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.
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– 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.

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

Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review :: 23 April 2022

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:

vaccines-and-global-health_the-week-in-review_23-april-2022_final-1Download

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

– Twitter:  Readers can also follow developments on twitter: @vaxethicspolicy.
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– 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

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

Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review :: 23 April 2022

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:

vaccines-and-global-health_the-week-in-review_23-april-2022_final-1Download

– 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

Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly WHA 75
22-28 May 2022
Selected Agenda Documentation
A75/GC/1 Rev.1 Preliminary daily timetable for the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly

A75/1 Rev.1
Provisional agenda
…
A75/5
Post of Director-General

A75/9
Sustainable financing: report of the Working Group

A75/10 Rev.1
Consolidated report by the Director-General
…
A75/16
Public health emergencies: preparedness and response
The Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme

A75/18
Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies
Proposal for amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005)

A75/19
Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies
Strengthening collaboration on One Health

A75/21
Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies
Universal Health and Preparedness Review: concept note

A75/22
Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)

A75/23
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis eradication

A75/24
Poliomyelitis
Polio transition planning and polio post-certification
…

WHO Investment Case

 

A Healthy Return – Investment case for a sustainably financed WHO
17 May 2022  | Publication :: 44 pages
ISBN 978-92-4-005000-6 (electronic version)
ISBN 978-92-4-005001-3 (print version)
PDF: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1424321/retrieve

Executive summary
For more than 70 years, WHO has been the cornerstone of the global health architecture and has played the leading role in improving global health during a period of unprecedented improvement in human well-being and longevity. Today, the importance of improved health outcomes is increasingly recognized from an economic perspective, and the value of health capital as a whole may be at least as large as the value of all other forms of capital combined. Spending on health is an investment which underpins the quality of life, happiness and prosperity.

WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2023 2,3 focuses on making a measurable impact on people’s health in all countries. Its Triple Billion targets set the course for WHO to support the world to ensure that one billion more people benefit from universal health coverage, one billion more people are better protected from health emergencies, and one billion more people enjoy better health and
well-being by 2023.

However, with disruptions caused by COVID-19 exacerbating slow progress toward the Triple Billion targets, the world is far off track to achieve these global goals. Extending the timeline of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work from 2023 to 2025 to achieve these targets is a necessary step.

Investment in WHO is catalytic by nature, meaning that funds invested in WHO are used to support Member States in taking action on health issues. This is done through the three key functions of WHO – leadership, development of technical products and country support. An example of catalytic action is development of technical products such as guidelines and the prequalification of medicines, vaccines and medical devices which through one process can achieve benefits in all 194 Member States.

According to a new analysis contained here, the quantifiable return on investment in WHO is very substantial. The cost of WHO in net present value terms over the coming 10-year period, 2022–2031, is US$ 33 billion and the public value created as a result of this investment, in the most conservative estimation possible, is likely to be between US$ 1.155 trillion and US$ 1.46 trillion. The resulting return on investment is US$ 35 for every US$ 1 invested in WHO.

The disruptive shock of the COVID-19 pandemic has sharpened global awareness of the value of health and the need for investment in it. Yet despite this, in the 2020–2021 biennium, only 16% of WHO’s budget was accounted for by assessed contributions, which are provided by all Member States. Increasing the proportion of assessed contributions to cover a greater part of the base budget of WHO’s programme budget would create a secure, sustainable financing stream, enabling a greater focus on fulfilling the core aims of the Organization.

There has never been a more critical moment to invest in WHO, and strengthen the unique role it plays in global health. Now is the time to sustainably finance WHO and invest in a healthy return for all.

2 Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2023: promote health, keep the world safe, serve the vulnerable. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 (WHO/PRP/18.1; https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/324775/).
3 In resolution EB150.R4, WHO’s Executive Board recommended that the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly in May 2022 extend the endpointnof the Thirteenth General Programme of Work by two years from 2023 to 2025.

COVID Perspectives

Statement for healthcare professionals: How COVID-19 vaccines are regulated for safety and effectiveness (Revised 17 May 2022)
Joint Statement from the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities and World Health Organization
 
Healthcare professionals and public health authorities have a central role in discussing vaccination against COVID-19 with their patients. Vaccines play a critical role in preventing deaths, and hospitalisation caused by infectious diseases, and are contributing to controlling the spread of the disease, thus their impact on infection and serious illness is significant. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people also need to be aware of the additional protective behaviours required to control the pandemic locally.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented level of public interest in vaccines. This includes a focus on the development of vaccines and their regulatory review and safety monitoring. Much of this coverage has taken place through mass and social media.  Reports of adverse events (side effects) have led some people to express concerns about getting vaccinated, delay getting vaccinated or be strongly opposed to vaccination. There are also differences in individual confidence in national safety monitoring systems. Another challenge in communicating the importance of COVID-19 vaccination is that in many, but not all, children and young adults are less clinically affected by COVID-19 infection and therefore some may see limited value in vaccinating this population. Clear and consistent communication of evidence and uncertainties is therefore essential to support people in making the critical choice to be vaccinated.

We appreciate that you, your colleagues and your patients may have a number of questions around the development, regulatory review and ongoing safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Purpose
This joint International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA)* and World Health Organization (WHO) statement aims to help healthcare professionals answer questions about the role of regulators in the oversight of COVID-19 vaccines. It explains how vaccines undergo robust scientific evaluation to determine their safety, efficacy and quality and how safety is closely and continually monitored after approval.

Vaccination has been shown to contribute to reducing deaths and severe illness from COVID-19, and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Vaccinating as many people as possible and reducing the spread of disease is important. Vaccination of a significant proportion of the population also protects vulnerable people, including those who cannot receive vaccines, or the small proportion of people who might remain at risk of infection after vaccination. Failure to vaccinate widely also enables continued circulation of the virus and the generation of variants, including some that may pose a greater risk. Widespread vaccination has contributed to fewer people getting sick and being hospitalised, ultimately alleviating the burden of COVID-19 on healthcare systems. It has also helped allow the move back to normal societal functioning and the re-opening of economies…

Full text of statement available here

COVID Perspectives

COVAX calls for urgent action to close vaccine equity gap
This is a joint statement from the COVAX co-leads CEPI, Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF.
– COVAX has access to enough COVID-19 vaccines to help protect 70% of the population in 91 lower income countries
– Demand and uptake are low, with low-income countries remaining furthest behind
– To close the global vaccine equity gap, COVAX calls on countries to set ambitious targets for implementation and on all partners to ensure countries have the resources needed to accelerate and expand national strategies

Geneva/New York/Oslo, 20 May 2022 – Nearly 18 months after the first administration of a COVID-19 vaccine, incredible progress has been made – with lower-income countries administering billions of COVID-19 vaccines in a historic global rollout that is unprecedented in terms of speed, scale and demographics reached. Yet despite this progress, and the easing of global supply constraints, inequities between lower and higher income countries are continuing to cost lives and are prolonging the pandemic by increasing the threat posed by the emergence of new, potentially more dangerous variants of the virus.

Only 16% of people in low-income countries have received a single vaccine dose – compared to 80% in high-income countries. In certain lower-income countries, many of the most at-risk people in society – healthcare workers, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions – are going unprotected while young, healthy adults receive booster doses in wealthier countries.

 

The world must act urgently to close this equity gap.

After a year of severe constraints, we are now in a situation that two years ago would have seemed impossible: namely global supply is now high enough to underpin the overarching objective of supporting equitable, full vaccination of all adult and adolescent populations globally. COVAX has access to more than enough doses needed to enable 91 lower-income countries that are supported by the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) – which provides donor-funded doses of a wide variety of COVID-19 vaccines – to meet their targets in light of the WHO global target of protecting 70% of the population in each country. We can support these countries to meet individual targets and prioritize full coverage of high-risk groups. In accordance with the updated SAGE roadmap of January 2022 – which recommends boosters for priority groups – COVAX is now open to and encouraging requests for doses for booster campaigns from countries.

COVAX is also well-placed to deliver these doses so they reach those in need. In just 15 months, COVAX – as the Vaccines Pillar of the ACT-Accelerator partnership for equitable access to COVID-19 tools – has shipped over 1.3 billion vaccines to 87 low and lower-middle income countries around the world.

COVAX shipments account for 82% of vaccines delivered to low-income countries and the majority of COVID-19 vaccines administered in humanitarian settings. Through driving the fastest, largest and most complex global vaccination effort in history, COVAX’s work has helped raise the average proportion of people protected by a full course of vaccines in these low- and lower-middle income countries to 46%.

The onus now is on building on this foundation to help countries to fully protect high risk groups, meet national vaccination targets, and close the global COVID-19 vaccine equity gap for good. However, hurdles now remain: demand and uptake are low, with low-income countries remaining the furthest behind.

 

Demand and delivery
With more than 3.8 billion COVID-19 doses administered to-date, national governments in lower-income countries have led the way. The number of countries with coverage under 10% of the population has decreased from 34 in January to 18 today. Some AMC-supported countries – for example, Bhutan, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Maldives, Fiji and Bangladesh – have coverage above 70%.

Building on country readiness efforts undertaken so far, the countries furthest behind are receiving tailored support. In January 2022, WHO, UNICEF and Gavi established the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership (CoVDP), an inter-agency initiative building on existing resources globally, regionally and in-country to support COVID-19 vaccine delivery in lower-income countries. CoVDP specifically provides urgent operational support to the 34 countries that were at or below 10% full vaccination coverage in January 2022, many of which are in Africa. By mid-April 2022, a total of $29 million of urgent funding was coordinated and disbursed – within 15 working days or less – to ten countries across the three agencies. The CoVDP has driven political engagement with several countries with low vaccination rates to keep vaccine delivery on top of the political agenda and identify opportunities for bundling COVID-19 vaccinations with other health interventions.

While CoVDP and other efforts are helping lower-income countries make progress, challenges still need to be addressed. In many countries Omicron has reduced the perceived risk of the virus and there are other health priorities that people and governments are focused on. The option of integrating COVID-19 vaccination with other health systems activities – for example, measles and polio campaigns, or the distribution of malaria bed nets, – therefore becomes more important. COVID-19 vaccination is also an opportunity to strengthen health systems including training health workers, enhancing health management information systems, further improving the cold chain, and forging new ways of working in fragile and conflict settings.

Through our continuous dialogue with AMC-supported countries, we know that demand is highly dynamic and difficult to predict, even for countries themselves. Thanks to input from national governments, COVAX is able to make some initial estimates of overall demand from AMC-supported countries. From our analysis of the latest demand planning forecasts provided to us by these countries, estimated country demand from now through early 2023 currently stands at approximately 330 million doses from COVAX, in addition to what has already been delivered or accepted by countries. However, these continue to be dynamic figures, and will evolve with situations on the ground as well as the occurrence of new variants.  As such, COVAX will be working with national governments to continuously update these estimates.

In order for the world to continue to make meaningful progress on closing the global vaccine equity gap, we urgently call on countries to set ambitious targets backed by concrete plans for implementation – prioritising full coverage of high risk groups – and on all partners to coordinate on providing countries with the resources needed to accelerate and expand national strategies, stimulate demand and overcome operational bottlenecks. The next 3-4 months are crucial for accelerating COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, alongside moving to integrate COVID-19 vaccination efforts into routine primary health systems.

 

Supply
It is testament to the ground-breaking work of the scientific and manufacturing communities that there is now enough global supply to meet needs, as is the fact that it took only 327 days to go from the SARS-CoV-2 virus being sequenced and published to bringing a COVID-19 vaccine into emergency use.

As we strive to help countries deploy more doses, we must also work ensure supply remains available, at the right times. COVAX experienced delays securing doses in 2021. With many doses from advance purchase agreements now becoming available alongside donated doses, and the dynamic nature of country demand coupled with global oversupply, it is highly likely that overall supply will exceed demand. However, COVAX is working with manufacturers to help make supply more responsive to the changing demand environment.

