July 2021 | Borders, Immigrants & Health
About one in seven residents of the US is an immigrant, and about fifteen million people live within 100 kilometers of the US-Mexico border. Disparities in health status exist between people born in the US and those who have immigrated. Immigration policy has been contentious throughout US history, and current policies in the US and Mexico have significant effects on the health and well-being of tens of millions of people. This thematic issue of Health Affairs focuses on immigrants and borders. The overview article by Arturo Vargas Bustamante and coauthors describes a range of health policy issues raised by the continuously shifting demography of US immigrants.
Localisation and local humanitarian action by HPN October 2020
The theme of this edition of Humanitarian Exchange is localisation+ and local humanitarian action. Five years ago this week, donors, United Nations (UN) agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) committed within the Grand Bargain to increase multi-year investments in the institutional capacities of local and national responders, and to provide at least 25% of humanitarian funding to them as directly as possible. Since then, there is increasing consensus at policy and normative level, underscored by the Covid-19 pandemic, that local leadership should be supported. Localisation has gone from a fringe conversation among policy-makers and aid agencies in 2016 to a formal priority under the Grand Bargain. Wider global movements on anti-racism and decolonisation have also brought new momentum to critical reflections on where power, knowledge and capacity reside in the humanitarian system. Yet progress has been slow and major gaps remain between the rhetoric around humanitarian partnerships, funding and coordination and practices on the ground.
Original Investigation Association Between BNT162b2 Vaccination and Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnant Women
Inbal Goldshtein, PhD; Daniel Nevo, PhD; David M. Steinberg, PhD; et al.
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2021;326(8):728-735. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.11035
This cohort study explores the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women vaccinated with BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) vs those unvaccinated.
Research Letter Lottery-Based Incentive in Ohio and COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
Allan J. Walkey, MD, MSc; Anica Law, MD, MS; Nicholas A. Bosch, MD, MSc
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2021;326(8):766-767. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.11048
This study assesses changes in COVID-19 vaccination rates before and after the Ohio vaccine lottery announcement compared with national rates to control for the expansion of vaccine indications to adolescents.
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU)
Volume 32, Number 2, May 2021 Supplement https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/44396
Table of Contents Overview of the Issue Kevin B. Johnson, Tiffani J. Bright, Cheryl R. Clark
…The importance of techquity—defined as the strategic development and deployment of technology in health care and health to advance health equity—was even more apparent after the events of 2020. COVID-19 upended access to care and illuminated the impact of structural racism as a cause for a widening gap of access during the pandemic. Black Lives Matter became more than a trending hashtag on Twitter, or a movement resulting in peaceful protests and calls for policy reform: it put additional focus on the issue of race as a social and not a biological construct and called into question the rationale for common practices in health care that were triggered by race. A notable example was the emerging realization that kidney function assessment was tied to race and hardwired into many of our electronic health records. The real-world evidence around our lack of techquity was incontrovertible.
This Supplemental Issue of JHCPU provides articles that describe challenges to techquity, frameworks to improve the role of technology in care, and examples of how technology can transform health, public health, and health care…
Comment COVID-19 vaccines for children in LMICs: another equity issue
Beate Kampmann, Uduak Okomo … During deliberations on the potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for CYP, it is important to recognise that this pandemic has already deprived more than 8 million children, primarily in LMICs, from life-saving, routine childhood vaccines.19 Immunisation services are preoccupied with the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine programmes for adults. At present, greater benefit for children’s health globally will be derived by delivering the health interventions we already know will save their lives, such as vaccines against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, than by focusing on delivering COVID-19 vaccines to part of a population that does not currently represent a strategic priority in the response to this pandemic. Although maybe not equitable, we believe this approach is more important for the health of CYP at this point in time.
Perspective | 08 July 2021 After the pandemic: perspectives on the future trajectory of COVID-19
This Perspective discusses possible future patterns of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the development of variants, potential changes in the patterns of spread and the implications for vaccine deployment and the potential consequences of these issues for the development of policy.
