Category Archives: Uncategorized

POLIO Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC); WHO/OCHA Emergencies

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Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Polio this week as of 09 June 2021
:: Today, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) launched the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026: Delivering on a Promise at a virtual event, to overcome the remaining challenges to ending polio, including setbacks caused by COVID-19. Read the press release here.
:: “We need to continue supporting the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, whose surveillance capacity and ability to reach vulnerable communities are critical in many countries to prevent and respond to pandemics.” – health ministers of the G7 countries. Read more…..

Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Afghanistan: one cVDPV2 case
:: Pakistan: two WPV1 and one cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Burkina Faso: one cVDPV2 case

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GPEI Strategy 2022-2026

Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026: Delivering on a Promise
Pre-publication version, as of 10 June 2021
Published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on behalf of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY [excerpt]
Over the last decade, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) made steady progress on the path to eradication. Wild poliovirus types 2 and 3 (WPV2 and WPV3) were declared eradicated in 2015 and 2019, respectively; the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region was declared free of poliovirus in 2014; and most recently, the WHO African Region was certified free of wild poliovirus (WPV) in August 2020. However, the final steps towards eradication have proven the most difficult.

The GPEI now faces programmatic and epidemiological challenges that demand new approaches to place the partnership and impacted countries on emergency footing (see Annex A). To achieve a polio-free world, the GPEI has re-envisioned the endgame pathway with an urgent call for collective ownership and accountability across the GPEI partnership and with governments, communities and all other stakeholders.

The Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026 offers a comprehensive set of actions that will position the GPEI to deliver on a promise that brought the world together in a collective commitment to eradicate polio. These actions, many of which are already underway in 2021, will strengthen and empower the GPEI to meet challenges head-on and achieve and sustain a polio-free world.

The GPEI will transform its approach in each region and country through five mutually reinforcing objectives that lay the foundation to achieve two elemental goals:
Goal One to permanently interrupt poliovirus transmission in the final WPV-endemic countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and
Goal Two to stop circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) transmission and prevent outbreaks in non-endemic countries…

THE GPEI POLIO OVERSIGHT BOARD
Chris Elias
President, Global Development Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
2021 Chair of the Polio Oversight Board
Seth Berkley
Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Henrietta Fore
UNICEF Executive Director
Mike McGovern
Chair, International PolioPlus Committee, Rotary International
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO Director-General
Rochelle Walensky
Director, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Countries reaffirm commitment to ending polio at launch of new eradication strategy
10 June 2021 News release
Today, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) will launch the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026: Delivering on a Promise at a virtual event, to overcome the remaining challenges to ending polio, including setbacks caused by COVID-19. While polio cases have fallen 99.9% since 1988, polio remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and persistent barriers to reaching every child with polio vaccines and the pandemic have contributed to an increase in polio cases. Last year, 1226 cases of all forms of polio were recorded compared to 138 in 2018.  

In 2020, the GPEI paused polio door-to-door campaigns for four months to protect communities from the spread of COVID-19 and contributed up to 30,000 programme staff and over $100 million in polio resources to support pandemic response in almost 50 countries.

Leaders from the two countries yet to interrupt wild polio transmission—Pakistan and Afghanistan—called for renewed global solidarity and the continued resources necessary to eradicate this vaccine-preventable disease. They committed to strengthening their partnership with GPEI to improve vaccination campaigns and engagement with communities at high risk of polio.

The 2022-2026 Strategy underscores the urgency of getting eradication efforts back on track and offers a comprehensive set of actions that will position the GPEI to achieve a polio-free world. These actions, many of which are underway in 2021, include:

:: further integrating polio activities with essential health services—including routine immunization—and building closer partnerships with high-risk communities to co-design immunization events and better meet their health needs, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan;

:: applying a gender equality lens to the implementation of programme activities, recognizing the importance of female workers to build community trust and improve vaccine acceptance;

:: strengthening advocacy to urge greater accountability and ownership of the program at all levels, including enhanced performance measurement and engagement with new partners, such as the new Eastern Mediterranean Regional Subcommittee on Polio Eradication and Outbreaks; and,

:: implementing innovative new tools, such as digital payments to frontline health workers, to further improve the impact and efficiency of polio campaigns.

“With this new Strategy, the GPEI has clearly outlined how to overcome the final barriers to securing a polio-free world and improve the health and wellbeing of communities for generations to come,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization and member of the Polio Oversight Board. “But to succeed, we urgently need renewed political and financial commitments from governments and donors. Polio eradication is at a pivotal moment. It is important we capitalise on the momentum of the new Strategy and make history together by ending this disease.”…

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WHO/OCHA Emergencies

Editor’s Note:
WHO has apparently reorganized and fundamentally shifted how it judges and tracks “emergencies”. We found no announcement of descriptive information to share and present the webpage structure as encountered below.

Health emergencies list – WHO
The health emergencies list details the disease outbreaks, disasters and humanitarian crises where WHO plays an essential role in supporting countries to respond to and recover from emergencies with public health consequences.

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

Ebola outbreak outbreak, N’Zerekore, Guinea, 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

Ebola outbreak, Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2020

Ebola outbreak, North Kivu, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 – 2020

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018

Yemen crisis

Syria crisis

Somalia crisis

Nigeria crisis

Ebola outbreak, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017

Zika virus disease outbreak, 2015-2016

Ebola outbreak: West Africa, 2014-2016

Iraq crisis

South Sudan crisis

Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus outbreak

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) outbreak

Influenza A (H1N1) virus, 2009-2010 pandemic

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UN OCHA – Current Emergencies
Current Corporate Emergencies
Ethiopia
Ethiopia Humanitarian Bulletin Issue #7 10 May – 6 June 2021
HIGHLIGHTS
:: Partners are implementing CERF-funded anticipatory action projects to mitigate the impact of drought and prevent a food security crisis.
:: The Federal and Regional Governments are preparing to implement a phased return/relocation plan for conflict-displaced people (IDPs) in various parts of the country ahead of the Kiremt/summer rainy season.