That both global and COVAX supply now exceed demand is an advantageous situation in a pandemic, as it guarantees all countries long term availability of supply and choice of product. Protecting populations rapidly must now take priority. This is fundamental, given that 2021 clearly demonstrated the impact ad hoc, unpredictable supply had on the ability for countries with more limited health systems resources to plan and roll-out vaccination campaigns. Certainty of supply enables countries to plan national vaccination campaigns with more confidence, ensures a rolling buffer of stock can be available in-country and aids smooth and efficient roll outs.

 

While every effort should be taken to minimize wastage and expiry, lower income countries should also be able to accept doses, and to aim high, without being stigmatized when there is wastage, which is an inevitable part of immunization efforts against any disease, in any country.

COVAX is committed to providing countries with long-term, predictable supply, catering to all contexts and maintaining reserves to ensure supply can keep up with shifts in demand. This includes working with manufacturers and donors to ensure any new, variant-adapted vaccines reach COVAX at the same time as higher income countries.

 

We call on donor countries and manufacturers to support COVAX by ensuring the volume and timing of deliveries match as closely as possible the needs of lower-income countries. Donors should support COVAX in maintaining a diverse portfolio, including variant-adapted vaccines if necessary. Manufacturers should work with COVAX to re-phase or re-size supply from existing advance purchase agreements.

A world beset by numerous challenges and crises does not change the fact that the pandemic – our collective crisis – is far from over. Closing the vaccine equity gap must continue to be an urgent priority for the international community.

Unprecedented & Unfinished: COVID-19 and Implications for National and Global Policy
International Science Council, May 2022 :: 110 pages
PDF: https://council.science/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/UnprecedentedAndUnfinished-OnlineVersion.pdf
This new report from the ISC outlines plausible scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic to consider the options for achieving the most desirable end to the crisis, highlighting that decisions made over the coming months and years need to be informed not only by short-term priorities but also by long-term challenges, and will serve as an analytical tool for policy-makers to lead to a more optimistic outcome to the pandemic.

Executive Summary [Excerpt]
What are the key recommendations for how the global community prepares?
Mapping the clocks, the vectors of uncertainty and the resulting outcomes provides an overview of the complexity of the pandemic’s impact and the multiple chain reactions that it has unleashed.
Decisions and actions must be scrutinized in the context of cascading risks, complex feedback loops and multiple trade-offs.

Considering the multidimensional nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Part 2 of the report outlines the most important lessons and policy implications that are widely applicable for either national or multilateral action. The aim is to suggest ways to shift the current trajectory towards a more optimistic outcome that is closer to the Collaboration Plus scenario.

Some of the key recommendations are shown in Table 1. These include the following:
Global and regional cooperation are essential as a core component of seeking remedies and ongoing protection. Current shortcomings in the multilateral system highlighted by the handling of the pandemic (and indeed of the Ukraine crisis) call for reform in the way this operates to handle major crises. This is especially the case given the need to navigate through COVID-19 while facing multiple risks related to climate change, geopolitical tensions, food security and other areas.

In order to address the widening inequalities that have resulted from the pandemic, governments
need to focus on ensuring that the benefits of any future economic recovery are widely shared. This means investing in several areas of overlapping impacts, including: inclusive governance; the acceleration of international mechanisms to ensure high-quality therapeutics for low-income countries; elimination of the digital divide in education; and mitigation of social isolation arising from the pandemic through mechanisms for engagement across society.

Governments must review and reframe the way they assess risk, integrating it more formally into policy development. Transdisciplinary thinking and a focus on resilience are required both before and during a crisis to increase preparedness for and resilience to a wide range of disasters, considering interconnected risks and consequences.

Governments must prioritize building and maintaining trust, help strengthen societal cohesion, and foster cooperation and resilience. Community engagement should be a central activity in preparedness plans for pandemics and other crises, with a diversity of views heard

There is a need to address the challenges of disinformation, and to strengthen pluralistic science advice systems to increase trust in science, thereby protecting societies from risks.

Equally, there is a need invest in R&D for the public good. As part of this, the UN should develop a more integrated approach to science so that challenges can be overcome by working towards common goals.

Policy learning at the local, regional, national, and international level must be increased. This includes sourcing multiple kinds of data and knowledge to learn what precipitated events and what went wrong, in order to develop better mechanisms to address future risks.

 

Key messages
The pandemic has affected every society and is truly a global crisis. Policymakers have focused predominantly on national solutions. However, a global crisis requires global and regional cooperation and solutions, in addition to well thought-through national and local responses.

Although the pandemic will continue to affect every aspect of social, political, economic, and diplomatic life, many decision-makers continue to take a short-term perspective, neglecting the potential impact of their decisions on non-health-related policy domains far into the future.

This project provides a template for policy-makers and experts to consider local decisions in a wider context. It highlights the types of decisions that might lead to better and more equitable outcomes, and illustrates the complex interactions between these decisions.

The future course of the pandemic, and its consequences that extend well beyond the health regime, will depend on policy decisions taken today. Such decisions will shorten or prolong the course of the pandemic and mitigate or aggravate its impacts.

‘Clocks’
Clocks describe a policy dimension and the timeframe at which the outcomes of interest manifest. This conveys the realization that different parts of the global system change and evolve at different speeds and across different timeframes, all while interacting with each other. This report examines seven clocks (health, social, national governance, economics, global governance, environment, and science and technology).

 

 

Pandemic – Asylum Policy

UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls on states to lift remaining pandemic-related asylum restrictions
20 May 2022
More than two years on from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 20 countries across the world today still deny access to asylum for people fleeing conflict, violence, and persecution based on public health measures. Some of these countries apply exceptions for the entry of asylum seekers in an inconsistent or arbitrary manner.

The latest figure of denial of access to asylum represents an improvement in how states handle the admission of asylum seekers since the onset of the pandemic. At the height of the emergency, 100 countries initially restricted access to asylum seekers, placing people already at risk in even more danger. 

 

While states have the sovereign right to regulate the entry of non-nationals, the right to seek asylum and the prohibition of returns to situations of danger are central tenets of international law. This also prohibits countries from rejecting asylum seekers at borders. 

“I appeal to the states that continue to maintain these restrictions to lift them urgently, in order to enable people to seek safety and protection,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

“With wars and violence raging across the world, and people fleeing from persecution, these measures deny the fundamental human right of people to seek asylum. Women, men and children continue to be turned away at land borders and sea; or are returned or transferred to countries where they may face threats to their life or freedom.” 

 

UNHCR has repeatedly warned that measures that deny asylum seekers entry at borders are not only contrary to international law but are also not necessary to address public health risks.

Throughout the pandemic, UNHCR worked with and urged states to uphold their international legal obligations to asylum seekers and provided guidance and technical advice on how to safeguard the rights of refugees while also protecting public health. 

The practice of most states, which admitted asylum seekers during the pandemic, shows that it is possible to manage public health risks, through, for example, testing and quarantine, and other reasonable and proportionate measures.

A recent evaluation on the protection of refugee rights during the pandemic found that some restrictive public health practices adopted at the height of the pandemic have been retained as security measures. 

“I am worried that measures enacted on the pretext of responding to COVID-19 are being used as cover to exclude and deny asylum to people fleeing violence and persecution,” said Grandi. “COVID-19 cannot be an excuse to ignore the law and refugee rights.”

The UNHCR mapping of COVID-19 related border restrictions for asylum seekers is available here: https://data2.unhcr.org/en/dataviz/127

Vaccination in Conflicts Zones

COVID-19: People living in conflict zones cannot be forgotten in global vaccination effort
People living in warzones are at risk of being the very last in the world to have access to COVID-19 vaccines. Of the 25 countries with the lowest vaccination rates in the world today, more than half of them are embroiled in armed conflict and violence.

News release 18 May 2022
Geneva (ICRC) – Ahead of the World Health Assembly, the ICRC is shining a light on the millions of people who continue to be at risk from COVID-19: those living through conflict and armed violence who are yet to receive a single dose of a vaccine.

“Two years on, our fatigue around the pandemic cannot cloud the fact that it is not over and that new and potentially deadly virus variants remain a real threat to our return to normalcy and most importantly, human lives,” Sophie Sutrich, head of ICRC’s COVID-19 management team. “The Omicron variant shows what can happen when large pockets of people are unvaccinated, leading to viral replication and the possible emergence of variants that vaccines don’t cover. Controlling this virus –and future viruses—will only be possible if we invest in health care systems and make sure that everyone is included in vaccination efforts, including those in hard-to-reach conflict zones.”

The WHO estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic caused the deaths of nearly 15 million people globally, a devastating statistic that underscores both the urgency to make vaccines available to everyone and to invest in health care systems. Armed conflict takes a heavy toll on health care systems, leaving infrastructure damaged or neglected and complicating supply chains.

The ICRC, therefore, facilitates vaccinations in last-mile areas by helping gain access across frontlines through its neutral humanitarian work, and by helping with the logistics of transport and cold chains. Countries in conflict often have inherent challenges for carrying out vaccinations such as a lack of cold chain and storage capacities, a lack of electricity, poor health capacities due to a breakdown of health services, a lack of health personnel, and precarious infrastructure including difficult and underdeveloped road networks.

All too often in conflict zones, health care workers come under fire or are forced to flee. When doctors and nurses and the clinics and hospitals where they work aren’t protected by parties to a conflict, their entire communities suffer. It often means people are left with nowhere to go to seek care, let alone COVID-19 vaccines.

 

The ICRC is working urgently to get vaccines in the arms of some of the most vulnerable populations, working with International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners around the world to support COVID-19 vaccination in armed conflicts.
—
Operational examples:
Colombia:
The ICRC has negotiated in various occasions that the vaccination teams could access communities under influence of non-state armed groups for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Myanmar:
The ICRC in Myanmar has supported COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in health facilities near borders areas.

Mozambique:
The ICRC facilitates the transport of vaccines and Ministry of Health vaccination teams in conflict-affected districts in the central region and in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
—
Shots in arms
The ICRC firmly believes that access to COVID-19 vaccines should be unconditional – no political, financial, legal or logistical aspect should curb the efforts to reach the people in conflict and the most fragile settings.

Having vaccine doses available is only part of the solution to this crisis. We must ensure that the vaccine makes it from the airport tarmac into the arms of the most vulnerable.

 

Specifically, the ICRC calls on governments, non-state armed groups, vaccine manufacturers and donors to:
Help produce and deliver more vaccines for countries suffering from conflict;
Provide greater investment in local delivery mechanisms and capacity to ensure vaccines leave the tarmacs of capital airports and reach people living across frontlines and remote areas;
Integrate COVID-19 vaccinations into a broader health strategy which strengthens and supports health care systems weakened by conflict and underinvestment; and
Recognize the fundamental principle under International Humanitarian Law of ‘prevention of disease’ as a medical purpose, including the administration of vaccines, to ensure access to all those living in conflict areas.

 

::::::
COVID-19 Vaccination: Support to people affected by armed conflict and violence and those living in hard-to-reach areas
17-05-2022 |
The ICRC is working with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world to support COVID-19 vaccination in armed conflicts as well as hard-to-reach and volatile areas.

