Clinical Trials of Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention: A Review

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/223/3

 

REVIEWS
Clinical Trials of Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention: A Review
Sharana Mahomed, Nigel Garrett, Cheryl Baxter, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Salim S Abdool Karim
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021, Pages 370–380, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa377
The use of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is a promising approach that could help reduce the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic burden. This review describes the status and available data on bnAbs in clinical trials for HIV prevention.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome After High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Administration in the United States, 2018–2019 Season

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/223/3

 

VIRUSES
Editor’s Choice
Guillain-Barré Syndrome After High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Administration in the United States, 2018–2019 Season
Silvia Perez-Vilar, Mao Hu, Eric Weintraub, Deepa Arya, Bradley Lufkin …
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021, Pages 416–425, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa543
Using VSD and Medicare data, we rapidly evaluated a potential association between the 2018–2019 high-dose influenza vaccine and GBS and determined that, if a risk existed, it was similar in magnitude to that from prior seasons.

A Comparative Analysis of the Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude of Ghanaians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 Survivors

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Journal of Refugee & Global Health
Volume 4, Issue 1 (2021)
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/rgh/

 

Original Research
A Comparative Analysis of the Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude of Ghanaians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 Survivors
Emmanuel Lamptey, Dorcas Serwaa, Maxwell Hubert Antwi, Theckla Ikome Ms, and Nkechi Odogwu

Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomised controlled phase 3 trial in Russia

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The Lancet
Feb 20, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10275 p641-766
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Articles
Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomised controlled phase 3 trial in Russia
Denis Y Logunov, and the Gam-COVID-Vac Vaccine Trial Group

Safety and immunogenicity of S-Trimer (SCB-2019), a protein subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in healthy adults: a phase 1, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

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The Lancet
Feb 20, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10275 p641-766
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Safety and immunogenicity of S-Trimer (SCB-2019), a protein subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in healthy adults: a phase 1, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Peter Richmond, et al.
Interpretation
The SCB-2019 vaccine, comprising S-Trimer protein formulated with either AS03 or CpG/Alum adjuvants, elicited robust humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, with high viral neutralising activity. Both adjuvanted vaccine formulations were well tolerated and are suitable for further clinical development.
Funding
Clover Biopharmaceuticals and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

Public policy and health in the Trump era

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The Lancet
Feb 20, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10275 p641-766
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

 

The Lancet Commissions
Public policy and health in the Trump era
Steffie Woolhandler,et al
This report by the Lancet Commission on Public Policy and Health in the Trump Era assesses the repercussions of President Donald Trump’s health-related policies and examines the failures and social schisms that enabled his election. Trump exploited low and middle-income white people’s anger over their deteriorating life prospects to mobilise racial animus and xenophobia and enlist their support for policies that benefit high-income people and corporations and threaten health. His signature legislative achievement, a trillion-dollar tax cut for corporations and high-income individuals, opened a budget hole that he used to justify cutting food subsidies and health care. His appeals to racism, nativism, and religious bigotry have emboldened white nationalists and vigilantes, and encouraged police violence and, at the end of his term in office, insurrection. He chose judges for US courts who are dismissive of affirmative action and reproductive, labour, civil, and voting rights; ordered the mass detention of immigrants in hazardous conditions; and promulgated regulations that reduce access to abortion and contraception in the USA and globally. Although his effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act failed, he weakened its coverage and increased the number of uninsured people by 2·3 million, even before the mass dislocation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has accelerated the privatisation of government health programmes. Trump’s hostility to environmental regulations has already worsened pollution—resulting in more than 22 000 extra deaths in 2019 alone—hastened global warming, and despoiled national monuments and lands sacred to Native people. Disdain for science and cuts to global health programmes and public health agencies have impeded the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths, and imperil advances against HIV and other diseases. And Trump’s bellicose trade, defence, and foreign policies have led to economic disruption and threaten an upswing in armed conflict.

