WHO & Regional Offices [to 8 Aug 2020]
5 August 2020 News release
Plane carrying WHO trauma and surgical supplies arrives in Beirut, Lebanon

::::::

Weekly Epidemiological Record, 7 August 2020, vol. 95, 32 (pp. 369–380)
;; Lessons learnt in expediting prequalification and registration of Ebola Zaire vaccine
;; Monthly report on dracunculiasis cases, January-June 2020

::::::

WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
No new digest content identified

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
No new digest content identified

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: 7 August 2020 News release
World breastfeeding week 2020: Focus on access to skilled support
As the world marks Breastfeeding Week amidst the COVID-19 pandemic spread, WHO and partners are focusing on increasing mother’s access to skilled breastfeeding support…
:: 6 August 2020 News release
Maintain essential health services during COVID-19 response: WHO
The World Health Organization urged Member countries in South-East Asia Region to maintain essential health and accelerate resumption of disrupted health-care services, hit by the…

WHO European Region EURO
:: Patient guides build bridge between Syrian refugees and doctors in Turkey 07-08-2020
:: Epidemics and Public Health Emergency Operations Centre opens in North Macedonia 07-08-2020
:: New WHO tools to support health-care workers promoting breastfeeding in Europe 06-08-2020
:: Marko Obradovic: why new mothers need our support and why breastfeeding concerns us all 05-08-2020

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: WHO requires US$ 15 million to support immediate Beirut blast response and ensure vital health and disease prevention activities are maintained
Cairo/Beirut, August 6, 2020 – As the public health impact of the Beirut blast becomes clearer, WHO is calling for US$ 15 million to cover immediate emergency trauma and humanitarian health needs and ensure the continuity of the response to COVID-19 across the country. “We are particularly concerned about overburdened hospital and health workforce capacity, shortages of medicines and medical supplies, and the…

:: Statement by WHO’s Regional Director on standing with the people of Lebanon following deadly Beirut blast
6 August 2020 – Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, our Region was plagued by emergencies. More than 70 million people were directly or indirectly affected by political conflict or natural disasters and in need of humanitarian aid. In the past 6 months, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the Region was impacted by another large-scale crisis that resulted in…

Plane carrying WHO trauma and surgical supplies arrives in Beirut, Lebanon
5 August 2020, Beirut, Lebanon – A plane carrying 20 tonnes of WHO health supplies has landed in Beirut, Lebanon, to support the treatment of patients injured by the massive blast that occurred in the city on 4 August. The supplies will cover 1000 trauma interventions and 1000 surgical interventions for people suffering from injuries and burns resulting from the…

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified

CDC/ACIP [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases
CDC Expects 2020 Outbreak of Life-Threatening Acute Flaccid Myelitis Transcript
Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Africa CDC [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Press Releases
World Mask Week aims to inspire global movement to wear face coverings in public
6 August 2020

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

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
Aug 8: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On Aug 7, 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland reported 31 new cases of confirmed infections, 5 new cases of suspected infections, and no deaths.

Nation readies for fall, winter COVID-19 spikes
2020-08-06
China is gearing up for a serious battle against the novel coronavirus in the fall and winter by building a more expansive and agile network of nucleic acid testing resources, officials said on Aug 5.
The country’s current testing capacity is sufficient to cope with sporadic clusters of infections and meet demand for implementing regular disease control measures. More efforts will then be devoted to stepping up regional testing capabilities, increasing the number of mobile laboratories and accelerating development of rapid testing kits, according to officials.
The persistent drive to ramp up testing was recently stressed by the central government as health experts urged caution against potential COVID-19 outbreaks in fall and winter months, which could be worsened by the circulation of other contagious viruses－such as the seasonal flu－and gradual reopening of borders while the virus continues to rage globally.
“We should conduct a thorough evaluation of the transmission risk in fall and winter and step up preparedness in advance. It is better to have excessive stockpiles than face shortages,” said Wang Jiangping, vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Technology Information…

WHO advance team to China concludes their mission: WHO chief
2020-08-04
GENEVA – World Health Organization (WHO) chief said Monday that the WHO advance team that traveled to China has concluded their mission to lay the groundwork for further joint efforts to identify the virus origins.
“One of the areas that we’ve been continuing to study is the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference from Geneva.
As a result of these efforts, he said that WHO and Chinese experts have drafted the Terms of Reference for the studies and program of work for an international team, led by WHO.
“The international team will include leading scientists and researchers from China and around the world,” the WHO chief said…

Announcements

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/
News
Could treatments aimed at Alzheimer’s disease help combat COVID-19?
August 5, 2020
A team of cardiology researchers had a creative idea for a new way to treat dementia. Now they think it could help coronavirus patients too.

BARDA – U.S. Department of HHS [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx
BARDA News
August 5, 2020: HHS, DOD Collaborate With Johnson & Johnson to Produce Millions of COVID-19 Investigational Vaccine Doses
[See Milestones above for detail]

BMGF – Gates Foundation [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases
No new digest content identified.

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.gatesmri.org/
The Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute is a non-profit biotech organization. Our mission is to develop products to fight malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases—three major causes of mortality, poverty, and inequality in developing countries. The world has unprecedented scientific tools at its disposal; now is the time to use them to save the lives of the world’s poorest people
No new digest content identified.

CARB-X [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://carb-x.org/
CARB-X is a non-profit public-private partnership dedicated to accelerating antibacterial research to tackle the global rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria.
No new digest content identified.

CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://cepi.net/
Latest News
CEPI survey assesses potential COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity
05 Aug 2020
By The CEPI Sustainable Manufacturing Team
[See Milestones above for detail]

EDCTP [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.edctp.org/
The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as other poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on phase II and III clinical trials
Latest news
No new digest content identified.

Emory Vaccine Center [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
Vaccine Center News
No new digest content identified.

European Medicines Agency [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
News & Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

European Vaccine Initiative [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

FDA [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements
August 7, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup August 7, 2020

August 6, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup August 6, 2020

August 5, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup August 5, 2020

August 4, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup August 4, 2020

August 3, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup August 3, 2020

Fondation Merieux [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
No new digest content identified.

Gavi [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.gavi.org/
News releases
6 August 2020
Up to 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to be made available for low- and middle-income countries as early as 2021
[See Milestones above for detail]

GHIT Fund [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press
GHIT was set up in 2012 with the aim of developing new tools to tackle infectious diseases that No new digest content identified.

