Category Archives: Uncategorized

The carnage of substandard research during the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for quality :: Why continuing uncertainties are no reason to postpone challenge trials for coronavirus vaccines :: Uncertainty, error and informed consent to challenge trials of COVID-19 vaccines: response to Steel et al

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Journal of Medical Ethics
December 2020 – Volume 46 – 12
http://jme.bmj.com/content/current

 

Covid 19 Current Controversies
The carnage of substandard research during the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for quality (1 October, 2020) Free
Katrina A Bramstedt
Abstract
Worldwide there are currently over 1200 research studies being performed on the topic of COVID-19. Many of these involve children and adults over age 65 years. There are also numerous studies testing investigational vaccines on healthy volunteers. No research team is exempt from the pressures and speed at which COVID-19 research is occurring. And this can increase the risk of honest error as well as misconduct. To date, 33 papers have been identified as unsuitable for public use and either retracted, withdrawn, or noted with concern. Asia is the source of most of these manuscripts (n=19; 57.6%) with China the largest Asian subgroup (n=11; 57.9%). This paper explores these findings and offers guidance for responsible research practice during pandemics.

Why continuing uncertainties are no reason to postpone challenge trials for coronavirus vaccines (13 July, 2020)
Robert Steel, Lara Buchak, Nir Eyal

Uncertainty, error and informed consent to challenge trials of COVID-19 vaccines: response to Steel et al (8 September, 2020) Free
Arnon Keren, Ori Lev

An African plan to control COVID-19 is urgently needed :: Action needed now to prevent further increases in measles and measles deaths in the coming years

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The Lancet
Dec 05, 2020 Volume 396 Number 10265 p1777-1860, e90
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Editorial
An African plan to control COVID-19 is urgently needed
The Lancet
…
Comment
Action needed now to prevent further increases in measles and measles deaths in the coming years
Kim Mulholland, Katrina Kretsinger, Liya Wondwossen, Natasha Crowcroft
… The coming months are likely to see increasing numbers of unimmunised children who are susceptible to measles, many living in poor, remote communities where health systems are less resilient, and malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency are increasing. All these factors are likely to increase measles CFRs, creating the environment for measles to return in 2021, accompanied by increased mortality and the serious consequences of measles that were common decades ago.9
, 14 This is despite the fact that we have a highly cost-effective way to prevent this disease through measles vaccination.19
Three pillars of action are needed to address this concerning situation. First, urgent action is required to address the immediate risk of measles outbreaks by helping countries to reach unimmunised children through catch-up and campaigns. Second, countries need to prepare for the expected outbreaks. WHO and partners have developed a Strategic Response Plan to assist with measles outbreak prevention, preparedness, and response, and have launched a call to action and funding appeal.20
These additional resources would complement the support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which does not extend to many middle-income countries. Finally, the international community must not lose sight of measles and rubella elimination targets. The Measles & Rubella Initiative’s new Measles and Rubella Strategic Framework 2021–2030,21 aligned with WHO’s Immunization Agenda 2030,22
provides a plan for strengthening routine immunisation and surveillance. These are the solutions to end the cycle of inadequate immunisation and outbreaks of the past decade. Without concerted efforts now, it is likely that the coming years will see an increase in measles and its severe, frequently fatal, complications.

Tackling COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

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The Lancet
Dec 05, 2020 Volume 396 Number 10265 p1777-1860, e90
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Tackling COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Ahmed Salim Al-Mandhari, Richard J Brennan, Abdinasir Abubakar, ana Hajjeh
The main challenges to the COVID-19 response in the EMR include information sharing, expanding public health measures, protecting health workers, achieving behaviour change, ensuring continuity of essential health services, and establishing reliable supply chains.

Artificial intelligence in COVID-19 drug repurposing

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Lancet Digital Health
Dec 2020 Volume 2 Number 12 e629-e680
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/issue/current

 

Review
Artificial intelligence in COVID-19 drug repurposing
Yadi Zhou, et al
Summary
Drug repurposing or repositioning is a technique whereby existing drugs are used to treat emerging and challenging diseases, including COVID-19. Drug repurposing has become a promising approach because of the opportunity for reduced development timelines and overall costs. In the big data era, artificial intelligence (AI) and network medicine offer cutting-edge application of information science to defining disease, medicine, therapeutics, and identifying targets with the least error. In this Review, we introduce guidelines on how to use AI for accelerating drug repurposing or repositioning, for which AI approaches are not just formidable but are also necessary. We discuss how to use AI models in precision medicine, and as an example, how AI models can accelerate COVID-19 drug repurposing. Rapidly developing, powerful, and innovative AI and network medicine technologies can expedite therapeutic development. This Review provides a strong rationale for using AI-based assistive tools for drug repurposing medications for human disease, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Time to reality check the promises of machine learning-powered precision medicine