::::::

 

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: 20 May 2022
Confirmed cases :: 521 920 560
Confirmed deaths :: 6 274 323
Vaccine doses administered: 6 274 323
::::::

Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 18 May 2022
Overview
Globally, after the continued decline observed since the end of March 2022, new weekly COVID-19 cases have stabilized during the reporting period (9 May to 15 May 2022), with over 3.6 million cases reported, a 1% increase as compared to the previous week. The number of new weekly deaths continues to decline, with over 9000 new deaths reported during the same period, representing a 21% decrease as compared to the previous week.
As of 15 May 2022, over 518 million confirmed cases and over six million deaths have been reported globally.
In this edition, we provide an update on:
the geographic distribution of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), including the prevalence.
a special focus on environmental surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 to complement public health surveillance

Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process 02 April 2022
[New additions; Full scale view available at title link above]
[Updated on 02 Apr 2022]

 

COVID Vaccines/Therapeutics – Developer/Manufacturer Announcements
[Selected press releases/announcements from organizations from WHO EUL/PQ listing above and other organizations]

 

AstraZeneca
Press Releases
AstraZeneca signs licence agreement with RQ Biotechnology for monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19
17 May 2022

 

Bharat Biotech
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

BioCubaFarma – Cuba
Últimas Noticias – Website not leading at inquiry

 

Biological E
News
Biological E. Limited Reduces CORBEVAX Price to Rs.250 a Dose
Hyderabad, May 16, 2022:
The reduced price aims at protecting the maximum number of children against the virus
The move comes a few weeks after receiving the EUA for children between the ages of 5 and 12

 

Biontech
Press Releases
Pfizer and BioNTech Granted U.S. Emergency Use Authorization for Booster Dose of Their COVID-19 Vaccine in Children 5 Through 11 Years of Age
16 May 2022
EUA is based on data that show children 5 through 11 years of age had a robust immune response with a favorable safety profile following a 10-µg booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at a time when Omicron was the prevalent variant
Children 5 through 11 years of age now authorized to receive a booster dose at least five months after the second dose of the two-dose primary series
To date, 4,500 children 5 through 11 years of age have participated in the companies’ COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial

Pfizer and BioNTech Provide Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Agreement with European Commission
16 May 2022

 

CanSinoBIO
News – Website not responding at inquiry

 

CIGB
Latest News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Cinagen
Recent News
Reports of unauthorized export and availability of counterfeit products of CinnaGen
15 May 2022 [Specific products not identified]

Clover Biopharmaceuticals – China
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Curevac [Bayer Ag – Germany]
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Gamaleya National Center
Latest News and Events – See Russia below.

IMBCAMS, China
Home – Website not responding at inquiry

 

Janssen/JNJ
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

Medicago
Media – No new digest announcements identified

 

Moderna
Press Releases
18 May, 2022
IAVI and Moderna Launch First-in-Africa Clinical Trial of mRNA HIV Vaccine Development Program
Phase I trial in Rwanda and South Africa aims to evaluate mRNA HIV vaccine antigen for safety and immunogenicity and strengthen regional scientific capacity

 

Nanogen
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Novavax
Press Releases
May 20, 2022
Statement
Novavax Files in the European Union for Expanded Conditional Marketing Authorization of COVID-19 Vaccine as a Booster in Individuals Aged 18 and Over

 

Pfizer
Recent Press Releases
05.17.2022
Pfizer and BioNTech Granted U.S. Emergency Use Authorization for Booster Dose of Their COVID-19 Vaccine in Children 5 Through 11 Years of Age
EUA is based on data that show children 5 through 11 years of age had a robust immune response with a favorable safety profile following a 10-µg booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at a time when Omicron was the prevalent variant
Children 5 through 11 years of age now authorized to receive a booster dose at least five months after the second dose of the two-dose primary series
To date, 4,500 children 5 through 11 years of age have participated in the companies’ COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial

 

R-Pharm
https://rpharm-us.com/index.php
[No news or media page identified]

 

Sanofi Pasteur
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

Serum Institute of India
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – No new digest announcements identified

Shifa Pharmed [Iran]
http://shafapharmed.com/
No news page identified.

 

Sinopharm/WIBPBIBP
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

Sinovac
Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

Vector State Research Centre of Viralogy and Biotechnology
Home – No new digest announcements identified [404 error]

 

WestVac Biopharma
Media – No new digest announcements identified

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

 

::::::

GSK
Press releases for media – No new digest announcements identified

 

Merck
News releases – No new digest announcements identified

 

Novartis
News – No new digest announcements identified

 

SK Biosciences
Press Releases
SK bioscience and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Agreed to Strengthen Partnership
2022.05.17

 

Valneva
Press Releases
May 19, 2022
EMA accepts filing of marketing authorization application for Valneva’s inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

May 16, 2022
Valneva Receives Notice of European Commission’s Intent to Terminate COVID-19 Vaccine Purchase Agreement – Webcast Link

May 16, 2022
Valneva Receives Emergency Use Authorization from the United Arab Emirates for its Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine

UNICEF COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard :: Agreements Table Accessed 21 May 2022
An overview of information collected from publicly announced bilateral and multilateral supply agreements [no new agreements since 3/20/2022 reported]

COVID-19 Global Targets and Progress Tracker – IMF
The COVID-19 Global Targets and Progress Tracker presents a consolidated view of the progress towards global COVID-19 targets, barriers in access to COVID-19 tools, and delivery of donor pledges.

The global targets presented in the Tracker are based on an alignment of the targets identified in the IMF Pandemic Proposal, ACT-A Strategic Plan & Budget, and the US-hosted Global C19 Summit, and as such have been reaffirmed by multilateral institutions and global leaders. We will continue to enhance the tracker as we improve our data collection efforts.

Global Dashboard on COVID-19 Vaccine Equity
The Dashboard is a joint initiative of UNDP, WHO and the University of Oxford with cooperation across the UN system, anchored in the SDG 3 Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All.

Dashboard on Vaccine Equity [accessed 21 May 2022]: https://data.undp.org/vaccine-equity/
See also visualization on Vaccine Access and Vaccine Affordability

Global COVID-19 Access Tracker
https://www.covid19globaltracker.org/

Duke – Launch and Scale Speedometer
The Race for Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity
A flurry of nearly 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are moving forward through the development and clinical trials processes at unprecedented speed; more than ten candidates are already in Phase 3 large-scale trials and several have received emergency or limited authorization. Our team has aggregated and analyzed publicly available data to track the flow of procurement and manufacturing and better understand global equity challenges. We developed a data framework of relevant variables and conducted desk research of publicly available information to identify COVID vaccine candidates and status, deals and ongoing negotiations for procurement and manufacturing, COVID burden by country, and allocation and distribution plans. We have also conducted interviews with public officials in key countries to better understand the context and challenges facing vaccine allocation and distribution
[accessed 24 July 2021]
See our COVID Vaccine Purchases research
See our COVID Vaccine Manufacturing research
See our COVID Vaccine Donations & Exports research

COVID Vaccines – OCHA:: HDX

COVID-19 Data Explorer: Global Humanitarian Operations
COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out
21 May 2022 | COVAX (WHO,GAVI,CEPI), UNDESA, Press Reports | DATA
Global COVID-19 Figures: 517M total confirmed cases; 6.3M total confirmed deaths
Global vaccines administered: 11.8B
Number of Countries: 28
COVAX Allocations Round 4-9 (Number of Doses): 170M
COVAX Delivered (Number of Doses): 300M
Other Delivered (Number of Doses): 330M
Total Delivered (Number of Doses): 620M
Total Administered (Number of Doses): 410M

Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19 [IMF, World Bank Group, WHO, WTO]
https://data.covid19taskforce.com/data
A global effort to help developing countries access and deliver COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and therapeutics, as they work to end the pandemic and boost economic recovery.
The International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization have joined forces to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics by leveraging multilateral finance and trade solutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Website accessed 21 May 2022: https://data.covid19taskforce.com/data The global view below is complemented by country-specific dashboards here.

Our World in Data
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations [Accessed 21 May 2022]
:: 65.7% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
:: 11.76 billion doses have been administered globally, and 7.13 million are now administered each day.
:: Only 15.9% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

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

 

 

HHS
News
Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on FDA and CDC Expanding Eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters for 5-11 Year Olds
May 19, 2022 | News Release

 

BARDA-ASPR – U.S. Department of HHS [to 21 May 2022]
https://aspr.hhs.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsRoomHome.aspx
News
HHS commits up t​o $300 million over 10 years to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria
May 19, 2022
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will commit $20 million this year and has options to provide up to $300 million over the next 10 years to combat antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections through the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X). This public-private partnership is dedicated to accelerating the early development of therapeutics, preventatives and diagnostics for AMR infections…

 

 

::::::

 

FDA
Press Announcements
May 17, 2022 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Expands Eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose to Children 5 through 11 Years

Regulatory Actions
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
:: On June 7, FDA intends to convene VRBPAC to discuss an EUA request for a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older.
:: On June 8, 21 and 22, the FDA has held dates for the VRBPAC to meet to discuss updates to the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech EUAs for their COVID-19 vaccines to include younger populations. As the sponsors complete their submissions and the FDA reviews that data and information, it will provide additional details on scheduling of the VRBPAC meetings to discuss each EUA request.
:: On June 28, the FDA plans to convene the VRBPAC to discuss whether the SARS-CoV-2 strain composition of COVID-19 vaccines should be modified, and if so, which strain(s) should be selected for Fall 2022. This meeting is a follow-up to the April 6 VRBPAC meeting that discussed general considerations for future COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and the strain composition of COVID-19 vaccines to further meet public health needs.

…Once the meeting dates are finalized, the FDA intends to make background materials available to the public, including the meeting agenda and committee roster, no later than two business days before each meeting…

 

 

::::::

 

White House [U.S.] [to 21 May 2022]
Briefing Room – Selected Major COVID Announcements
[See announcements associated with the 2nd Global COVID-19 Summit above]
Press Briefing by White House COVID-⁠19 Response Team and Public Health Officials | May 18, 2022
May 18, 2022 • Press Briefings

Fact Sheet: The Biden Administration Announces Americans Can Order Additional Free At-Home, Rapid COVID-⁠19 Tests at COVIDTests.gov
May 17, 2022 • Statements and Releases

 

USAID [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Announcements
USAID Announces $8 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for People Affected by Super Typhoon Rai and Tropical Storm Megi in the Philippines
May 21, 2022
The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an additional $8 million in humanitarian assistance for people experiencing continuing humanitarian needs associated with Super Typhoon Rai and subsequent Tropical Storm Megi in the Philippines. Building on support provided for the initial disaster response, this new funding brings total USAID assistance for typhoon-affected people in the Philippines to more than $29 million since December 2021.

The United States Announces Additional Funding to Respond to Global Food Insecurity
May 18, 2022
At the Global Food Security Call to Action Ministerial Meeting convened by the United States today in New York, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced nearly $215 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address the global food security crisis, which has been exacerbated by Russia’s war on Ukraine and its corresponding impact on global markets. Even before the war began, approximately 768 million people were chronically hungry. This new crisis has only made an already dire situation significantly worse, with as many as 40 million people projected to be pushed into poverty and food insecurity through the end of the year.

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

 

 

European Medicines Agency
News & Press Releases
News: Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 16-19 May 2022 (new)
CHMP, Last updated: 20/05/2022

 

 

News: International regulators and WHO: support healthcare professionals to enhance public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines (new)
Last updated: 17/05/2022
EMA has endorsed a statement for healthcare professionals jointly developed by the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The statement is aimed to help healthcare professionals answer questions about the role of regulators in the oversight of COVID-19 vaccines and to reassure medical staff about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines that undergo a robust scientific evaluation to determine their quality, safety and efficacy.
ICMRA and WHO also highlight the measures put in place nationally and globally to continuously monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines that are used in countries worldwide…
[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

 

 

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en
Latest Updates [Selected]
News
Epidemiological update: Monkeypox outbreak
Epidemiological update – 20 May 2022
As of 16 May 2022, there is a multi-country outbreak of monkeypox affecting the UK, EU/EEA states, and North America. As of 20 May 2022, there have been a total of 38 confirmed cases reported worldwide, 37 of which have no history of travel to endemic countries.

Accessed 21 May 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 20 May 2022
Humanitarian aid: EU releases additional €22 million in Bangladesh and Myanmar
The Commission is releasing an extra €22 million in humanitarian aid to ensure life-saving support for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, as well as Rohingya and other conflict-affected people in Myanmar.

Press release 19 May 2022
Member States, workers and employers agree on the need to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease
Yesterday, Member States, workers and employers in the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) reached an agreement on the need to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease.