Global Fund [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
Updates
The Global Fund Appoints Leading Global Health Experts to Head HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria Teams
04 August 2020
The Global Fund has announced the appointment of three leading global health experts to head the organization’s HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria teams to accelerate action to fight the three diseases.
Siobhan Crowley has been appointed Head of HIV, Eliud Wandwalo as Head of Tuberculosis and Scott Filler as Head of Malaria.
In their new roles, the appointees will develop and expand highly effective teams of senior disease advisors with the primary role of supporting Global Fund country teams, strengthening collaboration and alignment on key opportunities across the Global Fund Secretariat and deepening technical partner engagement to strengthen in-country results…

Hilleman Laboratories [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
No new digest content identified.

Human Vaccines Project [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/media/press-releases/
Press Release
2020 Michelson Prizes Support Groundbreaking Research by Young Scientists
August 3, 2020 – The Michelson Medical Research Foundation and the Human Vaccines Project are pleased to announce the 2020 Michelson Prizes for Human Immunology and Vaccine Research and support the outstanding research of two young scientists advancing human immunology, vaccine discovery and immunotherapy across major global diseases.
We live in historic times. 2020 will be remembered as the year the world endured an unprecedented pandemic with vast implications on the entire global community. The COVID pandemic has highlighted the critical need for groundbreaking research in immunology and vaccine discovery. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to support and cultivate young scientists advancing the fields of immunology, vaccinology, and immunotherapy. That is why the Michelson Medical Research Foundation and the Human Vaccines Project engage in an annual international search to identify and support the most promising projects from young investigators.
This year’s winners are Danika Hill, a research fellow at Monash University, and Michael Birnbaum, assistant professor at MIT. They will be awarded the 2020 Michelson Prize for Human Immunology and Vaccine Research, receiving $150,000 each…

IAVI [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
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.

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

IFFIm
http://www.iffim.org/
Announcements
IFFIm issues NOK 2 billion in Vaccine Bonds for COVID-19 vaccine development
07 Jul 2020
IFFIm has issued NOK 2 billion in Vaccine Bonds to accelerate the availability of financing for urgent COVID-19 vaccine research and development by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

IFRC [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
Africa, South Africa
South Africa: Lessons of HIV/AIDS key to halting COVID-19 slide, says Red Cross
Johannesburg/Geneva, 7 August 2020 – A senior Red Cross official has warned that South Africa needed to learn lessons from the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS to help curb the rise in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19, as the number c …
7 August 2020

Asia Pacific, Bangladesh, India, Nepal
17.5 million affected by floods and threatened by disease in South Asia
Dhaka/Kuala Lumpur, 6 August 2020 – Monsoon floods are robbing millions of people of their homes and livelihoods, with mounting risk of more deadly disease outbreaks when health resources are stretched to breaking point by COVID-19. So far almost 17.5 …
6 August 2020

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index
Media highlights
Press Release
As confirmed COVID cases more than double in July across African countries, a lack of testing in crisis-affected contexts keeps responders in the dark about the real spread of the disease, warns IRC
July 30, 2020
:: Each country in Africa where the IRC works has done less than 8,000 tests per million people, compared to the UK (205,782 per million), United Arab Emirates (472,590 per million), and Singapore (199,904 per million).
:: The countries in Africa where the IRC works which have done the least tests per million are Tanzania* (63 tests per million), Niger (373 tests per million), Chad (383 tests per million, DRC (467 tests per million), and Burundi (563 tests per million).
:: The UK has done up to 550 times more tests per million than the countries in Africa where the IRC works.
:: The WHO recommends at least 1 test per 1,000 people per week – while countries like Niger and South Sudan have done 1 test per every 2,680 and 930 people in total respectively.
:: The WHO recommends countries have a test positivity rate of 5% or under for at least 14 days; Most African countries where the IRC works are not meeting this target, such as Somalia (32%), DRC (21%), South Sudan (18%), Cote d’Ivoire (17%) and CAR (16%).
:: Despite efforts to expand testing capacities, hard-hit countries need additional resources and support from the international community to expand testing and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

IVAC [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates
DoVE Return on Investment (ROI) Publication Launch
August 2020
The Decade of Vaccine Economics (DoVE) Project, carried out by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) for nearly ten years, has computed the return-on-investment for vaccines preventing 10 infectious diseases in 73 countries that have received support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

IVI [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News & Announcements
No new digest content identified.

JEE Alliance [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.jeealliance.org/
Selected News and Events
No new digest content identified.

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Lebanon
MSF supporting Beirut’s health services in wake of massive blast
Project Update 6 Aug 2020

Mediterranean migration
MSF and Sea-Watch announce collaboration to save lives at sea
Press Release 6 Aug 2020

South Africa
Western Cape begins to breathe after COVID-19 peak
Project Update 6 Aug 2020

Iraq
Mosul: MSF works on dual front of COVID-19 and lifesaving medical care
Project Update 5 Aug 2020

Brazil
Chasing COVID-19 in the Brazilian Amazon
Exposure.co 4 Aug 2020

National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
NVAC Meetings
September 23-24, 2020 Meeting (Virtual)
February 4-5, 2021 NVAC Meeting
June 16-17, 2021 NVAC Meeting

NIH [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
Selected News Releases
Friday, August 7, 2020
NIH-funded project seeks to identify children at risk for MIS-C
Research effort will develop tests to predict severe COVID-19-linked illness.
The National Institutes of Health has announced research funding to encourage the development of approaches that identify children at high risk for developing Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), thought to be a severe complication of COVID-19. Up to $20 million will be awarded to successful research proposals over four years.
Most children exposed to or infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, develop only a mild form of the illness. However, others go on to develop MIS-C(link is external), a severe, sometimes fatal, inflammation of organs and tissues, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin and eyes. The new effort seeks to encourage studies of genetic, immune, viral, environmental, and other factors that influence how severe a case of COVID-19 will be and the chances of developing to MIS-C.
“We urgently need methods to distinguish children at high risk for MIS-C from those unlikely to experience major ill effects from the virus, so that we can develop early interventions to improve their outcomes, ” said Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., director of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)…

Thursday, August 6, 2020
NIH clinical trial testing remdesivir plus interferon beta-1a for COVID-19 treatment begins
A randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a treatment regimen consisting of the antiviral remdesivir plus the immunomodulator interferon beta-1a in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has begun. The study, called the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial 3 (ACTT 3), is anticipated to enroll more than 1,000 hospitalized adults with COVID-19 at as many as 100 sites in the United States and abroad. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring the trial…

Wednesday, August 5, 2020
NIH harnesses AI for COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring
Collaborative network to enlist medical imaging and clinical data sciences to reveal unique features of COVID-19.
The National Institutes of Health has launched the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC), an ambitious effort that will harness the power of artificial intelligence and medical imaging to fight COVID-19. The multi-institutional collaboration, led by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), part of NIH, will create new tools that physicians can use for early detection and personalized therapies for COVID-19 patients.
“This program is particularly exciting because it will give us new ways to rapidly turn scientific findings into practical imaging tools that benefit COVID-19 patients,” said Bruce J. Tromberg, Ph.D., NIBIB Director.  “It unites leaders in medical imaging and artificial intelligence from academia, professional societies, industry, and government to take on this important challenge.”
The features of infected lungs and hearts seen on medical images can help assess disease severity, predict response to treatment, and improve patient outcomes. However, a major challenge is to rapidly and accurately identify these signatures and evaluate this information in combination with many other  clinical symptoms and tests. The MIDRC goals are to lead the development and implementation of new diagnostics, including machine learning algorithms, that will allow rapid and accurate assessment of disease status and help physicians optimize patient treatment.
“This effort will gather a large repository of COVID-19 chest images,” explained Guoying Liu, Ph.D., the NIBIB scientific program lead on this effort, “allowing researchers to evaluate both lung and cardiac tissue data, ask critical research questions, and develop predictive COVID-19 imaging signatures that can be delivered to healthcare providers.”…

NIH-Moderna investigational COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in mouse studies
August 5, 2020 — Vaccine currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical testing.