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WHO & Regional Offices [to 12 Jun 2021]

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WHO & Regional Offices [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.who.int/
11 June 2021 Statement
Statement for healthcare professionals: How COVID-19 vaccines are regulated for safety and effectiveness

11 June 2021 Departmental news
Approaches to sustained control of neglected tropical diseases need to evolve and adapt

11 June 2021 Departmental news
26 International experts to kickstart the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP)

11 June 2021 Departmental news
New HIV/AIDS political declaration seeks to end inequalities and get on track to end AIDS by 2030

10 June 2021 News release
New WHO guidance seeks to put an end to human rights violations in mental health care

10 June 2021 News release
Countries reaffirm commitment to ending polio at launch of new eradication strategy

9 June 2021 Departmental news
Global Leaders from Health and Energy pave the way for a Clean and Healthy Future for All

9 June 2021 Statement
Council on the Economics of Health For All issues brief on equitable health innovation

9 June 2021 Departmental news
Record response to WHO’s call for antimicrobial resistance surveillance reports in 2020

8 June 2021 Departmental news
WHO publishes new guidance to accelerate in-country registration of WHO prequalified in vitro diagnostics

8 June 2021 Departmental news
New Policy Action Paper highlights feasible policy interventions for addressing the under representation of women in global health and care leadership

7 June 2021 Departmental news
WHO guideline development group meeting on WHO antenatal care guidelines: Update on early ultrasound scan recommendation

 

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Weekly Epidemiological Record, Vol. 96, No. 23, pp. 217–228 11 June 2021
:: Considerations for pneumococcal vaccination in older adults

 

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WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
:: How Senegal prepared for COVID-19 surge 11 June 2021
As the second wave of COVID-19 infections surged in early 2021, Senegal stepped up measures to cope with the anticipated rise in the number of patients needing critical care. Professor Daye Ka, Infectious and Tropical Disease Expert and member of Senegal’s COVID-19 task force, explains the steps taken to avert hospitals being overrun by a drastic rise in critically ill patients.
:: Tackling surges in severe COVID-19 cases in Africa 11 June 2021
Africa has the highest global mortality rate among critically ill COVID-19 patients despite having the world’s lowest COVID-19 infections and deaths overall, a recent study published by the Lancet found. Shortage of critical care resources and their underuse are some of the contributing factors. Dr Christian Owoo, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anaesthesia, University of Ghana Medical School and a Consultant Anaesthetist/Intensivist and Head of Intensive Care Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, discusses ways to prevent severe COVID-19 illness and avert a surge in deaths.
:: The system stalling COVID-19 importation into Rwanda 11 June 2021
The aircraft engines power down as disembarking passengers rummage through their carry-on bags for documents in readiness for immigration. This is Kigali International Airport, a busy regional hub. The country has implemented an innovative electronic tracking system to stop the domestic spread of COVID-19 from arriving passengers.

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
No new digest content identified

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: 8 June 2021 News release
WHO tri-regional policy dialogue seeks solutions to challenges facing international mobility of health professionals

WHO European Region EURO
:: With the pandemic far from over, we all need to practice #SummerSense 10-06-2021
:: COVID-19: Learning from experience 10-06-2021
:: WHO tri-regional policy dialogue seeks solutions for international mobility of health professionals 09-06-2021
:: WHO study points to interventions for improving cardiovascular health in Tajikistan 09-06-2021
:: WHO/Europe and EuroHealthNet sign agreement to collaborate on addressing health inequalities and promoting sustainable development 09-06-2021

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Update on COVID-19 in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region
9 June 2021 – As of 08 June 2021 (11:59 PM), the Eastern Mediterranean Region has reported 10 353 336 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 206 573 deaths. While the total number of cases has declined over the past 6 weeks and the number of deaths stabilized, 9 countries reported an increase in cases last week, compared to the previous week. These include Somalia,…

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified

CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 12 Jun 2021]

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CDC/ACIP [U.S.] [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases, Announcements
CDC COVID-19 Study Shows mRNA Vaccines Reduce Risk of Infection by 91 Percent for Fully Vaccinated People
June 7, 2021
A new CDC study finds the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) reduce the risk of infection by 91 percent for fully vaccinated people. This adds to the growing body of real-world evidence of their effectiveness. Importantly, this study also is among the first to show that mRNA vaccination benefits people who get COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated (14 or more days after dose 2) or partially vaccinated (14 or more days after dose 1 to 13 days after dose 2).7, 2021

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, June 10, 2021

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MMWR News Synopsis Friday, June 10, 2021
:: Progress Toward Rubella Elimination — World Health Organization European Region, 2005–2019
:: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Administration of Selected Routine Childhood and Adolescent Vaccinations — 10 U.S. Jurisdictions, March–September 2020
:: Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants Circulating in the United States, December 2020–May 2021
:: Hospitalization of Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1, 2020–April 24, 2021 (Early Release June 4, 2021)
:: Decreases in COVID-19 Cases, Emergency Department Visits, Hospital Admissions, and Deaths Among Older Adults Following the Introduction of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, September 6, 2020–May 1, 2021 (Early Release June 8, 2021)

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Administration of Selected Routine Childhood and Adolescent Vaccinations — 10 U.S. Jurisdictions, March–September 2020
Analysis of immunization data from 10 U.S. jurisdictions shows a substantial decrease in routine vaccinations during March–May 2020, when many jurisdictions enacted stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with the same period during in 2018 and 2019. To prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, public health practitioners and health care providers should promote routine vaccination among children to ensure they are fully vaccinated as schools reopen for in-person learning.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, early reports from some state and local jurisdictions suggested that routine pediatric vaccinations had sharply declined, placing U.S. children at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. To further understand the impact of the pandemic on routine childhood and adolescent vaccination, vaccine administration data from March through September 2020 from 10 U.S. jurisdictions were assessed. Fewer doses of routine childhood and adolescent vaccines were recorded during March–September 2020 than during the same periods in 2018 and 2019 in all 10 jurisdictions. The number of vaccine doses administered declined during March–May 2020, when many jurisdictions enacted stay-at-home orders. The number of vaccine doses administered during June–September, after many jurisdictions lifted stay-at-home orders in summer 2020, approached pre-pandemic levels. However, there was not a substantial increase above pre-pandemic levels, which would have been necessary to catch up children who did not receive routine vaccinations on time. This lag in catch-up vaccination might pose a serious public health threat, resulting in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, especially as schools reopen for in-person learning. Health care providers should assess the immunization status of all pediatric patients, including adolescents, and contact those who are behind schedule to ensure that all children are up to date.

