Author Archives: davidrcurry

POLIO

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Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Polio this week as of 08 April 2020
Summary of new viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Pakistan: one WPV1 case and 16 WPV1 positive environmental samples
:: Ghana: three cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Central African Republic – one cVDPV2 case
:: Burkina Faso: two cVDPV2 cases
:: Côte d’Ivoire: one cVDPV2 case and two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples

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Statement of the Twenty-Fourth IHR Emergency Committee
8 April 2020 Statement
The Twenty-fourth meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) on the international spread of poliovirus was convened by the Director General on 26 March 2020 with committee members only attending via teleconference, supported by the WHO Secretariat…
Reports were received from Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Ethiopia, Ghana, Pakistan, and Philippines.
The Emergency Committee reviewed the data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses (cVDPV).  The WHO Secretariat presented a report of progress for affected IHR States Parties subject to Temporary Recommendations.

Wild poliovirus
The Committee remains gravely concerned by the significant increase in WPV1 cases globally in 2019 and 2020, with 175 cases in 2019 compared to 33 in 2018, and already 32 cases as at 17 March 2020, compared to six for the same period in 2019, with no significant success yet in reversing this trend…

Vaccine derived poliovirus (VDPV)
The multiple circulating VDPV (cVDPV) outbreaks in four WHO regions (African, Eastern Mediterranean, South-east Asian and Western Pacific Regions) are very concerning, with two new countries reporting outbreaks since the last meeting (Malaysia and Burkina Faso).  Unlike historical experience, cross border spread of cVDPV2 has become quite common, with recent spread from Angola to DR Congo and Zambia, and from Chad and CAR to Cameroon, and from Ghana to Burkina Faso.  In addition, local emergences attributable to mOPV2 use have recently occurred in Togo, Chad and Ethiopia.
The Committee noted that the GPEI has published a strategy to address cVDPV2 outbreaks but was extremely concerned that the monovalent OPV2 stockpile was still depleted.  The Committee strongly supports the development and proposed Emergency Use Listing of the novel OPV2 vaccine which should become available mid-2020, and which it is hoped will result in no or very little seeding of further outbreaks.

Impact of COVID-19
The Committee noted the very recent policy guidance of the GPEI:
:: GPEI recommendations for countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document summarizes the recommendations from the Polio Oversight Board meeting on 24 March 2020 which calls for postponement of both preventive and outbreak response campaigns, while ensuring surveillance and nOPV2 development and roll out plans continue in full.
:: The COVID-19 Polio programme continuity plan. The operational guide was developed in collaboration with the regional polio eradication teams and the GPEI Partners to ensure essential GPEI functions continue, polio programme personnel and staff are kept safe, and to plan for a fast and effective resumption of polio eradication activities including supplementary immunization activities as soon as the public health situation with COVID-19 allows.
The Committee is extremely concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the risk of heightened transmission of polio and consequently the potential for international spread and significant reversal of polio eradication.     

Conclusion
The Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommended the extension of Temporary Recommendations for a further three months.  However noting that some if not many international borders are closed to prevent  international spread of COVID-19, State Parties may not currently be able to enforce the Temporary Recommendations in all places. The Committee strongly urges countries subject to these recommendations to maintain a high state of readiness to implement them as soon as possible ensuring the continued safety of travelers as well as health professionals .  The Committee recognizes the concerns regarding the lengthy duration of the polio PHEIC, but concludes that the current situation is extraordinary, with clear ongoing risk of international spread and ongoing need for coordinated international response…

…Based on the current situation regarding WPV1 and cVDPV, and the reports provided by affected countries, the Director-General accepted the Committee’s assessment and on 7 April 2020 determined that the situation relating to poliovirus continues to constitute a PHEIC, with respect to WPV1 and cVDPV.  The Director-General endorsed the Committee’s recommendations for countries meeting the definition for ‘States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3 with potential risk for international spread’, ‘States infected with cVDPV2 with potential risk for international spread’ and for ‘States no longer infected by WPV1 or cVDPV, but which remain vulnerable to re-infection by WPV or cVDPV’ and extended the Temporary Recommendations under the IHR to reduce the risk of the international spread of poliovirus, effective 7 April 2020.

 

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WHO Grade 3 Emergencies [to 11 Apr 2020]

Democratic Republic of the Congo
:: Ebola Outbreak in DRC 87: 07 April 2020
[See Ebola above for detail]

Mozambique floods
:: World Health Organization: 17 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Mozambique 09 April 2020

Nigeria – No new digest announcements identified
Somalia – No new digest announcements identified
South Sudan – No new digest announcements identified
Syrian Arab Republic – No new digest announcements identified
Yemen – No new digest announcements identified

 

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WHO Grade 2 Emergencies [to 11 Apr 2020]
Iraq
:: Iraq produces COVID-19 laboratory supplies to more rapidly test cases April 5, 2020

Afghanistan – No new digest announcements identified
Angola – No new digest announcements identified
Burkina Faso [in French] – No new digest announcements identified
Burundi – No new digest announcements identified
Cameroon – No new digest announcements identified
Central African Republic – No new digest announcements identified
Ethiopia – No new digest announcements identified
HIV in Pakistan – No new digest announcements identified
Iran – No new digest announcements identified
Libya – No new digest announcements identified
Malawi – No new digest announcements identified
Measles in Europe – No new digest announcements identified
MERS-CoV – No new digest announcements identified
Myanmar – No new digest announcements identified
Niger – No new digest announcements identified
occupied Palestinian territory – No new digest announcements identified
Sudan – No new digest announcements identified
Ukraine – No new digest announcements identified
Zimbabwe – No new digest announcements identified