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Lancet Digital Health
Dec 2020 Volume 2 Number 12 e629-e680
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/issue/current

 

Viewpoint
Time to reality check the promises of machine learning-powered precision medicine
Jack Wilkinson, et al
Summary
Machine learning methods, combined with large electronic health databases, could enable a personalised approach to medicine through improved diagnosis and prediction of individual responses to therapies. If successful, this strategy would represent a revolution in clinical research and practice. However, although the vision of individually tailored medicine is alluring, there is a need to distinguish genuine potential from hype. We argue that the goal of personalised medical care faces serious challenges, many of which cannot be addressed through algorithmic complexity, and call for collaboration between traditional methodologists and experts in medical machine learning to avoid extensive research waste.

Cost-effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for malaria during pregnancy: an analysis using efficacy results from Uganda and Kenya, and pooled data

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Lancet Global Health
Dec 2020 Volume 8 Number 12 e1444-e1564
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/issue/current

 

Cost-effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for malaria during pregnancy: an analysis using efficacy results from Uganda and Kenya, and pooled data
Silke Fernandes, et al.

Cost-effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine versus single screening and treatment for the control of malaria in pregnancy in Papua, Indonesia: a provider perspective analysis from a cluster-randomised trial

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Lancet Global Health
Dec 2020 Volume 8 Number 12 e1444-e1564
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/issue/current

 

Cost-effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine versus single screening and treatment for the control of malaria in pregnancy in Papua, Indonesia: a provider perspective analysis from a cluster-randomised trial
Lucy Paintain, et al.

Meningococcal carriage 7 years after introduction of a serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine in Burkina Faso: results from four cross-sectional carriage surveys

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Lancet Infectious Diseases
Dec 2020 Volume 20 Number 12 p1349-1482, e298-e311
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/issue/current

 

Meningococcal carriage 7 years after introduction of a serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine in Burkina Faso: results from four cross-sectional carriage surveys
Sarah Mbaeyi, et al.
Open Access

Immunological considerations for SARS-CoV-2 human challenge studies

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Nature Reviews Immunology
Volume 20 Issue 12, December 2020
https://www.nature.com/nri/volumes/20/issues/12

 

Comment | 21 October 2020
Immunological considerations for SARS-CoV-2 human challenge studies
In this Comment article, Sandy Douglas and Adrian Hill discuss the immunological considerations associated with a risk–benefit analysis for controlled human infection models of SARS-CoV-2.
Alexander D. Douglas  & Adrian V. S. Hill

Measuring immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection: comparing assays and animal models

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Nature Reviews Immunology
Volume 20 Issue 12, December 2020
https://www.nature.com/nri/volumes/20/issues/12

 

Review Article | 02 November 2020
Measuring immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection: comparing assays and animal models
Are you new to virus research and trying to interpret the ever-expanding literature on immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)? Here, the authors compare the different assays and animal models used to measure immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection and reconcile differences in apparent potency of antibodies assessed in different assays.
David S. Khoury, Adam K. Wheatley […]  & Miles P. Davenport

Informing single-arm clinical trials with external controls

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Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume 19 Issue 12, December 2020
https://www.nature.com/nrd/volumes/19/issues/12

 

Comment | 18 August 2020
Informing single-arm clinical trials with external controls
Randomized controlled trials are the accepted standard for evaluating investigational therapies, but such trials are sometimes not an option for reasons of ethics or feasibility. Here, we discuss opportunities to address evidence gaps by using historical clinical trial data and real-world data in external control arms for single-arm trials, as well as the associated challenges.
Ruthie Davi , Nirosha Mahendraratnam […]  & Rachel Sherman

A highly immunogenic and effective measles virus-based Th1-biased COVID-19 vaccine

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PNAS – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/

 

Articles
A highly immunogenic and effective measles virus-based Th1-biased COVID-19 vaccine
Cindy Hörner, Christoph Schürmann, Arne Auste, Aileen Ebenig, Samada Muraleedharan, Kenneth H. Dinnon III, Tatjana Scholz, Maike Herrmann, Barbara S. Schnierle, Ralph S. Baric, and Michael D. Mühlebach
PNAS first published November 30, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2014468117