NIH clinical trial to test antibodies and other experimental therapeutics for mild and moderate COVID-19
August 4, 2020 — Initial trial to determine if monoclonal antibodies can shorten severity of COVID-19 in outpatients.

NIH launches clinical trial to test antibody treatment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
August 4, 2020 — ​Study aims to determine safety and efficacy of experimental monoclonal antibodies.

PATH [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
No new digest content identified.

Sabin Vaccine Institute [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

UNAIDS [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
4 August 2020
Virtual training for antiretroviral therapy prescribers launched in Papua New Guinea

UNICEF [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Selected Press releases/Announcements
Press release
08/07/2020
UNICEF loses life-saving supplies in Kinshasa warehouse fire

Press release
08/07/2020
Geneva Palais briefing note on situation for children affected by Beirut explosions and UNICEF response

Press release
08/06/2020
80,000 children displaced due to Beirut explosions – UNICEF
UNICEF scales up response and assistance to children and families

Statement
08/05/2020
UNICEF sad and shocked at Beirut explosions, concerned about the wellbeing of children, and supporting partners on the ground
Statement from Ms. Yukie Mokuo, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon

Press release
08/04/2020
UNICEF condemns attack in Cameroon’s Far North that reportedly killed 10 children

Statement
08/03/2020
Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet
Joint message for World Breastfeeding Week 2020 by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Press release
08/03/2020
Children in Central America and the Caribbean facing dual threat of stronger hurricane season and COVID-19
Displacement and service interruption caused by storms could leave children and families more vulnerable to virus, UNICEF warns

Unitaid [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://unitaid.org/
Featured News
No new digest content identified.

Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN) [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://vaccineacceptance.org/news.html#header1-2r
Announcements
No new digest content identified.

Vaccine Confidence Project [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
Research and Reports
Cross-Country Comparison of Public Awareness, Rumors, and Behavioral Responses to the COVID-19 Epidemic: Infodemiology Study
4 Aug 2020

Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
No new digest content identified.

Wellcome Trust [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
No new digest content identified.

The Wistar Institute [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.wfpha.org/
Latest News
No new digest content identified.

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2020/
No new digest content identified.

::::::

ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine] [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://alliancerm.org/press-releases/
Press Releases
New Report: Regenerative Medicine & Advanced Therapies Sector Thriving Despite COVID-19
August 6, 2020
Washington, DC
The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the leading international advocacy organization dedicated to realizing the promise of regenerative medicines and advanced therapies, today announces the publication of its H1 2020 Global Sector Report, “Innovation in the Time of COVID-19.” The report provides an in-depth look at trends and metrics in the gene, cell, and tissue-based therapeutic sector in the midst of the pandemic.

BIO [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases
Ensuring Scientific Justice by Building Bridges to Minority Communities is Centerpiece of BIOEquality Agenda
August 6, 2020
New focus on justice through equity in diverse clinical trials, STEM education and expanding entrepreneurship to undeserved communities will drive nation’s largest life science advocacy organization The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)…

DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News; Upcoming events
Gavi/UNICEF SD information session on COVAX Facility
August 12th, 2020 13:00 – 15:30 CET

ICBA – International Council of Biotechnology Associations [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://internationalbiotech.org/
News
No new digest content identified.

IFPMA [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
No new digest content identified.

PhRMA [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.phrma.org/
Selected Press Releases, Statements
Press Release
PhRMA Statement on the “Buy American” Executive Order
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 6, 2020) – Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl made the following statement:

“At a time when our nation’s priority should be to beat COVID-19, President Trump today signed yet another executive order that creates even more barriers to ongoing biopharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation. Companies are working around the clock to research and develop treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19. At the same time, they are working to ensure they have the capacity to manufacture the treatments and vaccines once approved so that every patient that needs them has access to them. These efforts are all hands on deck for the biopharmaceutical industry but each executive order issued by the administration adds another roadblock, making it harder to fight this pandemic.

“The administration is forcing biopharmaceutical companies to shift their critical attention and resources away from COVID-19 work to focus on making substantial changes to their business models necessary to comply with this and other recent executive orders. Increasing U.S. manufacturing of medicines is a laudable goal, but it cannot happen overnight and should not come at the expense of medical innovation or Americans’ access to the medicines they need.

“The recent executive orders also contradict and undermine each other, creating chaos in an industry that is on the frontlines of fighting COVID-19. With today’s ‘Buy American’ executive order, the administration effectively is taking the unprecedented step of mandating manufacturing of medicines in the United States. Yet at the same time, through the ‘most favored nation’ executive order, the administration is creating a huge disincentive to invest in U.S. biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing. Together, the result is less investment in U.S. innovation and the potential for major long-term supply chain disruptions – the opposite of wht America needs right now. None of these executive orders will help patients access or afford their medicines.

“The ‘Buy American’ executive order could disrupt the global pharmaceutical supply chain, jeopardizing our ability to respond to the current crisis and potentially leading to major long-term supply chain disruptions, including shortages. Rather than government mandates, we should look for policies that enable more domestic manufacturing without putting the stability of pharmaceutical supply chains at risk.”