 

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WHO Grade 1 Emergencies [to 11 Apr 2020]

Chad – No new digest announcements identified
Djibouti – No new digest announcements identified
Kenya – No new digest announcements identified
Mali – No new digest announcements identified
Namibia – viral hepatitis – No new digest announcements identified
Tanzania – No new digest announcements identified

 

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UN OCHA – L3 Emergencies
The UN and its humanitarian partners are currently responding to three ‘L3’ emergencies. This is the global humanitarian system’s classification for the response to the most severe, large-scale humanitarian crises. 
Syrian Arab Republic
:: Syrian Arab Republic: COVID-19 Update No. 05 – 10 April 2020

Yemen
:: 08 April 2020 Yemen Humanitarian Update Issue 3 (March 2020)

 

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UN OCHA – Corporate Emergencies
When the USG/ERC declares a Corporate Emergency Response, all OCHA offices, branches and sections provide their full support to response activities both at HQ and in the field.
CYCLONE IDAI and Kenneth – No new digest announcements identified
EBOLA OUTBREAK IN THE DRC – No new digest announcements identified

 

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WHO & Regional Offices [to 11 Apr 2020]

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WHO & Regional Offices [to 11 Apr 2020]
10 April 2020 News release
New Ebola case confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

8 April 2020 Statement
Statement of the Twenty-Fourth IHR Emergency Committee
{See Polio above for detail]

8 April 2020 Statement
Joint Leader’s statement – Violence against children: A hidden crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic

8 April 2020 Statement
WHO Timeline – COVID-19
This timeline is updated on an ongoing basis, in response to evolving events and common media queries.

7 April 2020 News release
WHO and partners call for urgent investment in nurses
Geneva – The Covid-19 pandemic underscores the urgent need to strengthen the global health workforce. A new report, The State of the World’s Nursing 2020, provides an in-depth look at the largest component of the health workforce. Findings identify important gaps in the nursing workforce and priority areas for investment in nursing education, jobs, and leadership to strengthen nursing around the world and improve health for all.

 

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PPC: Call for comments by 14 May 2020: 9 April 2020
Preferred Product Characteristics for Vaccines against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia colipdf, 491kb
Draft Version for public consultation
Comment Form – ETEC-Vx PPCdoc, 97kb

 

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WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
:: COVID-19 pandemic expands reach in Africa 10 April 2020
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Africa continues to grow, more countries in the continent are seeing the virus spread to regions beyond the capital cities.
:: New Ebola case confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 10 April 2020
A new case of Ebola virus disease was confirmed today in the city of Beni in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
:: Benin goes on digital offensive against COVID-19 09 April 2020
Cotonou, 9 April 2020 – After the first case of COVID-19 was announced in Benin on the 16 March, within four days, the West African nation had set up a range of digital platforms to help combat both the spread of the disease and what the World Health Organization (WHO) has called “infodemic” of misinformation around it.
:: COVID-19 cases top 10 000 in Africa 07 April 2020
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has risen to more than 10 000 and caused more than 500 deaths. While the virus was slow to reach the continent compared to other parts of the world, infection has grown exponentially in recent weeks and continues to spread.

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: PAHO Director calls for protection of health workers in face of the advancing COVID19 pandemic in the region of the Americas (04/07/2020)
:: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, new WHO report urges greater investments in the nursing workforce (04/07/2020)

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: Countries in WHO South-East Asia Region need 1.9 million more nurses, midwives to achieve health for all 7 April 2020 News release SEARO

WHO European Region EURO
:: New WHO tools launched to help hospitals manage surge in COVID-19 patients 08-04-2020
:: Reconfiguring health systems vital to tackling COVID-19 08-04-2020
:: COVID-19 hotline in Romania provides up-to-date public advice with WHO support 08-04-2020
:: WHO calls on governments to invest in nurses for a healthy Europe 07-04-2020
:: New WHO/Europe tool for behavioural insights: critical to inform COVID-19 response 06-04-2020

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Latest update on COVID-19
:: COVID-19 cases in Africa top 10 000 8 April 2020

:: Iraq produces COVID-19 laboratory supplies to more rapidly test cases 5 April 2020

WHO Western Pacific Region
:: Urgent need for investment in nursing 7 April 2020 News release Manila, Philippines
COVID-19 pandemic puts need for nurses into sharp relief

China CDC

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

 

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
April 11: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On April 10, 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 46 new cases of confirmed infections (42 imported cases and 4 indigenous cases, 3 in Guangdong province and 1 in Heilongjiang province).

Timeline of China releasing information on COVID-19 and advancing international cooperation
Updated: 2020-04-06
… Based on media reports and information from the National Health Commission, scientific research institutions and other departments, Xinhua News Agency sorted out the main facts China has taken in the global joint anti-virus efforts to timely release epidemic information, share prevention and control experience, and advance international exchanges and cooperation on epidemic response…

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Announcements

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Announcements

 

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group    [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/
Press Release
No new digest content identified.
 
 
BMGF – Gates Foundation  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute    [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.gatesmri.org/
The Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute is a non-profit biotech organization. Our mission is to develop products to fight malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases—three major causes of mortality, poverty, and inequality in developing countries. The world has unprecedented scientific tools at its disposal; now is the time to use them to save the lives of the world’s poorest people
No new digest content identified.
 