Planning universal accessibility to public health care in sub-Saharan Africa

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PNAS – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/

Planning universal accessibility to public health care in sub-Saharan Africa
Giacomo Falchetta, Ahmed T. Hammad, and Soheil Shayegh

 

PNAS first published November 30, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2009172117
Significance
Achieving universal health care access is a key development priority and a target of Sustainable Development Goal number 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has only reinforced this urge. A rapid expansion of public, affordable health care infrastructure is particularly crucial in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): communicable diseases are the first cause of death, infant mortality rates are above 5%, and lengthy journeys to health care facilities undermine the accessibility to basic health care for millions. This paper provides a planning-oriented, inequality-focused analysis of health care accessibility in SSA based on a state-of-the-art georeferenced database of public health care facilities. We devise a spatial optimization framework to identify the optimal location and required bed capacity of public health care facilities in the region.

The impact of shared decision making with patient decision aids on the rotavirus vaccination rate in children: A randomized controlled trial

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Preventive Medicine
Volume 141 December 2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/preventive-medicine/vol/141/suppl/C

 

Research article Abstract only
The impact of shared decision making with patient decision aids on the rotavirus vaccination rate in children: A randomized controlled trial
Sheng-Chieh Lin, Ka-Wai Tam, Jean Yu-Chun Yen, Meng-Che Lu, … Shih-Yen Chen
Article 106244

Public Health Ethics in a Pandemic

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Public Health Ethics
Volume 13, Issue 2, July 2020
http://phe.oxfordjournals.org/content/current

 

Editorial
Public Health Ethics in a Pandemic
Marcel Verweij, Angus Dawson
Public Health Ethics, Volume 13, Issue 2, July 2020, Pages 125–126, https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phaa032
Extract
Ten years ago, we (re)published a historical pamphlet written during the 1665 Great Plague, by an anonymous inhabitant of London, entitled The Shutting Up Infected Houses (Anonymous, 2010; Verweij and Dawson, 2010). The author vividly argued against the practice of locking people up in their own houses as a means of preventing further disease transmission within the community. Many of those imprisoned in their own houses might not have been sick or infected at all. They were not treated as victims, but first and foremost, as a threat to others. The ‘quarantined’ families could only…

Vaccinating for Whom? Distinguishing between Self-Protective, Paternalistic, Altruistic and Indirect Vaccination

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Public Health Ethics
Volume 13, Issue 2, July 2020
http://phe.oxfordjournals.org/content/current

 

Original Articles: Ethics of vaccination
Vaccinating for Whom? Distinguishing between Self-Protective, Paternalistic, Altruistic and Indirect Vaccination
Steven R Kraaijeveld
Public Health Ethics, Volume 13, Issue 2, July 2020, Pages 190–200, https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phaa005
Abstract
Preventive vaccination can protect not just vaccinated individuals, but also others, which is often a central point in discussions about vaccination. To date, there has been no systematic study of self- and other-directed motives behind vaccination. This article has two major goals: first, to examine and distinguish between self- and other-directed motives behind vaccination, especially with regard to vaccinating for the sake of third parties, and second, to explore some ways in which this approach can help to clarify and guide vaccination debates and policy. I propose conceiving of vaccination in terms of three basic elements: the vaccination decision-maker, the vaccine recipient and the primary beneficiary. I develop a taxonomy based on the relations between these elements to distinguish four kinds of vaccination: self-protective, paternalistic, altruistic and indirect. I finally discuss the case of human papillomavirus vaccine regulation for men and women to show how each kind of vaccination is associated with and raises specific ethical questions

Vaccination Policies: Between Best and Basic Interests of the Child, between Precaution and Proportionality

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Public Health Ethics
Volume 13, Issue 2, July 2020
http://phe.oxfordjournals.org/content/current

 

Vaccination Policies: Between Best and Basic Interests of the Child, between Precaution and Proportionality
Roland Pierik r.pierik@uva.nl
Public Health Ethics, Volume 13, Issue 2, July 2020, Pages 201–214, https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phaa008
Abstract
How should liberal-democratic governments deal with emerging vaccination hesitancy when that leads to the resurgence of diseases that for decades were under control? This article argues that vaccination policies should be justified in terms of a proper weighing of the rights of children to be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases and the rights of parents to raise their children in ways that they see fit. The argument starts from the concept of the ‘best interests of the child involved’. The concept is elaborated for this context into the dual regime structure in which parents have fiduciary authority over what they consider to be best for their child, and the state has fiduciary authority over a child’s basic interests. This argument leads to conditional mandatory vaccination programs that should be informed by a correct balancing of the two legal principles of proportionality and precaution. This results in contextual childhood vaccination policies of upscaling interference: a three-tiered approach of increased intrusion, from voluntary program when possible and mandatory or even compulsory programs when necessary to protect the child’s basic interests.