Amalio Telenti, Ann Arvin, Herbert W. Virgin
Original Articles A Monoclonal Antibody for Malaria Prevention M.R. Gaudinski and Others Conclusions
Among adults who had never had malaria infection or vaccination, administration of the long-acting monoclonal antibody CIS43LS prevented malaria after controlled infection. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; VRC 612 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04206332. opens in new tab.)
PNAS – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
August 17, 2021; vol. 118 no. 33 https://www.pnas.org/content/118/33
Editorial Colleges must require vaccination
By Michael A. McRobbie
Science27 Aug 2021 : Summary
This week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for individuals 16 years and older. This milestone decision, the first full approval of a vaccine for COVID-19, will almost certainly clear a path for businesses, hospitals, and government agencies that have not already done so to adopt vaccine mandates for their employees. For colleges and universities that have been on the fence about requiring the vaccine, the FDA’s decision may be especially welcome news.
In Depth Unethical? Unnecessary? The booster debate intensifies
By Gretchen Vogel
Science27 Aug 2021 : 949-950 Restricted Access As United States reveals its plan to offer an extra dose of COVID-19 vaccine, equity and scientific questions abound. Summary
As the extraordinarily infectious Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread around the world, vaccines’ powers are showing their limits. Although they are still extremely effective at preventing severe COVID-19, the tantalizing hope that the shots could block almost all infections—and squelch transmission—has evaporated. That has upended return to office and school plans, threatened economic recoveries, and spurred fresh political rows over mask and vaccination mandates. Now, amid new studies hinting that vaccine-induced immunity may be waning, policymakers and scientists are debating whether widespread booster shots could help or getting shots into the arms of the unvaccinated should remain the top priority. And many people wonder whether one booster will suffice or periodic COVID-19 vaccination will become the new normal, as it is for influenza.
Research Articles The animal origin of SARS-CoV-2
By Spyros Lytras, Wei Xia, Joseph Hughes, Xiaowei Jiang, David L. Robertson
Science27 Aug 2021 : 968-970 Full Access
Trading of animals susceptible to bat coronaviruses is the likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic
medRxiv medRxiv is a free online archive and distribution server for complete but unpublished manuscripts (preprints) in the medical, clinical, and related health sciences. Preprints are preliminary reports of work that have not been certified by peer review. They should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information. medRxiv is for the distribution of preprints – complete but unpublished manuscripts – that describe human health research conducted, analyzed, and interpreted according to scientific principles… https://www.medrxiv.org/content/about-medrxiv
[Accessed 28 Aug 2021]
Shedding of Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Despite Vaccination
Kasen K. Riemersma, Brittany E. Grogan, Amanda Kita-Yarbro, Peter J. Halfmann, Hannah E. Segaloff, Anna Kocharian, Kelsey R. Florek, Ryan Westergaard, Allen Bateman, Gunnar E. Jeppson, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, David H. O’Connor, Thomas C. Friedrich, Katarina M. Grande
medRxiv 2021.07.31.21261387; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.31.21261387
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 anEmail Summary:Vaccines and Global Health : The Week in Review is published as a single email summary, scheduled for release each Saturday evening before midnight (EDT in the U.S.). If you would like to receive the email version, please send your request to david.r.curry@centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.org.
– pdf version: A pdf of the current issue is available here:
– blog edition: comprised of the approx. 35+ entries posted below.
– Twitter:Readers can also follow developments on twitter: @vaxethicspolicy. . – Links: We endeavor to test each link as we incorporate it into any post, but recognize that some links may become “stale” as publications and websites reorganize content over time. We apologize in advance for any links that may not be operative. We believe the contextual information in a given post should allow retrieval, but please contact us as above for assistance if necessary.
Support this knowledge-sharing service:Your financial support helps us cover our costs and to address a current shortfall in our annual operating budget. Click here to donate and thank you in advance for your contribution.
