From Google Scholar & other sources: Selected Journal Articles, Newsletters, Dissertations, Theses, Commentary

No new digest content identified.

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 14 Mar 2020
Ideas
America Is Acting Like a Failed State
Many businesses, local governments, and individuals are doing what is necessary to beat back the coronavirus—with little help from the White House.
Mar 14 Derek Thompson Staff writer at The Atlantic

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
US Coronavirus tsar – vaccine a year away
Newshour BBC World Service
Anthony Fauci, the director of NIAID, tells Newshour a coronavirus vaccine is a year away
Published 13 Mar 2020

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
All’italiana
Should other countries copy Italy’s nationwide lockdown?
The government’s response to covid-19 is unprecedented in modern-day Europe
International Mar 12th 2020 edition

Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/home/uk
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/
Mar 14, 2020
Cincinnati Startup Could Have Therapeutic Option For COVID-19
As the world scrambles to come up with a COVID-19 vaccine, Airway Therapeutics Inc. could have a therapeutic option – one that this Cincinnati startup is already in the process of developing for acute and chronic lung diseases.
By Liz Engel Contributor

Editors’ Pick  |
The COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Highlights The Importance Of Scientific Expertise
Science expertise is at the forefront of the COVID-19 response and that’s important.
By Marshall Shepherd Senior Contributor
Mar 14, 2020

Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
Security   Mar 3, 2020
Pandemic Disease Is a Threat to National Security
As the United States now grapples with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, the time is long past to make pandemic disease a national security priority…
Lisa Monaco

Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020 Accessed 14 Mar 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

The Guardian
http://www.guardiannews.com/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
Coronavirus: call to release UK immigration centre detainees
Campaigners write to home secretary over risk of unchecked outbreak in centres
Diane Taylor
Sat 14 Mar 2020 07.28 EDT Last modified on Sat 14 Mar 2020 08.14 EDT
Lawyers and campaigners have called for hundreds immigration centres detainees to be released because of fears they will contract coronavirus while locked up.
The call is outlined in a letter from 10 organisations that advocate for migrants and human rights. It says that “there is a very real risk of an uncontrolled outbreak of Covid-19 in immigration detention”…

New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
Daily Comment
The Farce of Trusting Trump on COVID-19
As the coronavirus spreads in the U.S., Mike Pence and the Republicans continue to engage in sycophantic praise for the President.
By Amy Davidson Sorkin
March 13, 2020

Q. & A.
How Prisons and Jails Can Respond to COVID-19
By Jennifer Gonnerman
March 14, 2020

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
Politics
Straight-Talking Fauci Explains Outbreak to a Worried Nation
If Dr. Anthony Fauci says it, you’d be smart to listen. As the coronavirus has upended daily life across the globe, Fauci has become the trusted voice in separating fact and fiction.
By The Associated Press

Health
A Call to Arms: Under Attack, Pro-Vaccine Doctors Fight Back
Providers who defend vaccines face online death threats and negative reviews from fake patients. Now the staid medical establishment is finally speaking out.
By Jan Hoffman March 10

Politics
Tracing Trump’s Evolving Views on Vaccines
President Trump, once a fierce critic of vaccines, has become a cheerleader for them during the coronavirus outbreak. Here’s a look at his changing positions.
By The New York Times

Asia Pacific
WHO Officials Rethink Epidemic Messaging Amid Pandemic Debate
The World Health Organization is considering changing the way it classifies and describes international epidemics, amid a protracted public debate over whether to call the outbreak of the new coronavirus a pandemic.
By Reuters March 13

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

Think Tanks et al

Brookings
http://www.brookings.edu/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
[No new relevant content]

Center for Global Development [to 14 Mar 2020]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Selected Publications, News and Events
March 10, 2020
How Can We Prepare for Coronavirus? Learn from Liberia’s Experience with Ebola
It was bound to happen: the Covid-19 strain of the coronavirus has come to sub-Saharan Africa. Based on our experiences fighting Ebola in Liberia, here’s what African countries need to do now.
W. Gyude Moore and Tolbert Nyenswah

March 10, 2020
The Call for a Global Health Security Challenge Fund
As global health and international finance organizations respond to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, it is time to create stronger incentives for pandemic preparedness in low- and middle-income countries. Together with colleagues from the Nuclear Threat Initiative, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Georgetown University, Amanda Glassman has developed a proposal for a Global Health Security Challenge Fund as part of package of actions to be taken at the upcoming G7 meeting in June 2020 at Camp David.
Amanda Glassman

CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
[No new relevant content]

Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
March 12, 2020
Public Health Threats and Pandemics
The World Health Organization
Since its postwar founding, the UN agency has garnered both praise and criticism for its response to international public health crises, including a new coronavirus pandemic in early 2020.
Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors

Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
Accessed 14 Mar 2020
March 13, 2020 News Release
About 4 in 10 Adults in the U.S. Are At Greater Risk of Developing Serious Illness if Infected with Coronavirus, Due to Age or Underlying Health Conditions 
Based on current understanding of risk, forty-one percent of adults ages 18 and older in the U.S. have a higher risk of developing more serious illness if they become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, because they are older or have serious underlying health conditions, or both, according to…

EMERGENCIES

Coronavirus [COVID-19]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Editor’s Note:
While we have concentrated the most current key reports just below, COVID-19 announcements, analysis and commentary will be found throughout this issue, in all sections.
Beyond the considerable continuing coverage in the global general media:
:: Daily WHO situation reports here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports
:: WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) daily press briefings here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/media-resources/press-briefings

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Situation report – 47 [WHO]
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
07 March 2020
[Excerpts]
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
Globally :: 101.927 confirmed [3735 new]
China :: 80,813 confirmed [102 new]
:: 3,073 deaths [28 new]
Outside of China
:: 21,110 confirmed [3633 new]
:: 93 countries/territories/areas [5 new]
:: 413 deaths [78 new]

WHO RISK ASSESSMENT
China – Very High
Regional Level – Very High
Global Level – Very High

HIGHLIGHTS
:: 5 new countries/territories/areas (Colombia, Holy See, Peru, Serbia, and Togo) have reported cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
:: The global number of reported cases of COVID-19 has surpassed 100,000.
:: OpenWHO has reached 161, 000 learners in COVID-19 courses. The introductory course on COVID-19 has been partially or fully translated into 17 national languages. For more information, and to enroll in these free courses, please visit OpenWHO’s COVID-19 channel.

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WHO statement on cases of COVID-19 surpassing 100,000
7 March 2020 Statement
As of today’s reports, the global number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has surpassed 100,000. As we mark this sombre moment, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminds all countries and communities that the spread of this virus can be significantly slowed or even reversed through the implementation of robust containment and control activities.

China and other countries are demonstrating that spread of the virus can be slowed and impact reduced through the use of universally applicable actions, such as working across society to identify people who are sick, bringing them to care, following up on contacts, preparing hospitals and clinics to manage a surge in patients, and training health workers.

WHO calls on all countries to continue efforts that have been effective in limiting the number of cases and slowing the spread of the virus.

Every effort to contain the virus and slow the spread saves lives. These efforts give health systems and all of society much needed time to prepare, and researchers more time to identify effective treatments and develop vaccines.