Global Measles Epidemic Risk: Current Perspectives on the Growing Need for Implementing Digital Communication Strategies

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Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
https://www.dovepress.com/risk-management-and-healthcare-policy-archive56
[Accessed 05 Dec 2020]

 

Review
Global Measles Epidemic Risk: Current Perspectives on the Growing Need for Implementing Digital Communication Strategies
Bozzola E, Spina G, Tozzi AE, Villani A
Published Date: 3 December 2020

A blueprint for translational regenerative medicine

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Science Translational Medicine
02 December 2020 Vol 12, Issue 572
https://stm.sciencemag.org/

 

Review
A blueprint for translational regenerative medicine
By James P. K. Armstrong, Timothy J. Keane, Anne C. Roques, P. Stephen Patrick, Claire M. Mooney, Wei-Li Kuan, Venkat Pisupati, Richard O. C. Oreffo, Daniel J. Stuckey, Fiona M. Watt, Stuart J. Forbes, Roger A. Barker, Molly M. Stevens
Science Translational Medicine02 Dec 2020 Full Access
This Review outlines a practical blueprint for academics seeking to develop translational regenerative therapies.
Abstract
The past few decades have produced a large number of proof-of-concept studies in regenerative medicine. However, the route to clinical adoption is fraught with technical and translational obstacles that frequently consign promising academic solutions to the so-called “valley of death.” Here, we present a proposed blueprint for translational regenerative medicine. We offer principles to help guide the selection of cells and materials, present key in vivo imaging modalities, and argue that the host immune response should be considered throughout design and development. Last, we suggest a pathway to navigate the often complex regulatory and manufacturing landscape of translational regenerative medicine.

Next-generation rotavirus vaccine developers meeting: Summary of a meeting sponsored by PATH and the bill & melinda gates foundation (19–20 June 2019, Geneva)

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 52 Pages 8247-8412 (14 December 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/52

 

Conference info Abstract only
Next-generation rotavirus vaccine developers meeting: Summary of a meeting sponsored by PATH and the bill & melinda gates foundation (19–20 June 2019, Geneva)
Alan Fix, Carl D. Kirkwood, Duncan Steele, Jorge Flores
Pages 8247-8254

Parental preferences for HPV vaccination in junior middle school girls in China: A discrete choice experiment

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 52 Pages 8247-8412 (14 December 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/52

 

Research article Abstract only
Parental preferences for HPV vaccination in junior middle school girls in China: A discrete choice experiment
Shan Zhu, Jie Chang, Khezar Hayat, Pengchao Li, … Yu Fang
Pages 8310-8317

The role of manufacturers in the implementation of global traceability standards in the supply chain to combat vaccine counterfeiting and enhance safety monitoring

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 52 Pages 8247-8412 (14 December 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/52

 

Research article Open access
The role of manufacturers in the implementation of global traceability standards in the supply chain to combat vaccine counterfeiting and enhance safety monitoring
Stephen Jarrett, Taufik Wilmansyah, Yudha Bramanti, Hikmat Alitamsar, … Sonia Pagliusi
Pages 8318-8325

A survey of office practice: Parents, front office staff, nurses and clinicians hold disparate views on adolescent vaccines

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 52 Pages 8247-8412 (14 December 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/52

 

Research article Abstract only
A survey of office practice: Parents, front office staff, nurses and clinicians hold disparate views on adolescent vaccines
James R. Roberts, Erin Dawley, Connor Garbe, Townsend Cooper, … Paul M. Darden
Pages 8326-8333

Understanding the perceptions of Chinese women of the commercially available domestic and imported HPV vaccine: A semantic network analysis

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 52 Pages 8247-8412 (14 December 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/52

 

Research article Abstract only
Understanding the perceptions of Chinese women of the commercially available domestic and imported HPV vaccine: A semantic network analysis
Qi Wang, Wen Zhang, Hongning Cai, Yuan Cao
Pages 8334-8342