European Commission
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en
Latest [Selected]
Press release 20 May 2022
Humanitarian aid: EU releases additional €22 million in Bangladesh and Myanmar
The Commission is releasing an extra €22 million in humanitarian aid to ensure life-saving support for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, as well as Rohingya and other conflict-affected people in Myanmar.

Press release 19 May 2022
Member States, workers and employers agree on the need to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease
Yesterday, Member States, workers and employers in the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) reached an agreement on the need to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease.

Africa: COVID-19 – Announcements/Regulatory Actions/Deployment
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
Latest Updates [Selected]
[No new digest content identified; last announcement at 28.03.2022]

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

 

 

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/
[Website not responding at inquiry…graphic below from last week]

 

 

Government of India – Press Information Bureau
Latest Press Releases
COVID – 19 Vaccination Update – Day 491
:: India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 192.26 Crore
:: More than 12lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
Posted On: 21 MAY 2022 8:41PM by PIB Delhi

 

 

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

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

[We did not identify official announcements about China’s COVID response in general, or in Shanghai, Beijing or other China locations, leading us to include these reports/observations from the general media below. See China CDC below for additional announcements]

Shanghai makes way towards COVID lockdown exit, Beijing plays defence
Reuters, May 21, 20228:02 AM EDT Last Updated 9 hours ago
By Eduardo Baptista
Shanghai cautiously works to restore transport services
Shanghai reports mostly zero new community cases this week
Beijing on edge as new infections keep appearing

Coronavirus: China travel made easier from more than 12 countries, including Britain, France and Japan
Negative PCR result from a week ago and antibody test no longer required, multiple embassies say, days after similar notice for US flights
Effective times vary from immediate to weeks later in June, but mandatory quarantine on arrival to stay
Phoebe Zhang
South China Morning Post, Published: 7:00pm, 20 May, 2022

Covid shows that in China, politics matters more than pragmatism
Why officials are so strangely slow to vaccinate the elderly
The Economist, 19 May 2022

The Collateral Damage in China’s COVID War
Are Beijing’s Harsh Measures Undermining Its Hold On Power?
By Yanzhong Huang
May 17, 2022

GPEI Polio

Polio this week as of 18 May 2022
Headlines
:: Ahead of the WHO World Health Assembly (WHA) taking place from 22-28 May 2022, the GPEI has prepared two reports which will inform Member State discussions, namely on polio eradication, and on polio transition planning and post-certification. The reports are available on this page.

 

Summary of new polioviruses this week:
– Chad: one cVDPV2 case
– Mozambique: one WPV1 case and three cVDPV2 cases
– Niger: one cVDPV2 case and two positive environmental samples
– Nigeria: three cVDPV2 cases and five positive environmental samples
– Togo: one cVDPV2 case

UN OCHA – Current Emergencies
Current Corporate Emergencies
Afghanistan
No new updates identified.

Northern Ethiopia
No new updates identified.

Ukraine
Ukraine: Situation Report – Last updated: 19 May 2022
Eastern Ukraine remains the centre of hostilities, while airstrikes and missile attacks continue to be reported in multiple oblasts in Ukraine.
Humanitarian conditions deteriorate while needs grow, primarily in southern and eastern Ukraine, with wide-scale disruptions to electricity, gas and water supplies.
Municipal authorities and the World Health Organization warn of the potential outbreak of diseases, including cholera, in Mariupol due to unsanitary conditions.
As of 12 May, the UN and humanitarian partners have reached over 6.4 million people in need across Ukraine.
Over 5.7 million people received food assistance and 1.5 million health-related support from the UN and humanitarian partners since 24 February.

WHO & Regional Offices [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.who.int/news
13 May 2022
Departmental news
WHO launches new Mortality Database visualization portal

13 May 2022
Departmental news
TB laboratory manuals issued to support the implementation of WHO-recommended diagnostics

12 May 2022
News release
WHO and MPP announce agreement with NIH for COVID-19 health technologies

12 May 2022
Departmental news
New report shows progress and missed opportunities in the control of NCDs at the national level

10 May 2022
Statement
World leaders urged to make firm commitments at Second Global COVID-19 Summit by ACT-Accelerator agency leads

::::::

WHO Director General Speeches [selected]
https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches
Selected
12 May 2022
Speech
WHO Deputy Director-General’s speech – Partnering to build sustainable Health Eco-System in Africa, African-European Collaboration

12 May 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s live speech at 2nd Global COVID Summit – 12 May 2022

10 May 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s remarks at the Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe — 10 May 2022

10 May 2022
Speech
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the WHO press conference – 10 May 2022

::::::

 

WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region
:: Southern Africa faces uptick in COVID-19 cases
12 May 2022 Brazzaville – Southern Africa is facing an upsurge in COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive week as the winter season in the region approaches. The uptick has broken a two-month-long decline in overall infections recorded across the continent.
The sub-region recorded 46 271 cases in the week ending on 8 May 2022, marking a 32% increase over the week before.

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: 10 May 2022 Technical Note: acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children
This technical note follows the previous reports regarding the event of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children disseminated by the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) on 23 April 2022 (two reports), 25 April 2022, and 29 April 2022. This event was first reported by the United Kingdom…

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

WHO European Region EURO
:: Two million confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the European Region 12-05-2022
:: Setting up a behavioural insights unit – WHO launches a set of considerations to support countries 12-05-2022
:: “What stays with me is the feeling of helplessness” – on International Nurses Day, a young nurse recalls her time on a COVID-19 ward at the beginning of the pandemic 12-05-2022

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Palestinian Ministry of Health launches polio vaccination campaign to boost immunity in Bethlehem and Jerusalem 13 May 2022
:: Somalia launches WHO emergency health response plan for drought 11 May 2022
:: Environmental surveillance for poliovirus introduced in Iraq 10 May 2022

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified.

 

::::::

Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
Latest WHO Disease Outbreak News (DONs), providing information on confirmed acute public health events or potential events of concern.

13 May 2022 | Lassa fever – Guinea

12 May 2022 | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Qatar

9 May 2022 | Avian Influenza A(H3N8) – China

 

::::::

WHO Events
https://www.who.int/news-room/events/1
[Selected]
Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly WHA 75
22-28 May 2022
:: Provisional agenda A75/1 Rev.1
[See Milestones above]

 

::::::

New WHO Publications
https://www.who.int/publications/i
Selected Titles
20 May 2022
Understanding the behavioural and social drivers of vaccine uptake WHO position paper – May 2022

19 May 2022
Emergency in Ukraine: external situation report #12, published 19 May 2022: reporting period: 12–18 May…

19 May 2022
Background document on the Cansino Ad5-nCoV-S vaccine (Convidecia ®) against COVID-19

19 May 2022
Annexes to the interim recommendations for use of the Cansino Ad5-nCoV-S vaccine (Convidecia ®) against…

19 May 2022
Interim recommendations for use of the Cansino Ad5-nCoV-S vaccine (Convidecia ®) against COVID-19

18 May 2022
WHO information note on ensuring continuity of essential tuberculosis services for people with or at…

18 May 2022
Report of the second meeting of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Diabetes: virtual meeting, 16–17…

18 May 2022
WHO Strategic Priorities on Antimicrobial Resistance

18 May 2022
Report of the first meeting of the WHO global diabetes compact forum: virtual meeting, 10–11 November…

18 May 2022
Stronger collaboration for an equitable and resilient recovery towards the health-related Sustainable…

17 May 2022
National workforce capacity to implement the essential public health functions including a focus on emergency…

17 May 2022
A Healthy Return
[See Perspectives above for detail]

17 May 2022
Implementation of the Initiative for coordinated antidotes procurement in the South-East Asia Region…

16 May 2022
HIV self-testing at workplaces: approaches to implementation and sustainable financing

16 May 2022
WHO Procurement Report 2021

15 May 2022
Global Report on Assistive Technology
Overview
There is a large, unmet need for assistive technology worldwide. The Global Report on Assistive Technology was developed in response to the World Health Assembly resolution (WHA71.8) on improving access to assistive technology adopted in May 2018. The Global Report is expected to play an instrumental role in setting the global roadmap for improving access to assistive technology for everyone, everywhere.

The Global Report on Assistive Technology presents a comprehensive dataset and analysis of current assistive technology access, drawing the attention of governments and civil society to the need for, and benefit of, assistive technology, including its return on investment. The Global Report sets out ten recommendations for improving access to assistive technology, which in turn support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, inclusive Universal Health Coverage, and alignment with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Guided by an Expert Advisory Group, the WHO and UNICEF have jointly developed this report in the context of an integrated approach, based on the best available scientific evidence and international experience, in collaboration with stakeholders from diverse settings, multiple countries, and all regions. It is primarily directed at policy-makers, providers of assistive technology, donors and funding agencies, and industry leaders. It is also aimed at broader stakeholders including users and potential users of assistive technology and their families or caregivers.

13 May 2022
Practical manual of processing stool samples for diagnosis of childhood TB

13 May 2022
Line probe assays for detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis: interpretation and reporting manual for…

13 May 2022
Vaccines against influenza: WHO position paper – May 2022

13 May 2022
WHO advisory committee on variola virus research: report of the twenty-third meeting, virtual meeting,…

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html

Latest News Releases

Update on Children with Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Cause

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

ACIP Meetings

Next ACIP Meeting

May 19, 2022. 11:00am – 4:00pm ET

Agenda – May 19, 2022pdf icon

Presentations

::::::

MMWR  Weekly: Current Volume (71)  May 20, 2022 / No. 20

PDF of this issuepdf icon

Factors Associated with Use of HIV Prevention and Health Care Among Transgender Women — Seven Urban Areas, 2019–2020

Rabies in a Dog Imported from Azerbaijan — Pennsylvania, 2021

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)– CDC

Approximately 15 announcements/reports/data summaries.

:: 5/21/22  Cases in the U.S.

:: 5/21/22  Overall US COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Sat, 21 May 2022 06:00:00 EST

:: 5/20/22  COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Children and Teens

What You Need to Know

CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Everyone ages 12 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster shot.

Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only vaccine authorized or approved for children ages 5 through 17 years. Children and teens need two doses of a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Everyone ages 12 years and older should also get a booster shot…

China CDC 

http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China  [to  21 May 2022]

http://en.nhc.gov.cn/

News

May 21: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China

   On May 20, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 201 new cases of confirmed infections.

National Medical Products Administration – PRC  [to  21 May 2022]

http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/

News

Chinese mainland reports 176 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases

2022-05-20

   The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported 176 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 88 were in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission’s report Friday.

CCDC Weekly Reports: Current Volume (4)

[Website not responding at inquiry]

Africa CDC [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Singapore and the African Union can digitally verify each other’s COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates from 23 May 2022
17 May 2022

Communiqué
Communique: West African High Level Vaccines Manufacturers Meeting
17 May 2022
[Excerpts]
…We the stakeholders in Vaccines Manufacturing in the West Africa Region under the leadership of ECOWAS/WAHO and Africa CDC met in Accra, Ghana from May 10th to 11th, 2022 to discuss on how to collaborate to ensure the production and availability of quality, safe and efficacious vaccines in the region…

The main objective of the high-level meeting is to create a framework for collaboration, information exchange and develop a framework for vaccines producers in the West African region to discuss strategically how to support each other build the regional hub for vaccines production.

Specifically, the meeting aims to:
Identify the bottlenecks in vaccines research and development and production.
Identify and define the types of vaccines to be produced for the region by each manufacturer.
Define short, medium, and long-term strategies to boost vaccines production in the region
Engage more partners and biotechnology developers to liaise with manufacturers…

Recommendations:
[1] The meeting agreed on types of vaccines to be produced in the region into considering that diversification of vaccines products (combining child immunization programs and adult vaccination programs that will require demand generation) will also help support manufacturers.

 

This includes twenty-two (22) identified vaccines which were further divided into 3 based on current and planned vaccine manufacturer’s capacities and capabilities in s terms of short-term, medium-term and long-term depending on the period of production.