China CDC

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China CDC
http://www.chinacdc.cn/en/
CCDC Weekly – Weekly Reports: Current Volume (3)
2021-06-11 / No. 24
PDF of this issue
No new digest content identified.

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
June 11: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On June 10, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 22 new cases of confirmed infections.

At least 70 pct of China’s target population to be vaccinated by year end: Official
2021-06-08

21 COVID-19 vaccines enter clinical trials in China
2021-06-08
BEIJING — China has witnessed 21 COVID-19 vaccines enter clinical trials, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC) said on June 6.
far, four COVID-19 vaccines have been granted conditional marketing approval and three have been authorized for emergency use within the country, according to Zeng Yixin, deputy head of the NHC.
A total of eight COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for phase III clinical trial overseas, and one messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine met the ethical requirements for phase III clinical trial overseas, Zeng said.

National Medical Products Administration – PRC [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/news.html
News
China reaches 800-million-dose milestone in vaccination campaign
2021-06-10
The National Health Commission said it took 25 days to reach 200 million doses from 100 million; 16 days to 300 million and only six days to 600 million from 500 million, showing increased injection efficiency.

Organization Announcements

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

 

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/
News
No new digest content identified.

 

BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
News
June 8, 2021: Biden Administration Recommends Policy Changes to Secure U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

 

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center
Press Releases and Statements
No new digest content identified.

 

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 12 Jun 2021]
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
Jun 10, 2021
Penny Heaton @drpennyheaton
It’s a bittersweet day as I announce my departure from @GatesMRI to join @JanssenGlobal. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have led such an incredible organization – and I’m excited to lead a team transforming global #vaccine development.

 

CARB-X [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://carb-x.org/
News
06.08.2021  |
CARB-X is funding Accelerate Diagnostics to develop a rapid optical imaging diagnostic for sepsis and serious antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections
CARB-X is awarding Accelerate Diagnostics, a Tucson, Arizona, USA, biotech company, up to US$578,000 to develop new fiber optic technology to diagnose sepsis or the risk of sepsis. Accelerate would be eligible for up to $2.1 million in additional funds from CARB-X if the project meets certain milestones, subject to available funds.

 

Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy – GE2P2 Global Foundation [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/
News/Analysis/Statements
:: Past weekly editions and posting of all segments of Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review are available here.
:: [NEW] Informed Consent: A Monthly Review – June 2021 is now posted here

 

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
G7 summit: an opportunity to conquer the pandemic
As leaders of the world’s wealthiest economies convene in Cornwall, UK, we have a once in a generation moment to build a world better placed to deal with the next pandemic.
COVID-19
11 Jun 2021

Vaccine specialists and global health experts selected for CEPI’s Scientific Advisory Committee
The group will provide key guidance and recommendations on CEPI’s vaccine R&D programmes and broader outbreak response efforts.
COVID-19
09 Jun 2021

Conquering COVID-19 and future pandemic threats
Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, discuss how to control COVID-19 and what needs to be done to end pandemics.
COVID-19
07 Jun 2021

 

DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [to 12 Jun 2021
https://www.darpa.mil/news
News
No new digest content identified.

 

Duke Global Health Innovation Center [to 12 Jun 2021]

Home


WEEKLY COVID VACCINE RESEARCH UPDATE
Last dated update: FRIDAY, June 4, 2021

 

EDCTP [to 12 Jun 2021]
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
No new digest content identified.

 

Emory Vaccine Center [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.

 

European Vaccine Initiative [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

 

FDA [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements /Selected Details
June 11, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021 – FDA Takes Steps to Increase Availability of COVID-19 Vaccine
Following careful review and deliberation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking important steps that will allow a critically needed supply of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine to be made available.
The agency is announcing today that it is authorizing for use, under the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, two batches of vaccine drug substance manufactured at the Emergent BioSolutions facility in Baltimore. Before making this decision, the FDA conducted a thorough review of facility records and the results of quality testing performed by the manufacturer. Based on this review and considering the current COVID-19 public health emergency, the FDA concluded these batches are suitable for use. While the FDA is not yet ready to include the Emergent BioSolutions plant in the Janssen EUA as an authorized manufacturing facility, the agency continues to work through issues there with Janssen and Emergent BioSolutions management…

June 8, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: June 8, 2021

 

Fondation Merieux [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
No new digest content identified

 

Gavi [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.gavi.org/
News Releases
10 June 2021
Gavi welcomes U.S. decision to procure 500 million vaccine doses to be delivered through COVAX
[See COVID above for full text]

 

GHIT Fund [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press
GHIT was set up in 212 with the aim of developing new tools to tackle infectious diseases that
No new digest content identified.

 

Global Fund [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News & Stories
No new digest content identified

 

Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness [GloPID-R] [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.glopid-r.org/news/
News
Global COVID-19 research agenda still missing the priorities of low- and middle-income countries
07/05/2021
An article published today in The Lancet calls for urgent collaboration and coordination for unmet, underfunded COVID-19 research priorities in low-resource settings.   Over…

 

Hilleman Laboratories [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
Website not responding at inquiry

 

Human Vaccines Project [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/
No new digest content identified.

 

IAVI [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
PRESS RELEASES/FEATURES
No new digest content identified.

 

 

International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities [ICMRA]
http://www.icmra.info/drupal/en/news
Selected Statements, Press Releases, Research
No new digest content identified.