Allowing uncontrolled spread should not be a choice of any government, as it will harm not only the citizens of that country but affect other countries as well.

We must stop, contain, control, delay and reduce the impact of this virus at every opportunity. Every person has the capacity to contribute, to protect themselves, to protect others, whether in the home, the community, the health care system, the workplace or the transport system.

Leaders at all levels and in all walks of life must step forward to bring about this commitment across society.

WHO will continue to work with all countries, our partners and expert networks to coordinate the international response, develop guidance, distribute supplies, share knowledge and provide people with the information they need to protect themselves and others.

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World Bank Group Announces Up to $12 Billion Immediate Support for COVID-19 Country Response
Fast Track Financing for Developing Countries
ASHINGTON, March 3, 2020 — As COVID-19 reaches more than 60 countries, the World Bank Group is making available an initial package of up to $12 billion in immediate support to assist countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the global outbreak. This financing is designed to help member countries take effective action to respond to and, where possible, lessen the tragic impacts posed by the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Through this new fast track package, the World Bank Group will help developing countries strengthen health systems, including better access to health services to safeguard people from the epidemic, strengthen disease surveillance, bolster public health interventions, and work with the private sector to reduce the impact on economies. The financial package, with financing drawn from across IDA, IBRD and IFC, will be globally coordinated to support country-based responses.

The COVID-19 support package will make available initial crisis resources of up to $12 billion in financing — $8 billion of which is new — on a fast track basis. This comprises up to $2.7 billion new financing from IBRD; $1.3 billion from IDA, complemented by reprioritization of $2 billion of the Bank’s existing portfolio; and $6 billion from IFC, including $2 billion from existing trade facilities. It will also include policy advice and technical assistance drawing on global expertise and country-level knowledge.

“We are working to provide a fast, flexible response based on developing country needs in dealing with the spread of COVID-19,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass. “This includes emergency financing, policy advice, and technical assistance, building on the World Bank Group’s existing instruments and expertise to help countries respond to the crisis.”…

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CEPI welcomes UK Government’s funding and highlights need for $2 billion to develop a vaccine against COVID-19
06 Mar 2020
“It is increasingly clear that containment measures for COVID-19 can only slow down its spread and the virus is now entering a stage of unprecedented threat in terms of its global impact. While we heartily support the range of public health measures that governments are putting in place to protect their populations, it is critical that we also invest in the development of a vaccine that will prevent people from getting sick in the first place. Working as part of the global response, CEPI has committed $100 million of its own funds and moved with unprecedented speed to initiate a programme of vaccine development with the goal of having vaccine candidates in early stage clinical trials in as little as 16 weeks. However, these funds will be fully allocated by the end of March and without immediate additional financial contributions the vaccine programmes we have begun will not be able to progress and ultimately will not deliver the vaccines that the world needs.
Dr. Richard Hatchett
Chief Executive Officer, CEPI

In response to this call, the UK government today announced £20m of additional funding and urged other donors to join the efforts to find a vaccine. This builds on £30 million of funding the UK Government has previously given to CEPI to support its vaccine development work against COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases.

Funding call
CEPI was founded as a global partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organisations to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and enable equitable access to these vaccines for people during outbreaks. CEPI has become the lead actor on COVID-19 vaccine development and has the institutional expertise, networks, and agility to move rapidly. However, while CEPI has begun the process by supporting 4 vaccine candidates with more programmes due to be announced, without additional funding no programme will be able to progress through the earliest phase of clinical testing.

Today’s call for $2 billion of new funding will enable CEPI to expand the number of vaccine candidates at the outset to increase our chances of success, and to fund the clinical trials for these candidate vaccines. Our ambition is to have at least 3 vaccine candidates, which could be submitted to regulatory authorities for licensure for general use/use in outbreaks.

CEPI has identified five funding phases:
$100m immediately, to support
o Vaccine development for 8 candidates through phase 1 clinical trials

$375m by END OF MARCH, to support
o Manufacturing of clinical trial material for phase 2/3 trials for 4-6 vaccine candidates
o Preparation of phase 2/3 trials for 4-6 vaccine candidates (potential initiation of phase
2 trial for 1 candidate)
o Initial investments to expand global manufacturing capacity. These investments are needed to ensure the vaccine is ultimately available at scale and globally

$400m by END OF JUNE, to support
o Execution of phase 2/3 trials for at least 2 candidates
o Preparation of phase 2/3 clinical trials in a number of locations globally
o Production of additional phase 2/3 clinical trial material
o Further investment in scaling up / technology transfer of manufacturing process for up to 6 candidates

$400m by END OF SEPTEMBER, to support
o Conduct of phase 2/3 clinical trials for additional 4 candidates in a number of locations globally
o Investment in large-scale manufacturing capacity for at least 3 vaccine candidates

$500-750m in 2021, to support
o Enhancing global manufacturing capacity with tech transfer to geographically
distributed locations of up to 3 candidates
o Completion of clinical trial testing
o Completion of regulatory and quality requirements for at least 3 vaccines
o Preparation of regulatory dossiers for emergency authorization/licensure submission

To ensure availability of funds and reflecting the many uncertainties that still surround COVID-19, the World Bank has created a financial vehicle whereby funds can be returned to donors if not used for the response or if the epidemiological picture changes and vaccine development is deemed unwarranted.

Alternatively, at the donor’s discretion, funds may be retained at the World Bank for use in a future Disease X scenario…

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UN releases $15 million to help vulnerable countries battle the spread of the coronavirus
NEW YORK / GENEVA, 1 March 2020 – UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock today released US$15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help fund global efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus.

The announcement came as the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the global risk of the coronavirus outbreak to “very high” – its top level of risk assessment. The WHO has said there is still a chance of containing the virus if its chain of transmission is broken.

The sudden increases of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea are deeply concerning. There are now cases linked to Iran in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman, along with cases linked to Italy in Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.

The UN funding has been released to the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It will fund essential activities including monitoring the spread of the virus, investigating cases, and the operation of national laboratories.

The WHO has called for US$675 million to fund the fight against coronavirus. There is a window of opportunity to contain the spread of the virus if countries take robust measures to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients, and trace contacts.

Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock said: “We do not yet see evidence that the virus is spreading freely. As long as that’s the case, we still have a chance of containing it.

“But swift and robust action must be taken to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients, and trace contacts. We must act now to stop this virus from putting more lives at risk…

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National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
News
March 7: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On March 6, 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 99 new cases of confirmed infections, 99 new cases of suspected infections, and 28 deaths.

Xi calls for accelerated vaccine push
Updated: 2020-03-03 China Daily
President inspects research facilities, listens to scientists
President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of medical research on the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia on March 2.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Tsinghua University School of Medicine, learning about progress on the vaccine, antibodies, medicine and fast testing kit research and applications.

Xi then chaired a symposium to listen to views and advice from officials and researchers.
The most powerful weapon to fight diseases is science and technology, Xi said, adding that mankind’s victory over disasters and epidemics relies on scientific development technological innovation.

He said scientific research on COVID-19 is a major and urgent task, and he required coordinated efforts to speed up such measures.

At the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Xi said science and technology are the key to increase the recovery rate, decrease the fatality rate and finally defeat the disease.