 
CARB-X   [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://carb-x.org/
CARB-X is a non-profit public-private partnership dedicated to accelerating antibacterial research to tackle the global rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria.
No new digest content identified.
 
 
CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
CEPI publishes analysis of COVID-19 vaccine development landscape
115 vaccine candidates identified, 5 of which lead have progressed into phase 1
[See Milestones above for detail]
 
 
CEPI welcomes COVID-Zero initiative to fill R&D funding shortfall
09 Apr 2020
CEPI is a partner in the new COVID-Zero initiative, which aims to help raise at least $8 billion by the end of April to cover a global funding shortfall for vaccines, treatments and testing for coronavirus…
…COVID-Zero is calling on business to form a coalition that can help bridge this funding shortfall and get our lives, businesses and economies back on track. The initiative is called COVID-Zero because by securing this funding, it aims to achieve zero deaths, zero new cases and zero lockdowns as soon as possible…
Belgium and Canada provide funding boost for CEPI’s COVID-19 vaccine research
06 Apr 2020
 
 Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI)  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://clintonhealthaccess.org/
News & Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
EDCTP    [to 11 Apr 2020]
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
Latest news
9 April 2020
EDCTP and Africa CDC collaborate to develop capacity for outbreak and epidemic response in sub-Saharan Africa
Reliable epidemiological data is often unavailable or severely limited in resource-limited settings in Africa. This knowledge gap is further aggravated by a shortage of skilled personnel in epidemiology and biostatistics to efficiently monitor, analyse and interpret epidemiological data to inform…
…On 10 April 2020, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will launch a call for proposals with a total call budget of €5 million. The aim is to establish an African cohort of epidemiologists by supporting institutions in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe that provide Master’s degree training in epidemiology and biostatistics, as part of Africa CDC’s framework for public health workforce development…
 
 
Emory Vaccine Center    [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
No new digest content identified.
 
 
European Medicines Agency  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
News & Press Releases
News: Guidance on regulatory requirements in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Last updated: 10/04/2020
 
 
Press release: Update on EU actions to support availability of medicines during COVID-19 pandemic
Last updated: 10/04/2020
Press release: EMA establishes task force to take quick and coordinated regulatory action related to COVID-19 medicines
Last updated: 09/04/2020
Press release: Global regulators stress need for robust evidence on COVID-19 treatments
Last updated: 09/04/2020
News: Global regulators discuss observational studies of real world data for COVID-19 medicines
Last updated: 07/04/2020
 
 
European Vaccine Initiative  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/news-events
Latest News
No new digest content identified.
 
 
FDA [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements
April 10, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup April 10, 2020
 
April 10, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Blood Purification Device to Treat COVID-19
 
 
Fondation Merieux  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
No new digest content identified.
 
 
 
Gavi [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.gavi.org/
Top Stories
COVID-19: Gavi steps up response to pandemic
:: Up to US$ 200 million available to help lower-income countries to quickly respond to pandemic; US$ 29 million approved as first tranche of funds to protect health workers and boost surveillance, testing
:: More than 21,500 cases and 681 deaths have been officially reported in 66 lower-income countries; true numbers likely to be much higher
:: Seth Berkley: “Health systems across the developing world face their biggest test in living memory, and Gavi is helping them to meet it”
Geneva, 9 April 2020 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will provide US$ 29 million in urgent initial funding to 13 lower-income countries to support their response to COVID-19, helping them to protect health care workers with personal protective equipment (PPE), perform vital surveillance and training, and fund diagnostic tests. There are further requests or interest from 21 countries, meaning more support from a total of up to US$ 200 million is likely to be approved in the coming days and weeks. This early funding is designed to provide immediate support until more substantial support from other sources is unlocked…
 
 
GHIT Fund   [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press
GHIT was set up in 2012 with the aim of developing new tools to tackle infectious diseases that No new digest content identified.
 
 
 
Global Fund  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
News
Global Fund Partners Unite to Fight
09 April 2020
GENEVA – The Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria today unanimously approved a new response mechanism to support countries to respond to COVID-19 and mitigate the impact on programs to fight HIV, TB, malaria and systems for health, effectively doubling the amount of available funding to up to US$1 billion.
The COVID-19 Response Mechanism authorizes funding of US$500 million and comes in addition to up to US$500 million in grant flexibilities that were announced by the Global Fund on 4 March and are already being implemented by 54 countries…
 
Funding Model
COVID-19 Response: Technical Guidance
09 April 2020
 
Sourcing & Management of Health Products
Guidance for Countries Selecting a Logistics Management Information System
07 April 2020
 
Sourcing & Management of Health Products
Opportunity for Evaluation of Diagnostic Products
07 April 2020
 
Sourcing & Management of Health Products
COVID-19 Response: Impact on Health Product Supply
07 April 2020
 
Voices
The Threat to Africa
07 April 2020
By Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund
…Unless extremely fast action is taken, the prospect of an imminent catastrophe in Africa will become real. Current confirmed cases and deaths are still relatively low in Africa, and the continent may be four to six weeks behind Europe’s outbreak. But the trajectory and impact of Covid-19 could be far worse – much harder to contain and causing far more death and damage to communities…
 
 
Hilleman Laboratories   [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Human Vaccines Project   [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/media/press-releases/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
IAVI  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities [ICMRA]
http://www.icmra.info/drupal/en/news
Selected Statements, Press Releases, Research
Global regulators stress need for robust evidence on COVID-19 treatments
International regulators have published a report today highlighting their considerations on the development of potential COVID-19 therapeutics, clinical trials and compassionate use programmes. The report presents the outcomes of a workshop on COVID-19 therapeutic medicine development that was convened under the umbrella of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA).
 