Ethical considerations of COVID-19-related adjustments to clinical research

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 2, February 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/2

 

Comment | 25 January 2021
Ethical considerations of COVID-19-related adjustments to clinical research
Unexpected direct and indirect risks of participating in clinical trials have emerged during COVID-19 that investigators and institutional review boards may not be sure how to investigate. How should existing guidance and ethical frameworks for clinical trials be applied in a pandemic setting?
Nina S. Hsu, Saskia Hendriks & Christine Grady

Looking beyond COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 trials

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 2, February 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/2

 

Perspective | 19 January 2021
Looking beyond COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 trials
A comprehensive strategy for the next steps to ensure vaccination of the global population against SARS-CoV-2 is now required, and key steps and challenges are detailed in this Perspective.
Jerome H. Kim, Florian Marks & John D. Clemens

A global survey of potential acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 2, February 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/2

 

Brief Communication | 20 October 2020
A global survey of potential acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine
Survey data from across 19 countries reveal heterogeneity in attitudes toward acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine and suggest that trust in government is associated with vaccine confidence.
Jeffrey V. Lazarus, Scott C. Ratzan & Ayman El-Mohandes

Estimated impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumonia mortality in South Africa, 1999 through 2016: An ecological modelling study

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PLoS Medicine
http://www.plosmedicine.org/
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Estimated impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumonia mortality in South Africa, 1999 through 2016: An ecological modelling study
Jackie Kleynhans, Stefano Tempia, Kayoko Shioda, Anne von Gottberg, Daniel M. Weinberger, Cheryl Cohen
Research Article | published 16 Feb 2021 PLOS Medicine
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003537

Determinants of dentists’ readiness to assess HPV risk and recommend immunization: A transtheoretical model of change-based cross-sectional study of Ontario dentists

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 20 Feb 2021]

 

Determinants of dentists’ readiness to assess HPV risk and recommend immunization: A transtheoretical model of change-based cross-sectional study of Ontario dentists
Musfer Aldossri, Chimere Okoronkwo, Virginia Dodd, Heather Manson, Sonica Singhal
Research Article | published 17 Feb 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247043

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization of routine immunization services in Lebanon

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 20 Feb 2021]

 

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization of routine immunization services in Lebanon
Ziad Mansour, Jinan Arab, Racha Said, Alissar Rady, Randa Hamadeh, Bernard Gerbaka, Abdul Rahman Bizri
Research Article | published 17 Feb 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246951

Evidence-based interventions implemented in low-and middle-income countries for sickle cell disease management: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 20 Feb 2021]

 

Evidence-based interventions implemented in low-and middle-income countries for sickle cell disease management: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Joyce Gyamfi, Temitope Ojo, Sabrina Epou, Amy Diawara, Lotanna Dike, Deborah Adenikinju, Scholastica Enechukwu, Dorice Vieira, Obiageli Nnodu, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Emmanuel Peprah
Research Article | published 17 Feb 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246700

Opinion: A better approach for dealing with reproducibility and replicability in science

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PNAS – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
February 16, 2021; vol. 118 no. 7
https://www.pnas.org/content/118/7

 

Opinion
Leading scientists discuss current issues
Opinion: A better approach for dealing with reproducibility and replicability in science
Front Matter
James D. Nichols, Madan K. Oli, William. L. Kendall, and G. Scott Boomer
PNAS February 16, 2021 118 (7) e2100769118; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2100769118
Science impacts our daily lives and guides national and international policies (1). Thus, results of scientific studies are of paramount importance; yet, there are concerns that many studies are not reproducible or replicable (2). To address these concerns, the National Research Council conducted a Consensus Study [NASEM 2019 (3)] that provides definitions of key concepts, discussions of problems, and recommendations for dealing with these problems. These recommendations are useful and well considered, but they do not go far enough in our opinion. The NASEM recommendations treat reproducibility and replicability as single-study issues, despite clear acknowledgement of the limitations of isolated studies and the need for research synthesis (3). We advocate a strategic approach to research, focusing on the accumulation of evidence via designed sequences of studies, as a means of dealing more effectively with reproducibility, replicability, and related problems. These sequences are designed to provide iterative tests based on comparison of data from empirical studies with predictions from competing hypotheses. Evidence is then formally accumulated based on the relative predictive abilities of the different hypotheses as the sequential studies proceed.

Global Transmission of Live Polioviruses: Updated Dynamic Modeling of the Polio Endgame

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Risk Analysis  
Volume 41, Issue 2 Pages: 223-406 February 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15396924/current

Global Transmission of Live Polioviruses: Updated Dynamic Modeling of the Polio Endgame
Dominika A. Kalkowska, Mark A. Pallansch, Steven G. F. Wassilak, Stephen L. Cochi, Kimberly M. Thompson

 

Pages: 248-265
First Published: 20 January 2020

Insights From Modeling Preventive Supplemental Immunization Activities as a Strategy to Eliminate Wild Poliovirus Transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan

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Risk Analysis  
Volume 41, Issue 2 Pages: 223-406 February 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15396924/current