 

ICRC [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases, Statements, Reports
Global Advisory Board on digital threats during conflict
A high-level advisory board is supporting the ICRC on legal and policy challenges to protect civilians from cyber threats and other digital risks during conflict
09-06-2021 | Article

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

IFRC [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
Asia Pacific, Myanmar
Myanmar: Red Cross ramps up response as humanitarian crisis deepens
Kuala Lumpur/Yangon/Geneva, 8 June 2021 – The Myanmar Red Cross supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is scaling up emergency support as hundreds of thousands of people in Myanmar need immediate assist …
8 June 2021

Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey
Red Cross Red Crescent warns of the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young people in Europe
Several studies by Red Cross and Red Crescent societies across Europe show an alarming pattern, which requires increased efforts to tackle inequity and assist those most in need.
7 June 2021

 

Institut Pasteur [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.pasteur.fr/en/press-area
Press Info
No new digest content identified.

 

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
News
Empowering Migrants is Key to COVID-19 Recovery
2021-06-10 19:38
A joint research by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted in nine countries shows that the pandemic has increased poverty and unemployment for many migrants and their families. Data collected in Bangladesh, Belarus, El Salvador, Guinea, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, the Republic of Moldova and Peru showed that travel restrictions have left a significant number of migrants stranded, with others forced to return to their home countries where they face hardship…
The study further shows that:
:: As many as 180,000 Indonesian migrant workers returned home in 2020, with 75 percent facing unemployment and some households seeing a 60 percent drop in income.
:: More than 150,000 of the Kyrgyz Republic’s 1 million migrants returned from working abroad in a context marked by the already-high unemployment and 10 percent contraction in the economy brought about by COVID-19, placing pressure on public services.
:: Increased discrimination and stigma among women in Kyrgyz Republic with 80 percent restricted from managing their own money by their families.
::In La Unión in El Salvador, where much of the population works overseas and has since returned, one in three households had a family member who lost their job…

 

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index
Media highlights [Selected]
No new digest content identified.

 

IVAC [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates; Events
Webinar: Vaccines, Primary Care, and Public Health—After COVID, What’s Next?
When: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm ET
Join Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, for a 60-minute webinar hosted by the International Vaccine Access Center to discuss what roles and strategies vaccines, primary care and public health will play while we prepare for life after COVID-19.

 

IVI [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News, Announcements, Events
No new digest content identified.

 

JEE Alliance [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.jeealliance.org/
Selected News and Events
No new digest content identified.

 

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/
Center News
No new digest content identified.

 

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements
No new digest content identified.

 

National Academy of Medicine – USA [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://nam.edu/programs/
Selected News/Programs
No new digest content identified.

 

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
Upcoming Meetings/Latest Updates
NVAC 2021 Meetings
June 16-17, 2021 NVAC Meeting = Agenda

 

NIH [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
News Releases
NIH leaders detail commitment to end structural racism in biomedical science
June 10, 2021 — Scientists, administrators, and staff set forth a frame work to end structural racism across the biomedical research enterprise

 

UN OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.unocha.org/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

 

PATH [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

 

Rockefeller Foundation [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/
Reports/Press Releases
Jun 10 2021
Press Releases
More than 8 in 10 Parents Plan to Send Their Children to In-person School in the Fall
New research, conducted by RAND Corporation and commissioned by The Rockefeller Foundation, details parents’ preferences for in-person school safety measures and how they differ on racial and ethnic lines. New York …

Jun 09 2021
Press Releases
The Rockefeller Foundation Announces Key Grants & Collaborations to Strengthen Global Genomic Sequencing & Data Sharing
The Rockefeller Foundation announces over $20 million in funding and several non-financial collaborations to help strengthen global capabilities to detect and respond to pandemic threats by strengthening organizations’ abilities to sequence and share genomic information and other data rapidly. Collaborating with over 20 organizations from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, this enhanced network will begin to shape The Rockefeller Foundation’s pandemic prevention institute.

 

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

 

UNAIDS [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
11 June 2021
What responses to HIV and COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific led by civil society can teach us

11 June 2021
City leaders unite to regain momentum in the urban HIV response

11 June 2021
Young key populations from Asia and the Pacific claiming their space at the 2021 High-Level Meeting on AIDS

11 June 2021
First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire sponsors national consultation on paediatric HIV and tuberculosis

10 June 2021
Putting people and communities at the centre of the HIV response

10 June 2021
Resources and funding for an effective AIDS response

10 June 2021
Addressing inequalities to end AIDS: 10 years to 2030

9 June 2021
Prioritizing human rights to end inequalities and end AIDS

8 June 2021
Opening remarks by UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima at the High-Level Meeting on AIDS

8 June 2021
Strengthening national social protection systems

8 June 2021
Science, HIV and COVID-19—where are we headed?

8 June 2021
Caribbean stakeholders call for focus on key populations and community-led approaches to HIV and COVID-19

7 June 2021
Faith2EndAIDS, Faith2EndInequality

7 June 2021
Costa Rica joins Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate all Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination

7 June 2021
Jamaica partnership works to promote human rights

 

UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.undp.org/news-centre
News Centre
No new digest content identified.

 

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/media-centre.htmlS
Selected News Releases, Announcements
Global legal community steps up for refugees amid pandemic, providing 165,000 hours of free legal aid
8 Jun 2021

 

UNICEF [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Selected Press Releases, Statements
Statement
06/08/2021
UNICEF statement on UK budget cuts
NEW YORK, 8 June 2021 – “We remain deeply concerned by the decision of the UK Government to reduce funding to UNICEF. We depend on these resources to sustain our humanitarian and development programmes for millions of children around the world, helping us to reach them before, during and after crises.
“Any cuts to these vital funds will have serious consequences for the most vulnerable children, especially now that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global spike in the number of those in need of essential education, protection, health and water services. We estimate that 150 million additional children are living in multidimensional poverty because of the pandemic.
“It is too soon to know the full impact that UK funding cuts will have on UNICEF programmes, but early indications paint an alarming picture.
“The UK Government has already announced a 60 per cent reduction in core funding to UNICEF, funding which enables us to react swiftly to emergencies and help children recover afterwards…

