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Global Health: Science and Practice (GHSP)
Vol. 7, No. 4 December 23, 2019
http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/current

 

ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Using Data to Keep Vaccines Cold in Kenya: Remote Temperature Monitoring with Data Review Teams for Vaccine Management
Mercy Lutukai, Elizabeth A. Bunde, Benjamin Hatch, Zoya Mohamed, Shahrzad Yavari, Ernest Some, Amos Chweya, Caroline Kania, Jesse C. Ross, Carmit Keddem and Yasmin Chandani
Global Health: Science and Practice December 2019, 7(4):585-597; https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-19-00157
Using technology to make data visible to stakeholders and giving those stakeholders a framework for analyzing that data for decision making improves cold chain management of vaccines in Kenya.

Conceptions within misconceptions: Pluralisms in an Ebola vaccine trial in West Africa

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Global Public Health
Volume 15, 2020 Issue 1
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rgph20/current

 

Article
Conceptions within misconceptions: Pluralisms in an Ebola vaccine trial in West Africa
Arsenii Alenichev, Koen Peeters Grietens & René Gerrets
Pages: 13-21
Published online: 25 Jun 2019
ABSTRACT
Ensuring that biomedical information about research procedures is adequately understood by participants and their communities is key for conducting ethical research. This article explores participants’ understanding of trial procedures for an experimental vaccine against Ebola virus disease (EVD) in a West African context. We found that some trial participants believed there was a chance of contracting Ebola and other sicknesses from the vaccine, and others believed both the vaccine and the placebo control would be able to prevent other illnesses than EVD. While these beliefs might be understood as misconceptions about the vaccine trial, this paper shows that such a conclusion is problematic because it excludes local explanatory health models and logics of causality. The paper invites bioethicists to work with anthropologists to take seriously different models of health knowledge in global health research. Investigating and addressing such differences could be the key to understanding human subjects’ motives for participation, and to creating space for studies of empirical ethics.

Impacts of intellectual property provisions in trade treaties on access to medicine in low and middle income countries: a systematic review

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Globalization and Health
http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/
[Accessed 4 Jan 2020]

 

Review
Open Access
Published: 30 December 2019
Impacts of intellectual property provisions in trade treaties on access to medicine in low and middle income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Md. Deen Islam, Warren A. Kaplan, Danielle Trachtenberg, Rachel Thrasher, Kevin P. Gallagher and Veronika J. Wirtz
Citation: Globalization and Health 2019 15:88
Content type: Review
Published on: 30 December 2019
Abstract
Background
We present a systematic review describing ex-ante and ex-post evaluations of the impacts of intellectual property provisions in trade treaties on access to medicine in low and middle income countries. These evaluations focused on multilateral and bilateral trade agreements. We ascertained which IP provisions impacting access to medicines were the focus of these evaluations. We provide a further research agenda related to investigating the effect of trade agreement’s intellectual property provisions on access to medicines…
Conclusion
Both ex ante and ex post methods have advantages and limitations and, on balance, both types report, for the most part, an increase in price and a decrease in consumer welfare with imposition of intellectual property protection in trade agreements. The main differences between these studies are in the magnitude of the changes. There is a gap in our empirical understanding of the mechanisms through which such changes affect access to medicines and which outcomes relevant to access are most affected by which type of changes in intellectual property policy and law.

Assessment of vaccine management in cold chain points of Jashpur and Sarguja districts of Chhattisgarh

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International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
Vol 7, No 1 (2020) January 2020
https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/issue/view/58

 

Original Research Articles
Assessment of vaccine management in cold chain points of Jashpur and Sarguja districts of Chhattisgarh
Nitin H. Kamble, Daneshwar Singh, Harshal G. Mendhe, Kiran Makade

Dengue pre-vaccination serology screening for the use of Dengvaxia®

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Journal of Travel Medicine
Volume 26, Issue 8, 2019
https://academic.oup.com/jtm/issue/26/8

 

Editorial
Dengue pre-vaccination serology screening for the use of Dengvaxia®
Elizabeth Hunsperger, PhD, Rosanna Peeling, PhD, Duane J Gubler, DSc, Eng Eong Ooi, BMBS, PhD
J Travel Med, Volume 26, Issue 8, 2019, taz092, https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taz092
Can pre-vaccination screening for prior dengue infection using commercially available rapid diagnostic tests guide Dengvaxia administration?
Extract
Dengue is a global problem with an estimated 100 million symptomatic cases worldwide every year.1 Endemic throughout the tropics, this disease is expanding into the subtropics in the geographic footprint of its mosquito vectors, principally Aedes aegypti. This acute disease that presents with syndromes ranging from undifferentiated febrile illness to circulatory shock from vasculopathy, hemorrhage and organ dysfunction is caused by four closely related but antigenically distinct dengue viruses (DENV1–4). Epidemiological observations have found that certain strains of DENV are associated with increased epidemic potential and severe disease2 Moreover, elevated risk…