Industry Watch [to 8 Aug 2020]
:: GSK launches national public awareness campaign to reverse steep decline in already low immunization rates for adults
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — GSK today launched a national campaign to help increase low rates of vaccination among older adults. The campaign, Brought to You By Vaccines, will educate adults ages 50 and older about the value of vaccines and the urgent need to talk to their healthcare provider or pharmacist about the recommended vaccines they need or may have recently missed…

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

BMJ Global Health
August 2020 – Volume 5 – 8
https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/8

Commentary
Patient-centric research in the time of COVID-19: conducting ethical COVID-19 research in Africa (6 August, 2020)
Victoria Nembaware, Nchangwi Syntia Munung, Alice Matimba, Nicki Tiffin

BMJ Global Health
August 2020 – Volume 5 – 8
https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/8

Original research
A checklist to improve health system resilience to infectious disease outbreaks and natural hazards (5 August, 2020)
Diane Meyer, David Bishai, Sanjana J Ravi, Harunor Rashid, Shehrin Shaila Mahmood, Eric Toner, Jennifer B Nuzzo

BMJ Global Health
August 2020 – Volume 5 – 8
https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/8

Practice
How to set up government-led national hygiene communication campaigns to combat COVID-19: a strategic blueprint (6 August, 2020)
Val Curtis, Robert Dreibelbis, Myriam Sidibe, Jason Cardosi, Jennifer Sara, Chris Bonell, Kaposo Mwambuli, Soma Ghosh Moulik, Sian White, Robert Aunger

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 8 Aug 2020)

Introduction of multi-dose PCV 13 vaccine in Benin: from the decision to vaccinators experience
In 2011, Benin introduced the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV13), in a single-dose vial, into its Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI) with support from Gavi. In April 2018, with the support of the Agence de Médecine Préventive Afrique (AMP) and other technical and financial partners, the single-dose vial was transitioned to a four-dose vial. Here we describe the decision-making process and the experience of the vaccinators during the change.
Authors: Daleb Abdoulaye Alfa, Roch A. Houngnihin, G. Patrick Ilboudo, Naomi Dick, Landry Kaucley and Téné-Alima Essoh
Citation: BMC Public Health 2020 20:1216
Content type: Research article
Published on: 8 August 2020

EMBO Reports
Volume 21 Issue 8 5 August 2020
https://www.embopress.org/toc/14693178/current

Science & Society 27 July 2020
The moral status of human embryo‐like structures: potentiality matters? : The moral status of human synthetic embryos
Tsutomu Sawai et al
New techniques to generate and culture embryo‐like structures from stem cells require a more fine‐grained distinction of potential to define the moral status of these structures.

Expert Review of Vaccines
Vol 19 (6) 2020
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ierv20/current

Review
Review of poliovirus modeling performed from 2000 to 2019 to support global polio eradication
Kimberly M. Thompson & Dominika A. Kalkowska
Received 28 Feb 2020, Accepted 22 Jun 2020, Published online: 08 Aug 2020
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Over the last 20 years (2000-2019) the partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) invested in the development and application of mathematical models of poliovirus transmission as well as economics, policy, and risk analyses of polio endgame risk management options, including policies related to poliovirus vaccine use during the polio endgame.
Areas covered
This review provides a historical record of the polio studies published by the three modeling groups that primarily performed the bulk of this work. This review also systematically evaluates the polio transmission and health economic modeling papers published in English in peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2019, highlights differences in approaches and methods, shows the geographic coverage of the transmission modeling performed, identified common themes, and discusses instances of similar or conflicting insights or recommendations.
Expert opinion
Polio modeling performed during the last 20 years substantially impacted polio vaccine choices, immunization policies, and the polio eradication pathway. As the polio endgame continues, national preferences for polio vaccine formulations and immunization strategies will likely continue to change. Future modeling will likely provide important insights about their cost-effectiveness and their relative benefits with respect to controlling polio and potentially achieving and maintaining eradication.

Globalization and Health
http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/

Promoting the use of evidence in health policymaking in the ECOWAS region: the development and contextualization of an evidence-based policymaking guidance
The Economic Commission of the West African States (ECOWAS), through her specialised health Institution, the West African Health Organization (WAHO) is supporting Members States to improve health outcomes in West Africa. There is a global recognition that evidence-based health policies are vital towards achieving continued improvement in health outcomes. The need to have a tool that will provide systematic guide on the use of evidence in policymaking necessitated the production of the evidence-based policy-making (EBPM) Guidance.
Authors: Chigozie Jesse Uneke, Issiaka Sombie, Ermel Johnson, Bilikis Iyabo Uneke and Stanley Okolo
Content type: Research
6 August 2020

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

Article
ASVAC2019: 7th Asian Vaccine Conference
Kyaw Linn , Lulu Bravo , Daniel Yam Thiam Goh & E. Anthony S. Nelson
Pages: 1476-1484
Published online: 06 Jan 2020

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

Article
Inequality in measles vaccination coverage in the “big six” countries of the WHO South-East Asia region
Yaqing Gao , Ashish Kc , Chunyi Chen , Yue Huang , Yinping Wang , Siyu Zou & Hong Zhou
Pages: 1485-1497
Published online: 09 Apr 2020

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

Review
Vaccination coverage and vaccine hesitancy among vulnerable population of India
Karpaga Priya P , Vineet Kumar Pathak & Anjan Kumar Giri
Pages: 1502-1507
Published online: 04 Feb 2020

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

Article
Vaccine hesitancy and the resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases: the way forward for Malaysia, a Southeast Asian country
L. P. Wong , P. F. Wong & S. AbuBakar
Pages: 1511-1520
Published online: 24 Jan 2020

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

Article
Multidimensional social and cultural norms influencing HPV vaccine hesitancy in Asia
Li Ping Wong , Pooi-Fong Wong , Megat Mohamad Amirul Amzar Megat Hashim , Liyuan Han , Yulan Lin , Zhijian Hu , Qinjian Zhao & Gregory D. Zimet
Pages: 1611-1622
Published online: 19 May 2020

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

Article
Fathers’ participation in the HPV vaccination decision-making process doesn’t increase parents’ intention to make daughters get the vaccine
Tomomi Egawa-Takata , Ruriko Nakae , Mariko Shindo , Ai Miyoshi , Tsuyoshi Takiuchi , Takashi Miyatake & Tadashi Kimura
Pages: 1653-1658
Published online: 09 Jan 2020

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 16, Issue 7, 2020
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

Article
Landscape of vaccine access and health technology assessment role in decision-making process in ASEAN countries
Suthira Taychakhoonavudh , Woralak Chumchujan , Raymond Hutubessy & Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk
Pages: 1728-1737
Published online: 23 Jun 2020

International Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 49, Issue 3, June 2020
https://academic.oup.com/ije/issue/49/3

Opinion
The SARS, MERS and novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics, the newest and biggest global health threats: what lessons have we learned?
Noah C Peeri, Nistha Shrestha, Md Siddikur Rahman, Rafdzah Zaki, Zhengqi Tan …

JAMA Network
COVID-19 Update August 1, 2020

These articles on COVID-19 were published across the JAMA Network in the last week.