Remarks
06/08/2021
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore’s remarks at the Humanitarian Liaison Working Group on Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines in Humanitarian Settings
As prepared for delivery
… “Third — we need funding.
“Yes, delivering vaccines within emergencies is more expensive. And yes, donors have already spent billions to establish the COVAX Facility.
“But they won’t see a return on this investment until every person is vaccinated — including in fragile settings.
“Without effective delivery systems, vaccines are little more than vials on a shelf. Despite the higher cost involved, we urgently need more funding to get these vaccines delivered and into people’s arms.
“The establishment of the Humanitarian Buffer was an important milestone. But as a humanitarian community, we need to turn up the volume on the need for vaccine-delivery funding across all emergencies.
“And fourth — we need to ensure that we maintain, and continue to fund, routine vaccinations and other essential health interventions in humanitarian emergencies.
“The onset of the pandemic last year devastated these efforts, disrupting planned immunization campaigns across 83 countries. While 35 countries have since resumed these campaigns, 48 countries have not — leaving millions of children vulnerable to preventable disease.
“We urge that the COVID-19 vaccines being delivered — especially those in humanitarian settings including through the Humanitarian Buffer — are delivered alongside a full package of health services, including routine immunizations for other diseases…

Press release
06/07/2021
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors join 28* high-profile UNICEF supporters to urge G7 countries to donate COVID-19 vaccine doses to poor countries
Ahead of G7 leaders summit this weekend, UNICEF Ambassadors and Supporters publish joint letter urging G7 leaders to commit to sharing at least 20 per cent of available COVID-19 vaccine doses.

 

Unitaid [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
UK government funding cuts: statement from Unitaid’s Chair and Executive Director
Geneva, 10 June 2021 – Unitaid has been informed by the Government of the United Kingdom that our funding from the UK has been cut from an expected £77 million in 2021 to just £6 million. This includes a deferred contribution of £33 million from 2020.
While recognising that the pandemic has placed governments in an unexpected and challenging economic situation, we deeply regret such a significant step back from a strong partner and the second largest donor to the organisation, at a moment when equitable access to health solutions is more needed than ever.
Beyond the direct devastating effects of COVID-19, these fifteen months of pandemic have already set back the progress made so far in the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis by ten to twelve years.
Investments are urgently needed, not only to boost manufacturing capacity, supply and the equitable distribution of tools against the COVID-19 pandemic, but also crucially to mitigate against collateral damage in the global fight against diseases which predominantly impact the most vulnerable.
The announced cuts will reduce the resources available to Unitaid to provide end-to-end game-changing solutions that address the multiple challenges facing global health. However, it is important to stress that in spite of this context, the organisation remains strongly committed to its mandate.
We hope the decrease in the UK contribution is only temporary.

 

Vaccination Acceptance & Demand Initiative [Sabin) [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.vaccineacceptance.org/
Announcements
No new digest content identified.

 

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
News, Research and Reports
Coronavirus global impact
Launched April 2, 2020 and recurring every 3 days, Premise Data is utilizing its global network of Contributors to assess economic, social, and health sentiment surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
News
No new digest content identified.

 

Wellcome Trust [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
News and reports
Opinion
Author – Sophie Evekink
3 things G7 leaders can do to end the Covid-19 pandemic
7 June 2021

Opinion
Author – Will Hall
The road to 1 billion vaccines – what Covid-19 dose sharing commitments are needed from the G7
6 June 2021
As the G7 leaders meet in Cornwall this month, we are calling on them to share 1 billion vaccine doses before the end of 2021, starting immediately.

 

The Wistar Institute [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

 

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

 

World Bank [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
Selected News, Announcements
World Bank Group President David Malpass: Statement on COVID-19 Response and Vaccinations for Developing Countries
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2021—World Bank Group President David Malpass today issued the following statement in advance of the G7 Leaders’ Summit: “I warmly welcome the G7’s vital work on helping to accelerate…
Date: June 11, 2021 Type: Statement
[See COVID above for detail]

13 million People to Receive COVID-19 vaccination in Ghana
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2021 –The World Bank today approved a $200 million Ghana COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project Second Additional Financing. In collaboration with the COVAX Facility…
Date: June 10, 2021 Type: Press Release

World Bank’s Operational Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in East Asia and the Pacific
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has taken a drastic human toll, and the economic and social impacts of the pandemic are reverberating globally. As countries around the world work to contain the spread…
Date: June 10, 2021 Type: Brief

Additional COVID-19 Funding to Help Lao PDR Reach 50% Vaccination Target
Vientiane, June 10, 2021 – An additional US$15 million has been made available to help the Lao PDR stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, following an agreement between the World Bank…
Date: June 10, 2021 Type: Press Release

Sierra Leone Receives Additional Support for Access and Effective Vaccines Deployment
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2021 — The World Bank approved an $8.5 million grant in additional financing to support affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in Sierra Leone. The funds will provide…
Date: June 08, 2021 Type: Press Release

Global Recovery Strong but Uneven as Many Developing Countries Struggle with the Pandemic’s Lasting Effects
Output to remain below pre-COVID trends despite robust rebound by US and ChinaWASHINGTON, June 8, 2021 — The global economy is expected to expand 5.6% in 2021, the fastest post-recession pace in 80 years…
Date: June 08, 2021 Type: Press Release L

Georgia’s Vaccination Rollout to be Strengthened with $34.5 Million Additional Financing from World Bank
WASHINGTON, June 7, 2021 – Georgia’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts will gain a major boost thanks to $34.5 million in additional financing approved today by the World Bank. This financing augments the original…
Date: June 07, 2021 Type: Press Release

 

World Customs Organization – WCO [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.wcoomd.org/
Latest News – Selected Items
09 June 2021
WCO supports global fight against illicit trafficking during a joint Press Conference in Antwerp

 