 
Second regulatory COVID-19 workshop – meeting report_April 2020
The following represents generally agreed positions among global regulators in attendance.
Regulators emphasised that within the current COVID-19 disease pandemic, no specific medicinal product has yet clearly demonstrated efficacy. With the threat affecting all countries, regulators expressed the need for collecting robust and reliable evidence to establish safety and efficacy for the proposed medicines, so as to serve the patients’ needs in the fastest fashion possible.

Various therapeutic candidates have been prioritised for inclusion in large well-designed randomized clinical trials aimed at evaluating the treatment of COVID-19 patients. They include, based on a WHO-initiated landscape analysis of therapeutics, remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir with or without interferon–𝛽, and chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine. Other antivirals (e.g. monoclonal antibodies, hyperimmune sera) and immunomodulating agents such as IL-6 and IL-1 inhibitors are likewise considered for development.

However, for all these medicines, the pharmacological rationale, potential benefits and risks even in context of clinical trials, e.g. increased risk of infection with use, require careful attention.

It was agreed that randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate control arm (i.e. not including antivirals or immune modulators), appropriately designed to generate data that meet regulatory requirements for approval, could lead to timely regulatory decisions, and could guide clinicians in defining promptly the best treatment options for COVID-19.

To this effect, multi-arm clinical studies investigating different agents simultaneously have the potential to deliver results as rapidly as possible across a range of therapeutic options, according to the same evaluation criteria.

Participants acknowledged that small studies or compassionate use programmes are unlikely to be able to generate the required level of evidence to allow clear-cut recommendations.

Nevertheless, regulators concurred that compassionate use programmes, which allow access to potential therapies for patients in need, have a beneficial public health impact on the pandemic and should be allowed, as long as they do not pose a threat to clinical trials recruitment.

Regulators expressed concern due to the multitude of ongoing trials and access programmes, which may lead to shortages of investigational products, and recommended this to be carefully monitored. It was acknowledged that preservation of access to medicines approved in indications other than COVID-19 and used as well in COVID-19 investigations might be critical in these situations, posing ethical issues of equitable distribution.

It was agreed that as clinical trial data emerge from relevant studies, sharing of information would be of uttermost importance globally. This group will reconvene within 2-3 months to take stock of the evolving therapeutic landscape.
 
 
International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association [IGBA]
https://www.igbamedicines.org/
News
IGBA Contributes to Global Discussion on Tailored Clinical Biosimilar Development with New Peer-Reviewed Scientific Paper
(10 April 2020)
The International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA), which represents global manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, today announces the publication of its first peer-reviewed scientific paper on biosimilar medicines development: The Path Towards a Tailored Clinical Biosimilar Development (Biodrugs).

COVID-19: IGBA calls for urgent priority designation for medicines at custom controls and for cargo and freight
(6 April 2020)
The International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA), which represents global manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, today requests urgent action by all governments to designate all medicines as PRIORITY ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, including all critical goods needed to manufacture them…
 
 
IFFIm
http://www.iffim.org/
Press Releases
IFFIm stands ready to support COVID-19 vaccines
09 Apr 2020
… We already have a proven and trusted financing tool to make this possible: IFFIm, the International Finance Facility for Immunisation. Since its first Vaccine Bond issuance in 2006, IFFIm has enabled Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to pay for pressing immunisation programmes, as well as for polio eradication, vaccine stockpiles and health system strengthening.
Now, subject to Gavi approval and additional donor pledges, IFFIm could be put to work to raise fast, flexible financing on a large scale to fund the development a COVID-19 vaccine as well as its rapid deployment to affected countries once available.

So far, ten countries have committed to pay out more than US$ 6.5 billion to IFFIm over 10 to 23 years. Against those pledges, IFFIm’s Vaccine Bonds have raised about $6.1 billion from private sector investors around the world and provided $2.6 billion of immediately available funding for Gavi. IFFIm then pays back those investors at a competitive rate of return…
 
 
 IFRC   [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
No new digest content identified.
 
 
IVAC  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates
No new digest content identified.
 
 
IVI   [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News & Announcements
No new digest content identified.
 
 
JEE Alliance  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.jeealliance.org/
Selected News and Events
No new digest content identified.
 
 
MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Yemen
Authorities in Yemen must do all they can to facilitate COVID-19 response
Press Release 10 Apr 2020
 
 
Coronavirus disease COVID-19
Spain must urgently improve the care of elderly in COVID-19 response
Press Release 9 Apr 2020
 
 
Coronavirus disease COVID-19
MSF responds to COVID-19 in Lebanon
Project Update 9 Apr 2020
 
 
 
National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
NVAC 2020 Meetings
June 9-10, 2020 NVAC Meeting
September 23-24, 2020 Meeting (Virtual)
 
 
NIH  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
Selected News Releases
NIH begins study to quantify undetected cases of coronavirus infection
April 10, 2020 — Blood samples from healthy volunteers needed to inform public health decision making.

NIH clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine, a potential therapy for COVID-19, begins
April 9, 2020 — Study is enrolling hospitalized adults with COVID-19.
 