JAMA
August 4, 2020, Vol 324, No. 5, Pages 419-524
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

Original Investigation
Effect of Convalescent Plasma Therapy on Time to Clinical Improvement in Patients With Severe and Life-threatening COVID-19A Randomized Clinical Trial
Ling Li, MD, PhD; Wei Zhang, MD; Yu Hu, MD, PhD; et al.
has active quiz has multimedia has audio
JAMA. 2020;324(5):460-470. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.10044
This randomized trial compares the effects of convalescent plasma therapy with standard care vs standard care alone on time to clinical improvement among patients with severe or life-threatening COVID-19 disease in China.

JAMA
August 4, 2020, Vol 324, No. 5, Pages 419-524
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

Developing a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine at Warp Speed
Kevin P. O’Callaghan, MB, BCh, BAO; Allison M. Blatz, MD; Paul A. Offit, MD
free access has active quiz has multimedia has audio
JAMA. 2020;324(5):437-438. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.12190
This Viewpoint discusses the mechanisms of the 5 leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates—2 messenger RNA vaccines, 1 recombinant VSV vector product, and 2 replication-defective adenovirus vector approaches—and emphasizes the need to demonstrate safety as well as efficacy to facilitate broad uptake by the public.
Conclusions
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant disruption to both the physical and economic health of the world’s population, pathways of vaccine development are adapting in ways that could not have been predicted even a year ago. The rapid identification of immunogenic targets of a novel coronavirus, the leveraging of experimental vaccine platforms, and the tragic nature of an ongoing pandemic have created a fertile breeding ground for innovation. Although the ultimate success of a vaccine candidate, or candidates, remains unknown, the changes in the field of vaccinology that these exigent circumstances have brought are likely here to stay.
:: Audio Author Interview: Coronavirus Vaccine Development
:: Conversations with Dr Bauchner: Coronavirus Update With Eric Topol, MD

JAMA
August 4, 2020, Vol 324, No. 5, Pages 419-524
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

The Development of COVID-19 Vaccines – Safeguards Needed
Nicole Lurie, MD, MSPH; Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD; Jesse L. Goodman, MD, MPH

free access has multimedia has audio
JAMA. 2020;324(5):439-440. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.12461
This Viewpoint lists 4 safeguards policy makers should consider before release of a COVID-19 vaccine, including ensuring effectiveness through clinical trials, providing evidence of safety, requiring informed consent before vaccination, and establishing comprehensive adverse effects monitoring systems.
:: Audio Highlights
free access online only has audio

The Development of COVID-19 Vaccines – Safeguards Needed
Nicole Lurie, MD, MSPH; Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD; Jesse L. Goodman, MD, MPH

Communicating Science in the Time of a Pandemic
Richard Saitz, MD, MPH; Gary Schwitzer
free access has active quiz has multimedia has audio
JAMA. 2020;324(5):443-444. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.12535
This Viewpoint uses the example of rapid changes to public reporting on the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir for COVID-19 to illustrate how misinformation damages the public’s trust in science and medicine, and urges accuracy and circumspection in news reports of developments in the pandemic.

Journal of Public Health Policy
Volume 41, Issue 3, September 2020
https://link.springer.com/journal/41271/41/3

Original Article
The importance of effective risk communication and transparency: lessons from the dengue vaccine controversy in the Philippines
Manuel M. Dayrit, Ronald U. Mendoza…
Abstract
In 2016 the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) introduced a novel dengue vaccine in a mass immunization program to reduce the substantial economic and social burden of the disease on households and the government. The vaccine manufacturer’s announcement regarding new findings on the small but increased risk of severe dengue for vaccinated seronegative patients caused turmoil as various people claimed that the vaccine caused deaths and that health authorities are corrupt. While health department staff split—some having to preserve its reputation and others to monitor over 800,000 children administered the vaccine—communication between the frontline health workers and parents suffered. As a result, public confidence in vaccines dramatically dropped and the repercussions challenge the public health system. We examine factors that contributed to the crisis and argue for strengthening risk communication strategies and increasing transparency on decision making to counter misinformation and protect public health.

Lancet Public Health
Aug 2020 Volume 5 Number 8 e414-e459
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/issue/current

Editorial
COVID-19: from a PHEIC to a public mental health crisis?
The Lancet Public Health
… The COVID-19 pandemic presents a public mental health challenge. As Jonathan Campion and colleagues noted in The Lancet Psychiatry, it will be key for countries to prevent an increase in mental issues and a reduction in mental wellbeing across populations, as well as to provide appropriate public mental health interventions. Despite the existence of effective public mental health interventions, implementation is far from adequate. Public mental health interventions will need to be proportionately targeted to groups at a high risk of mental disorder and poor mental wellbeing. The unequal impacts of COVID-19, the lockdown, and its socioeconomics consequences are putting greater pressure on groups whose mental health was already more precarious before the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is a public mental health emergency that could exacerbate inequalities in mental health—unless concerted actions are urgently taken.

Lancet Public Health
Aug 2020 Volume 5 Number 8 e414-e459
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/issue/current

Articles
Impact of delays on effectiveness of contact tracing strategies for COVID-19: a modelling study
Mirjam E Kretzschmar, Ganna Rozhnova, Martin C J Bootsma, Michiel van Boven, Janneke H H M van de Wijgert, Marc J M Bonten
In countries with declining numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19, lockdown measures are gradually being lifted. However, even if most physical distancing measures are continued, other public health measures will be needed to control the epidemic. Contact tracing via conventional methods or mobile app technology is central to control strategies during de-escalation of physical distancing. We aimed to identify key factors for a contact tracing strategy to be successful…

Lancet Respiratory Medicine
Aug 2020 Volume 8 Number 8 p743-830, e67-e69
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/issue/current

Editorial
COVID-19 casts light on respiratory health inequalities
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

Nature Biotechnology
Volume 38 Issue 8, August 2020
https://www.nature.com/nbt/volumes/38/issues/8

Editorial | 30 July 2020
Weighing and communicating evidence
As preliminary research findings are shared more widely and at an increasing pace, action is needed to counter the spread of misinformation.

Nature Genetics
Volume 52 Issue 8, August 2020
https://www.nature.com/ng/volumes/52/issues/8

Editorial | 03 August 2020
Naming human genes
Gene nomenclature can be complicated, and the official naming of genes requires rational standards to avoid confusion and to maximize clarity. The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee has released updated guidelines for the naming of human genes, and we encourage the community to adopt these recommendations.

Nature Genetics
Volume 52 Issue 8, August 2020
https://www.nature.com/ng/volumes/52/issues/8

Comment | 03 August 2020
Guidelines for human gene nomenclature
Standardized gene naming is crucial for effective communication about genes, and as genomics becomes increasingly important in health care, the need for a consistent language to refer to human genes becomes ever more essential. Here, we present the current HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) guidelines for naming not only protein-coding genes but also RNA genes and pseudogenes, and we outline the changes in approach and ethos that have resulted from the discoveries of the past few decades.
Elspeth A. Bruford, Bryony Braschi[…] & Susan Tweedie

New England Journal of Medicine
August 6, 2020 Vol. 383 No. 6
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

Perspective
A Half-Century of Progress in Health: The National Academy of Medicine at 50: The NAM and the Quality of Health Care — Inflecting a Field
Donald M. Berwick, M.D., and Christine K. Cassel, M.D.
In 1999 and 2001, the Institute of Medicine published two landmark documents on health care quality and serious quality problems. Two decades later, focal progress in quality improvement is undeniable, but wholesale, systemic improvement has been hard to bring to scale.