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2021/
Press Releases
Dr Monique Éloit is re-elected as Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
During her second term (June 2021-June 2026), Dr Éloit will provide leadership over the implementation of the 7th Strategic Plan, focused on global animal health governance.
Paris, 3 June 2021 – At the close of the 88th General Session of the World Assembly, OIE national Delegates confirmed Dr Monique Éloit for a second term as OIE Director General. The vote was held by secret ballot and followed the “one country, one vote” rule. Dr Éloit has served as the Director General since 2016. Over the past five years, she has strived to restructure the actions of the Organisation to modernise its different programmes and to enhance the transparency of internal procedures, with the aim to consolidate OIE’s position among major international organisations.
While thanking the Assembly for her re-election, she reasserted her conviction that “the OIE should not remain solely focused on traditional animal health topics, such as livestock disease control, but that it should go beyond them, by investing more significantly in veterinary public health subjects as they have an impact on the whole of society.”…

::::::

 

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 12 Jun 2021]
Press Releases – Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (alliancerm.org)
Selected Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

 

BIO [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases
BIO Takes on Health Equity in Clinical Trials
June 10, 2021
First-ever BIO Clinical Trial Diversity Summit will engage stakeholders to build a sustainable and equitable clinical development ecosystem

 

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
No new digest content identified.

 

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 12 Jun 2021]
https://internationalbiotech.org/news/
News
No new digest content identified.

 

IFPMA [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
Biopharmaceutical industry welcomes COVID-19 vaccine-sharing pledges but warn challenges remain to urgently address vaccine inequity
11 June 2021
[See COVID above for detail]

R&D bio-pharmaceutical groups warn about rise in COVID-19 falsified medical products in Africa and call
10 June 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global surge in reported falsified medical products including personal protective equipment, diagnostic tests, and more recently falsified or substandard medicines, “cures” and vaccines.  In Africa, the challenge of falsified and substandard medicines is even more pronounced with over 40% of all the counterfeits reported to the WHO, emanating from Africa. In November last year, a large consignment of counterfeit Covid vaccines was seized in South Africa.
Association of Representatives of Ethical Pharmaceutical Industries (AREPI), The Innovative Pharmaceutical association South Africa (IPASA), Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (KAPI) and the Association des Industriels Pharmaceutiques en Afrique Francophone Subsaharienne (LIPA), together with International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) call on the African and global health communities to raise awareness about the dangers of substandard and falsified medical products during this particularly challenging time for Global Health…

Global pharmaceutical industry response to G7 communiqués on antimicrobial resistance
08 June 2021

 

PhRMA [to 12 Jun 2021]
http://www.phrma.org/
Latest News
Coming together to fight COVID-19: A conversation with Barry Greene, CEO of Sage Therapeutics
June 9, 2021
Research is focused on finding ways to help improve or correct brain function in serious brain health disorders, and to help it stay that way.
Blog Post

Journal Watch

Posted on by

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

Transgenerational Trauma

Posted on by

AMA Journal of Ethics
Volume 23, Number 6: E435-504 June 2021
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/issue/transgenerational-trauma

 

Transgenerational Trauma
One thing that makes trauma transgenerational is narrative. Narrative, for example, is what makes a Confederate flag from 1865 flint for insurrection in 2021. Consequences of global and domestic insults, such as slavery and forced migration, have long ramified intergenerationally in communities, families, and individuals’ bodies. Legacies of trauma travel in stories across places and over time, and their effects include health status inequity and cumulative stress embodiment. Transmission of historically entrenched patterns of oppression also influence persons’ lived experiences of marginalization, convey health risk, and can play out during clinical encounters.

Inequities in childhood immunisation coverage associated with socioeconomic, geographic, maternal, child, and place of birth characteristics in Kenya

Posted on by

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 12 Jun 2021)

 

Inequities in childhood immunisation coverage associated with socioeconomic, geographic, maternal, child, and place of birth characteristics in Kenya
The global Immunisation Agenda 2030 highlights coverage and equity as a strategic priority goal to reach high equitable immunisation coverage at national levels and in all districts. We estimated inequities in…
Authors: Simon Allan, Ifedayo M. O. Adetifa and Kaja Abbas
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:553
Content type: Research
Published on: 11 June 2021

A policy Delphi study to validate the key implications of data sharing (KIDS) framework for pediatric genomics in Canada

Posted on by

BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 12 Jun 2021)

 

A policy Delphi study to validate the key implications of data sharing (KIDS) framework for pediatric genomics in Canada
he highly sensitive nature of genomic and associated clinical data, coupled with the consent-related vulnerabilities of children together accentuate ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) concerning data sharing. The Key Implications of Data Sharing (KIDS) framework was therefore developed to address a need for institutional guidance on genomic data governance but has yet to be validated among data sharing practitioners in practice settings. This study qualitatively explored areas of consensus and dissensus of the KIDS Framework from the perspectives of Canadian clinician-scientists, genomic researchers, IRB members, and pediatric ethicists.
Authors: Vasiliki Rahimzadeh, Gillian Bartlett and Bartha Maria Knoppers
Content type: Research article
9 June 2021

A phase IV, multi-centre, randomized clinical trial comparing two pertussis-containing vaccines in pregnant women in England and vaccine responses in their infants

Posted on by

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 12 Jun 2021)

 

A phase IV, multi-centre, randomized clinical trial comparing two pertussis-containing vaccines in pregnant women in England and vaccine responses in their infants
Pertussis vaccines containing three or five pertussis antigens are recommended in pregnancy in many countries, but no studies have compared the effect on infants’ antigen-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) concen…
Authors: Christine Elizabeth Jones, Anna Calvert, Jo Southern, Mary Matheson, Nick Andrews, Asma Khalil, Hannah Cuthbertson, Bassam Hallis, Anna England, Paul T. Heath and Elizabeth Miller
Citation: BMC Medicine 2021 19:138
Content type: Research article
Published on: 8 June 2021

A survey on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and concern among Malaysians

Posted on by

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 12 Jun 2021)

 

A survey on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and concern among Malaysians
Vaccination is an effective way to curtail the burden of COVID-19 in which success depends on a high acceptance of the vaccine. However, addressing concerns among vaccine-hesitant individuals is essential to a…
Authors: S. A. R. Syed Alwi, E. Rafidah, A. Zurraini, O. Juslina, I. B. Brohi and S. Lukas
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1129
Content type: Research
Published on: 12 June 2021