… Xi said that trying to save more patients remains the top priority, and medical research should be integrated with clinical treatment. He urged more coordinated efforts to apply research to clinical treatment, speed up research on medicines and promote the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicines.

The safety of a vaccine should be a top priority, Xi said. He instructed researchers to speed the development of a vaccine and closely follow vaccine research in other countries to promote clinical trials and application of a vaccine as early as possible.

He required establishment of a national vaccine reserve system and preparations for the possibility of regular prevention and control work.

Xi said new technologies like artificial intelligence and big data should be used to clarify where the virus came from and where it may go. He stressed the importance of psychological health for patients, family members and people in quarantine for a long time…

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[U.S.] White House

Remarks by President Trump After Tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Atlanta, GA
Mar 7, 2020

Press Briefing by Vice President Pence and Members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force
Mar 6, 2020

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Emergencies

Ebola – DRC+
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

Ebola Outbreak in DRC 82: 01 March 2020
[Excerpts]
Situation Update
From 24 February to 1 March 2020, no new confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Figure 1). In the past 21 days (10 February to 1 March), the outbreak has been confined to a relatively small geographic area. During this period, two new confirmed cases were reported from one health area in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu Province (Figure 2, Table 1). It has been more than 42 days since new cases were detected in all health zones except Beni and Mabalako, though surveillance activities are ongoing in all health zones to avoid resurgence of the outbreak…

…Conclusion
While there is room for cautious optimism around the absence of new confirmed cases this week, the outbreak remains active and risks of additional cases emerging remain high. Response activities must be maintained in all health zones.

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WHO: End in sight, but flare-ups likely in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
6 March 2020 Statement
Remarks by Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, World Health Organization Assistant Director-General, Emergency Response
[Excerpt]
…This work is continuing. The outbreak isn’t over. WHO recommends waiting two full incubation periods – that’s 42 days – after the last person tests negative a second time before declaring the end of the outbreak.

We must stay in active response mode to get us over that finish line. We have to be prepared for other cases emerging. It’s is a very real risk.

Remember that during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa flare-ups of new cases occurred after the end of the outbreak.

There are four reasons why new cases may emerge during this 42-day period, or even after the end of the outbreak:
First, because of the complex security environment, Ebola transmission outside of groups under monitoring is possible.

Second, Ebola virus can persist in used needles, syringes or vials for several weeks.

Third, Ebola virus can persist in the body fluids of survivors for many months, and can be transmitted well after recovery, or in rare cases can result in relapse – as we’ve already seen during this outbreak.

Finally, Ebola virus is present in an animal reservoir in the region, and there is always a risk of a new spillover to humans.

This is why it’s critical to maintain surveillance and rapid response capacities…

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Emergencies

POLIO
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
http://polioeradication.org/polio-today/polio-now/this-week/

Polio this week as of 04 March 2020
:: In May 2019, Iran reported an isolation of a wild poliovirus type1 in a sewage sample from Sistan & Balochistan province. The virus was confirmed to be genetically linked to the wild poliovirus from Karachi, Pakistan. This development, per existing global polio programme guidelines, triggered opening of an ‘Event’. After months of consultations and a high level of poliovirus surveillance sensitivity, the event has now been declared closed therefore eliminating Iran from the list of outbreak countries.

Summary of new viruses this week (AFP cases and ES positives):
:: Afghanistan: two WPV1 cases
:: Pakistan: four WPV1 cases, 16 WPV1 positive environmental samples and six cVDPV2 cases
:: Somalia: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Angola: one cVDPV2 case and two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
:: Chad: four cVDPV2 cases
:: Côte d’Ivoire: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
:: Democratic Republic of the Congo: two cVDPV2 cases
:: Ethiopia: one cVDPV2 case
:: Malaysia: three cVDPV1 positive environmental samples

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WHO Grade 3 Emergencies [to 7 Mar 2020]

Democratic Republic of the Congo
:: Ebola Outbreak in DRC 82: 01 March 2020
[See Ebola above for detail]

Nigeria – No new digest announcements identified
Mozambique floods – No new digest announcements identified
Somalia – No new digest announcements identified
South Sudan – No new digest announcements identified
Syrian Arab Republic – No new digest announcements identified
Yemen – No new digest announcements identified

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WHO Grade 2 Emergencies [to 7 Mar 2020]
Iran
:: WHO team arrives in Tehran to support the COVID-19 response 2 March 2020

Afghanistan – No new digest announcements identified
Angola – No new digest announcements identified
Burkina Faso [in French] – No new digest announcements identified
Burundi – No new digest announcements identified
Cameroon – No new digest announcements identified
Central African Republic – No new digest announcements identified
Ethiopia – No new digest announcements identified
HIV in Pakistan – No new digest announcements identified
Iraq – No new digest announcements identified
Libya – No new digest announcements identified
Malawi – No new digest announcements identified
Measles in Europe – No new digest announcements identified
MERS-CoV – No new digest announcements identified
Myanmar – No new digest announcements identified
Niger – No new digest announcements identified
occupied Palestinian territory – No new digest announcements identified
Sudan – No new digest announcements identified
Ukraine – No new digest announcements identified
Zimbabwe – No new digest announcements identified

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WHO Grade 1 Emergencies [to 7 Mar 2020]

Chad – No new digest announcements identified
Djibouti – No new digest announcements identified
Kenya – No new digest announcements identified
Mali – No new digest announcements identified
Namibia – viral hepatitis – No new digest announcements identified
Tanzania – No new digest announcements identified

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UN OCHA – L3 Emergencies
The UN and its humanitarian partners are currently responding to three ‘L3’ emergencies. This is the global humanitarian system’s classification for the response to the most severe, large-scale humanitarian crises. 
Syrian Arab Republic
:: Syrian Arab Republic: COVID-19 Update No. 01 – 2 March 2020
:: Recent Developments in Northwest Syria Flash Update – As of 5 March 2020

Yemen
:: 03 March 2020 Yemen: Al Jawf and Marib Flash Update No.1 | 3 March 2020 [EN/AR]

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UN OCHA – Corporate Emergencies
When the USG/ERC declares a Corporate Emergency Response, all OCHA offices, branches and sections provide their full support to response activities both at HQ and in the field.
CYCLONE IDAI and Kenneth – No new digest announcements identified
EBOLA OUTBREAK IN THE DRC – No new digest announcements identified

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WHO & Regional Offices [to 7 Mar 2020]
3 March 2020 News release
Shortage of personal protective equipment endangering health workers worldwide
Geneva
WHO calls on industry and governments to increase manufacturing by 40 per cent to meet rising global demand
The World Health Organization has warned that severe and mounting disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) – caused by rising demand, panic buying, hoarding and misuse – is putting lives at risk from the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases.
Healthcare workers rely on personal protective equipment to protect themselves and their patients from being infected and infecting others.
But shortages are leaving doctors, nurses and other frontline workers dangerously ill-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients, due to limited access to supplies such as gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns, and aprons.
“Without secure supply chains, the risk to healthcare workers around the world is real. Industry and governments must act quickly to boost supply, ease export restrictions and put measures in place to stop speculation and hoarding. We can’t stop COVID-19 without protecting health workers first,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus…