New England Journal of Medicine
August 6, 2020 Vol. 383 No. 6
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

Perspective
Preventing a Parallel Pandemic — A National Strategy to Protect Clinicians’ Well-Being
Victor J. Dzau, M.D., Darrell Kirch, M.D., and Thomas Nasca, M.D.

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/

Research Article
Factors influencing vaccination coverage among children age 12–23 months in Afghanistan: Analysis of the 2015 Demographic and Health Survey
Ahmad Khalid Aalemi, Karimullah Shahpar, Mohammad Yousuf Mubarak
Research Article | published 07 Aug 2020 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236955

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/

Psychometric properties of the adapted measles vaccine hesitancy scale in Sudan
Majdi M. Sabahelzain, Eve Dubé, Mohamed Moukhyer, Heidi J. Larson, Bart van den Borne, Hans Bosma
Research Article | published 06 Aug 2020 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237171

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/

Informed consent approaches for clinical trial participation of infants with minor parents in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
Angela De Pretto-Lazarova, Domnita Oana Brancati-Badarau, Christian Burri
Research Article | published 04 Aug 2020 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237088
Abstract
Background
Regulations are vague regarding the appropriate decision-maker and authority to consent for children of minor parents participating in clinical trials. In countries with high rates of underage mothers, such as in sub-Saharan Africa, this lack of guidance may affect the rights of potential paediatric participants already bearing increased vulnerability. It can also influence the recruitment and generalizability of the research. We provide evidence and discuss informed consent management in such cases to inform best practice.
Materials and methods
We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar for articles published up to March 2019. In total, 4382 articles were screened, of which 16 met our inclusion criteria. Studies addressing informed consent in clinical trials involving children with minor parents in sub-Saharan Africa were included. We performed descriptive and qualitative framework analyses. The review was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42018074220.
Results
Various informed consent approaches were reported. Articles supporting individual consent by minor parents based on emancipation or “mature minor” status lacked evidence in the context of research. National laws on medical care guided consent instead. When no laws or guidance existed an interpretation of the local decision-making culture, including community engagement and collaboration with local ethics committees, defined the informed consent approach.
Conclusions
The review emphasises that the implementation of informed consent for children with minor parents may be variable and hampered by absent or ambiguous clinical trial regulations, as well as divergent local realities. It may further be influenced by the research area and study-specific risks. Clear guidance is required to help address these challenges proactively in clinical trial planning. We provided a set of questions to be considered in the development of an ethically acceptable informed consent approach and proposed information that should be integrated into international clinical trial guidelines.

Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health (RPSP/PAJPH)
https://www.paho.org/journal/en

6 Aug 2020
Exploring social innovation in health in Central America and the Caribbean
Special report | English |

Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health (RPSP/PAJPH)
https://www.paho.org/journal/en

6 Aug 2020
Regional System for Vaccines (SIREVA), laboratory surveillance and vaccine development for Streptococcus pneumoniae: bibliometric analysis, 1993-2019
Original research | Spanish |

Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health (RPSP/PAJPH)
https://www.paho.org/journal/en

Latest articles
6 Aug 2020
Malaria outbreak response in urban Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: lessons learned for community engagement
Special report | English |

Science
07 August 2020 Vol 369, Issue 6504
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Research Articles
Potent neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients define multiple targets of vulnerability
By Philip J. M. Brouwer, Tom G. Caniels, Karlijn van der Straten, Jonne L. Snitselaar, Yoann Aldon, Sandhya Bangaru, Jonathan L. Torres, Nisreen M. A. Okba, Mathieu Claireaux, Gius Kerster, Arthur E. H. Bentlage, Marlies M. van Haaren, Denise Guerra, Judith A. Burger, Edith E. Schermer, Kirsten D. Verheul, Niels van der Velde, Alex van der Kooi, Jelle van Schooten, Mariëlle J. van Breemen, Tom P. L. Bijl, Kwinten Sliepen, Aafke Aartse, Ronald Derking, Ilja Bontjer, Neeltje A. Kootstra, W. Joost Wiersinga, Gestur Vidarsson, Bart L. Haagmans, Andrew B. Ward, Godelieve J. de Bree, Rogier W. Sanders, Marit J. van Gils
Science07 Aug 2020 : 643-650 Open Access
Isolation of 403 monoclonal antibodies from COVID-19 patients revealed convergent gene usage and multiple target epitopes.
Abstract
The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had a large impact on global health, travel, and economy. Therefore, preventative and therapeutic measures are urgently needed. Here, we isolated monoclonal antibodies from three convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients using a SARS-CoV-2 stabilized prefusion spike protein. These antibodies had low levels of somatic hypermutation and showed a strong enrichment in VH1-69, VH3-30-3, and VH1-24 gene usage. A subset of the antibodies was able to potently inhibit authentic SARS-CoV-2 infection at a concentration as low as 0.007 micrograms per milliliter. Competition and electron microscopy studies illustrate that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contains multiple distinct antigenic sites, including several receptor-binding domain (RBD) epitopes as well as non-RBD epitopes. In addition to providing guidance for vaccine design, the antibodies described here are promising candidates for COVID-19 treatment and prevention.

Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 35 Pages 5563-5740 (31 July 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/35

Discussion Full text access
Ethics of a partially effective dengue vaccine: Lessons from the Philippines
Scott B. Halstead, Leah C. Katzelnick, Philip K. Russell, Lewis Markoff, … Antonio L. Dans
Pages 5572-5576 halsteads@erols.com
Abstract
Dengvaxia, a chimeric yellow fever tetravalent dengue vaccine developed by SanofiPasteur is widely licensed in dengue-endemic countries. In a large cohort study Dengvaxia was found to partially protect children who had prior dengue virus (DENV) infections but sensitized seronegative children to breakthrough DENV disease of enhanced severity. In 2019, the European Medicines Agency and the US FDA issued licenses that reconciled safety issues by restricting vaccine to individuals with prior dengue infections. Using revised Dengvaxia efficacy and safety data we sought to estimate hospitalized and severe dengue cases among the more than 800,000 9 year-old children vaccinated in the Philippines. Despite an overall vaccine efficacy of 69% during 4 years post-vaccination we project there will be more than one thousand vaccinated seronegative and seropositive children hospitalized for severe dengue. Assisting these children through a program of enhanced surveillance leading to improved care deserves widespread support. Clinical responses observed during breakthrough dengue infections in vaccinated individuals counsel prudence in design of vaccine policies.
Recommendations concerning continued use of this dengue vaccine are: (1) obtain a better definition of vaccine efficacy and safety through enhanced phase 4 surveillance, (2) obtain a valid, accessible, sensitive, specific and affordable serological test that identifies past wild-type dengue virus infection and (3) clarify safety and efficacy of Dengvaxia in flavivirus immunes. In the absence of an acceptable serological screening test these unresolved ethical issues suggest Dengvaxia be given only to those signing informed consent.

Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 35 Pages 5563-5740 (31 July 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/35

Research article Abstract only
Pneumococcal vaccination in older adults: An initial analysis of social determinants of health and vaccine uptake
Justin Gatwood, Sohul Shuvo, Kenneth C. Hohmeier, Tracy Hagemann, … Sujith Ramachandran
Pages 5607-5617

Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 35 Pages 5563-5740 (31 July 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/35

Research article Abstract only
Self-reported vaccination status and attitudes towards mandatory vaccinations for health care workers among medical students
Ursula Kunze, Heike Schweinzer
Pages 5695-5699

Value in Health
July 2020 Volume 23, Issue 7, p827-978
https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/issue/S1098-3015(20)X0009-X

COMPARATIVE-EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH/HTA
Comparative Distributional Impact of Routine Immunization and Supplementary Immunization Activities in Delivery of Measles Vaccine in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Allison Portnoy, Mark Jit, Stéphane Helleringer, Stéphane Verguet
p891–897
Published online: June 12, 2020
Highlights
:: Although evidence shows that inequalities in under-5 mortality in low- and middle-income countries are decreasing, large disparities still persist and highlight the need to prioritize inequality reduction and equity in decision-making at the global and national levels.
:: We studied the differential coverage impact of routine delivery versus supplementary immunization activities (ie, campaign) for the delivery of measles vaccine in defining and comparing an equity impact number across the 2 distinct vaccine delivery modes.
:: This analysis can enable better description of the real-world impact of different delivery platforms in reducing health inequalities and improving equity at the global and local levels and can further highlight the important role that measles supplementary immunization activities can play in reaching children from poorer households.

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 8 Aug 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/home/uk
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
Richard Feachem
We must not wait idly for an elusive Covid-19 vaccine
…The writer is director of The Global Health Group at the University of California, San Francisco It is widely assumed that a Covid-19 vaccine will come to our rescue soon. This is unlikely to be true…
August 3, 2020

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
12 hours ago
China Drug Maker’s Shares Soar On COVID-19 Vaccine Pact With AstraZeneca
Shares among leading China pharmaceutical makers have soared amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Russell Flannery Forbes Staff

Breaking  |  
Aug 7, 2020
Gates Foundation Donates $150 Million To Distribute Covid-19 Vaccine To Developing Nations As They Struggle With Accelerating Pandemic
The donation comes on the heels of a debunked conspiracy theory about why Gates is pushing for the vaccination.
By Elana Lyn Gross Forbes Staff

Breaking  |  
Aug 6, 2020
Biden Supports Free Coronavirus Tests And Vaccines For Undocumented Immigrants
‘It’s in the interest of everyone, that everyone be taken care of,’ said Biden.
By Tommy Beer Forbes Staff

Breaking  |  
Aug 5, 2020
Moderna Plans To Charge $32-37 Per Covid Vaccine Dose, Discussing Supply Deals With Several Countries
The vaccine maker has received about $400 million in deposits from various countries for potential supply.
By Siladitya Ray Contributor

Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020 |
[No new, unique, relevant content]

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

New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
Medical Dispatch
America’s Coronavirus Endurance Test
To defeat the virus, we will have to start thinking in years, not months.
By Howard Markel
August 6, 2020

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
Americas
Brazilian Billionaire Lemann Leads Initiative to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Factory
Brazilian billionaire Jorge Lemann’s foundation and other business interests will fund the building of factory to produce the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca PLC.
By Reuters Aug. 7

Canada
Canada Has Placed Its First Vaccine Order, but Don’t Expect a ‘Silver Bullet’
Before the federal government announced an order for millions of doses of a still unproven vaccine, its top doctor sounded a note of caution.
By Ian Auste Aug. 7

U.S.
Vaccine for COVID-19 Will Need Outside Expert Review, U.S. Regulator Says
The United States will need to have independent experts review COVID-19 vaccine candidates before approval, the country’s top drug regulator said on Friday, offering reassurance that his agency would not cut corners in the race to roll out a vaccine.
By Reuters Aug. 7

U.S.
Fauci Warns COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only Partially Effective, Public Health Measures Still Needed
An approved coronavirus vaccine could end up being effective only 50-60% of the time, meaning public health measures will still be needed to keep the pandemic under control, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert, said on Friday.
By Reuters Aug. 7

Europe
Russia Offers to Supply Philippines With COVID-19 Vaccine
Russia is willing to supply a coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines, or team up with a local firm to mass produce it, its ambassador to Manila said on Friday, as infections in the Southeast Asian nation surge.
By Reuters Aug. 7

Asia Pacific
Takeda to Make Novavax’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate in Japan
Takeda Pharmaceutical will manufacture and sell up to 250 million doses of Novavax Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in Japan every year, the two companies said on Friday.
By Reuters Aug. 7

Europe
Brazil’s Bolsonaro Orders $360 Million to Be Set Aside for AstraZeneca Coronavirus Vaccine
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro issued a decree on Thursday that will set aside 1.9 billion reais ($356 million) in funds to purchase and eventually produce the potential COVID-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca PLC and Oxford University researchers.
By Reuters Aug. 6

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
Opinions
FDA commissioner: No matter what, only a safe, effective vaccine will get our approval
by Stephen M. Hahn
Stephen M. Hahn, a physician, is commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
August 5, 2020
Since the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, developing a safe and effective vaccine has been an urgent worldwide priority: to save lives, and to bolster the public’s confidence in returning to a semblance of normal life.

At the Food and Drug Administration and our parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, we recognize the vital importance of vaccine development. The framework in the United States to support a covid-19 vaccine is now in place. Testing is underway and manufacturing capacity is rapidly expanding. But let’s be clear: The development effort must adhere to standards that will ensure any covid-19 vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.

Large-scale clinical trials already have begun for several promising vaccine candidates. The data from these trials will enable the scientists at the FDA to determine which of these candidates has the greatest potential to provide protection from the virus, what the possible side effects are and how long immunity is likely to last. FDA scientists will need the information to decide whether approval of the vaccine for general use is justified. This fall, we expect to start identifying which vaccine candidates are truly viable.