Insights From Modeling Preventive Supplemental Immunization Activities as a Strategy to Eliminate Wild Poliovirus Transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Dominika A. Kalkowska, Kimberly M. Thompson

 

Pages: 266-272
First Published: 06 March 2020

Inferring the effectiveness of government interventions against COVID-19

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Science
19 February 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6531
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

 

Research Articles
Inferring the effectiveness of government interventions against COVID-19
By Jan M. Brauner, Sören Mindermann, Mrinank Sharma, David Johnston, John Salvatier, Tomáš Gavenčiak, Anna B. Stephenson, Gavin Leech, George Altman, Vladimir Mikulik, Alexander John Norman, Joshua Teperowski Monrad, Tamay Besiroglu, Hong Ge, Meghan A. Hartwick, Yee Whye Teh, Leonid Chindelevitch, Yarin Gal, Jan Kulveit
Science19 Feb 2021 Open Access
The effect of nonpharmaceutical interventions on SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the early phase of the pandemic is quantified.

Broad and potent activity against SARS-like viruses by an engineered human monoclonal antibody

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Science
19 February 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6531
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Broad and potent activity against SARS-like viruses by an engineered human monoclonal antibody
By C. Garrett Rappazzo, Longping V. Tse, Chengzi I. Kaku, Daniel Wrapp, Mrunal Sakharkar, Deli Huang, Laura M. Deveau, Thomas J. Yockachonis, Andrew S. Herbert, Michael B. Battles, Cecilia M. O’Brien, Michael E. Brown, James C. Geoghegan, Jonathan Belk, Linghang Peng, Linlin Yang, Yixuan Hou, Trevor D. Scobey, Dennis R. Burton, David Nemazee, John M. Dye, James E. Voss, Bronwyn M. Gunn, Jason S. McLellan, Ralph S. Baric, Lisa E. Gralinski, Laura M. Walker

 

Science19 Feb 2021 : 823-829 Open Access
An affinity-optimized human monoclonal antibody displays broad in vivo efficacy in murine models of SARS and COVID-19.

Air travel and COVID-19 prevention in the pandemic and peri-pandemic period: A narrative review

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Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Volume 39 January–February 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/travel-medicine-and-infectious-disease/vol/39/suppl/C

 

Review article Open access
Air travel and COVID-19 prevention in the pandemic and peri-pandemic period: A narrative review
Michel Bielecki, Dipti Patel, Jochen Hinkelbein, Matthieu Komorowski, … Patricia Schlagenhauf
Article 101915

Strengthening screening for infectious diseases and vaccination among migrants in Europe: What is needed to close the implementation gaps?

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Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Volume 39 January–February 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/travel-medicine-and-infectious-disease/vol/39/suppl/C

 

Controversial Commentary
Short communication Open access
Strengthening screening for infectious diseases and vaccination among migrants in Europe: What is needed to close the implementation gaps?
Teymur Noori, Sally Hargreaves, Christina Greenaway, Marieke van der Werf, … Kevin Pottie
Article 101715

Modelling a cost-effective vaccination strategy for the prevention of varicella and herpes zoster infection: A systematic review

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Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 9 Pages 1359-1472 (1 March 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/9

 

Review article Abstract only
Modelling a cost-effective vaccination strategy for the prevention of varicella and herpes zoster infection: A systematic review
Brent Hodgkinson, Tianjiao Wang, Joshua Byrnes, Paul Scuffham
Pages 1370-1382

Effect of Vaccine Direct Delivery (VDD) on vaccine stockouts and number of vaccinations: Case study from Bauchi State, Nigeria

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Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 9 Pages 1359-1472 (1 March 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/9

 

Research article Abstract only
Effect of Vaccine Direct Delivery (VDD) on vaccine stockouts and number of vaccinations: Case study from Bauchi State, Nigeria
Ryoko Sato, Adam Thompson, Ibrahim Sani, Loveth Metiboba, … Vivian Odezugo
Pages 1445-1451

Botched Ebola Vaccine Trials in Ghana: An Analysis of Discourses in The Media

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Article
Botched Ebola Vaccine Trials in Ghana: An Analysis of Discourses in The Media
by Esi E. Thompson
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020177 – 19 Feb 2021
In June 2015, proposed Ebola vaccine trials were suspended by the Ministry of Health of Ghana amid protests from members of parliament and the general public. Scholarship has often focused on the design, development, and administration of vaccines. Of equal importance are the […] Read more.