Short term: Yellow Fever vaccines, Anti snake serum, Covid-19 vaccines, Pentavalent, Rabies, Measles, Ebola, Typhoid, Lassa, Rotavirus, Tetanus and Polio Vaccines (IPV)- 2022 to 2024
Medium term: Human papillomavirus (HPV), Pneumococcal (PCV3), Polio Vaccine bOPV-4 (oral), Malaria, Measles MMR, BCG, HepB-Pediatric, Meningitis A and 2025 -2027
Long-term: Anti-cancer, 2028 to 2030…

REQUESTS:
Heads of Governments, Health Ministers, Ministers of Industries and relevant Ministries to help facilitate adoption of the recommendations of this meeting by providing stronger political commitment.
ECOWAS/WAHO to engage stakeholders, technical and financial partners to fund the vaccines manufacturing in the region.
That national vaccines manufacturing plans are aligned with the regional and continental plans to prevent duplication of efforts.
ECOWAS/WAHO to follow up with stakeholders to ensure that the regional priorities are achieved.

Organization Announcements
Editor’s Note:
Careful readers will note that the number and range of organizations now monitored in our Announcements section below has grown as the impacts of the pandemic have spread across global economies, supply chains and programmatic activity of multilateral agencies and INGOs.

Airfinity [to 21 May 2022]

Organization Announcements

Editor’s Note:

Careful readers will note that the number and range of organizations now monitored in our Announcements section below has grown as the impacts of the pandemic have spread across global economies, supply chains and programmatic activity of multilateral agencies and INGOs.

 

Airfinity    [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.airfinity.com/insights

INSIGHTS & COMPANY NEWS

No new digest content identified.

 

 

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group    [to  21 May 2022]

https://alleninstitute.org/news-press/

News

No new digest content identified.

 

 

BMGF – Gates Foundation  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center

Press Releases and Statements

No new digest content identified.

 

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute    [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.gatesmri.org/news

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  21 May 2022]

https://carb-x.org/

News

05.19.2022  |

U.S. government and Wellcome commit up to an additional US$370 million to CARB-X

After celebrating its five-year anniversary in 2021, CARB-X (part of Boston University) announces renewed support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Wellcome Trust, a U.K.-based global charitable foundation. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS, will provide US$20 million initially and up to US$300 million over 10 years to support the existing portfolio and launch new funding rounds. Wellcome will provide up to US$70 million over three years as part of its continued commitment to address the escalating threat of drug-resistant infections. Initial funding of $355 million from both BARDA and Wellcome originally launched CARB-X in 2016, and the new funding announced today builds on the success of this international non-profit partnership.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation   [to  21 May 2022]

https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/

News/Analysis/Statements

:: Past weekly editions of Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review are available here.

:: Informed Consent: A Monthly Review – May 2022 is now posted here

:: Genomic Medicine Governance, Ethics, Policy: A Quarterly Review – May 2022 is now posted here

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations  [to  21 May 2022]

http://cepi.net/

Latest News

20 May 2022

COVAX calls for urgent action to close vaccine equity gap

Partners issue joint statement as supply constraints ease but inequity persists

[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

18 May 2022

Sabin Vaccine Institute receives up to $6.3 Million from CEPI for dose-optimising COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial

The research will allow us to understand if smaller doses of COVID-19 vaccines generate similar immune responses to full doses.

18 May 2022

CEPI and GHIT collaborate to advance the global fight against infectious diseases

MoU will strengthen collaboration between the two organizations, supporting both agencies to deliver on their missions.

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [U.S.] [to  21 May 2022

https://www.darpa.mil/news

News

No new digest content identified.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center  [to  21 May 2022]

https://dukeghic.org/

Our Blog

No new digest content identified.

 

 

EDCTP    [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.edctp.org/

The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as other poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on phase II and III clinical trials

News

No new digest content identified.

 

Emory Vaccine Center    [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/

Vaccine Center News

New Emory TB research center to help draw attention to an old but still deadly disease

April 28, 2022

European Vaccine Initiative  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.euvaccine.eu/

Latest News, Events

No new digest content identified.

 

 

Evidence Aid   [to  21 May 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.

http://www.evidenceaid.org/

National approaches to the vaccination of recently arrived migrants in Europe Added May 18, 2022

Screening migrants for infectious diseases in Europe Added May 16, 2022

https://evidenceaid.org/resource/mental-health-and-work-experiences-of-interpreters-in-the-mental-health-care-of-refugees/

Fondation Merieux  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.fondation-merieux.org/

News, Events

Mérieux Foundation co-organized event

Pioneering Ebola Response

May 24, 2022 – Milken Institute School of Public Health

Register

Context – Symposium honoring Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum

A model for local leadership to address emerging infectious disease Challenges and opportunities for future detection of pandemic threats

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 – 10:00 – 11:30 (EDT)

 

Gavi [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.gavi.org/

News Releases

19 May 2022

COVAX calls for urgent action to close vaccine equity gap

[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

GHIT Fund   [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press

Press Releases

May 18, 2022

CEPI and GHIT collaborate to advance the global fight against infectious diseases

 

Global Fund  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/

News & Stories

20 May 2022

Global Fund Signs Letter of Intent with Pfizer for Oral COVID-19 Treatment

The Global Fund has signed a letter of intent with Pfizer for the procurement of up to 6 million treatment courses of the new oral antiviral medicine nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, sold under the name PAXLOVID™, in 2022-2023.

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.glopid-r.org/news/

News

No new digest content identified

Hilleman Laboratories   [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.hilleman-labs.org/

News & Insights

No new digest content identified

 

 

HHMI – Howard Hughes Medical Institute    [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.hhmi.org/news

Press Room

Research   May 181 2022

Spying on Thousands of Neurons in the Brain’s Vision Center Simultaneously

Neurons across eight areas of the brain team up to process visual information. Researchers have now documented these neurons’ activity at a breadth and resolution never before reported.

 

 

Human Vaccines Project   [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/

News

No new digest content identified.

 

 

IAVI  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.iavi.org/

Latest News

FEATURES

May 18, 2022

IAVI and Moderna launch first-in-Africa clinical trial of mRNA HIV vaccine development program

Phase I trial in Rwanda and South Africa aims to evaluate mRNA HIV vaccine antigen for safety and immunogenicity and strengthen regional scientific capacity

May 17, 2022

HVAD 2022: An HIV vaccine developed with the people it seeks to benefit most

On this HVAD, our colleagues share perspectives on how an HIV vaccine can be developed with the people it seeks to benefit most.

 

 

ICRC  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

What’s New   [Selected]

African Union and ICRC Marks 30 years of Partnership on Humanitarian Issues

20-05-2022 | Statement

COVID-19: People living in conflict zones cannot be forgotten in global vaccination effort

People living in warzones are at risk of being the very last in the world to have access to COVID-19 vaccines.

18-05-2022 | News release

[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

COVID-19 Vaccination: Support to people affected by armed conflict and violence and those living in hard-to-reach areas

The ICRC is working with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world to support COVID-19 vaccination in armed conflicts as well as hard-to-reach and volatile areas.

17-05-2022 | Article

[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

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

http://www.iffim.org/

Press Releases/Announcements

No new digest content identified.

IFRC   [to  21 May 2022]

http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/

Press Releases [Selected]

IFRC report: Goals for poverty reduction, decent work and closing inequality gap, stalled by COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean

20/05/2022 | Press release

IFRC president: Ethnicity and nationality should not be deciding factors in saving lives

16/05/2022 | Press release

Institut Pasteur   [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area

Press Documents

Press release

18.05.2022

Phage Therapy: A Model to Predict Its Efficacy against Pathogenic Bacteria

Antibiotic resistance represents a major public health challenge, associated with a high mortality rate.

 

 

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases

News – Selected

20 May 2022

First United Nations Forum on International Migration Concludes Today

 

20 May 2022

Over 700,000 Affected by Cyclone Gombe in Mozambique Still in Need of Humanitarian Assistance as IOM Scales up Response

 

20 May 2022

Common Ground needed on Clear, Equitable Pandemic Travel Measures

…IOM Director General António Vitorino, MPI President Andrew Selee, and several participants voiced their support for the creation of a Member State-led Group of Friends to discuss cross-border mobility and pandemic preparedness, to complement and support the ongoing review of the International Health Regulations, and Member State negotiations towards a new pandemic treaty.

“Without this common endeavour, there is an increasing risk that future migration will become even more fragmented, accentuating the already evident signs of a two-speed recovery from COVID-19 that leaves less developed countries behind,” said DG Vitorino.

“This, in turn, will stall future economic and social development that could otherwise be accelerated through well-managed migration.”…

 

19 May 2022

Over 59 Million People Internally Displaced in 2021: IDMC Report

 

18 May 2022

IOM and UNICEF Sign New Strategic Collaboration Framework

ISC / International Science Council  [to  21 May 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.

Press releases

COVID-19 likely to worsen inequalities for at least five years without renewed global cooperation, warns International Science Council

16.05.2022

[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)  [to 21 May 2022]

https://www.iso.org/news

News

New guidelines for COVID testing

11 May 2022

A new ISO technical specification will improve testing procedures and contribute to a safer world.

… Recently published, ISO/TS 5798 provides recommendations for the design, development, verification, validation and implementation of analytical tests for detecting the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using nucleic acid amplification. It addresses pre-examination, examination and post-examination process steps for human specimens…

International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS)

https://iuis.org/

News/Events [Selected]

No new digest content identified.

IVAC  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html

Updates; Events

Webinar: Official Launch of the VERSE Equity Toolkit for Multidimensional Equity Assessments

Register Here

When: May 25, 2022 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST

Description: To identify what issues impair vaccine coverage, researchers traditionally look for an association with just one variable — wealth, for example — instead of examining the host of factors in play. Typical equity metrics may not appropriately account for the compounding effect of geographic and sociodemographic factors on immunization outcomes, such as, in the case of pediatric immunization, where a household is located, the sex of a child being vaccinated, and maternal education level. The VERSE Equity Toolkit compares the level of vaccine coverage against the level of equity and quantifies the influence of key sociodemographic factors to inequity.

 

 

IVI   [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.ivi.int/

IVI News & Announcements

No new digest content identified.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security   [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/

Center News

No new digest content identified.

 

 

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.msf.org/

Latest [Selected Announcements]

No new digest content identified.

National Academy of Medicine – USA  [to  21 May 2022]

https://nam.edu/programs/

News [Selected]

NAM Provides Opportunity for Public to Inform National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being

May 20, 2022

Given the current shortage and burnout crisis faced by the health workforce, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience is working urgently to deliver a National Plan for health workforce well-being in June 2022, and today released a draft plan for public input. The National Plan intends to provide […]

National Academy of Sciences – USA  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.nasonline.org/news-and-multimedia/

News

Improving Representation in Clinical Trials and Research – Building Research Equity for Women and Underrepresented Groups
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2022; 440 pages)
Lack of representation in research is compounding disparities in health outcomes with serious consequences for underrepresented groups and the nation as a whole. Urgent actions are needed by NIH FDA and others to boost representation of racial and ethnic minority groups and other underrepresented populations in clinical trials and research.

 

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html

Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates                          

NVAC 2022 Meetings – June 15-16, 2022

 

 

NIH  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.nih.gov/

News Releases 

Cancer death rates among Black people declined over time, but remain higher than other racial and ethnic groups

May 19, 2022 — Scientists used death certificate data to analyze age-adjusted cancer death rates.

Depression, loneliness associated with increased hospitalization risk after COVID-19, NIH-funded study suggests

May 19, 2022 — Scientists analyzed survey data from more than 54,000 female nurses and their children.

NIH announces antiviral drug development awards

May 18, 2022 — Scientists will seek to develop potential antivirals for COVID-19 and viral families with high potential to cause future pandemics.

Scientists identify characteristics to better define long COVID

May 16, 2022 — Using machine learning, researchers find patterns in electronic health record data to better identify those likely to have the condition.