Effectiveness of influenza vaccination during pregnancy to prevent severe infection in children under 6 months of age, Spain, 2017–2019

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 52 Pages 8247-8412 (14 December 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/52

 

Research article Abstract only
Effectiveness of influenza vaccination during pregnancy to prevent severe infection in children under 6 months of age, Spain, 2017–2019
Clara Mazagatos, Pere Godoy, Carmen Muñoz Almagro, Francisco Pozo, … Pilar Gallego Berciano

Access and Unmet Needs of Orphan Drugs in 194 Countries and 6 Areas: A Global Policy Review With Content Analysis

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Value in Health
December 2020 Volume 23 Issue 12 p1523-1672
https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/current

 

HEALTH POLICY ANALYSIS
Access and Unmet Needs of Orphan Drugs in 194 Countries and 6 Areas: A Global Policy Review With Content Analysis
Adrienne Y.L. Chan,et al.,
Published online: October 30, 2020 p1580-1591
Open Access

Preferences for Accessing Electronic Health Records for Research Purposes: Views of Parents Who Have a Child With a Known or Suspected Genetic Condition

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Value in Health
December 2020 Volume 23 Issue 12 p1523-1672
https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/current

 

PREFERENCE-BASED ASSESSMENTS
Preferences for Accessing Electronic Health Records for Research Purposes: Views of Parents Who Have a Child With a Known or Suspected Genetic Condition
Melissa Raspa, et al.
Published online: October 26, 2020 p1639-1652

Media/Policy Watch

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

 

The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
Global
Britain’s Vaccine Nationalism
The country has bet that, outside the EU, it can better regulate its economy to become more competitive.
Tom McTague December 3, 2020

 

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

Financial Times
https://www.ft.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
Opinion The FT View
Vaccines and the appliance of science
Inoculating the world would be impossible without the humble fridge
The editorial board

Coronavirus Business Update
UK vaccine approval triggers flurry of responses from other countries
December 2, 2020

 

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
Coronavirus  |  Dec 4, 2020
UK Vaccine Approval Sets Worrying Precedent For World Leaders
The British government’s decision to forego a more rigorous approval process for Covid-19 vaccines has received criticism from EU regulators—and rightly so.
By William A. Haseltine Contributor

 

Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
Snapshot December 2, 2020
The Dangers of Vaccine Disillusionment
A viable immunization is good news, but it won’t mean the end of masks and social distancing.
Josh Michaud and Jen Kates

 

Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
Explainer | December 3, 2020, 10:35 AM
Where Do Things Stand With the COVID Vaccine Rollout?
The U.K.’s quick approval of the Pfizer vaccine means some Britons will get shots starting next week—but in the rest of the world, it’s going to take a while for regular people to get inoculated.
Allison Meakem, Augusta Saraiva

 

The Guardian
http://www.guardiannews.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
NHS staff no longer top priority for vaccine despite fear of third wave
Health officials warn infections at Christmas gatherings could lead to overwhelmed hospitals
Denis Campbell, Nicola Davis and Robert Booth
Thu 3 Dec 2020 19.01 EST
NHS staff will no longer get the coronavirus vaccine first after a drastic rethink about who should be given priority, it emerged last night.
The new immunisation strategy is likely to disappoint and worry thousands of frontline staff – and comes amid urgent warnings from NHS chiefs that hospitals could be “overwhelmed” in January by a third wave of Covid-19 caused by mingling over Christmas…

 

New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
The New Yorker Interview
Atul Gawande on Coronavirus Vaccines and Prospects for Ending the Pandemic
The New Yorker staff writer, now a member of President-elect Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, discusses when a vaccine might be ready for distribution, who should receive it, and whether eradicating the virus is possible.
By David Remnick December 4, 2020

 

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
Health
The Elderly vs. Essential Workers: Who Should Get the Coronavirus Vaccine First?
The C.D.C. will soon decide which group to recommend next, and the debate over the trade-offs is growing heated. Ultimately, states will determine whom to include.
By Abby Goodnough and Jan Hoffman
PRINT EDITION Officials Agonize Over Recipients Of First Vaccines | December 6, 2020

Opinion
Why Inmates Should Be at the Front of the Vaccination Lines
The coronavirus spreads in prisons and then finds its way outside to infect others.
By Emily Bazelon Dec. 3