. David R. Curry, MS Executive Director Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy
Editor’s Note:
As is obvious to all, the sheer volume of strategic announcements, regulatory actions, country program decisions, commentary, and, indeed, misinformation around COVID response continues at extraordinary levels. Our weekly digest strives to present a coherent and comprehensive snapshot, but cannot be exhaustive, If you recognize a missed strategic development, a new source of rigorous analysis, or an insight/commentary that would benefit our common understanding, please advise me…we will review all suggestions and consider for inclusion in a subsequent edition: david.r.curry@ge2p2global.org
We are seeking access to modelling which engages scenarios and articulates imperatives around a pandemic end-game through at least a 2025 horizon. We assess that WHO must be conducting or contracting for such modeling – or should recognize an imperative to be doing so in its global health governance role. If we have missed such modeling in progress, we would be delighted to be advised of it and will include it in our coverage.
ACT-Accelerator launches urgent US$ 7.7 billion appeal to stem surge of dangerous variants and save lives everywhere
16 August 2021 WHO News release
Delta variant on path to become dominant strain worldwide as surge in the highly transmissible variant increases urgency for vaccinating large numbers of vulnerable people
Rising infection rates resulting in increased hospitalizations are overwhelming health systems and leaving many countries in urgent need of life-saving oxygen
Testing rates in much of the world is too low, especially low- and lower-middle-income countries [1] – leaving much of the world blind to how the disease is evolving and vulnerable to new variants
Funding the Rapid ACT-Accelerator Delta Response (RADAR) urgent appeal for US $7.7 billion would enable: significantly increased testing and better surveillance to detect and protect against new variants; more oxygen to treat the seriously ill and save lives; vital personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect health workers; the rolling out of emergency response and delivery support for the effective delivery and deployment of COVID-19 tools, including in humanitarian contexts; and continued research and development (R&D) so that tools remain effective
The US$ 7.7 billion is not an additional funding need but is part of the ACT-Accelerator’s overall 2021 budget, which is needed urgently within the next four months
With more COVID-19 cases reported in the first five months of 2021 than in the whole of 2020, the world is still in the acute phase of the pandemic – despite high vaccination rates in some countries protecting populations from severe disease and death. Inadequate testing and low vaccination rates are exacerbating disease transmission and overwhelming local health systems, while leaving the whole world vulnerable to new variants.
Many countries are experiencing new waves of infections – and while many high-income countries and some upper-middle-income countries have implemented widespread vaccinations, put more robust testing systems in place, and made treatments increasingly available – many low- and lower-middle-income countries are struggling to access these vital tools due to a lack of funds and supplies. Investing in the ACT-Accelerator to make tools available to everyone, everywhere, will benefit all countries through a more globally inclusive and coordinated response.
While four variants of concern currently dominate the epidemiology, there are fears that new, and possibly more dangerous, variants of concern may emerge.
With hard-won gains of the last three months at risk, the ACT-Accelerator has mounted a US$ 7.7 billion appeal, the Rapid ACT-Accelerator Delta Response (RADAR), to urgently: Scale up testing: US$2.4 billion to put all low- and lower-middle-income countries on track towards a ten-fold increase in COVID-19 testing and ensure all countries get up to satisfactory testing levels. This will significantly enhance local and global understanding of the changing disease epidemiology and emerging variants of concern, inform the appropriate application of public health and social measures and break chains of transmission.
Maintain R&D efforts to stay ahead of the virus: US$ 1 billion for ongoing R&D, enable further market shaping and manufacturing, technical assistance and demand generation to ensure that tests, treatments and vaccines remain effective against the Delta variant and other emerging variants, and that they are accessible and affordable where they are needed.
Address acute oxygen needs to save lives: US$ 1.2 billion to rapidly address acute oxygen needs to treat the seriously ill and control the exponential death surges caused by the Delta variant.
Rollout of tools: US$ 1.4 billion to help countries identify and address key bottlenecks for the effective deployment and use of all COVID-19 tools. As supply of COVID-19 vaccines ramps up in the coming months, flexible funding will be essential to help fill on-the-ground delivery gaps.
Protect frontline healthcare workers: US$ 1.7 billion to provide two million essential healthcare workers with enough basic PPE to keep them safe while they care for the sick, prevent the collapse of health systems where the health workforce is already understaffed and overstretched, and prevent further spread of COVID-19.