Assessment of Vaccine Hesitancy to a COVID-19 Vaccine in Cameroonian Adults and Its Global Implication

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Article
Assessment of Vaccine Hesitancy to a COVID-19 Vaccine in Cameroonian Adults and Its Global Implication
by Jerome Nyhalah Dinga, Leontine Kouemou Sinda and Vincent P. K. Titanji
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020175 – 19 Feb 2021
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, no global consensus treatment has been developed and generally accepted for the disease. However, eradicating the disease will require a safe and efficacious vaccine. In order to prepare for the eventual development of a safe […]

Vaccine Hesitancy among Italian Patients Recovered from COVID-19 Infection towards Influenza and Sars-Cov-2 Vaccination

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Article
Vaccine Hesitancy among Italian Patients Recovered from COVID-19 Infection towards Influenza and Sars-Cov-2 Vaccination
by Valentina Gerussi, Maddalena Peghin, Alvisa Palese, Valentina Bressan, Erica Visintini, Giulia Bontempo, Elena Graziano, Maria De Martino, Miriam Isola and Carlo Tascini
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020172 – 18 Feb 2021
We aimed to assess the attitude towards influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovered patients. We performed a cross-sectional study consisting of a standardized telephone interview carried out between September and November 2020 targeting […

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Review
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates
by Malik Sallam
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020160 – 16 Feb 2021
Utility of vaccine campaigns to control coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is not merely dependent on vaccine efficacy and safety. Vaccine acceptance among the general public and healthcare workers appears to have a decisive role in the successful control of the pandemic. The aim [..

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Article
COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey
by John D. Ditekemena, Dalau M. Nkamba, Armand Mutwadi, Hypolite M. Mavoko, Joseph Nelson iewe Fodjo, Christophe Luhata, Michael Obimpeh, Stijn Van Hees, Jean B. Nachega and Robert Colebunders
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020153 – 14 Feb 2021
We investigated the level of willingness for COVID-19 vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Data were collected between 24 August 2020 and 8 September 2020 through an online survey. A total of 4131 responses were included; mean age of respondents was […] R

Media/Policy Watch

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

 

The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
Health
A Quite Possibly Wonderful Summer
Families will gather. Restaurants will reopen. People will travel. The pandemic may feel like it’s behind us—even if it’s not.
James Hamblin
February 19, 2021

 

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
Feb 20th 2021
Sinovacillate
China’s roll-out of covid-19 vaccines is slower than planned
Production bottlenecks and a perceived lack of urgency don’t help

 

Financial Times
https://www.ft.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
News in-depth Covid-19 vaccines
Racial inequality plagues US vaccine rollout
February 20, 2021

Argentina
Argentina’s health minister fired in ‘VIP vaccines’ scandal
…Argentina’s president fired the country’s health minister on Friday after he was revealed to have personally helped to arrange Covid-19 vaccines for VIPs with government connections. Some of the jabs…
February 20, 2021

Coronavirus Business Update
G7 pledges faster vaccine rollout to developing world
February 19, 2021

Tanzania
Tanzania looks to divine providence as government shuns Covid vaccines
February 19, 2021

Covid-19 vaccines
US will not send vaccines to developing countries until supply improves
…The US will not donate any coronavirus vaccine doses to developing countries until there is a plentiful supply of jabs in the US, Biden administration officials said on Thursday in a firm rejection of…
February 18, 2021
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

Coronavirus pandemic
Taiwan accuses China of blocking efforts to buy Covid vaccines
…Taiwan has accused China of obstructing its efforts to buy coronavirus vaccines from BioNTech, in the latest example of a political dispute that threatens the fight against the pandemic. Taipei was on…
February 18, 2021
Top of Form
Bottom of Form

Top of Form
Bottom of Form

 

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
Feb 19, 2021
Pfizer CEO Cautions Against Delaying Second Covid-19 Vaccine Shot
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Friday there wasn’t clear evidence yet on whether it would be safe to forgo a second dose of its coronavirus vaccine or delay administering it, a day after a study showed robust immunity after just one shot.
B y Gina Heeb Forbes Staff

Feb 19, 2021
Variants Could Cause A Rapid Rise In Covid-19 Cases In The U.S. Unless We Implement These Public Health Measures
Two new CDC reports have been released warning that the new variants could lead to a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in the U.S. In this piece, I outline the public health measures to prevent this.
By William A. Haseltine Contributor

 

Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
Latin America
Mexico Slams Vaccine ‘Hoarding’
Pledges of global vaccine solidarity have been slow to produce results.
By Catherine Osborn
| February 19, 2021, 8:00 AM