 
PATH  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Selected Announcements
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Sabin Vaccine Institute  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
UNAIDS [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
9 April 2020
A tribute to Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean

9 April 2020
When will men stop thinking that women’s bodies are their property?

8 April 2020
New innovations map to strengthen the response to COVID-19

8 April 2020
Ensuring that people living with HIV in the Philippines have access to treatment during COVID-19

7 April 2020
Living with HIV under lockdown

6 April 2020
Supporting transgender people during the COVID-19 pandemic

6 April 2020
HIV knowledge greater among women with higher incomes
 
 
UNICEF  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Press release
New Ebola death confirmed in the DRC as country was close to declaring end of epidemic
10/04/2020

Statement
Don’t let children be the hidden victims of COVID-19 pandemic
Ninety-nine per cent of the world’s children live with some form of pandemic-related movement restrictions; Sixty per cent live in countries with full or partial lockdowns
09/04/2020

Press release
Children’s story book released to help children and young people cope with COVID-19
08/04/2020

Press release
UNICEF providing supplies to combat COVID-19 and support integrated response in Venezuela
08/04/2020

Press release
COVID-19: UNICEF Spain makes first delivery of health supplies to fight Coronavirus
08/04/2020

Press release
Debt relief for the poorest countries critical in fight against COVID-19
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore
07/04/2020

Statement
Launch of Global Multi-Religious Faith-in-Action Covid-19 Initiative
Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities
07/04/2020

Press release
UNICEF is providing supplies and technical support to fight COVID-19 in Lebanon
06/04/2020

Press release
Urgent need to secure learning for children across South Asia
06/04/2020
 
 
Unitaid  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://unitaid.org/#en
Unitaid is a global development agency, hosted by the World Health Organization and its major donors are France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Norway, Chile, the Republic of Korea, Spain and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN)  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://vaccineacceptance.org/news.html#header1-2r
Announcements
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Vaccine Confidence Project  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
Latest News & Archive
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
Coronavirus Updates
Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Last Updated: March 19, 2020
Get some fast facts about the coronavirus from CHOP and the CDC. The CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available.
 
 
Wellcome Trust  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
News | 6 April 2020
Wellcome Trust building to become respite centre for local NHS staff
 
 
The Wistar Institute   [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
World Health Day
Tuesday, 07 April 2020
It’s World Health Day! It is the day to celebrate the work of Public Health Professionals, Nurses, Midwives, Doctors, and All Health Workers
 
 
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)   [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2020/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

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ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine]  [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://alliancerm.org/press-releases/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
BIO    [to 11 Apr 2020]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network  [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News
No new digest content identified.
 
 
IFPMA   [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
IFPMA Backgrounder – COVID-19
03 April 2020
[See COVID-19 above for detail]
 
 
PhRMA    [to 11 Apr 2020]
http://www.phrma.org/
Selected Press Releases, Statements
To the millions affected by COVID-19
Stephen J. Ubl and Giovanni Caforio, M.D.   |     April 9, 2020

Today, in the midst of this global pandemic, our industry is doing what we are uniquely positioned to do: testing new and existing treatments to determine what might work against COVID-19 and developing new vaccines to prevent it…
Merck’s Dr. Julie Gerberding on the threat of antimicrobial resistance and COVID-19
Andrew Powaleny   |     April 6, 2020
We recently spoke with Dr. Julie Gerberding, executive vice president and chief patient officer at Merck, about AMR and the biopharmaceutical industry’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
 
Industry Watch
::  Lilly Begins Clinical Testing of Therapies for COVID-19 Apr 10, 2020
:: Pfizer Advances Battle Against COVID-19 on Multiple Fronts
. Anti-viral compounds show activity against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical screening
. Pfizer and BioNTech enter into collaboration agreement to co-develop potential COVID-19 vaccine
. Company shares additional data and analysis of azithromycin
. Launch of two new studies to provide insights on the interaction between S. pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2
. Pfizer explores studies of JAK inhibitor tofacitinib in patients with COVID-19-related pneumonia
April 09, 2020

Journal Watch

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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

Studies Using Randomized Trial Data to Compare Nonrandomized Exposures

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Annals of Internal Medicine
7 April 2020 Vol: 172, Issue 7
http://annals.org/aim/issue

 

Understanding Clinical Research |7 April 2020
Studies Using Randomized Trial Data to Compare Nonrandomized Exposures
Catharine B. Stack, PhD; Anne R. Meibohm, PhD; Joshua M. Liao, MD, MSc; Eliseo Guallar, MD, DrPH
Researchers frequently use data collected in randomized controlled trials to target questions that are beyond the scope of the original trial. For example, trial data may be used to explore the effects on outcomes of an exposure collected during the trial that was not the randomized intervention. Although such data originate from a randomized trial, the analyses do not have the protection from bias that randomization provides. Successful randomization tends to balance observed and unobserved characteristics between study groups. Comparisons of nonrandomized exposures, even when done using trial data, can be biased and require analytic approaches commonly used for observational…

Valuing the cost of improving Chilean primary vaccination: a cost minimization analysis of a hexavalent vaccine

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BMC Health Services Research
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservres/content
(Accessed 11 Apr 2020)

 

Valuing the cost of improving Chilean primary vaccination: a cost minimization analysis of a hexavalent vaccine
The phased withdrawal of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the introduction of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is central to the polio ‘end-game’ strategy.
Authors: Ignacio Olivera, Carlos Grau, Hugo Dibarboure, Juan Pablo Torres, Gustavo Mieres, Luis Lazarov, Fabián P. Alvarez and Juan Guillermo López Yescas
Citation: BMC Health Services Research 2020 20:295
Content type: Research article
Published on: 9 April 2020

Health and economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and the cost-effectiveness of potential interventions against RSV among children under 5 years in 72 Gavi-eligible countries

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BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 11 Apr 2020)

 