Researchers identify the high costs of living with sickle cell disease

May 16, 2022 — Potential curative therapies may help reduce the burden, but are also costly.

 

Nuffield Council on Bioethics

https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/news

News

17 May 2022

Ethics tools for decision-makers: Responding to public health threats

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics has consistently raised the importance of transparency in decision-making, especially the values that inform decisions.

Our latest publication ‘Ethics tools for decision-makers: Responding to public health threats‘ aims to help decision-makers with this. Drawing on our in-depth work on public health ethics, these tools explain what action decision-makers can take to develop a proportionate response to public health threats, guided by important public values such as reducing suffering, being fair and being respectful.

Summary

• The state has responsibilities to enable people to live healthy lives and reduce health inequalities.
• There are no easy answers, but responses to public health threats can be guided by the values of reducing suffering, treating people with respect, and fairness.
• Options for public health interventions range from doing nothing to removing choice altogether.
• Decision makers should aim for a proportionate response that takes into account the nature and degree of the harm posed, the certainty of the evidence, the intrusiveness of the intervention, and the views of those affected.
• The application of each intervention is likely to generate further ethical questions and decision makers need to be alert to the need for transparency and accountability in decision making processes.

The tools include a version of our widely used ladder for public health interventions, adapted with examples for responding to COVID-19. Katharine Wright, lead author and Assistant Director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, said: “Public health threats such as COVID-19 are ethically challenging because they cannot be managed effectively by individuals alone, and any action taken will have broad and relatively indiscriminate impact. We believe looking at the problem through an ethics lens can help us reach good decisions about how to respond.”

PDF: https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/assets/pdfs/Ethics-tools-for-decision-makers-FINAL1.pdf

 

 

OECD  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/publicationsdocuments/bydate/

Newsroom/Library

No new digest content identified.

 

PATH  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.path.org/media-center/

Press Releases

No new digest content identified.

 

Rockefeller Foundation  [to 21 May 2022]

https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/

Selected Reports/Press Releases

No new digest content identified.

Press Releases/

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and Sustainable Energy for All Announce Expanded Partnership to Tackle Energy Poverty Worldwide

05.18.22

$50 million commitment will support the scale-up of the Universal Energy Facility and advancement of countries’ energy access and transition plans

 

Sabin Vaccine Institute  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases

Statements and Press Releases

Sabin Vaccine Institute Receives up to $6.3 Million from CEPI for Dose-Optimizing COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The Sabin Vaccine Institute was awarded up to $6.3 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for a clinical trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of lower, fractional doses of registered COVID-19 vaccines used as a booster dose. This dose optimizing trial will allow us to understand if smaller doses of COVID-19 vaccines generate similar immune responses to full doses. It will also provide key information as to whether lower doses may have fewer side effects, potentially increasing vaccine acceptance.

“This research has the potential to have the biggest impact in the places that need it the most,” said Amy Finan, CEO of the Sabin Vaccine Institute. “Just 1 in 6 people, 17.4%, have received a COVID-19 vaccine in low-income countries, compared to 72% in high income countries. There are currently sufficient global supplies of vaccine to meet demand, but that situation could change once again. The only way to end this pandemic is to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to vaccines. That was Dr. Sabin’s goal during his lifetime, and it’s the goal now of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and this research.”…

UNAIDS [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.unaids.org/en

Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements

20 May 2022

Helping Ukrainian refugees with HIV treatment and support in Berlin

17 May 2022

Unboxing self-esteem among transgender women in Brazil and their dreams for a dignified life

16 May 2022

Keeping LGBTI people safe in times of war

 

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS

Selected News Releases, Announcements

UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls on states to lift remaining pandemic-related asylum restrictions

20 May 2022

[See Week in Review above for detail]

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi’s message on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

17 May 2022

UNICEF  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases

Press Releases, News Notes, Statements  [Selected]

Press release

18 May 2022

IOM and UNICEF sign new strategic collaboration framework

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/iom-and-unicef-sign-new-strategic-collaboration-framework

NEW YORK, 18 May 2022 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF today signed a new Strategic Collaboration Framework solidifying the organizations’ united commitment towards protecting the rights of migrant children. In 2006, UNICEF and IOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding defining the main areas of cooperation between…

Press release

18 May 2022

Landmark meeting urges prioritization of water and sanitation to get health, climate and economic targets back on track

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/landmark-meeting-urges-prioritization-water-and-sanitation%E2%80%AF-get-health-climate-and

JAKARTA, 18 May 2022 – More than 350 participants from 57 countries gathered today in Jakarta for the opening of the Sector Ministers’ Meeting which will generate urgent prioritization of water and sanitation worldwide.    Among them were 50 ministers of water, sanitation, health, environment and the economy, who met to discuss the COVID-19…

Remarks

17 May 2022

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks at UN high-level event on conflict, hunger and children with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-executive-director-catherine-russells-remarks-un-high-level-event-conflict

NEW YORK, 17 May 2022 —  “Excellencies, Colleagues, Friends. “I am honored to welcome you to UNICEF House for this critical conversation.   “I want to acknowledge and thank the United States Government, and my co-host, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, for putting children at the center of the discussion on…

Press release

16 May 2022

World a ‘virtual tinderbox’ for catastrophic levels of severe malnutrition in children

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/world-virtual-tinderbox-catastrophic-levels-severe-malnutrition-children

NEW YORK, 17 May 2022 — The number of children with severe wasting was rising even before war in Ukraine threatened to plunge the world deeper into a spiralling global food crisis – and it’s getting worse, UNICEF warned in a new Child Alert. Released today, Severe wasting: An overlooked child survival emergency shows that in spite of rising levels…

Press release

16 May 2022

Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/almost-one-billion-children-and-adults-disabilities-and-older-persons-need-assistive

   GENEVA/NEW YORK, 16 May 2022 – A new report published today by WHO and UNICEF reveals that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition. Yet nearly one billion of them are denied access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where…

 

Unitaid  [to  21 May 2022]

https://unitaid.org/

Featured News

19 May 2022

Unitaid marks 15th anniversary, celebrates greater equity in global health

19 May 2022

UN Secretary-General commends Unitaid’s commitment to health equity and innovation in advance of 15th anniversary

19 May 2022

Former US President Bill Clinton congratulates Unitaid on 15 years of life-saving work, in advance of anniversary event

16 May 2022

Portable thermal ablation devices allow more women to access lifesaving cervical cancer prevention in countries where the majority of deaths occur  

Vaccine Equity Cooperative [nee Initiative]   [to  21 May 2022]

https://vaccineequitycooperative.org/news/

News

No new digest content identified.

 

 

Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin)  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.vaccineacceptance.org/

Announcements, Blog

No new digest content identified.

 

Vaccine Confidence Project  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/

News, Research and Reports

No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center

News

Vaccine Update for Providers

May 2022

• Announcements: Misinterpreted science, new videos and essay contest reminder
• News & views: COVID-19 death rates – Reality and conspiracies
• In the journals: Underuse of convalescent plasma in treating COVID-19 led to excess deaths
• Technically speaking: The hepatitis B midlife crisis
• From the media: “With Kindness and Respect, We Can Help Others Choose to Be Vaccinated”
• On the calendar: May is Hepatitis Awareness Month
• On the bookshelf — Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Resources: COVID conversation guide, Public Health Law News, and “For Your Health News” project

Wellcome Trust  [to  21 May 2022]

https://wellcome.ac.uk/news

News. Opinion, Reports

No new digest content identified.

The Wistar Institute   [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases

Press Releases

No new digest content identified.

 

 

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.wfpha.org/

Latest News – Blog

Older Adults’ Vaccination: Why Is Vaccination Even More Crucial for the Most Vulnerable Subgroups?

May 19, 2022

 

World Bank [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all

Selected News, Announcements

World Bank Announces Planned Actions for Global Food Crisis Response

$30 billion available for implementation to address food insecurity over next 15 months WASHINGTON, May 18, 2022—The World Bank today announced actions it plans to take as part of a comprehensive, global…

Date: May 18, 2022 Type: Press Release

 

World Customs Organization – WCO  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.wcoomd.org/

Latest News

17 May 2022

WCO Members of the Asia-Pacific region share lessons learnt from COVID-19 and discuss ways to enhance preparedness to tackle disruptive events

 

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)   [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.oie.int/en/

Press Releases, Statements

Egg prices on the rise: the effects of animal diseases

Editor’s Choice

16 May 2022

 

 

WTO – World Trade Organisation [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm

WTO News and Events [Selected]

WTO virtual event looks at finance and trade lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic

20 May 2022

A virtual event organized by the WTO on 20 May looked at the finance and trade lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. The event was attended by representatives and government officials from WTO members and observers with responsibilities relating to the implementation and negotiation of trade, intellectual property, finance and public health issues.

The event webpage, including access to the livestream, presentation and background materials, is available here: WTO | Finance and Trade Lessons from the Pandemic – Looking Forward.

 

::::::

 

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine]  [to  21 May 2022]

https://alliancerm.org/press-releases/

Selected Press Releases

No new digest content identified.

 

 

BIO    [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.bio.org/press-releases

Press Release

No new digest content identified.

 

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network  [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.dcvmn.org/

News; Upcoming events

No new digest content identified.

 

 

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations   [to  21 May 2022]

https://internationalbiotech.org/news/

News

No new digest content identified.

 

 

IFPMA   [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/

Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications

Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials: Bioethical Perspective and Principles

20 May 2022

As IFPMA members, we believe that the knowledge gained from clinical trials should be used to support the development and use of innovative medicines, vaccines and other therapies, in order to develop the right treatment for the right patient. We believe that patient populations in clinical trials should be reflective of the epidemiology and demographics of those who would benefit from the therapeutic agent. To this end, we believe that diversity and inclusion in clinical trials is a matter of both equity and scientific rigor and, as such, that all individuals should have equal opportunity to participate in relevant clinical trials. The biopharmaceutical industry is committed to take affirmative steps to increase clinical trial diversity.

PDF: https://www.ifpma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IFPMA-Global-Clinical-Trial-Diversity-Principles_May-19-2022-.pdf

 

International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations – IAPO  [to  21 May 2022]

https://www.iapo.org.uk/news/topic/6

Press and media [Selected]

No new digest content identified.

 

 

International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]

https://www.igbamedicines.org/

News

No new digest content identified.

 

 

PhRMA    [to  21 May 2022]

http://www.phrma.org/

Latest News [Selected]

No new digest content identified.

https://www.airfinity.com/insights
INSIGHTS & COMPANY NEWS
No new digest content identified.

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group [to 21 May 2022]
https://alleninstitute.org/news-press/
News
No new digest content identified.

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center
Press Releases and Statements
No new digest content identified.

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.gatesmri.org/news
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 21 May 2022]

Home

News
05.19.2022 |
U.S. government and Wellcome commit up to an additional US$370 million to CARB-X
After celebrating its five-year anniversary in 2021, CARB-X (part of Boston University) announces renewed support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Wellcome Trust, a U.K.-based global charitable foundation. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS, will provide US$20 million initially and up to US$300 million over 10 years to support the existing portfolio and launch new funding rounds. Wellcome will provide up to US$70 million over three years as part of its continued commitment to address the escalating threat of drug-resistant infections. Initial funding of $355 million from both BARDA and Wellcome originally launched CARB-X in 2016, and the new funding announced today builds on the success of this international non-profit partnership.

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 21 May 2022]
https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/
News/Analysis/Statements
:: Past weekly editions of Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review are available here.
:: Informed Consent: A Monthly Review – May 2022 is now posted here
:: Genomic Medicine Governance, Ethics, Policy: A Quarterly Review – May 2022 is now posted here

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 21 May 2022]

Home page

Latest News
20 May 2022
COVAX calls for urgent action to close vaccine equity gap
Partners issue joint statement as supply constraints ease but inequity persists
[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

18 May 2022
Sabin Vaccine Institute receives up to $6.3 Million from CEPI for dose-optimising COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial
The research will allow us to understand if smaller doses of COVID-19 vaccines generate similar immune responses to full doses.