 

G-7 Scrambles for Global Vaccine Plan
After months of warnings, the group of wealthy nations have begun to put forward solutions to the lopsided distribution of coronavirus vaccines.
Morning Brief | Colm Quinn

 

Countries Are Ramping Up Vaccinations. What About Refugees?
With millions stranded in camps with limited access to shots, there’s a big problem looming in the world’s quest to quash COVID-19.
Report | Christina Lu

 

The Guardian
http://www.guardiannews.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
The New Yorker Interview
Atul Gawande on COVID-Vaccine Distribution and When Normalcy Might Return
The New Yorker staff writer assesses the vaccination campaign so far, new mutations, and when it might be possible to enter public spaces safely without a mask.
By David Remnick February 19, 2021

 

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
Middle East
Israel Secretly Agrees to Fund Vaccines for Syria as Part of Prisoner Swap
To secure the release of an Israeli civilian held in Syria, Israel agreed to finance a supply of Russian-made Covid-19 vaccines for Damascus, an official said.
By Patrick Kingsley, Ronen Bergman and Andrew E. Kramer
PRINT EDITION February 21, 2021

Canada
Why Canada’s Vaccine Rollout Slowed Down
The government did not promise mass inoculations during the first few months, but reductions and suspensions of shipments have created vaccine anxiety.
By Ian Austen

Europe
W.H.O. Warns of Unequal Vaccine Distribution
The World Health Organization on Friday warned that the unequal distribution of vaccines across the globe could further the spread of the coronavirus.
By Reuters

Europe
Russia Is Offering to Export Hundreds of Millions of Vaccine Doses, but Can It Deliver?
The Kremlin has scored propaganda points and bolstered several longstanding foreign policy goals by offering its Sputnik V vaccine around the world. But it has limited production capacity.
By Andrew E. Kramer
World

The Vatican is promoting vaccinations but won’t punish those who decline them.
The Vatican said it had issued rules to protect its employees after criticism arose over a decree suggesting that those who didn’t get vaccinated could lose their jobs.
By Elisabetta Povoledo

Middle East
As Israel Reopens, ‘Whoever Does Not Get Vaccinated Will Be Left Behind’
New government and business initiatives are moving in the direction of a two-tier system for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, raising legal, moral and ethical questions.
By Isabel Kershner

 

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
Global vaccine inequality runs deep. Some countries say intellectual property rights are part
Miriam Berger · World · Feb 20, 2021

Israel agrees to vaccinate Palestinian workers, Palestinian officials say
…120,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine in January. It was unclear what vaccines would go to the Palestinians…
Steve Hendrix · Feb 20, 2021

WHO says more than 11,000 Ebola vaccines will go to Guinea
… she said. The vaccination campaign could start as early as Monday. “Thirty vaccination experts have already…
· Feb 18, 2021

Think Tanks et al

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Think Tanks et al

Brookings
http://www.brookings.edu/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
FixGov
The COVID-19 vaccine: What can states learn from each other?
William A. Galston and Elaine Kamarck
Friday, February 19, 2021
 
 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Economics
American Indians and Alaska Natives are dying of COVID-19 at shocking rates
Randall Akee and Sarah Reber
Thursday, February 18, 2021
 
 
Center for Global Development [to 20 Feb 2021]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Publication
February 18, 2021
What Do We Really Know About COVID-19’s Impact on Essential Health Services?
In this blog, we describe some major global efforts that examine whether essential health services have been disrupted during the pandemic, summarize what they tell us, and highlight some of the remaining gaps in our understanding and knowledge.
Damian Walker, Carleigh Krubiner and Y-Ling Chi
 
 
Chatham House [to 20 Feb 2021]
https://www.chathamhouse.org/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
[No new relevant content]

 
 
CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
[No new relevant content]

 

Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
[No new relevant content]

 
 

Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
Accessed 20 Feb 2021
February 19, 2021 News Release
KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: Attitudes Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among Black Women and Men
The latest from the KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor finds that Black men (45%) and women (41%) are more likely than other groups to want to “wait and see” how the COVID-19 vaccine works for others before getting it themselves, making them a key target for public health officials seeking to…

February 18, 2021 News Release
New Analysis: Updated State Data Continues To Show Wide Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Rates by Race/Ethnicity
KFF has an updated analysis of state-reported data as of February 16, 2021 on COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and deaths by race/ethnicity. New to the analysis are comparisons of vaccination rates in each racial/ethnic group based on state-reported data of total people who have received at least one dose of the…