Health and economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and the cost-effectiveness of potential interventions against RSV among children under 5 years in 72 Gavi-eligible countries
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) frequently causes acute lower respiratory infection in children under 5, representing a high burden in Gavi-eligible countries (mostly low-income and lower-middle-income). Sin…
Authors: Xiao Li, Lander Willem, Marina Antillon, Joke Bilcke, Mark Jit and Philippe Beutels
Citation: BMC Medicine 2020 18:82
Content type: Research article
Published on: 6 April 2020

Vaccination coverage rates and predictors of HPV vaccination among eligible and non-eligible female adolescents at the Brazilian HPV vaccination public program

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BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 11 Apr 2020)

 

Vaccination coverage rates and predictors of HPV vaccination among eligible and non-eligible female adolescents at the Brazilian HPV vaccination public program
Since March 2014, the quadrivalent HPV vaccine has been incorporated into the Brazilian Unified Health Care System and began to be offered, without direct costs, for girls from 9 to 13 years of age. Older fema…
Authors: Alexandre Faisal-Cury, Renata Bertazzi Levy, Maria Fernanda Tourinho, Alexandre Grangeiro and José Eluf-Neto
Citation: BMC Public Health 2020 20:458
Content type: Research article
Published on: 6 April 2020

Exploiting antimicrobial resistance : Better knowledge of resistance mechanisms can inform the search for and development of new antibiotics

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EMBO Reports
Volume 21 Issue 4 3 April 2020
https://www.embopress.org/toc/14693178/current

 

Science & Society 11 March 2020
Exploiting antimicrobial resistance : Better knowledge of resistance mechanisms can inform the search for and development of new antibiotics
Marc Ouellette, Arijit Bhattacharya
Antibiotic resistance is a grave threat for public health. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance could lead to new drugs and therapeutic strategies against resistant pathogens.

The spread of the COVID‐19 coronavirus : Health agencies worldwide prepare for the seemingly inevitability of the COVID‐19 coronavirus becoming endemic

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EMBO Reports
Volume 21 Issue 4 3 April 2020
https://www.embopress.org/toc/14693178/current

 

Science & Society 17 March 2020 Free Access
The spread of the COVID‐19 coronavirus : Health agencies worldwide prepare for the seemingly inevitability of the COVID‐19 coronavirus becoming endemic
Philip Hunter
While it is too late to confine the COVID‐19 coronovirus outbreak to China, a wealth of data spurs epidemiological and vaccine research.

Promoting equity in immunization coverage through supply chain design in Pakistan

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Gates Open Research
https://gatesopenresearch.org/browse/articles
[Accessed 11 Apr 2020]

 

Method Article metrics AWAITING PEER REVIEW
Promoting equity in immunization coverage through supply chain design in Pakistan [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
Mariam Zameer, Nora Phillips-White, Olamide Folorunso, Rachel Belt, Hamidreza Setayesh, Naeem Asghar, Arshad Chandio
Peer Reviewers Invited
Funders: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF
PUBLISHED 06 Apr 2020
Abstract
To improve equity in immunization coverage, potent immunization products must be available in the communities in which low coverage rates persist. Most supply side investments are focused on replacing or establishing new health facilities to improve access to immunization. However, supply chain design must be improved to ensure that potent vaccines are available at all facilities to promote immunization equity. We used the supply chain design process in Pakistan as an opportunity to conceptualize how supply chains could impact equity outcomes. This paper outlines our approach and key considerations for assessing supply chain design as a contributing factor in achieving equitable delivery of immunization services.
We conducted a supply chain analysis based on sub-national supply chain and immunization coverage at district level. Supply chain metrics included cold chain coverage and distances between vaccination sites and storage locations. Immunization coverage metrics included the third-dose diphtheria- tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccination rate and the disparity in DTP3 coverage between urban and rural areas. All metrics were analyzed at the district level. Despite data limitations, triangulation across these metrics provided useful insights into the potential contributions of supply chain to equitable program performance at the district level within each province. Overall, our analysis identified supply chain gaps, highlighted supply chain contributions to program performance and informed future health system investments to prioritize children unreached by immunization services.

Fighting against the common enemy of COVID-19: a practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind

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Infectious Diseases of Poverty
http://www.idpjournal.com/content
[Accessed 11 Apr 2020]

 

Commentary
Fighting against the common enemy of COVID-19: a practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind
Authors: Xu Qian, Ran Ren, Youfa Wang, Yan Guo, Jing Fang, Zhong-Dao Wu, Pei-Long Liu and Tie-Ru Han
7 April 2020
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 80 813 confirmed cases in all provinces of China, and 21 110 cases reported in 93 countries of six continents as of 7 March 2020 since middle December 2019. Due to biological nature of the novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with faster spreading and unknown transmission pattern, it makes us in a difficulty position to contain the disease transmission globally. To date, we have found it is one of the greatest challenges to human beings in fighting against COVID-19 in the history, because SARS-CoV-2 is different from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV in terms of biological features and transmissibility, and also found the containment strategies including the non-pharmaceutical public health measures implemented in China are effective and successful. In order to prevent a potential pandemic-level outbreak of COVID-19, we, as a community of shared future for mankind, recommend for all international leaders to support preparedness in low and middle income countries especially, take strong global interventions by using old approaches or new tools, mobilize global resources to equip hospital facilities and supplies to protect noisome infections and to provide personal protective tools such as facemask to general population, and quickly initiate research projects on drug and vaccine development. We also recommend for the international community to develop better coordination, cooperation, and strong solidarity in the joint efforts of fighting against COVID-19 spreading recommended by the joint mission report of the WHO-China experts, against violating the International Health Regulation (WHO, 2005), and against stigmatization, in order to eventually win the battle against our common enemy — COVID-19.

