environmental impacts on their own and their subsidiaries’ operations and within their value chains, as well as establish rules … Continue reading “European Union: Commission Proposes Directive to…
Contributor: Gesley, Jenny
Date: 2022-03-15
Global Public Health
Volume 17, Issue 4 (2022)
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current
Article Commentary
Ensuring the global COVID-19 vaccine equity: Universal vaccine access strategy in the context of low and-middle-income countries
Ateeb Ahmad Parray, Uday Narayan Yadav, Anupom Das, ARM Mehrab Ali, Shemana Mollick, Senjuti Saha & Sabuj Kanti Mistry
Pages: 614-621
Published online: 20 Jan 2022
Global Public Health
Volume 17, Issue 4 (2022)
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current
Article Commentary
Unresolved COVID Controversies: ‘Normal science’ and potential non-scientific influences
Carlos F. Cáceres
Pages: 622-640
Published online: 15 Feb 2022
Infectious Diseases of Poverty
http://www.idpjournal.com/content
[Accessed 19 Mar 2022]
Possibility of COVID-19 eradication with evolution of a new omicron variant
COVID-19 has been a global health concern since 2019 until date. Global concerted efforts to combat this pandemic has resulted in a number of vaccines distributed across the globe. Although the presence of the…
Authors: Moses Okpeku
Citation: Infectious Diseases of Poverty 2022 11:30
Content type: Commentary Published on: 14 March 2022
JAMA
March 15, 2022, Vol 327, No. 11, Pages 1011-1100
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue
Original Investigation
Association of COVID-19 Vaccination With Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Time Since Vaccination and Delta Variant Predominance
Amadea Britton, MD; Katherine E. Fleming-Dutra, MD; Nong Shang, PhD; et al.
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2022;327(11):1032-1041. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.2068
This study estimates the associations between symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and receipt of BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and Ad26.COV2.S by day since vaccination before and during Delta variant predominance.
JAMA
March 15, 2022, Vol 327, No. 11, Pages 1011-1100
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue
Research Letter
Prevalence and Durability of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Among Unvaccinated US Adults by History of COVID-19
Jennifer L. Alejo, MD; Jonathan Mitchell, MBBS; Amy Chang, MD; et al.
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2022;327(11):1085-1087. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.1393
This study uses serologic testing to characterize natural immunity and the long-term durability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among unvaccinated US adults by history of COVID-19 infection.
JAMA
March 15, 2022, Vol 327, No. 11, Pages 1011-1100
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue
Durability of Anti-Spike Antibodies in Infants After Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination or Natural Infection
Lydia L. Shook, MD; Caroline G. Atyeo, BS; Lael M. Yonker, MD; et al.
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2022;327(11):1087-1089. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.1206
This study compares the persistence of anti-spike IgG titers in infants of vaccinated mothers vs mothers who had been naturally infected with COVID-19.
JAMA
March 15, 2022, Vol 327, No. 11, Pages 1011-1100
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue
Viewpoint
Navigating Clinical and Business Ethics While Sharing Patient Data
Kelly N. Michelson, MD, MPH; James G. Adams, MD; Joshua M. M. Faber, BA
free access
JAMA. 2022;327(11):1025-1026. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.1942
This Viewpoint discusses the gap between clinical medical ethics and some business practices related to patient data sharing and secondary use of data by corporations.
JAMA Network
COVID-19 Update March 19, 2022
These articles on COVID-19 were published across the JAMA Network in the last week.
The Lancet
Mar 19, 2022 Volume 399 Number 10330 p1093-1200, e15-e16
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current
Editorial
Nigeria: rightly taking its place on the world stage
The Lancet
Nigeria is emerging as a world power. It has great intellectual, cultural, and social capital, as well as financial assets. It dominates west Africa, having more than half of the region’s population, and has the highest gross domestic product on the continent. The population of more than 200 million is projected to double by 2050, and to reach 733 million by 2100—making Nigeria the third most populous country in the world, after China and India. This rapid population growth has been accelerated by falling infant mortality combined with a steady birth rate and can create a demographic dividend for Nigeria. But to take advantage of this situation, appropriate investments in health, education, and skills need to be made. Published today, The Lancet Nigeria Commission: investing in health and the future of the nation, views this human potential and extraordinary opportunity through a health lens, telling the story of Nigeria as shaped by the country’s history and present circumstances. Written by a team of experts working at institutions across the country, and members of the diaspora, it has been led by Nigerians for Nigerians.