1 March 2020 News release
UN releases US$15 million to help vulnerable countries battle the spread of the coronavirus
[See COVID-19 above for detail]

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Weekly Epidemiological Record, 6 March 2020, vol. 95, 10 (pp. 89–96)
89 Measuring capacity to implement the International Health Regulations (2005): a comparison of data from annual reporting and joint external evaluation
94 COVID-19 update
94 Monthly report on dracunculiasis cases, January 2020

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WHO Regional Offices
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
WHO African Region AFRO
:: WHO and key health partners join forces to fight COVID-19 in Africa 06 March 2020
:: Inoculating against the ‘infodemic’ in Africa 05 March 2020
:: The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s last Ebola patient discharged  03 March 2020
:: Senegal reports first COVID-19 case 02 March 2020

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: PAHO Director: The Americas must prepare to respond to imported cases, outbreaks and community transmission of COVID-19 (03/07/2020)
:: Communicating the risks to health posed by COVID-19 is key to protecting populations and mitigating spread (03/06/2020)
:: A tool to investigate outbreaks, Go.Data, is rolled out for COVID-19 in Latin America :: PAHO/WHO and Mexico strengthen laboratory capacity to detect yellow fever in the Americas (03/02/2020)

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: WHO emphasizes on agile response capacities, as South-East Asia Region confirms more COVID-19 cases 4 March 2020 News release
New Delhi – With India, Indonesia and Thailand confirming new cases of COVID-19, World Health Organization today asked countries in its South-East Asia Region to strengthen preparedness for all possible scenarios and ensure early containment measures.

WHO European Region EURO
:: WHO rapid response team concludes mission to Italy for COVID-19 response 06-03-2020
:: Where do we stand on women’s health in 2020? 06-03-2020
:: Statement at ministerial briefings on COVID-19 06-03-2020
:: WHO/Europe hosts coronavirus briefing for ambassadors 05-03-2020

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Joint agreement bolsters malaria prevention and control efforts in Yemen 5 March 2020
:: WHO supports patients in Yemen with lifesaving dialysis treatment 3 March 2020
:: WHO team arrives in Tehran to support the COVID-19 response 2 March 2020
:: Pakistan confirms first two cases of COVID-19 1 March 2020

WHO Western Pacific Region
No new digest content identified.

CDC/ACIP [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html
Latest News Releases
CDC Announces Additional COVID-19 Infections
Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Transcript for the CDC Telebriefing Update on COVID-19
Tuesday, March 3, 2020

MMWR News Synopsis Friday, March 6, 2020
:: Intervention To Stop Transmission of Imported Pneumonic Plague — Uganda, 2019
:: Active Monitoring of Persons Exposed to Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 — United States, January–February 2020

Africa CDC [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.africacdc.org/
News
Outbreak: Update on the ongoing Novel Coronavirus Global Epidemic (Issue 7, 3 March 2020)
03-03-2020
…To date, 30 countries in Africa have reported persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
The only countries reporting PUIs with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 over the last week were:  Algeria (3), Egypt (1), Morocco (1), Nigeria (1), Senegal (1), and Tunisia (1)…
Africa CDC has been in contact with all affected countries and is mobilizing laboratory, surveillance, and other response support where requested…

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
March 7: Daily briefing on novel coronavirus cases in China
On March 6, 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported 99 new cases of confirmed infections, 99 new cases of suspected infections, and 28 deaths.

Xi calls for accelerated vaccine push
Updated: 2020-03-03 China Daily
President inspects research facilities, listens to scientists
[See COVID-19 above for detail]

Announcements

Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group    [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/frontiers-group/news-press/
Press Release
Competition yields new approaches to trace development, cell by cell
March 4, 2020
The Allen Institute and Sage Bionetworks announced winners of the Allen Institute Cell Lineage Reconstruction DREAM Challenge
 
 
BMGF – Gates Foundation  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases
MARCH 04, 2020
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Commits $5 Million to Help Public Health Agencies in Greater Seattle Area Respond to COVID-19
SEATTLE March 4, 2020 – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that it will commit an additional $5 million to help public health agencies in the greater Seattle region enhance their capacity to detect novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in King County, Snohomish County and other surrounding communities.
 
 
Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute    [to 7 Mar 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 7 Mar 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 7 Mar 2020]
http://cepi.net/
News
CEPI welcomes UK Government’s funding and highlights need for $2 billion to develop a vaccine against COVID-19
06 Mar 2020
[See COVID-19 above for detail]
 
 
Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI)  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://clintonhealthaccess.org/
News & Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
EDCTP    [to 7 Mar 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
3 March 2020
International research partnership and EDCTP to invest €44 million in next-generation antimalarials to combat drug-resistant malaria in Africa
:: EDCTP grants the PAMAfrica research consortium €21.9 million over a five year period; MMV, Novartis and other partners will provide an additional €22 million.
:: The PAMAfrica consortium brings together a global medicines company, a not-for-profit product development partnership and leading academic institutions in Africa and Europe. PAMAfrica aims to develop new medicines for both severe and uncomplicated malaria, designed to combat emerging artemisinin resistance.
:: The projects will include the development of the first new malaria treatment for babies under 5kg, a new fast-acting medicine for the treatment of severe malaria, and new combinations to treat drug-resistant uncomplicated malaria

PDF version

 
 
Emory Vaccine Center    [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.vaccines.emory.edu/
No new digest content identified.
 
 
European Medicines Agency  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
News & Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

 
 
European Vaccine Initiative  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.euvaccine.eu/news-events
No new digest content identified.

 
 
FDA [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/default.htm
Press Announcements
March 2, 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA and CDC take action to increase access to respirators, including N95s, for health care personnel

Today, in a joint effort, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took action to make more respirators, including certain N95s, available to health care personnel. Currently, the majority of respirators on the market are indicated for use in industrial settings. Today’s action allows certain National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators not currently regulated by the FDA to be used in a health care setting by health care personnel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, thereby maximizing the number of respirators available to meet the needs of the U.S. health care system…

 
 
Fondation Merieux  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.fondation-merieux.org/
News, Events
No new digest content identified.

 
 
Gavi [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.gavi.org/
No new digest content identified.
 
 
GHIT Fund   [to 7 Mar 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 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/

News & Stories

Feature Story
COVID-19 Threatens the Poor and Marginalized More than Anyone
06 March 2020
Feature Story
Women Leading the Fight for Better Health
06 March 2020
Sourcing & Management of Health Products
COVID-19 Impact on Supply Chain Logistics
06 March 2020
The global response to control the outbreak of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, may influence health product supply chains including logistics and shipping, as almost all finished health products or ingredients used in health products originate from China.
As a precautionary measure, we recommend that all Global Fund implementing partners place orders 30 days earlier than normal to better manage any disturbances that may emerge in being able to deliver products on-time…
News
Global Fund Issues New Guidance in Response to COVID-19
04 March 2020
GENEVA – The Global Fund announced today new guidance to enable countries to strengthen their response to the new coronavirus, COVID-19, by using existing grants in a swift, nimble and pragmatic way.
Working within its mandate to fight HIV, TB and malaria and to strengthen systems for health, the Global Fund is encouraging countries to reprogram savings from existing grants and to redeploy underutilized resources to mitigate the potential negative consequences of COVID-19 on health and health systems. In exceptional cases, countries may be able to reprogram funding from existing grants to COVID-19 response…

 
 
Hilleman Laboratories   [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.hillemanlabs.org/
No new digest content identified.