Novel Coronavirus Infection in Hospitalized Infants Under 1 Year of Age in China

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JAMA
April 7, 2020, Vol 323, No. 13, Pages 1223-1324
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

 

Research Letter
Novel Coronavirus Infection in Hospitalized Infants Under 1 Year of Age in China
Min Wei, MD; Jingping Yuan, MD, PhD; Yu Liu, PhD; et al.
free access has active quiz has multimedia has audio
JAMA. 2020;323(13):1313-1314. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2131
This study characterizes the demographic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of hospitalized infants diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 infection between December 8, 2019, and February 6, 2020, in China.

Characteristics of and Important Lessons From the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in ChinaSummary of a Report of 72 314 Cases From the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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JAMA
April 7, 2020, Vol 323, No. 13, Pages 1223-1324
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

 

Viewpoint
Characteristics of and Important Lessons From the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in ChinaSummary of a Report of 72 314 Cases From the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Zunyou Wu, MD, PhD; Jennifer M. McGoogan, PhD
free access has active quiz has audio
JAMA. 2020;323(13):1239-1242. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2648
This Viewpoint summarizes key epidemiologic and clinical findings from all cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reported through February 11, 2020, in mainland China, and case trends in response to government attempts to control and contain the infection.
Audio Interview: COVID-19 Update With NIAID’s Anthony Fauci, MD; March 6, 2020
Clinical Review Audio: Update on Coronavirus: March 6, 2020, by NIAID’s Anthony Fauci, MD

COVID-19 in Singapore—Current ExperienceCritical Global Issues That Require Attention and Action

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JAMA
April 7, 2020, Vol 323, No. 13, Pages 1223-1324
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

 

COVID-19 in Singapore—Current ExperienceCritical Global Issues That Require Attention and Action
John E. L. Wong, MBBS; Yee Sin Leo, MBBS, MPH; Chorh Chuan Tan, MBBS, PhD
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2020;323(13):1243-1244. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2467
This Viewpoint discusses public health measures implemented in Singapore to manage potential COVID-19 infection based on the country’s experience with SARS in 2003 and reviews critical information gaps necessary to help manage the outbreak, such as viral shedding patterns and optimal timing of antiviral treatment after exposure.

Preparing for the Most Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19The Potential Role of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

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JAMA
April 7, 2020, Vol 323, No. 13, Pages 1223-1324
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

 

Preparing for the Most Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19The Potential Role of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Graeme MacLaren, MSc; Dale Fisher, MBBS; Daniel Brodie, MD
free access has active quiz has audio
JAMA. 2020;323(13):1245-1246. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2342
This Viewpoint discusses the potential role of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) in the management of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and cautions about the risk of overuse and the shortage of ECMO capability given the numbers of people infected if the technology is not appropriately utilized.
Clinical Review Audio: Update on Coronavirus: March 6, 2020, by NIAID’s Anthony Fauci, MD

Rotavirus Vaccination and Type 1 Diabetes Risk Among US Children With Commercial Insurance

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JAMA Pediatrics
April 2020, Vol 174, No. 4, Pages 313-393
http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

 

Research Letter
Rotavirus Vaccination and Type 1 Diabetes Risk Among US Children With Commercial Insurance
Rachel M. Burke, PhD, MPH; Jacqueline E. Tate, PhD; Rebecca M. Dahl, MPH; et al.
JAMA Pediatr. 2020;174(4):383-385. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.5513
This cohort study uses commercial insurance data to examine the association between rotavirus vaccination and type 1 diabetes incidence.

Magnitude and Functionality of the NS1-Specific Antibody Response Elicited by a Live-Attenuated Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Candidate

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 221, Issue 6, 15 March 2020
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/221/6

 

Editor’s Choice
Magnitude and Functionality of the NS1-Specific Antibody Response Elicited by a Live-Attenuated Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Candidate
Mayuri Sharma, Dustin R Glasner, Heather Watkins, Henry Puerta-Guardo, Yoseph Kassa …

A Third Dose of Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine to Improve Immunity Against Mumps in Young Adults

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 221, Issue 6, 15 March 2020
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/221/6

 

A Third Dose of Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine to Improve Immunity Against Mumps in Young Adults
Waning of immunity is a major cause in the reemergence of mumps among vaccinated young adults. A third dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine increases antibody levels and may protect against mumps for longer than previously assumed.
Patricia Kaaijk, Alienke J Wijmenga-Monsuur, Marlies A van Houten, Irene K Veldhuijzen, Hinke I ten Hulscher …

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Effectiveness Against HPV Infection: Evaluation of One, Two, and Three Doses

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 221, Issue 6, 15 March 2020
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/221/6

 

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Effectiveness Against HPV Infection: Evaluation of One, Two, and Three Doses
In this observational study of HPV vaccine effectiveness for prevention of vaccine-type prevalent infection, among women who had received their first vaccine dose at age ≤18 years, estimated vaccine effectiveness for 1, 2, and 3 doses was 92% or greater.
Lauri E Markowitz, Allison L Naleway, Nicola P Klein, Rayleen M Lewis, Brad Crane …

Prioritarian principles for digital health in low resource settings

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Journal of Medical Ethics
April 2020 – Volume 46 – 4
http://jme.bmj.com/content/current

 

Extended essay
Prioritarian principles for digital health in low resource settings (16 January, 2020)
Niall Winters, Sridhar Venkatapuram, Anne Geniets, Emma Wynne-Bannister
Abstract
This theoretical paper argues for prioritarianism as an ethical underpinning for digital health in contexts of extreme disadvantage. In support of this claim, the paper develops three prioritarian principles for making ethical decisions for digital health programme design, grounded in the normative position that the greater the need (of the marginalised), the stronger the moral claim. The principles are positioned as an alternative view to the prevailing utilitarian approach to digital health, which the paper argues is not sufficient to address the needs of the worst off. As researchers of digital health, we must ensure that the most globally marginalised are not overlooked by overtly technocentric implementation practices. Consequently, the paper concludes by advocating for use of the three principles to support stronger critical reflection on the ethics involved in the design and implementation of digital health programmes.