18 May 2022
CEPI and GHIT collaborate to advance the global fight against infectious diseases
MoU will strengthen collaboration between the two organizations, supporting both agencies to deliver on their missions.

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [U.S.] [to 21 May 2022
https://www.darpa.mil/news
News
No new digest content identified.

Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 21 May 2022]
https://dukeghic.org/
Our Blog
No new digest content identified.

EDCTP [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.edctp.org/
The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as other poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on phase II and III clinical trials
News
No new digest content identified.

Emory Vaccine Center [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
New Emory TB research center to help draw attention to an old but still deadly disease
April 28, 2022

European Vaccine Initiative [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News, Events
No new digest content identified.

Evidence Aid [to 21 May 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.
http://www.evidenceaid.org/
National approaches to the vaccination of recently arrived migrants in Europe Added May 18, 2022

Screening migrants for infectious diseases in Europe Added May 16, 2022

Mental health and work experiences of interpreters in the mental health care of refugees

Fondation Merieux [to 21 May 2022]

Accueil

News, Events
Mérieux Foundation co-organized event
Pioneering Ebola Response
May 24, 2022 – Milken Institute School of Public Health
Register
Context – Symposium honoring Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum
A model for local leadership to address emerging infectious disease Challenges and opportunities for future detection of pandemic threats
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 – 10:00 – 11:30 (EDT)

Gavi [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.gavi.org/
News Releases
19 May 2022
COVAX calls for urgent action to close vaccine equity gap
[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

GHIT Fund [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press
Press Releases
May 18, 2022
CEPI and GHIT collaborate to advance the global fight against infectious diseases

Global Fund [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
20 May 2022
Global Fund Signs Letter of Intent with Pfizer for Oral COVID-19 Treatment
The Global Fund has signed a letter of intent with Pfizer for the procurement of up to 6 million treatment courses of the new oral antiviral medicine nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, sold under the name PAXLOVID™, in 2022-2023.

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 21 May 2022]

Latest News

News
No new digest content identified

Hilleman Laboratories [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.hilleman-labs.org/
News & Insights
No new digest content identified

HHMI – Howard Hughes Medical Institute [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.hhmi.org/news
Press Room
Research May 181 2022
Spying on Thousands of Neurons in the Brain’s Vision Center Simultaneously
Neurons across eight areas of the brain team up to process visual information. Researchers have now documented these neurons’ activity at a breadth and resolution never before reported.

Human Vaccines Project [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/
News
No new digest content identified.

IAVI [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.iavi.org/
Latest News
FEATURES
May 18, 2022
IAVI and Moderna launch first-in-Africa clinical trial of mRNA HIV vaccine development program
Phase I trial in Rwanda and South Africa aims to evaluate mRNA HIV vaccine antigen for safety and immunogenicity and strengthen regional scientific capacity

May 17, 2022
HVAD 2022: An HIV vaccine developed with the people it seeks to benefit most
On this HVAD, our colleagues share perspectives on how an HIV vaccine can be developed with the people it seeks to benefit most.

ICRC [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
What’s New [Selected]
African Union and ICRC Marks 30 years of Partnership on Humanitarian Issues
20-05-2022 | Statement

COVID-19: People living in conflict zones cannot be forgotten in global vaccination effort
People living in warzones are at risk of being the very last in the world to have access to COVID-19 vaccines.
18-05-2022 | News release
[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

COVID-19 Vaccination: Support to people affected by armed conflict and violence and those living in hard-to-reach areas
The ICRC is working with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world to support COVID-19 vaccination in armed conflicts as well as hard-to-reach and volatile areas.
17-05-2022 | Article
[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

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

IFRC [to 21 May 2022]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Press Releases [Selected]
IFRC report: Goals for poverty reduction, decent work and closing inequality gap, stalled by COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean
20/05/2022 | Press release

IFRC president: Ethnicity and nationality should not be deciding factors in saving lives
16/05/2022 | Press release

Institut Pasteur [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press Documents
Press release
18.05.2022
Phage Therapy: A Model to Predict Its Efficacy against Pathogenic Bacteria
Antibiotic resistance represents a major public health challenge, associated with a high mortality rate.

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
News – Selected
20 May 2022
First United Nations Forum on International Migration Concludes Today

20 May 2022
Over 700,000 Affected by Cyclone Gombe in Mozambique Still in Need of Humanitarian Assistance as IOM Scales up Response

20 May 2022
Common Ground needed on Clear, Equitable Pandemic Travel Measures
…IOM Director General António Vitorino, MPI President Andrew Selee, and several participants voiced their support for the creation of a Member State-led Group of Friends to discuss cross-border mobility and pandemic preparedness, to complement and support the ongoing review of the International Health Regulations, and Member State negotiations towards a new pandemic treaty.
“Without this common endeavour, there is an increasing risk that future migration will become even more fragmented, accentuating the already evident signs of a two-speed recovery from COVID-19 that leaves less developed countries behind,” said DG Vitorino.
“This, in turn, will stall future economic and social development that could otherwise be accelerated through well-managed migration.”…

19 May 2022
Over 59 Million People Internally Displaced in 2021: IDMC Report

18 May 2022
IOM and UNICEF Sign New Strategic Collaboration Framework

ISC / International Science Council [to 21 May 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.
Press releases
COVID-19 likely to worsen inequalities for at least five years without renewed global cooperation, warns International Science Council
16.05.2022
[See COVID Perspectives above for detail]

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.iso.org/news
News
New guidelines for COVID testing
11 May 2022
A new ISO technical specification will improve testing procedures and contribute to a safer world.
… Recently published, ISO/TS 5798 provides recommendations for the design, development, verification, validation and implementation of analytical tests for detecting the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using nucleic acid amplification. It addresses pre-examination, examination and post-examination process steps for human specimens…

International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS)
https://iuis.org/
News/Events [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

IVAC [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
Webinar: Official Launch of the VERSE Equity Toolkit for Multidimensional Equity Assessments
Register Here
When: May 25, 2022 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST
Description: To identify what issues impair vaccine coverage, researchers traditionally look for an association with just one variable — wealth, for example — instead of examining the host of factors in play. Typical equity metrics may not appropriately account for the compounding effect of geographic and sociodemographic factors on immunization outcomes, such as, in the case of pediatric immunization, where a household is located, the sex of a child being vaccinated, and maternal education level. The VERSE Equity Toolkit compares the level of vaccine coverage against the level of equity and quantifies the influence of key sociodemographic factors to inequity.

IVI [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.ivi.int/
IVI News & Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
No new digest content identified.

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
No new digest content identified.

National Academy of Medicine – USA [to 21 May 2022]
https://nam.edu/programs/
News [Selected]
NAM Provides Opportunity for Public to Inform National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being
May 20, 2022
Given the current shortage and burnout crisis faced by the health workforce, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience is working urgently to deliver a National Plan for health workforce well-being in June 2022, and today released a draft plan for public input. The National Plan intends to provide […]

National Academy of Sciences – USA [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.nasonline.org/news-and-multimedia/
News
Improving Representation in Clinical Trials and Research – Building Research Equity for Women and Underrepresented Groups
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2022; 440 pages)
Lack of representation in research is compounding disparities in health outcomes with serious consequences for underrepresented groups and the nation as a whole. Urgent actions are needed by NIH FDA and others to boost representation of racial and ethnic minority groups and other underrepresented populations in clinical trials and research.

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
NVAC 2022 Meetings – June 15-16, 2022

NIH [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.nih.gov/
News Releases
Cancer death rates among Black people declined over time, but remain higher than other racial and ethnic groups
May 19, 2022 — Scientists used death certificate data to analyze age-adjusted cancer death rates.

Depression, loneliness associated with increased hospitalization risk after COVID-19, NIH-funded study suggests
May 19, 2022 — Scientists analyzed survey data from more than 54,000 female nurses and their children.

NIH announces antiviral drug development awards
May 18, 2022 — Scientists will seek to develop potential antivirals for COVID-19 and viral families with high potential to cause future pandemics.

Scientists identify characteristics to better define long COVID
May 16, 2022 — Using machine learning, researchers find patterns in electronic health record data to better identify those likely to have the condition.

Researchers identify the high costs of living with sickle cell disease
May 16, 2022 — Potential curative therapies may help reduce the burden, but are also costly.

Nuffield Council on Bioethics
https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/news
News
17 May 2022
Ethics tools for decision-makers: Responding to public health threats
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics has consistently raised the importance of transparency in decision-making, especially the values that inform decisions.
Our latest publication ‘Ethics tools for decision-makers: Responding to public health threats’ aims to help decision-makers with this. Drawing on our in-depth work on public health ethics, these tools explain what action decision-makers can take to develop a proportionate response to public health threats, guided by important public values such as reducing suffering, being fair and being respectful.
Summary
– The state has responsibilities to enable people to live healthy lives and reduce health inequalities.
– There are no easy answers, but responses to public health threats can be guided by the values of reducing suffering, treating people with respect, and fairness.
– Options for public health interventions range from doing nothing to removing choice altogether.
– Decision makers should aim for a proportionate response that takes into account the nature and degree of the harm posed, the certainty of the evidence, the intrusiveness of the intervention, and the views of those affected.
– The application of each intervention is likely to generate further ethical questions and decision makers need to be alert to the need for transparency and accountability in decision making processes.
The tools include a version of our widely used ladder for public health interventions, adapted with examples for responding to COVID-19. Katharine Wright, lead author and Assistant Director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, said: “Public health threats such as COVID-19 are ethically challenging because they cannot be managed effectively by individuals alone, and any action taken will have broad and relatively indiscriminate impact. We believe looking at the problem through an ethics lens can help us reach good decisions about how to respond.”
PDF: https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/assets/pdfs/Ethics-tools-for-decision-makers-FINAL1.pdf

OECD [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/publicationsdocuments/bydate/
Newsroom/Library
No new digest content identified.

PATH [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

Rockefeller Foundation [to 21 May 2022]

Home

Selected Reports/Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
Press Releases/
Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and Sustainable Energy for All Announce Expanded Partnership to Tackle Energy Poverty Worldwide
05.18.22
$50 million commitment will support the scale-up of the Universal Energy Facility and advancement of countries’ energy access and transition plans

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
Sabin Vaccine Institute Receives up to $6.3 Million from CEPI for Dose-Optimizing COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Sabin Vaccine Institute was awarded up to $6.3 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for a clinical trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of lower, fractional doses of registered COVID-19 vaccines used as a booster dose. This dose optimizing trial will allow us to understand if smaller doses of COVID-19 vaccines generate similar immune responses to full doses. It will also provide key information as to whether lower doses may have fewer side effects, potentially increasing vaccine acceptance.
“This research has the potential to have the biggest impact in the places that need it the most,” said Amy Finan, CEO of the Sabin Vaccine Institute. “Just 1 in 6 people, 17.4%, have received a COVID-19 vaccine in low-income countries, compared to 72% in high income countries. There are currently sufficient global supplies of vaccine to meet demand, but that situation could change once again. The only way to end this pandemic is to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to vaccines. That was Dr. Sabin’s goal during his lifetime, and it’s the goal now of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and this research.”…

UNAIDS [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
20 May 2022
Helping Ukrainian refugees with HIV treatment and support in Berlin

17 May 2022
Unboxing self-esteem among transgender women in Brazil and their dreams for a dignified life

16 May 2022
Keeping LGBTI people safe in times of war

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected News Releases, Announcements
UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls on states to lift remaining pandemic-related asylum restrictions
20 May 2022
[See Week in Review above for detail]

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi’s message on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
17 May 2022

UNICEF [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Press Releases, News Notes, Statements [Selected]
Press release
18 May 2022
IOM and UNICEF sign new strategic collaboration framework
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/iom-and-unicef-sign-new-strategic-collaboration-framework
NEW YORK, 18 May 2022 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF today signed a new Strategic Collaboration Framework solidifying the organizations’ united commitment towards protecting the rights of migrant children. In 2006, UNICEF and IOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding defining the main areas of cooperation between…