This potential might not be realised if the country does not address intractable poverty and extreme inequality. Recent trends in health outcomes, as detailed in the accompanying Article published today, record 20 years of increased healthy life expectancy (although it is still low within the region, at 56 years), reductions in mortality for males and females of all ages, and rises in health expenditure but, overall, health outcomes are still poor. Nigeria has repeatedly failed to realise the health gains promised by multiple political leaders, and this failure is holding the country back…
The Lancet
Mar 19, 2022 Volume 399 Number 10330 p1093-1200, e15-e16
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current
Articles
Population health outcomes in Nigeria compared with other west African countries, 1998–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study
Blake Angell, at al
Open Access
The Lancet
Mar 19, 2022 Volume 399 Number 10330 p1093-1200, e15-e16
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current
Articles
Population health outcomes in Nigeria compared with other west African countries, 1998–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study
Blake Angell, at al
Open Access
The Lancet
Mar 19, 2022 Volume 399 Number 10330 p1093-1200, e15-e16
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current
Effectiveness of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine in health-care workers in South Africa (the Sisonke study): results from a single-arm, open-label, phase 3B, implementation study
Linda-Gail Bekker, et al. the Sisonke Protocol Team, on behalf of the Sisonke Study Team
The Lancet
Mar 19, 2022 Volume 399 Number 10330 p1093-1200, e15-e16
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current
The Lancet Commissions
The Lancet Nigeria Commission: investing in health and the future of the nation
Ibrahim Abubakar, et al.
Open Access
Nature
Volume 603 Issue 7901, 17 March 2022
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/603/issues/7901
Article | 31 January 2022 | Open Access
Vaccines elicit highly conserved cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron
Current vaccines induce broadly cross-reactive cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, and provide protection against severe disease despite a substantially reduced neutralizing antibody response.
Jinyan Liu, Abishek Chandrashekar, Dan H. Barouch
Nature Biotechnology
Volume 40 Issue 3, March 2022
https://www.nature.com/nbt/volumes/40/issues/3
Patents | 16 March 2022
Contractual solutions to overcome drug scarcity during pandemics and epidemics
Licensing provisions that obligate recipients of government funding to share relevant technology and know-how for scarce drugs during pandemics and epidemics can reduce shortages and overcome obstacles that intellectual property rights present.
Sapna Kumar
Ana Santos Rutschman
Nature Biotechnology
Volume 40 Issue 3, March 2022
https://www.nature.com/nbt/volumes/40/issues/3
Article | 18 August 2021
Pre-activated antiviral innate immunity in the upper airways controls early SARS-CoV-2 infection in children
Single-cell sequencing reveals pre-activated immunity as important for milder COVID-19 symptoms in children.
J. Loske, J. Röhmel. I. Lehmann
Nature Genetics
Volume 54 Issue 3, March 2022
https://www.nature.com/ng/volumes/54/issues/3
Editorial | 14 March 2022
Rare diseases, common challenges
The genetics community has a particularly important part to play in accelerating rare disease research and contributing to improving diagnosis and treatment. Innovations in sequencing technology and machine learning approaches have positively affected diagnostic success, but more coordinated efforts are needed to move towards effective therapies or even cures for these important, and sometimes overlooked, class of diseases.
Nature Genetics
Volume 54 Issue 3, March 2022
https://www.nature.com/ng/volumes/54/issues/3
Comment | 07 March 2022
A call for an integrated approach to improve efficiency, equity and sustainability in rare disease research in the United States
To build a more efficient, equitable and sustainable approach to rare disease research in the United States, we must prioritize integrated research infrastructure and approaches that focus on understanding connections across rare diseases.
Meghan C. Halley, Hadley Stevens Smith, Holly K. Tabor
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume 21 Issue 3, March 2022
https://www.nature.com/nrd/volumes/21/issues/3
Comment | 28 January 2022
A call to action for translational sciences in COVID-19 and future pandemics
Translation Together, a transnational consortium of translational research organizations, reflects on successes and challenges in regional COVID-19 pandemic responses and proposes five priorities to improve preparedness for future global public health crises and improve the global approach to translational research and science.
Kanny K. Wan, Danielle Davis, Christine M. Cutillo
vaccines and global health :: ethics and policy 