At the same time, our colleagues at Operation Warp Speed, which operates independently of the FDA as a partnership between HHS and the Defense Department, have been arranging for the stockpiling of vials and other equipment needed for a national immunization program.

Success will hinge, of course, on the data that emerges from clinical trials. This testing by its very nature takes time: It takes time for the human body to develop immunity, and it often takes time for side effects to emerge. While speed is essential in this global emergency, we at the FDA are committed to maintaining strict scientific principles and protection of those who volunteer as vaccine test subjects.

To prepare for the completion of tests and data submission, our agency has announced that any authorized or approved covid-19 vaccine would need to show that it prevents the disease or decreases its severity in at least 50 percent of people who are vaccinated. This is a reasonable standard given the nature and impact of the pandemic.

One key element in the FDA’s testing requirements is assuring diversity among the test subjects. All phases of vaccine clinical development should include the people most affected thus far by covid-19, specifically racial and ethnic minorities, elderly individuals, and people with other medical conditions. Only by gathering data on these populations can we gain a full understanding of a vaccine candidate’s safety and effectiveness.

I have been asked repeatedly whether there has been any inappropriate pressure on the FDA to make decisions that are not based on good data and good science. I have repeatedly said that all FDA decisions have been, and will continue to be, based solely on good science and data. The public can count on that commitment.

Once FDA scientists determine that a covid-19 vaccine candidate meets the appropriate regulatory standards for safety and efficacy, a pathway will be created by the government to make the vaccine available without delay. And, of course, after authorization or approval by the FDA, the safety of any vaccine will be closely monitored.

Since we at the FDA are the final arbiters of whether a particular vaccine is safe and effective, I cannot make any predictions about timing of an emergency use or final approval of a covid-19 vaccine. But I can attest that every FDA resource has been, and will continue to be, at the ready to facilitate clinical testing programs, and to review clinical data and manufacturing facilities. I can further provide assurances that any vaccine authorized for widespread use will meet the appropriate standards for quality, safety and efficacy.

Think Tanks et al

Brookings
http://www.brookings.edu/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
[No new relevant content]

Center for Global Development [to 8 Aug 2020]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
[No new relevant content]

Chatham House [to 8 Aug 2020]
https://www.chathamhouse.org/
[No new relevant content]

CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
Upcoming Event
Online Event: The Scramble for Vaccines and the COVAX Facility
August 11, 2020

Report
Is It Possible to Avert Chaos in the Vaccine Scramble?
August 6, 2020 | By J. Stephen Morrison, Anna Carroll, Katherine E. Bliss
… If the dominance of vaccine nationalism persists into the next phase—as promising vaccines become available for mass use—the odds are high that the wealthy and powerful will secure access while the less wealthy and less powerful are left to wait in uncertainty. Such a chaotic and inequitable outcome will prolong suffering and insecurity, thwart economic recovery, and stoke global discontent….

Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
[No new relevant content]

Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
Accessed 8 Aug 2020
[No new relevant content]

Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

Statement on the fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
1 August 2020 Statement
[Excerpts]
The fourth meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) took place on Friday, 31 July 2020 from 12:00 to 17:45 Geneva time (CEST).

…the Committee unanimously agreed that the pandemic still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern and offered advice to the Director-General.

The Director-General declared that the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to constitute a PHEIC. He accepted the advice of the Committee to WHO and issued the Committee’s advice to States Parties as Temporary Recommendations under the IHR (2005). 

The Emergency Committee will be reconvened within three months, at the discretion of the Director-General. The Director-General thanked the Committee for its work.

Advice to the WHO Secretariat
Continue to distill and rapidly communicate lessons learned and best practices from the COVID-19 pandemic and national intra-action reviews.
Continue to coordinate and mobilize global and regional multilateral organizations, partners and networks for robust political commitment and resourcing of COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response, including for development of vaccines and therapeutics.
Provide nuanced, pragmatic guidance on criteria for appropriate COVID-19 response activities to reduce the risk of response fatigue in the context of socio-economic pressures.
Continue to support State Parties and partners in conducting active and community-based COVID-19 surveillance, through technical and operational resources, such as guidance, tools, and trainings on case definitions and identification, contact tracing, and death certifications; encourage State Parties to continue reporting relevant data to WHO through platforms such as the Global Influenza and Surveillance Response System.
Accelerate research into remaining SARS-CoV-2 critical unknowns, such as the animal source and potential animal reservoirs, and improve understanding of the epidemiology and severity of COVID-19 (including its long-term health effects; viral dynamics such as modes of transmission, shedding, potential mutations; immunity and correlates of protection; co-infection; as well as risk factors and vulnerabilities) and the effectiveness of public health measures.
Continue to work with partners to counter mis/disinformation and infodemics by developing and disseminating clear, tailored messaging on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects; encourage and support individuals and communities to follow recommended public health and social measures.
Support diagnostics, safe and effective therapeutics and vaccines’ rapid and transparent development (including in developing countries) and equitable access through the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator; support all countries to implement the necessary clinical trials and to prepare for the rollout of therapeutics and vaccines.
Work with partners to revise WHO’s travel health guidance to reinforce evidence-informed measures consistent with the provisions of the IHR (2005) to avoid unnecessary interference with international travel; proactively and regularly share information on travel measures to support State Parties’ decision-making for resuming international travel.
Support State Parties, particularly vulnerable countries, in strengthening their essential health services and accompanying supply chains as well as preparing for and responding to concurrent outbreaks, such as seasonal influenza.
Temporary recommendations to State Parties
Share best practices, including from intra-action reviews, with WHO; apply lessons learned from countries that are successfully re-opening their societies (including businesses, schools, and other services) and mitigating resurgence of COVID-19.
Support multilateral regional and global organizations and encourage global solidarity in COVID-19 response.
Enhance and sustain political commitment and leadership for national strategies and localized response activities driven by science, data, and experience; engage all sectors in addressing the impacts of the pandemic.
Continue to enhance capacity for public health surveillance, testing, and contact tracing.
Share timely information and data with WHO on COVID-19 epidemiology and severity, response measures, and on concurrent disease outbreaks through platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
Strengthen community engagement, empower individuals, and build trust by addressing mis/disinformation and providing clear guidance, rationales, and resources for public health and social measures to be accepted and implemented.
Engage in the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, participate in relevant trials, and prepare for safe and effective therapeutic and vaccine introduction.
Implement, regularly update, and share information with WHO on appropriate and proportionate travel measures and advice, based on risk assessments; implement necessary capacities, including at points of entry, to mitigate the potential risks of international transmission of COVID-19 and to facilitate international contact tracing.
Maintain essential health services with sufficient funding, supplies, and human resources; prepare health systems to cope with seasonal influenza, other concurrent disease outbreaks, and natural disasters.