 
 
Human Vaccines Project   [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/media/press-releases/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.

 
 
IAVI  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.iavi.org/newsroom
March 5, 2020
IAVI and Batavia Biosciences Announce Collaboration on VSV-vector Based Epidemic Preparedness Vaccines

Mutual expertise drives innovations to address supply issues for vaccines for outbreak pathogens

NEW YORK — MARCH 5, 2020 — IAVI, a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges, and Batavia Biosciences, a contract development and manufacturing organization focused on delivering sustainable manufacturing solutions in the field of infectious disease and cancer, today announced their partnership to accelerate the development of vaccines for emerging infectious diseases (EIDs).

By working with Batavia Biosciences to leverage their state-of-the-art manufacturing approach for highly intensified, modular vaccine production, IAVI intends to develop an end-to-end platform for flexible, low-cost production of epidemic preparedness vaccines, including vaccines against a group of viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers and other emerging viral disease threats. Importantly, collaborating on these vaccines and developing the platform will also enable these two institutions to accelerate the development of a vaccine candidate to address the rapidly growing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak…
 
 
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/
No new digest content identified.
 
 
IFRC   [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/news/press-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Announcements
Europe, Greece, Turkey
Greece-Turkey Border: Migrants must not be used as a political tool. The EU and Member States must act in solidarity now.
Geneva/Budapest, 3 March 2020 – Women, children and men caught up in the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the land border between Greece and Turkey, in the Greek islands and in the Aegean Sea must not be “used as a political tool”, the International Fede …
3 March 2020
 
 
IVAC  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/ivac/index.html
Updates
No new digest content identified.
 
 
IVI   [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.ivi.int/
Selected IVI News & Announcements
International Vaccine Institute and Technical University of Denmark to strengthen external quality assurance in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance in Asia
:: The Asia Pacific region is vulnerable to the emergence and spread of AMR but there is little high-quality data available on the extent of its impact
:: Quality-assured data is essential for building tailored strategies for preventing the spread of drug-resistant infections
:: IVI is part of three active Fleming Fund Regional Grants to enhance surveillance and close gaps in confronting the growing challenges of AMR in low- and middle-income countries
March 5, 2020, SEOUL, Korea – The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and the Technical University of Denmark’s (DTU) National Food Institute announced today a joint effort to strengthen external quality assurance programs for diagnostic laboratories in Asia to confront the challenges of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the region. The partnership was established following the award of a Fleming Fund Regional Grant with DTU as the lead grantee and will carry out the project under the name EQASIA (Strengthening External Quality Assurance for AMR in Asia)…
 
 
JEE Alliance  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.jeealliance.org/
Selected News and Events
No new digest content identified.
 
 
MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.msf.org/
Latest [Selected Announcements]
Haiti
Port-au-Prince: Over 360 people admitted for lifesaving care in three months …
Project Update 6 Mar 2020
Non-communicable diseases
Why are so many women dying of cervical cancer?
Project Update 5 Mar 2020
Afghanistan
Afghans face impossible choices in their struggle for medical care
Press Release 5 Mar 2020
Afghanistan
Reality check: Afghanistan’s neglected healthcare crisis
Report 5 Mar 2020
Greece
EU must address migration emergency as Greek islands reach bre…
Statement 4 Mar 2020
Social violence and exclusion
Violence in southwestern Colombia leaves people struggling to access ass…
Statement 3 Mar 2020
South Sudan
Thousands flee into the bush as conflict intensifies in east South…
Statement 2 Mar 2020
Syria
People in northwestern Syria forced to move as frontlines move
Voices from the Field 2 Mar 2020
Libya
Arbitrary detention in Libya must end as asylum seeker dies in d…
Press Release 2 Mar 2020
National Vaccine Program Office – U.S. HHS  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.hhs.gov/vaccines/about/index.html
NVAC 2020 Meetings
June 9-10, 2020 NVAC Meeting
September 23-24, 2020 Meeting (Virtual)

 
 
 
NIH  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases
Selected News Releases
Selected Announcements
No new digest content identified.
 
 
PATH  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.path.org/media-center/
Selected Announcements
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Sabin Vaccine Institute  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.sabin.org/updates/pressreleases
Statements and Press Releases
Sabin Vaccine Institute Strengthens Ebola Sudan and Marburg Vaccines Program with Additional NIAID Partnership
Thursday, March 5, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) today announced that it has partnered with the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), to manufacture prototype ChAd3 vectored Ebola Sudan and Marburg vaccines to be used for further clinical evaluation and outbreak preparedness and to potentially protect military, first responders, health care and laboratory workers, and other at-risk populations. Sabin will receive $5.3 million to manufacture Ebola Sudan and Marburg vaccines for the VRC…
 
 
UNAIDS [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.unaids.org/en
Selected Press Releases/Reports/Statements
6 March 2020
HIV data check in Papua New Guinea’s National Capital District
 
5 March 2020
Community project helps families respond to stigma and discrimination
 
Raising the voices of women at the forefront of climate change
 
3 March 2020
Breaking the vicious cycle of HIV-related stigma in Tajikistan
 
Hollaback! Jakarta working to end harassment against women
 
Decriminalization works, but too few countries are taking the bold step
 
2 March 2020
Services tailored for women who inject drugs in India
 
 
UNICEF  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases
Statement
Statement by Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships, on coronavirus misinformation
NEW YORK, 6 March 2020 – “All around the world, people are taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families from coronavirus. Sound preparation, based on scientific evidence, is what is needed at this time.
“However, while many people are sharing information about the virus and how to protect against it, only some of that information is useful or reliable. Misinformation during times of a health crisis can spread paranoia, fear, and stigmatization. It can also result in people being left unprotected or more vulnerable to the virus.
“For example, a recent erroneous online message circulating in several languages around the world and purporting to be a UNICEF communication appears to indicate, among other things, that avoiding ice cream and other cold foods can help prevent the onset of the disease. This is, of course, wholly untrue.
“To the creators of such falsehoods, we offer a simple message: STOP. Sharing inaccurate information and attempting to imbue it with authority by misappropriating the names of those in a position of trust is dangerous and wrong.
“To members of the public, we ask that you seek accurate information about how to keep yourself and your family safe from verified sources, such as UNICEF or WHO, government health officials and trusted healthcare professionals; and that you refrain from sharing information from untrustworthy or unverified sources…
Press release
Panama sees more than seven-fold increase in number of migrant children crossing through Darien Gap
Nearly 24,000 people from more than 50 nationalities, 16 per cent of whom are children, crossed the dangerous jungle in 2019
05/03/2020
Press release
UNICEF, WFP chiefs wrap up two-day visit to Syria, see impact of conflict on children and families
UN officials call for cessation of hostilities and protection of children as conflict is about to enter its 10th year
05/03/2020
Press release
25 years of uneven progress: Despite gains in education, world still a violent, highly discriminatory place for girls
Two and a half decades after the historic Beijing women’s conference, violence against women and girls still not only common, but accepted
03/03/2020
Statement
Protecting children must be top priority, in latest refugee surge response
Statement by Ms. Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe
03/03/2020
Press release
Lack of quality data compounds risks facing millions of refugee and migrant children
UNICEF, IOM, UNHCR, OECD, countries and other partners join forces to protect children through the International Data Alliance on Children on the Move
02/03/2020
Press release
UN releases $15 million to help vulnerable countries battle the spread of the coronavirus
01/03/2020
[See COVID-19 above for detail]
 
Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN)  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://vaccineacceptance.org/news.html#header1-2r
Announcements
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Vaccine Confidence Project  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
Latest News & Archive
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center
No new digest content identified.
 