February 16, 2021 News Release
States Set Different COVID-19 Vaccination Priorities for People with High-Risk Conditions
People with medical conditions that put them at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness are next in line to get vaccinated in many states, though states are making very different choices about how to prioritize those within this large group, finds a KFF analysis of state policies. The U.S.…
 
 
World Economic Forum [to 20 Feb 2021]
https://agenda.weforum.org/news/
Media
[No new relevant content]

Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review :: 13 February 2021

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Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review is a weekly digest  summarizing news, events, announcements, peer-reviewed articles and research in the global vaccine ethics and policy space. Content is aggregated from key governmental, NGO, international organization and industry sources, key peer-reviewed journals, and other media channels. This summary proceeds from the broad base of themes and issues monitored by the Center for Vaccine Ethics & Policy in its work: it is not intended to be exhaustive in its coverage. You are viewing the blog version of our weekly digest, typically comprised of between 30 and 40 posts below all dated with the current issue date

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

In the COVID-19 vaccine race, we either win together or lose together

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Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

In the COVID-19 vaccine race, we either win together or lose together
Joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
10 February 2021 Joint News Release
New York/Geneva
Of the 128 million vaccine doses administered so far, more than three quarters of those vaccinations are in just 10 countries that account for 60% of global GDP.

As of today, almost 130 countries, with 2.5 billion people, are yet to administer a single dose.
This self-defeating strategy will cost lives and livelihoods, give the virus further opportunity to mutate and evade vaccines and will undermine a global economic recovery.

Today, UNICEF and WHO – partners for more than 70 years – call on leaders to look beyond their borders and employ a vaccine strategy that can actually end the pandemic and limit variants.

Health workers have been on the frontlines of the pandemic in lower- and middle-income settings and should be protected first so they can protect us.

COVAX participating countries are preparing to receive and use vaccines. Health workers have been trained, cold chain systems primed. What’s missing is the equitable supply of vaccines.

To ensure that vaccine rollouts begin in all countries in the first 100 days of 2021, it is imperative that:
:: Governments that have vaccinated their own health workers and populations at highest risk of severe disease share vaccines through COVAX so other countries can do the same.
:: The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, and its vaccines pillar COVAX, is fully funded so that financing and technical support is available to lower- and middle-income countries for deploying and administering vaccines. If fully funded, the ACT Accelerator could return up to US$ 166 for every dollar invested.
:: Vaccine manufacturers allocate the limited vaccine supply equitably; share safety, efficacy and manufacturing data as a priority with WHO for regulatory and policy review; step up and maximize production; and transfer technology to other manufacturers who can help scale the global supply.

We need global leadership to scale up vaccine production and achieve vaccine equity.

COVID-19 has shown that our fates are inextricably linked. Whether we win or lose, we will do so together.”

Extraordinary meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) – 8 February 2021 :: Interim recommendations for use of the AZD1222 (‎ChAdOx1-S [‎recombinant]‎)‎ vaccine against COVID19 developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca: interim guidance, 10 February 2021

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Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

Extraordinary meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) – 8 February 2021
Meeting materials
:: Final Agenda
Background documents
:: Background document on the Astra Zeneca – Oxford University AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 (Draft)
Presentations
:: Update on recent developments including on COVAX
K. O’Brien, pdf, 4.4Mb
:: AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Update
J. Vekemans. pdf, 4.6Mb
:: Assessment of the critical evidence, including data and draft recommendations related to vaccine use in older adults
SAGE Working Group. pdf, 3.2Mb
:: Emerging data on the use of AZD1222 in the context of new virus variants
A. Pollard & S. Madhi. pdf, 370Kb

 

Interim WHO recommendations
Interim recommendations for use of the AZD1222 (‎ChAdOx1-S [‎recombinant]‎)‎ vaccine against COVID19 developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca: interim guidance, 10 February 2021
World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/339477. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO :: 7 pages
…These interim recommendations apply to AZD1222 (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]) vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Oxford University (United Kingdom) and AstraZeneca as well as to ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccines against COVID-19 produced by other manufacturers that rely on the AstraZeneca core clinical data, following demonstrated equivalence in their regulatory review and once emergency use listing (EUL) has been obtained from WHO.The guidance is based on the evidence summarized in the Background document on AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Oxford University and AstraZenecaand the Background paper on COVID-19 disease and vaccines. Both these documents are available on the SAGE COVID-19 webpage: https://www.who.int/groups/strategic-advisory-group-of-experts-on-immunization/covid-19-materials …