Press release
18 May 2022
Landmark meeting urges prioritization of water and sanitation to get health, climate and economic targets back on track
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/landmark-meeting-urges-prioritization-water-and-sanitation%E2%80%AF-get-health-climate-and
JAKARTA, 18 May 2022 – More than 350 participants from 57 countries gathered today in Jakarta for the opening of the Sector Ministers’ Meeting which will generate urgent prioritization of water and sanitation worldwide.   Among them were 50 ministers of water, sanitation, health, environment and the economy, who met to discuss the COVID-19…

Remarks
17 May 2022
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks at UN high-level event on conflict, hunger and children with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-executive-director-catherine-russells-remarks-un-high-level-event-conflict
NEW YORK, 17 May 2022 — “Excellencies, Colleagues, Friends. “I am honored to welcome you to UNICEF House for this critical conversation. “I want to acknowledge and thank the United States Government, and my co-host, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, for putting children at the center of the discussion on…

Press release
16 May 2022
World a ‘virtual tinderbox’ for catastrophic levels of severe malnutrition in children
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/world-virtual-tinderbox-catastrophic-levels-severe-malnutrition-children
NEW YORK, 17 May 2022 — The number of children with severe wasting was rising even before war in Ukraine threatened to plunge the world deeper into a spiralling global food crisis – and it’s getting worse, UNICEF warned in a new Child Alert. Released today, Severe wasting: An overlooked child survival emergency shows that in spite of rising levels…

Press release
16 May 2022
Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/almost-one-billion-children-and-adults-disabilities-and-older-persons-need-assistive
GENEVA/NEW YORK, 16 May 2022 – A new report published today by WHO and UNICEF reveals that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition. Yet nearly one billion of them are denied access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where…

Unitaid [to 21 May 2022]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
19 May 2022
Unitaid marks 15th anniversary, celebrates greater equity in global health

19 May 2022
UN Secretary-General commends Unitaid’s commitment to health equity and innovation in advance of 15th anniversary

19 May 2022
Former US President Bill Clinton congratulates Unitaid on 15 years of life-saving work, in advance of anniversary event

16 May 2022
Portable thermal ablation devices allow more women to access lifesaving cervical cancer prevention in countries where the majority of deaths occur

Vaccine Equity Cooperative [nee Initiative] [to 21 May 2022]

News

News
No new digest content identified.

Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin) [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.vaccineacceptance.org/
Announcements, Blog
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
News, Research and Reports
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
Vaccine Update for Providers
May 2022
– Announcements: Misinterpreted science, new videos and essay contest reminder
– News & views: COVID-19 death rates – Reality and conspiracies
– In the journals: Underuse of convalescent plasma in treating COVID-19 led to excess deaths
– Technically speaking: The hepatitis B midlife crisis
– From the media: “With Kindness and Respect, We Can Help Others Choose to Be Vaccinated”
– On the calendar: May is Hepatitis Awareness Month
– On the bookshelf — Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide
– Resources: COVID conversation guide, Public Health Law News, and “For Your Health News” project

Wellcome Trust [to 21 May 2022]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
News. Opinion, Reports
No new digest content identified.

The Wistar Institute [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 21 May 2022]

HOME

Latest News – Blog
Older Adults’ Vaccination: Why Is Vaccination Even More Crucial for the Most Vulnerable Subgroups?
May 19, 2022

World Bank [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Selected News, Announcements
World Bank Announces Planned Actions for Global Food Crisis Response
$30 billion available for implementation to address food insecurity over next 15 months WASHINGTON, May 18, 2022—The World Bank today announced actions it plans to take as part of a comprehensive, global…
Date: May 18, 2022 Type: Press Release

World Customs Organization – WCO [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.wcoomd.org/
Latest News
17 May 2022
WCO Members of the Asia-Pacific region share lessons learnt from COVID-19 and discuss ways to enhance preparedness to tackle disruptive events

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.oie.int/en/
Press Releases, Statements
Egg prices on the rise: the effects of animal diseases
Editor’s Choice
16 May 2022

WTO – World Trade Organisation [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm
WTO News and Events [Selected]
WTO virtual event looks at finance and trade lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic
20 May 2022
A virtual event organized by the WTO on 20 May looked at the finance and trade lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. The event was attended by representatives and government officials from WTO members and observers with responsibilities relating to the implementation and negotiation of trade, intellectual property, finance and public health issues.
The event webpage, including access to the livestream, presentation and background materials, is available here: WTO | Finance and Trade Lessons from the Pandemic – Looking Forward.

::::::

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 21 May 2022]

Press Releases

Selected Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

BIO [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Release
No new digest content identified.

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 21 May 2022]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

IFPMA [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials: Bioethical Perspective and Principles
20 May 2022
As IFPMA members, we believe that the knowledge gained from clinical trials should be used to support the development and use of innovative medicines, vaccines and other therapies, in order to develop the right treatment for the right patient. We believe that patient populations in clinical trials should be reflective of the epidemiology and demographics of those who would benefit from the therapeutic agent. To this end, we believe that diversity and inclusion in clinical trials is a matter of both equity and scientific rigor and, as such, that all individuals should have equal opportunity to participate in relevant clinical trials. The biopharmaceutical industry is committed to take affirmative steps to increase clinical trial diversity.
PDF: https://www.ifpma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IFPMA-Global-Clinical-Trial-Diversity-Principles_May-19-2022-.pdf

International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations – IAPO [to 21 May 2022]
https://www.iapo.org.uk/news/topic/6
Press and media [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

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

PhRMA [to 21 May 2022]
http://www.phrma.org/
Latest News [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

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 4: E249-341 Apr 2022
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/issue/health-equity-us-latinx-communities

 

Health Equity in US Latinx Communities
Latinx communities in the US include over 60 million people with a plurality of political beliefs, cultural practices, and wealth. This diversity is also expressed in population health data: some health indicators suggest advantages of Latinx community membership while other data demonstrate inequitable disease burden and maldistribution of environmental and occupational risk. Legacies of colonial conquest of the Americas persist in discrimination and marginalization today and are embodied by members of our Latinx communities.

American Journal of Infection Control
May 2022 Volume 50 Issue 5 p477-592
http://www.ajicjournal.org/current

 

Major Articles
The impact of COVID-19 vaccination on case fatality rates in a city in Southern Brazil
Hisrael Passarelli-Araujo, Henrique Pott-Junior, Aline M. Susuki,…Michael Aschner, Monica M.B. Paoliello, Mariana R. Urbano
Published online: February 19, 2022
p491-496

American Journal of Infection Control
May 2022 Volume 50 Issue 5 p477-592
http://www.ajicjournal.org/current

 

Influenza vaccination coverage among adults by nativity, race/ethnicity, citizenship, and language of the interview – United States, 2012-2013 through 2017-2018 influenza seasons
Meagan R. Chuey, Mei-Chuan Hung, Anup Srivastav,…Kimberly H. Nguyen, Walter W. Williams, Alfonso Rodriguez Lainz
Published online: September 11, 2021
p497-502

American Journal of Infection Control
May 2022 Volume 50 Issue 5 p477-592
http://www.ajicjournal.org/current

 

Mask use among health care workers and feelings of safety at work pre- and post- COVID-19 vaccine
Laura S. O’Donohue, Susan Fletcher-Gutowski, Amreetpal Sidhu, Aishwarya Verma, Tarin C. Phillips,
Preeti G. Misra
Published online: November 15, 2021
p503-508

American Journal of Infection Control
May 2022 Volume 50 Issue 5 p477-592
http://www.ajicjournal.org/current

 

Brief Reports
Racial and ethnic differences in vaccine hesitancy Among registered nurses in New Jersey: A cross-sectional survey
Irina B. Grafova, Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, Mary L. Johansen, Mary Lou Manning, Suzanne Crincoli,
Pamela B. de Cordova
Published online: February 11, 2022
p572-574

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
June 2022 Volume 62 Issue 6 p807-964
https://www.ajpmonline.org/current

 

Research Articles
Vaccinating Veterans for COVID-19 at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Claudia Der-Martirosian, et al.
Published online: January 31, 2022
e317-e324

American Journal of Public Health
May 2022 112(5)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

 

Articles
COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Nursing Home Staff via Statewide Policy: The Mississippi Vaccinate or Test Out Policy
Immunization/Vaccines, Health Policy, Aging
Maggie L. Syme, Natalia Gouskova and Sarah D. Berry

Annals of Internal Medicine
May 2022 Volume 175, Issue 5
http://annals.org/aim/issue

 

Original Research
Risk for Shoulder Conditions After Vaccination: A Population-Based Study Using Real-World Data
Chengyi Zheng, PhD, MS, Jonathan Duffy, MD, MPH, In-Lu Amy Liu, MS, Lina S. Sy, MPH,
… et al.
Pages:634–643

Annals of Internal Medicine
May 2022 Volume 175, Issue 5
http://annals.org/aim/issue

 

Reviews
Major Update 2: Remdesivir for Adults With COVID-19: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for the American College of Physicians Practice Points
FREE
Anjum S. Kaka, MD, Roderick MacDonald, MS, Eric J. Linskens, BS, Lisa Langsetmo, PhD, … et al.
Pages:701–709

BMC Health Services Research
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservres/content
(Accessed 21 May 2022)

 

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and determinant factors in the Iranian population: a web-based study
Iran had a high rate of death in several COVID 19 waves. Vaccination is a method for prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Success in controlling the pandemic is not solely dependent on the effectiv…
Authors: Shabnam Omidvar and Mojgan Firouzbakht
Citation: BMC Health Services Research 2022 22:652
Content type: Research Published on: 16 May 2022

BMC Health Services Research
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservres/content
(Accessed 21 May 2022)

 

Economic assessment of incorporating the hexavalent vaccine as part of the National Immunization Program of Peru
This study aimed to estimate the economic impact of replacing the current Peruvian primary immunization scheme for infants under 1 year old with an alternative scheme with similar efficacy, based on a hexavale…
Authors: Janice Seinfeld, María Laura Rosales, Alfredo Sobrevilla and Juan Guillermo López Yescas
Citation: BMC Health Services Research 2022 22:651
Content type: Research Published on: 16 May 2022

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 21 May 2022)

 

Testing and vaccination to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in nursing homes: an agent-based approach
Efforts to protect residents in nursing homes involve non-pharmaceutical interventions, testing, and vaccine. We sought to quantify the effect of testing and vaccine strategies on the attack rate, length of th…
Authors: José P. Gómez Vázquez, Yury E. García, Alec J. Schmidt, Beatriz Martínez-López and Miriam Nuño
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2022 22:477
Content type: Research Published on: 19 May 2022

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 21 May 2022)

 

Adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Iran
Vaccination is a key intervention to prevent COVID-19. Many vaccines are administered globally, yet there is not much evidence regarding their safety and adverse effects. Iran also faces this challenge, especi…
Authors: Ebrahim Babaee, Ali Amirkafi, Arash Tehrani-Banihashemi, Neda SoleimanvandiAzar, Babak Eshrati, Zahra Rampisheh, Mehran Asadi-Aliabadi and Marzieh Nojomi
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2022 22:476
Content type: Research Published on: 18 May 2022

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 21 May 2022)

 

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and influencing factors among people living with HIV in Guangxi, China: a cross-sectional survey
Vaccination has been proven to be an effective approach against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to determine the acceptance rate and factors influencing acceptance of COVID-1…
Authors: Jinming Su, Zhenwei Jia, Xinwei Wang, Fengxiang Qin, Rongfeng Chen, Yuting Wu, Beibei Lu, Chunlin Lan, Tongxue Qin, Yinlu Liao, Minjuan Shi, Yanyan Liao, Peijiang Pan, Li Ye, Junjun Jiang and Hao Liang
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2022 22:471
Content type: Research Published on: 16 May 2022