 
Wellcome Trust  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://wellcome.ac.uk/news
Opinion | 4 March 2020
Lab leaders must create open and safe spaces to improve research culture
by Ricardo Henriques
 
 
The Wistar Institute   [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.wistar.org/news/press-releases
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 
 
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)   [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/2020/
Press Releases
No new digest content identified.
 

::::::

 
ARM [Alliance for Regenerative Medicine]  [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://alliancerm.org/press-releases/
Press Releases
The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine Releases 2019 Annual Report and Sector Year in Review
March 5, 2020
 
 
BIO    [to 7 Mar 2020]
https://www.bio.org/press-releases
Press Releases
BIO Asia Conference in Tokyo Cancelled Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
Washington, DC – February 21, 2020 – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced today, it is canceling the annual BIO Asia conference in Tokyo scheduled for March 10-11. The decision was based on the global impact of COVID-19 and Japanese government recommendations.
“Our attendees’ health and safety are our utmost priority,” said Jim Greenwood, BIO President & CEO. “We offer our support and sympathy to all of those who’ve been impacted by the virus around the world.”…
 
 
 
DCVMN – Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network  [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.dcvmn.org/
News
No new digest content identified.
 
 
IFPMA   [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.ifpma.org/resources/news-releases/
Selected Press Releases, Statements, Publications
No new digest content identified.
 
 
PhRMA    [to 7 Mar 2020]
http://www.phrma.org/
Selected Press Releases, Statements
ICYMI: Continued biopharmaceutical action on COVID-19
Andrew Powaleny   |     March 6, 2020
This week, PhRMA and senior executives and researchers from four member companies met with key policy makers on Capitol Hill to discuss the industry’s response to COVID-19, caused by a novel strain of coronavirus. Daniel O’Day of Gilead Sciences, Julie Louise Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H. of Merck & Co., Inc, Paul Stoffels, M.D. of Johnson & Johnson, John Shiver, Ph.D. of Sanofi Pasteur and Steve Ubl of PhRMA were crucial contributors to the dialogue and offered updates and insights on their companies’ and the industry’s progress in the fight against the coronavirus…

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

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 102, Issue 3, March 2020
http://www.ajtmh.org/content/journals/14761645/102/3

Perspective Piece
Putting Guidance into Practice: Interpretation of the Oral Cholera Vaccine Recommendations for U.S. Travelers
Erin E. Conners, Kristina M. Angelo and Allison T. Walker
Pages: 491–493
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.19-0511

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 102, Issue 3, March 2020
http://www.ajtmh.org/content/journals/14761645/102/3

Challenges and Strategies for Biomedical Researchers Returning to Low- and Middle-Income Countries after Training
Ayman Ahmed, Johanna P. Daily, Andres G. Lescano, Linnie M. Golightly and Abiola Fasina
Pages: 494–496
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.19-0674

Annals of Internal Medicine
3 March 2020 Vol: 172, Issue 5
http://annals.org/aim/issue

Clinical Guidelines
Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2020

Annals of Internal Medicine
3 March 2020 Vol: 172, Issue 5
http://annals.org/aim/issue

Editorials
Narrowing Vaccination Exemption Laws: Lessons From California and Beyond

Annals of Internal Medicine
3 March 2020 Vol: 172, Issue 5
http://annals.org/aim/issue

Letters
Assessment of Exemptions From Vaccination in California, 2015 to 2027
Paul L. Delamater, PhD; Alison M. Buttenheim, PhD; Nicola P. Klein, MD, PhD; Salini Mohanty, DrPH; Daniel A. Salmon, PhD; Saad B. Omer, MBBS, PhD

BMJ Global Health
March 2020 – Volume 5 – 3
https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/2

Editorial
Making sense of emerging evidence on the non-specific effects of the BCG vaccine on malaria risk and neonatal mortality (5 March, 2020)
Quique Bassat, Gemma Moncunill, Carlota Dobaño

BMJ Global Health
March 2020 – Volume 5 – 3
https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/2

Analysis
Ending TB in Southeast Asia: current resources are not enough (5 March, 2020)
Vineet Bhatia, Rahul Srivastava, K Srikanth Reddy, Mukta Sharma, Partha Pratim Mandal, Natasha Chhabra, Shubhi Jhalani, Sandip Mandal, Nimalan Arinaminpathy, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Swarup Sarkar

BMJ Global Health
March 2020 – Volume 5 – 3
https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/2

Original research
Seasonal variation in the non-specific effects of BCG vaccination on neonatal mortality: three randomised controlled trials in Guinea-Bissau (5 March, 2020)
Kristoffer Jarlov Jensen, Sofie Biering-Sørensen, Johan Ursing, Poul-Erik Lund Kofoed, Peter Aaby, Christine Stabell Benn

BMC Health Services Research
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservres/content
(Accessed 7 Mar 2020)

Knowledge implementation in health care management: a qualitative study
The gap between knowledge and practice is a global issue, which increases wasteful spending in healthcare. There are several models and frameworks to address this gap and try to solve the challenge. Promoting …
Authors: G. Roohi, G. Mahmoodi and H. Khoddam
Citation: BMC Health Services Research 2020 20:188
Content type: Research article
Published on: 6 March 2020

BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 7 Mar 2020)

A systematic review of patient access to medical records in the acute setting: practicalities, perspectives and ethical consequences
Internationally, patient access to notes is increasing. This has been driven by respect for patient autonomy, often recognised as a primary tenet of medical ethics: patients should be able to access their records to be fully engaged with their care. While research has been conducted on the impact of patient access to outpatient and primary care records and to patient portals, there is no such review looking at access to hospital medical records in real time, nor an ethical analysis of the issues involved in such a change in process.
Authors: Stephanie N. D’Costa, Isla L. Kuhn and Zoë Fritz
Content type: Research article
2 March 2020

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 7 Mar 2020)

Quantifying the economic cost of antibiotic resistance and the impact of related interventions: rapid methodological review, conceptual framework and recommendations for future studies
Antibiotic resistance (ABR) poses a major threat to health and economic wellbeing worldwide. Reducing ABR will require government interventions to incentivise antibiotic development, prudent antibiotic use, in…
Authors: Mark Jit, Dorothy Hui Lin Ng, Nantasit Luangasanatip, Frank Sandmann, Katherine E. Atkins, Julie V. Robotham and Koen B. Pouwels
Citation: BMC Medicine 2020 18:38
Content type: Correspondence
Published on: 6 March 2020

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 7 Mar 2020)

Knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV immunization dropout rate among Brazilian adolescent girls and their guardians
Infections with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are the main cause of cervical cancer. Since 2014, the HPV vaccine was introduced in the Brazilian National Vaccination Calendar. The purpose of this study was to ass…
Authors: Ana Carolina da Silva Santos, Nayara Nascimento Toledo Silva, Cláudia Martins Carneiro, Wendel Coura-Vital and Angélica Alves Lima
Citation: BMC Public Health 2020 20:301
Content type: Research article
Published on: 6 March 2020

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 7 Mar 2020)

Are countries’ self-reported assessments of their capacity for infectious disease control reliable? Associations among countries’ self-reported international health regulation 2005 capacity assessments and infectious disease control outcomes
This study aimed to evaluate associations among countries’ self-reported International Health Regulation 2005 (IHR 2005) capacity assessments and infectious disease control outcomes.
Authors: Feng-Jen Tsai and Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul
Citation: BMC Public Health 2020 20:282
Content type: Research article
Published on: 4 March 2020

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 98, Number 3, March 2020, 149-228
https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/98/3/en/

EDITORIALS
Data sharing for novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
— Vasee Moorthy, Ana Maria Henao Restrepo, Marie-Pierre Preziosi & Soumya Swaminathan
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.251561

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 98, Number 3, March 2020, 149-228
https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/98/3/en/

A disclosure form for work submitted to medical journals – a proposal from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors
— Darren B. Taichman, Joyce Backus, Christopher Baethge, Howard Bauchner, Annette Flanagin, Fernando Florenzano, Frank A. Frizelle, Fiona Godlee, Laragh Gollogly, Abraham Haileamlak, Sung-Tae Hong, Richard Horton, Astrid James, Christine Laine, Pamela W. Miller, Anja Pinborg, Eric J. Rubin & Peush Sahni
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.252353

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 98, Number 3, March 2020, 149-228
https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/98/3/en/

RESEARCH
Measuring antibiotic availability and use in 20 low- and middle-income countries
— Rebecca Knowles, Mike Sharland, Yingfen Hsia, Nicola Magrini, Lorenzo Moja, Amani Siyam & Elizabeth Tayler
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.19.241349

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 26, Number 3—March 2020
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

Expedited Articles
Potential Presymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Zhejiang Province, China, 2020
Z. Tong et al.
May 2020

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 26, Number 3—March 2020
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

COVID-19 in 2 Persons with Mild Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms on a Cruise Ship, Japan
T. Arashiro et al.
June 2020

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 26, Number 3—March 2020
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

Lack of Vertical Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, China
Y. Li et al.
June 2020

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 26, Number 3—March 2020
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

Community Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, Shenzhen, China, 2020
J. Liu et al.
June 2020

Globalization and Health
http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/
[Accessed 7 Mar 2020]

Public-private knowledge transfer and access to medicines: a systematic review and qualitative study of perceptions and roles of scientists involved in HPV vaccine research
Public research organizations and their interactions with industry partners play a crucial role for public health and access to medicines. The development and commercialization of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines illustrate how licensing practices of public research organizations can contribute to high prices of the resulting product and affect accessibility to vulnerable populations. Efforts by the international community to improve access to medicines have recognised this issue and promote the public health-sensitive management of research conducted by public research organizations. This paper explores: how medical knowledge is exchanged between public and private actors; what role inventor scientists play in this process; and how they view the implementation of public health-sensitive knowledge exchange strategies.
Authors: Rosa Jahn, Olaf Müller, Stefan Nöst and Kayvan Bozorgmehr
Content type: Research
5 March 2020

Health and Human Rights
Volume 21, Issue 2, December 2019
https://www.hhrjournal.org/volume-21-issue-2-december-2019/

Viewpoints
Human Rights and Coronavirus: What’s at Stake for Truth, Trust, and Democracy?
Alicia Ely Yamin and Roojin Habibi
2 March 2020
Although World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus has called for solidarity, not stigma, it is notable that to date WHO has not issued any substantive guidance on how countries can take public health measures that achieve health protection while respecting human rights.[2] Amid growing public fears, confusion, and misinformation, as well as government reactions that may fuel rather than mitigate intolerance, discrimination and exclusion, it is critical to set out some key human rights principles and the guidance they provide.[3]

Humanitarian Exchange Magazine
Number 76, January 2020
https://odihpn.org/magazine/the-crisis-in-yemen/

The Crisis in Yemen
by HPN
This edition of Humanitarian Exchange focuses on the crisis in Yemen. Since the war there began in 2014, thousands of civilians have been killed or injured and air strikes and ground operations have destroyed hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure. An estimated 80% of Yemenis need humanitarian assistance.

In the lead article, Laurie Lee highlights the critical role Yemenis and Yemeni organisations are playing in addressing the humanitarian challenges in the country, and how NGOs can better support them. Genevieve Gauthier and Marcus Skinner reinforce this point with reference to two local organisations, the Yemen Women’s Union and Al Hikma. Warda Saleh, the founder of another Yemeni grassroots organisation, discusses the increased risk of gender-based violence facing women and girls, while Ibrahim Jalal and Sherine El Taraboulsi-McCarthy focus on internal displacement and the opportunities for a more effective humanitarian response. Reflecting on child protection programming in Yemen, Mohammed Alshamaa  and Amanda Brydon conclude that multisectoral approaches with local authorities result in better and more sustainable outcomes. Padraic McCluskey and Jana Brandt consider the ethical dilemmas Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) faced in trying to balance quality and coverage in a mother and child hospital in Taiz. Lindsay Spainhour Baker and colleagues reflect on the challenges involved in gathering and analysing information on the humanitarian situation while Lamis Al-Iryani, Sikandra Kurdi and Sarah Palmer-Felgate discuss the findings from an evaluation of the Yemen Social Fund for Development (SFD) Cash for Nutrition programme. An article by Kristine Beckerle and Osamah Al-Fakih details Yemeni and international organisations’ efforts to document and mitigate harm to civilians caught up in the conflict. The edition ends with a piece by Fanny Pettibon, Anica Heinlein and Dhabie Brown outlining CARE’s advocacy on the arms trade.

Finally, readers will note that this edition is shorter than usual, largely because it was very difficult to persuade potential authors to write on the Yemen crisis. Many of the individuals and organisations we contacted were either too busy responding or were concerned that writing frankly about their work could negatively affect their operations. HPN has covered many similarly sensitive contexts in Humanitarian Exchange over the last 26 years, but this is the first time we have experienced such reluctance to engage. A worrying sign.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases
March 2020 Volume 92, p1-272
https://www.ijidonline.com/issue/S1201-9712(20)X0002-6

Review
Vaccinating pregnant women against influenza needs to be a priority for all countries: An expert commentary
Philippe Buchy, Selim Badur, George Kassianos, Scott Preiss, John S. Tam
p1–12
Published online: December 18, 2019

International Journal of Infectious Diseases
March 2020 Volume 92, p1-272
https://www.ijidonline.com/issue/S1201-9712(20)X0002-6

Original Reports
Associations between geographic region and immune response variations to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Young June Choe, Daniel B. Blatt, Hoan Jong Lee, Eun Hwa Choi
p261–268
Published in issue: March 2020

JAMA
March 3, 2020, Vol 323, No. 9, Pages 809-902
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

Drug Pricing
Original Investigation
Profitability of Large Pharmaceutical Companies Compared With Other Large Public Companies
Fred D. Ledley, MD; Sarah Shonka McCoy, PhD; Gregory Vaughan, PhD; et al.
has active quiz
JAMA. 2020;323(9):834-843. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.0442
Key Points
Question
How do the profits of large pharmaceutical companies compare with those of other companies from the S&P 500 Index?
Findings
In this cross-sectional study that compared the profits of 35 large pharmaceutical companies with those of 357 large, nonpharmaceutical companies from 2000 to 2018, the median net income (earnings) expressed as a fraction of revenue was significantly greater for pharmaceutical companies compared with nonpharmaceutical companies (13.8% vs 7.7%).
Meaning
Large pharmaceutical companies were more profitable than other large companies, although the difference was smaller when controlling for differences in company size, research and development expense, and time trends.