In addition to the US$ 7.7 billion appeal, there is an opportunity to reserve the supply of vaccines through exercising options in the fourth quarter of 2021 for 760 million doses of vaccine to be available in mid-2022 beyond the fully subsidised doses that COVAX will deliver up to the end of Q1 2022. Commitments to reserve these vaccine options in the last quarter of the year for delivery in the middle of 2022 can be made to Gavi/COVAX, as part of the ACT-A network of agencies.
Reserve vaccines: Reserve supply of 760 million doses of vaccine by exercising options in the final quarter this year to ensure there is continued supply available to make deliveries into 2022. Reserving doses requires contingent capital; on delivery these 760m doses will cost an additional US$ 3.8 billion…
Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19 [IMF, World Bank Group, WHO, WTO] A joint initiative from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics by leveraging multilateral finance and trade solutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Data to help track, coordinate, and advance delivery of COVID-19 health tools to developing countries and to mobilize relevant stakeholders and national leaders to remove critical roadblocks – in support of the priorities set out by the WBG, IMF, WHO, and WTO.
Global COVID-19 Figures: 210M total confirmed cases; 4.4M total confirmed deaths Global vaccines administered: 4.88B
Number of Countries: 26 [26]
COVAX Allocations (Number of Doses): 73M [73M week ago]
COVAX Delivered (Number of Doses): 53M [46M week ago]
Other Delivered (Number of Doses): 93M [61M week ago]
Total Delivered (Number of Doses): 150M [110M week ago]
Total Administered (Number of Doses): 110M [110M week ago]
19 August 2021 Speech WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the Member State Information Session on COVID-19 – 19 August 2021
18 August 2021Speech WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 18 August 2021 In Haiti, where the earthquake has killed more than 1,900 people, we are continuing to support the government and the people by all means possible during this difficult moment. The people of Afghanistan are facing an enormous challenge. We are particularly concerned about the health and wellbeing of women and girls. Our staff remain in the country and committed to delivering health services to the most vulnerable. This week, a new case of Ebola was identified in Côte d’Ivoire. Thousands of doses of Ebola vaccines were sent from Guinea to Cote d’Ivoire and ring vaccination of high-risk contacts has started. Just 10 countries have administered 75 per cent of all vaccine supply and low-income countries have vaccinated barely 2 per cent of their people. I called for a temporary moratorium on boosters to help shift supply to those countries that that have not even been able to vaccinate their health workers and at-risk communities and are now experiencing major spikes. Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months. When G20 health ministers meet on the 5th and 6th of September in Rome, I will call on them to consider the fragility of this historic moment and make a clear defining commitment to solidarity. …At present, just 10 countries have administered 75 per cent of all vaccine supply and low-income countries have vaccinated barely 2 per cent of their people.
I called for a temporary moratorium on boosters to help shift supply to those countries that that have not even been able to vaccinate their health workers and at-risk communities and are now experiencing major spikes.
Last week, WHO brought together 2,000 experts from all around the world and debated the available data on boosters. What is clear is that it’s critical to get first shots into arms and protect the most vulnerable before boosters are rolled out.
The divide between the haves and have nots will only grow larger if manufacturers and leaders prioritise booster shots over supply to low- and middle-income countries. The virus is evolving and it is not in the best interests of leaders just to focus on narrow nationalistic goals when we live in an interconnected world and the virus is mutating quickly.
In fact, strong national leadership would be to fully commit to vaccine equity and global solidarity, which would save lives and slow variants down.
In this context, I was stunned by the news that J&J vaccines fill and finished in South Africa are leaving the continent and going to Europe, where virtually all adults have been offered vaccines at this point.
We urge J&J to urgently prioritize distribution of their vaccines to Africa before considering supplies to rich countries that already have sufficient access…
Weekly operational update on COVID-19 – 16 August 2021 Overview n this edition of the COVID-19 Weekly Operational Update, highlights of country-level actions and WHO support to countries include: Facilitating procurement of 1.6 million antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests to strengthen COVID-19 diagnostic in Indonesia The roll-out of Go.Data contact tracing tool in Ukraine Donated COVID-19 vaccine doses by France arrive in Somalia Community health at the center of COVID-19 vaccination in indigenous communities in Paraguay Online learning opportunities to support hospital infection prevention and control committees in Azerbaijan Progress on a subset of indicators from the SPRP 2021 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Updates on WHO’s financing to support countries in SPRP 2021 implementation and provision of critical supplies.
Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 – 17 August 2021 Overview The global number of new cases has been increasing for the last 2 months with over 4.4 million cases reported in the past week (9 – 15 August 2021), bringing the cumulative number of globally to cases to over 206 million. This increasing trend is largely attributed to increases in the Western Pacific Region and the Region of the Americas which reported 14% and 8% increases respectively as compared to the previous week. Overall, the number of deaths reported remained similar with over 66 000 deaths this week, as compared to the previous week. While the African Region reported the largest percentage decrease in case and death incidence, 23% and 18% respectively, data from the weekend is incomplete which might lead to an overestimation of the percentage change. The Western Pacific and the Eastern Mediterranean Regions reported the highest proportionate increases in death incidence of 23% and 15% respectively over the last seven days.
In this edition, a special focus updates are provided on: SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta which includes updates on the geographic distribution of VOCs. COVID-19 in Prisons
The SAGO will advise WHO on technical and scientific considerations regarding the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential, and will be composed of a wide range of experts acting in their personal capacity. SAGO will also guide WHO on next steps for understanding the SARS-CoV-2 origins.
There have been an increasing number of high threat pathogens emerging and re-emerging in recent years with, for example, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Lassa, Marburg, Ebola, Nipah, avian influenza, the latest being SARS-CoV-2. There is a clear need for robust surveillance and early actions for rapid detection and mitigation efforts, as well as systematic processes to study the emergence of these pathogens and routes of transmission from their natural reservoirs to humans. This is critical to helping WHO, Member States and partner institutions to prepare for future spillover threats and to minimize the risk of a disease outbreak growing into a pandemic.
From SARS-CoV-2, which continues to wreak havoc around the world, to the next “Disease X”, this global framework to study the emergence of new and known high threat pathogens needs to be comprehensive and coordinated based on a One Health approach. It should also encompass biosafety and biosecurity. And it needs to be scientific, transparent, comprehensive, rapid and inclusive…
Functions of SAGO
…4. In the context of SARS-CoV-2 origins:
:: To provide the WHO Secretariat with an independent evaluation of all available scientific and
technical findings from global studies on the origins of SARS-CoV-2;
:: To advise the WHO Secretariat regarding developing, monitoring and supporting the next series of studies into the origins of SARS-CoV-2, including rapid advice on WHO’s operational plans to implement the next series of global studies into the origins of SARS-CoV-2, as outlined in the ‘Joint WHO-China Global Study of Origins of SARS- CoV-2: China Part’ report published on 30 March 2021 and advise on additional studies as
needed; and
5. To provide additional advice and support to WHO, as requested by the WHO SAGO Secretariat,
which may include participation in future WHO-international missions to study the origins of SARS-
CoV-2 or for other emerging pathogens.
…More information can be found on the Terms of Reference of the SAGO The SAGO will be multidisciplinary, with members who have a range of technical knowledge, field experience, skills and experience relevant to emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Up to 25 experts may be selected…
Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process 19 August 2021 For 22 vaccine candidates, presents Manufacturer, Name of Vaccine, NRA of Record, Platform, EOI Accepted Status, Pre-submission Meeting Held Status, Dossier Accepted for Review, Status of Assessment; Anticipated/Completed Decision Date [See full scale graphics at link above]
COVID Vaccine Developer/Manufacturer Announcements [relevant press releases/announcement from organizations from WHO EUL/PQ listing above]
AstraZeneca Press Releases AZD7442 PROVENT Phase III prophylaxis trial met primary endpoint in preventing COVID-19
20 August 2021 :: 77% reduced risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 :: First long-acting antibody combination to prevent COVID-19
Positive high-level results from the PROVENT Phase III pre-exposure prophylaxis trial showed AstraZeneca’s AZD7442 achieved a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of symptomatic COVID-19, the trial’s primary endpoint.