Next-generation influenza vaccines: opportunities and challenges

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Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume 19 Issue 4, April 2020
https://www.nature.com/nrd/volumes/19/issues/4

 

Review Article | 14 February 2020
Next-generation influenza vaccines: opportunities and challenges
Current seasonal influenza vaccines lack efficacy against drifted or pandemic virus strains, and the development of novel vaccines that elicit broader immunity represents a public health priority. Here, Nabel and colleagues discuss approaches to improve vaccine efficacy which harness new insights from influenza antigen structure and human immunity, highlighting major targets, vaccines in development and ongoing challenges.
Chih-Jen Wei, Michelle C. Crank[…] & Gary J. Nabel

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for preventing acquisition of HIV: A cross-sectional study of patients, prescribers, uptake, and spending in the United States, 2015–2016

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PLoS Medicine
http://www.plosmedicine.org/
(Accessed 11 Apr 2020)

 

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for preventing acquisition of HIV: A cross-sectional study of patients, prescribers, uptake, and spending in the United States, 2015–2016
Stephanie S. Chan, Andre R. Chappel, Karen E. Joynt Maddox, Karen W. Hoover, Ya-lin A. Huang, Weiming Zhu, Stacy M. Cohen, Pamela W. Klein, Nancy De Lew
Research Article | published 10 Apr 2020 PLOS Medicine
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003072

 

Modelling for policy: The five principles of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Modelling Consortium

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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://www.plosntds.org/
(Accessed 11 Apr 2020)

 

Modelling for policy: The five principles of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Modelling Consortium
Matthew R. Behrend, María-Gloria Basáñez, Jonathan I. D. Hamley, Travis C. Porco, Wilma A. Stolk, Martin Walker, Sake J. de Vlas, for the NTD Modelling Consortium
Policy Platform | published 09 Apr 2020 PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008033

Disparities in parental awareness of children’s seasonal influenza vaccination recommendations and influencers of vaccination

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 11 Apr 2020]

 

Disparities in parental awareness of children’s seasonal influenza vaccination recommendations and influencers of vaccination
Jane Tuckerman, Nigel W. Crawford, Helen S. Marshall
Research Article | published 09 Apr 2020 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230425

Effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy in severe COVID-19 patients

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PNAS – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/
[Accessed 11 Apr 2020]

 

Effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy in severe COVID-19 patients
Kai Duan, Bende Liu, Cesheng Li, Huajun Zhang, Ting Yu, Jieming Qu, Min Zhou, Li Chen, Shengli Meng, Yong Hu, Cheng Peng, Mingchao Yuan, Jinyan Huang, Zejun Wang, Jianhong Yu, Xiaoxiao Gao, Dan Wang, Xiaoqi Yu, Li Li, Jiayou Zhang, Xiao Wu, Bei Li, Yanping Xu, Wei Chen, Yan Peng, Yeqin Hu, Lianzhen Lin, Xuefei Liu, Shihe Huang, Zhijun Zhou, Lianghao Zhang, Yue Wang, Zhi Zhang, Kun Deng, Zhiwu Xia, Qin Gong, Wei Zhang, Xiaobei Zheng, Ying Liu, Huichuan Yang, Dongbo Zhou, Ding Yu, Jifeng Hou, Zhengli Shi, Saijuan Chen, Zhu Chen, Xinxin Zhang, and Xiaoming Yang
PNAS first published April 6, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2004168117

Pharmaceutical industry-led partnerships focused on addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases: a review of Access Accelerated

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Public Health
Volume 181 Pages 1-204 (April 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/public-health/vol/181/suppl/C

 

Research article Abstract only
Pharmaceutical industry-led partnerships focused on addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases: a review of Access Accelerated
C.A. Umeh, P.C. Rockers, R.O. Laing, O. Wagh, V.J. Wirtz
Pages 73-79

United States aims to curb vaccination injury payouts

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Science
10 April 2020 Vol 368, Issue 6487
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

 

In-Depth
United States aims to curb vaccination injury payouts
By Meredith Wadman
Science10 Apr 2020 : 121-122 Restricted Access
Proposal would make it harder to get compensated for shoulder injuries after misplaced injections.
Summary
The Trump administration is quietly moving to reverse a rule that made it much easier for people who sustain serious shoulder injuries from improperly injected vaccines to win cash compensation from the federal government. Such claims have surged since 2017, when the Obama administration made it easier to win payouts for shoulder injuries. Some physicians support the proposal, arguing that it’s not vaccines but poor injection technique that causes these debilitating injuries. But vaccine injury lawyers and the vaccine injured are pushing back, noting that the 1986 law that established the $4 billion Vaccine Injury Compensation Program nowhere excludes injuries due to errors by those injecting vaccines.