Europe
U.K. and U.S. Officials Spar Over ‘Vaccine Nationalism’
Scientists warned that a debate over which country’s regulatory system is better could undermine public faith in vaccines. Meanwhile, Britons waited to learn how soon they can get coronavirus shots.
By Benjamin Mueller Dec. 3

Technology
Facebook says it will remove coronavirus vaccine misinformation.
The step goes beyond what the social network previously did on vaccine falsehoods by taking down the false claims entirely.
By Mike Isaac Dec. 3

Politics
China Poised to Be First to Distribute Virus Vaccine in Latin America, U.S. Official Says
China, which has been expanding its presence in the region, is likely to beat the United States in its own backyard with vaccine diplomacy as Washington looks “at taking care of the U.S. first.”
By Carol Rosenberg Dec. 2

Health
Many Trial Volunteers Got Placebo Vaccines. Do They Now Deserve the Real Ones?
Some vaccine experts worry that “unblinding” the trials and giving all of the volunteers vaccines would tarnish the long-term results.
By Carl Zimmer and Noah Weiland Dec. 2

 

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Business
Trump’s Operation Warp Speed promised a flood of covid vaccines. Instead, states are expecting a trickle.
The administration pledged several hundred million doses in 2020. Companies will actually ship about 10 percent of that.
Christopher Rowland, Lena H. Sun, Isaac Stanley-Becker and Carolyn Y. Johnson · Business · Dec 5, 2020
[See COVID above for detail]

Think Tanks et al

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Think Tanks et al

Brookings
http://www.brookings.edu/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
[No new relevant content]
 
 
Center for Global Development [to 05 Dec 2020]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
[No new relevant content]

 
 
Chatham House [to 05 Dec 2020]
https://www.chathamhouse.org/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
[No new relevant content]

 
 

CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
Upcoming Event
Online Event: Year-End Reflections on 2020 with Dr. Anthony Fauci
December 14, 2020
 
 

Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
[No new relevant content]

 
 

Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
Accessed 05 Dec 2020
[No new relevant content]

Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review :: 28 November 2020

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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_28-nov-2020Download

– 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

Gavi and IOM join forces to improve immunisation coverage for migrants

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Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Gavi [to 28 Nov 2020]
https://www.gavi.org/
News releases
24 November 2020
Gavi and IOM join forces to improve immunisation coverage for migrants
:: Memorandum of understanding signed today will strengthen collaboration on vaccination efforts and related health services for migrants and forcibly displaced persons across the world
:: The agreement focuses on reaching missed communities in humanitarian and emergency settings with vaccination
:: Dr Seth Berkley: Reaching migrant, refugee and displaced populations “becomes all the more important as we plan to rollout COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.”
:: António Vitorino: Vaccines are key to keep people on the move and the communities they live in as safe as possible.

Geneva, 24 November 2020 – Today, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their collaboration on vaccination efforts and related health services for migrants and forcibly displaced persons across the world, both regarding routine immunisations as well as in response to outbreaks. This milestone will be particularly critical in ensuring that migrants and other people on the move are considered and included, as the world continues its efforts to find a safe COVID-19 vaccine and is developing mechanisms, such as the COVAX Facility, to ensure a fair distribution so that as many lives as possible can be saved.

“Despite enormous progress over the past two decades ensuring children everywhere have access to lifesaving vaccines, 14 million children every year still miss out on basic vaccines,” said Gavi CEO Dr Seth Berkley. “We know a disproportionate amount of these unprotected children come from migrant, refugee and displaced populations, who are too often overlooked when it comes to basic health care. This obviously becomes all the more important as we plan to rollout COVID-19 vaccines worldwide; we cannot allow these populations to miss out on what could be one of our best routes out of this pandemic. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with IOM, to help provide a healthier future to some of the most vulnerable people on earth.”

“Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have to keep people on the move, the communities they leave behind and the communities they join as safe and healthy as possible,” stressed IOM Director General António Vitorino. “This reinforced partnership will be critical in helping IOM achieve just that and contribute tangibly to the realization of true universal health coverage.”

The agreement signed by the two organizations focuses on reaching missed communities in humanitarian and emergency settings with vaccination and support routine immunisation through engagement in primary health care systems. The partnership also aims to boost advocacy for the prioritization of vulnerable populations, support operational and policy assistance and facilitate technical collaboration. Specifically, the memorandum of understanding seeks to facilitate collaboration on ensuring the inclusion of migrants, IDPs and refugees in governments’ COVID-19 responses, in particular vaccination efforts…