JAMA
March 3, 2020, Vol 323, No. 9, Pages 809-902
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

Abstract
Importance
Understanding the profitability of pharmaceutical companies is essential to formulating evidence-based policies to reduce drug costs while maintaining the industry’s ability to innovate and provide essential medicines.
Objective
To compare the profitability of large pharmaceutical companies with other large companies.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This cross-sectional study compared the annual profits of 35 large pharmaceutical companies with 357 companies in the S&P 500 Index from 2000 to 2018 using information from annual financial reports. A statistically significant differential profit margin favoring pharmaceutical companies was evidence of greater profitability.
Exposures  Large pharmaceutical vs nonpharmaceutical companies.
Main Outcomes and Measures
The main outcomes were revenue and 3 measures of annual profit: gross profit (revenue minus the cost of goods sold); earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA; pretax profit from core business activities); and net income, also referred to as earnings (difference between all revenues and expenses). Profit measures are described as cumulative for all companies from 2000 to 2018 or annual profit as a fraction of revenue (margin).
Results
From 2000 to 2018, 35 large pharmaceutical companies reported cumulative revenue of $11.5 trillion, gross profit of $8.6 trillion, EBITDA of $3.7 trillion, and net income of $1.9 trillion, while 357 S&P 500 companies reported cumulative revenue of $130.5 trillion, gross profit of $42.1 trillion, EBITDA of $22.8 trillion, and net income of $9.4 trillion. In bivariable regression models, the median annual profit margins of pharmaceutical companies were significantly greater than those of S&P 500 companies (gross profit margin: 76.5% vs 37.4%; difference, 39.1% [95% CI, 32.5%-45.7%]; P < .001; EBITDA margin: 29.4% vs 19%; difference, 10.4% [95% CI, 7.1%-13.7%]; P < .001; net income margin: 13.8% vs 7.7%; difference, 6.1% [95% CI, 2.5%-9.7%]; P < .001). The differences were smaller in regression models controlling for company size and year and when considering only companies reporting research and development expense (gross profit margin: difference, 30.5% [95% CI, 20.9%-40.1%]; P < .001; EBITDA margin: difference, 9.2% [95% CI, 5.2%-13.2%]; P < .001; net income margin: difference, 3.6% [95% CI, 0.011%-7.2%]; P = .05).
Conclusions and Relevance
From 2000 to 2018, the profitability of large pharmaceutical companies was significantly greater than other large, public companies, but the difference was less pronounced when considering company size, year, or research and development expense. Data on the profitability of large pharmaceutical companies may be relevant to formulating evidence-based policies to make medicines more affordable.

JAMA
March 3, 2020, Vol 323, No. 9, Pages 809-902
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

Editorial
Affording Medicines for Today’s Patients and Sustaining Innovation for Tomorrow
Kenneth C. Frazier, JD
Are Pharmaceutical Companies Earning Too Much?
David M. Cutler, PhD

JAMA
March 3, 2020, Vol 323, No. 9, Pages 809-902
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

Relentless Prescription Drug Price Increases
Chaarushena Deb; Gregory Curfman, MD

JAMA
March 3, 2020, Vol 323, No. 9, Pages 809-902
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

Estimated Research and Development Investment Needed to Bring a New Medicine to Market, 2009-2018
Olivier J. Wouters, PhD; Martin McKee, MD, DSc; Jeroen Luyten, PhD
JAMA. 2020;323(9):844-853. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.1166
This study uses publicly available data to analyze research and development spending to win FDA approval and bring new drugs to market between 2009 and 2018.

JAMA
March 3, 2020, Vol 323, No. 9, Pages 809-902
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

Research Letter
Sponsorship and Funding for Gene Therapy Trials in the United States
Zachary Kassir, BA; Ameet Sarpatwari, PhD, JD; Brian Kocak, BS; et al.
March 3, 2020
JAMA. 2020;323(9):890-891. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.22214
Since 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 4 gene therapies: tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) and axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) for cancer, voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (Luxturna) for a genetic form of blindness, and onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi (Zolgensma) for spinal muscular atrophy. Although clinically transformative, they carry list prices of $475 000, $373 000, $425 000, and $2.1 million, respectively, for 1-time infusions. High development costs and the need to incentivize innovation are common justifications for such prices. However, public funding played an important role in each product’s invention and clinical testing.¹–⁵

Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
March/April 2020 – Volume 26 – Issue 2
https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/pages/currenttoc.aspx

Practice Full Report
Health Departments’ Experience With Mumps Outbreak Response and Use of a Third Dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine
Marlow, Mariel A.; Moore, Kelly; DeBolt, Chas; More
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 26(2):101-108, March/April 2020.

Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
March/April 2020 – Volume 26 – Issue 2
https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/pages/currenttoc.aspx

CDC Guidance for Use of a Third Dose of MMR Vaccine During Mumps Outbreaks
Marlow, Mariel A.; Marin, Mona; Moore, Kelly; More
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 26(2):109-115, March/April 2020.

Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
March/April 2020 – Volume 26 – Issue 2
https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/pages/currenttoc.aspx

Beyond Research Ethics: Novel Approaches of 3 Major Public Health Institutions to Provide Ethics Input on Public Health Practice Activities
Klingler, Corinna; Barrett, Drue H.; Ondrusek, Nancy; More
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 26(2):E12-E22, March/April 2020.

Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
March/April 2020 – Volume 26 – Issue 2
https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/pages/currenttoc.aspx

Research Full Report
Vaccination Capability Inventory of Community, Migrant, and Homeless Health Centers: A Survey Report
Federally funded Community, Migrant, and Homeless Health Centers provide health services to the most vulnerable communities in the United States. However, little is known about their capabilities and processes for providing vaccinations to adults….Health centers provide most adult vaccines to their patients despite financial and technological barriers to optimal provisioning. Further studies at point of care could help identify mechanisms for system improvements.
Lewis, Joy H.; Whelihan, Kate; Roy, Debosree; More
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 26(2):139-147, March/April 2020.

Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
March/April 2020 – Volume 26 – Issue 2
https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/pages/currenttoc.aspx

Toward Optimal Communication About HPV Vaccination for Preteens and Their Parents: Evaluation of an Online Training for Pediatric and Family Medicine Health Care Providers
Cates, Joan R.; Diehl, Sandra J.; Fuemmeler, Bernard F.; More
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 26(2):159-167, March/April 2020.