Sociodemographic factors associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and clinical trials in Uganda: a cross-sectional study in western Uganda

Posted on by

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 12 Jun 2021)

 

Sociodemographic factors associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and clinical trials in Uganda: a cross-sectional study in western Uganda
Health experts agree that widespread use of safe and effective vaccines will rapidly contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The big question is whether these vaccines can easily be accepted by their end-users. Our stu…
Authors: Isaac Echoru, Patricia Decanar Ajambo, Emmanuel Keirania and Edmund E. M. Bukenya
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1106
Content type: Research article
Published on: 10 June 2021

Vaccination coverage estimates and utilization patterns of inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine post vaccine introduction in Ningbo, China

Posted on by

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 12 Jun 2021)

 

Vaccination coverage estimates and utilization patterns of inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine post vaccine introduction in Ningbo, China
In China, enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the major etiological agents of hand foot mouth disease that poses severe risks to children’s health. Since 2015, three inactivated EV71 vaccines have been approved for use. …
Authors: Lixia Ye, Jieping Chen, Ting Fang, Rui Ma, Jianmei Wang, Xingqiang Pan, Hongjun Dong and Guozhang Xu
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1118
Content type: Research article
Published on: 10 June 2021

Willingness to receive future COVID-19 vaccines following the COVID-19 epidemic in Shanghai, China

Posted on by

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 12 Jun 2021)

 

Willingness to receive future COVID-19 vaccines following the COVID-19 epidemic in Shanghai, China
There are no pharmacological interventions currently available to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or to treat COVID-19. The development of vaccines against COVID-19 is essential to contain the pandemic….
Authors: Yehong Zhou, Junjie Zhang, Wenwen Wu, Man Liang and Qiang-Song Wu
Citation: BMC Public Health 2021 21:1103
Content type: Research
Published on: 9 June 2021

Affirming NIH’s commitment to addressing structural racism in the biomedical research enterprise

Posted on by

Cell
Jun 10, 2021 Volume 184 Issue 12 p3075-3348
https://www.cell.com/cell/current

 

Commentary
Affirming NIH’s commitment to addressing structural racism in the biomedical research enterprise
Francis S. Collins, et al. NIH UNITE
Open Access
NIH has acknowledged and committed to ending structural racism. The framework for NIH’s approach, summarized here, includes understanding barriers; developing robust health disparities/equity research; improving its internal culture; being transparent and accountable; and changing the extramural ecosystem so that diversity, equity, and inclusion are reflected in funded research and the biomedical workforce.

Tackling COVID-19 with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies

Posted on by

Cell
Jun 10, 2021 Volume 184 Issue 12 p3075-3348
https://www.cell.com/cell/current

 

Review
Tackling COVID-19 with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies
Davide Corti, Lisa A. Purcell, Gyorgy Snell, David Veesler
Intense efforts have been made to develop or identify drugs to treat people with COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies are one of the few types of drugs that have shown efficacy in the clinic.

The COVID-19 pandemic: agile versus blundering communication during a worldwide crisis: Important lessons for efficient communication to maintain public trust and ensure public safety

Posted on by

EMBO Reports
Volume 22 Issue 6 4 June 2021
https://www.embopress.org/toc/14693178/current

 

Science & Society 25 May 2021 Open Access
The COVID-19 pandemic: agile versus blundering communication during a worldwide crisis: Important lessons for efficient communication to maintain public trust and ensure public safety
Gaby-Fleur Böl
Governments’ measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic and public reaction hold important lessons for science and risk communication in times of crisis.

Building resource constraints and feasibility considerations in mathematical models for infectious disease: A systematic literature review

Posted on by

Epidemics
Volume 35 June 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/epidemics/vol/35/suppl/C

 

Research article Open access
Building resource constraints and feasibility considerations in mathematical models for infectious disease: A systematic literature review
Fiammetta M. Bozzani, Anna Vassall, Gabriela B. Gomez
Article 100450

Assessing the nationwide impact of COVID-19 mitigation policies on the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil

Posted on by

Epidemics
Volume 35 June 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/epidemics/vol/35/suppl/C

 

Research article Open access
Assessing the nationwide impact of COVID-19 mitigation policies on the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil
Daniel C.P. Jorge, Moreno S. Rodrigues, Mateus S. Silva, Luciana L. Cardim, … Juliane F. Oliveira
Article 100465

The impact of surveillance and other factors on detection of emergent and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses

Posted on by

Gates Open Research
https://gatesopenresearch.org/browse/articles
[Accessed 12 Jun 2021]

 

Research Article metrics AWAITING PEER REVIEW
The impact of surveillance and other factors on detection of emergent and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
Megan Auzenbergs, Holly Fountain, Grace Macklin, Hil Lyons, Kathleen M O’Reilly
Peer Reviewers Invited
Funder: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
PUBLISHED 11 Jun 2021

Appraising and addressing design and implementation failure in global health: A pragmatic framework

Posted on by

Global Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 7 (2021)
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current

 

Article commentary
Appraising and addressing design and implementation failure in global health: A pragmatic framework
Ejemai Amaize Eboreime, John Olajide Olawepo, Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas, Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde & Seye Abimbola
Pages: 1122-1130
Published online: 08 Sep 2020

The constitutional economics of the World Health Organization

Posted on by

Health Economics, Policy and Law 
Volume 16 – Issue 3 – July 2021
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/health-economics-policy-and-law/latest-issue

 

Article
The constitutional economics of the World Health Organization
Eric C. Ip
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 August 2020, pp. 325-339
This paper brings a constitutional economics perspective to bear on the World Health Organization (WHO), the flagship United Nations intergovernmental health organisation, which is obligated by its Constitution to achieve ‘the highest possible level of health’ for the world’s peoples…

The effects of polio eradication efforts on health systems: a cross-country analysis using the Develop–Distort Dilemma

Posted on by

Health Policy and Planning
Volume 36, Issue 5, June 2021
https://academic.oup.com/heapol/issue/36/5

 

ORIGINAL ARTICLES
The effects of polio eradication efforts on health systems: a cross-country analysis using the Develop–Distort Dilemma
Daniela C Rodriguez, Abigail H Neel, Yodi Mahendradhata, Wakgari Deressa, Eme Owoaje …
Health Policy and Planning, Volume 36, Issue 5, June 2021, Pages 707–719, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czab044

Localisation and local humanitarian action

Posted on by

Humanitarian Exchange Magazine
Number 79, May 2021
https://odihpn.org/magazine/inclusion-of-persons-with-disabilities-in-humanitarian-action-what-now/

 

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.