AZD7442, a combination of two long-acting antibodies (LAAB), reduced the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 by 77% (95% confidence interval (CI): 46, 90), compared to placebo. The trial accrued 25 cases of symptomatic COVID-19 at the primary analysis…
BioCubaFarma – Cuba Últimas Noticias– [Website not responding at inquiry; receiving 403=Forbidden message]
CanSinoBIO News– [Website not responding at inquiry]
Clover Biopharmaceuticals – China News – No new digest announcements identified
Curevac [Bayer Ag – Germany] News
August 16, 2021 Second-Generation mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate, CV2CoV, Demonstrates Improved Immune Response and Protection in Preclinical Study
:: Preclinical study provides evidence for strongly improved immune responses with second-generation mRNA backbone jointly developed by CureVac and GSK compared to CureVac’s first-generation mRNA backbone
:: Data demonstrate high protective efficacy of second-generation lead candidate, CV2CoV, in animal model during SARS-CoV-2 challenge study
:: Neutralizing capacity of induced antibodies tested against a range of variants, including the Beta, Delta and Lambda variant
Gamaleya National Center Latest News and Events – No new digest announcements identified [See Russia/RFID below]
IMBCAMS, China Home– – [Website not responding at inquiry; receiving 502 Bad Gateway]
Janssen/JNJ Press Releases Statement on Boosting with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., August 18, 2021 — We are engaging with the U.S. FDA, CDC and other health authorities and will share new data shortly regarding boosting with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. In July, Johnson & Johnson shared data demonstrating that our single-shot COVID-19 vaccine generated strong, persistent immune activity against the rapidly spreading Delta variant and other highly prevalent SARS-CoV-2 viral variants. Interim results from a Phase 1/2a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine also showed that the durability of the immune response was strong, with no waning for at least eight months, the length of time that had been evaluated to date.
Ensuring long-term and durable protection against hospitalization and death are critical in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pfizer Recent Press Releases
08.16.2021 Pfizer and BioNTech Announce Submission of Initial Data to U.S. FDA to Support Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine
:: Phase 1 safety and immunogenicity data in individuals who received a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2) show a favorable safety profile and robust immune responses
:: The booster dose elicited significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers against the initial SARS-CoV-2 virus (wild type), and the Beta and Delta variants, compared to the levels observed after the two-dose primary series
:: After the booster dose, neutralizing titers for variants were similar to wild type
:: Given the high levels of immune responses observed, a booster dose given within 6 to 12 months after the primary vaccination schedule may help maintain a high level of protection against COVID-19
Sanofi Pasteur Press Releases – No new digest announcements identified
GSK Press releases for media
16 August 2021 Second-Generation mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate, CV2CoV, Demonstrates Improved Immune Response and Protection in Preclinical Study
:: Preclinical study provides evidence for strongly improved immune responses with second-generation mRNA backbone jointly developed by CureVac and GSK compared to CureVac’s first-generation mRNA backbone
:: Data demonstrates high protective efficacy of second-generation lead candidate, CV2CoV, in animal model during SARS-CoV-2 challenge study
:: Neutralizing capacity of induced antibodies tested against a range of variants, including the Beta, Delta and Lambda variant
SK Biosciences Press releases– No new digest announcements identified
The Race for Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity
A flurry of nearly 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are moving forward through the development and clinical trials processes at unprecedented speed; more than ten candidates are already in Phase 3 large-scale trials and several have received emergency or limited authorization. Our team has aggregated and analyzed publicly available data to track the flow of procurement and manufacturing and better understand global equity challenges. We developed a data framework of relevant variables and conducted desk research of publicly available information to identify COVID vaccine candidates and status, deals and ongoing negotiations for procurement and manufacturing, COVID burden by country, and allocation and distribution plans. We have also conducted interviews with public officials in key countries to better understand the context and challenges facing vaccine allocation and distribution [accessed 24 July 2021] See our COVID Vaccine Purchases research See our COVID Vaccine Manufacturing research See our COVID Vaccine Donations & Exports research
Global Dashboard on COVID-19 Vaccine Equity The Dashboard is a joint initiative of UNDP, WHO and the University of Oxford with cooperation across the UN system, anchored in the SDG 3 Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All.
vaccines and global health :: ethics and policy 