Association of Maternal Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy With Early Childhood Health Outcomes

Posted on by

JAMA
June 8, 2021, Vol 325, No. 22, Pages 2235-2322
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Original Investigation
Association of Maternal Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy With Early Childhood Health Outcomes
Azar Mehrabadi, PhD; Linda Dodds, PhD; Noni E. MacDonald, MD, MS; et al.
JAMA. 2021;325(22):2285-2293. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6778
This population-based cohort study uses a birth registry linked with health administrative data to assess the association between maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy and early childhood health outcomes in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Overview of the Issue

Posted on by

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…

WHO guidance on ethics in outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic: a critical appraisal

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Journal of Medical Ethics
June 2021 – Volume 47 – 6
http://jme.bmj.com/content/current

 

COVID-19 current controversies
WHO guidance on ethics in outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic: a critical appraisal (31 March, 2021) Free
Abha Saxena, Paul André Bouvier, Ehsan Shamsi-Gooshki, Johannes Köhler, Lisa J Schwartz
Abstract
In 2016, following pandemic influenza threats and the 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease outbreaks, the WHO developed a guidance document for managing ethical issues in infectious disease outbreaks. In this article, we analyse some ethical issues that have had a predominant role in decision making in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic but were absent or not addressed in the same ways in the 2016 guidance document. A pandemic results in a health crisis and social and political crises both nationally and globally. The ethical implications of these global effects should be properly identified so that appropriate actions can be taken globally and not just in national isolation. Our analysis, which is a starting point to test the broader relevance of the 2016 WHO document that remains the only available guidance document applicable globally, concludes that the WHO guidance should be updated to provide reasoned and thoughtful comprehensive ethics advice for the sound management of the current and future pandemics.

A cross-sectional survey on community pharmacists readiness to fight COVID-19 in a developing country: knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanon

Posted on by

Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
https://joppp.biomedcentral.com/
[Accessed 12 Jun 2021]

 

A cross-sectional survey on community pharmacists readiness to fight COVID-19 in a developing country: knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanon
Authors: Rony M. Zeenny, Ahmad Dimassi, Hala Sacre, Ghada El Khoury, Aline Hajj, Rita Farah, Hind Hajj, Nathalie Lahoud, Marwan Akel, Souheil Hallit and Pascale Salameh
Content type: Research
11 June 2021

Prevalence and predictors of vaccine hesitancy among expectant mothers in Enugu metropolis, South-east Nigeria

Posted on by

Journal of Public Health Policy
Volume 42, issue 2, June 2021
https://link.springer.com/journal/41271/volumes-and-issues/42-2

 

Prevalence and predictors of vaccine hesitancy among expectant mothers in Enugu metropolis, South-east Nigeria
Authors: Daniel C. Ogbuabor, Ada C. Chime
Content type: Original Article
Published: 10 February 2021
Pages: 222 – 235

Vaccine Hesitancy and Differential Susceptibility to Media Coverage: A Critical Documentary Led to Substantial Reductions in Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Denmark

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Medical Decision Making (MDM)
Volume 41 Issue 5, July 2021
http://mdm.sagepub.com/content/current

 

Original Research Articles
Vaccine Hesitancy and Differential Susceptibility to Media Coverage: A Critical Documentary Led to Substantial Reductions in Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Denmark
Maria Knoth Humlum, Niels Skipper, Peter Rønø Thingholm
First Published April 24, 2021; pp. 550–558

Swarm Learning for decentralized and confidential clinical machine learning

Posted on by

Nature
Volume 594 Issue 7862, 10 June 2021
https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/594/issues/7862

 

Article Open Access Published: 26 May 2021
Swarm Learning for decentralized and confidential clinical machine learning
Stefanie Warnat-Herresthal, Hartmut Schultze, […]Joachim L. Schultze
Nature volume 594, pages 265–270 (2021)
Abstract
Fast and reliable detection of patients with severe and heterogeneous illnesses is a major goal of precision medicine1,2. Patients with leukaemia can be identified using machine learning on the basis of their blood transcriptomes3. However, there is an increasing divide between what is technically possible and what is allowed, because of privacy legislation4,5. Here, to facilitate the integration of any medical data from any data owner worldwide without violating privacy laws, we introduce Swarm Learning—a decentralized machine-learning approach that unites edge computing, blockchain-based peer-to-peer networking and coordination while maintaining confidentiality without the need for a central coordinator, thereby going beyond federated learning. To illustrate the feasibility of using Swarm Learning to develop disease classifiers using distributed data, we chose four use cases of heterogeneous diseases (COVID-19, tuberculosis, leukaemia and lung pathologies). With more than 16,400 blood transcriptomes derived from 127 clinical studies with non-uniform distributions of cases and controls and substantial study biases, as well as more than 95,000 chest X-ray images, we show that Swarm Learning classifiers outperform those developed at individual sites. In addition, Swarm Learning completely fulfils local confidentiality regulations by design. We believe that this approach will notably accelerate the introduction of precision medicine.

Comprehensive analysis of 2.4 million patent-to-research citations maps the biomedical innovation and translation landscape

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Nature Biotechnology
Volume 39 Issue 6, June 2021
https://www.nature.com/nbt/volumes/39/issues/6

 

Patents | 10 June 2021
Comprehensive analysis of 2.4 million patent-to-research citations maps the biomedical innovation and translation landscape
A citation map connecting patents to biomedical publications provides insights that can be used to better evaluate productivity, diversity and translational impact.
Anoop Manjunath
Hongyu Li, Ishan Kumar