World RePORT: a database for mapping biomedical research funding

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Lancet Global Health
Volume 8, ISSUE 1, Pe1, January 01, 2020
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/issue/current

 

World RePORT: a database for mapping biomedical research funding
Taghreed Adam, Hannah Akuffo, James G Carter, Zach Charat, Michael J Cheetham, Aldo Crisafulli, Cindy M Danielson, Jennifer Gunning, Brian Haugen, Dominika Jajkowicz, Simon Kay,
Peter H Kilmarx, Julia Mólto López, Ole F Olesen, Inmaculada Peñas-Jiménez, Kedest Tesfagiorgis, Stacy K Wallick, Roger I Glass

Preparedness for emerging epidemic threats: a Lancet Infectious Diseases Commission

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Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume 20, ISSUE 1, P1, January 01, 2020
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/issue/current

 

Preparedness for emerging epidemic threats: a Lancet Infectious Diseases Commission
Vernon J Lee, Ximena Aguilera, David Heymann, Annelies Wilder-Smith for The Lancet Infectious Diseases Commission
At any time, an emerging, lethal, and highly transmissible pathogen might pose a risk of being spread globally because of the interconnectedness of the global population. 1, 2 Emerging epidemic threats are occurring with increasing scale, duration, and effect, often disrupting travel and trade, and damaging both national and regional economies. 3, 4 Even geographically limited outbreaks such as the Ebola virus disease in Africa might have a global effect.

Immunogenicity of chimeric haemagglutinin-based, universal influenza virus vaccine candidates: interim results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1 clinical trial

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Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume 20, ISSUE 1, P1, January 01, 2020
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/issue/current

 

Articles
Immunogenicity of chimeric haemagglutinin-based, universal influenza virus vaccine candidates: interim results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1 clinical trial
David I Bernstein, et al.

The public health crisis of underimmunisation: a global plan of action

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Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume 20, ISSUE 1, P1, January 01, 2020
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/issue/current

 

Personal View
The public health crisis of underimmunisation: a global plan of action
Lawrence O Gostin, James G Hodge Jr, Barry R Bloom, Ayman El-Mohandes, Jonathan Fielding,
Peter Hotez, Ann Kurth, Heidi J Larson, Walter A Orenstein, Kenneth Rabin, Scott C Ratzan, Daniel Salmon
Summary
Vaccination is one of public health’s greatest achievements, responsible for saving billions of lives. Yet, 20% of children worldwide are not fully protected, leading to 1·5 million child deaths annually from vaccine-preventable diseases. Millions more people have severe disabling illnesses, cancers, and disabilities stemming from underimmunisation. Reasons for falling vaccination rates globally include low public trust in vaccines, constraints on affordability or access, and insufficient governmental vaccine investments. Consequently, an emerging crisis in vaccine hesitancy ranges from hyperlocal to national and worldwide. Outbreaks often originate in small, insular communities with low immunisation rates. Local outbreaks can spread rapidly, however, transcending borders. Following an assessment of underlying determinants of low vaccination rates, we offer an action based on scientific evidence, ethics, and human rights that spans multiple governments, organisations, disciplines, and sectors.

Prevention of tuberculosis in macaques after intravenous BCG immunization

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Nature
Volume 577 Issue 7788, 2 January 2020
http://www.nature.com/nature/current_issue.html

 

Article | 01 January 2020 | Open Access
Prevention of tuberculosis in macaques after intravenous BCG immunization
The delivery route and dose of the BCG vaccine profoundly alters the protective outcome after Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge in non-human primates.
Patricia A. Darrah, Joseph J. Zeppa[…] & Robert A. Seder

Personalized public health: An implementation research agenda for the HIV response and beyond

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PLoS Medicine
http://www.plosmedicine.org/
(Accessed 4 Jan 2020)

 

Personalized public health: An implementation research agenda for the HIV response and beyond
Elvin H. Geng, Charles B. Holmes, Mosa Moshabela, Izukanji Sikazwe, Maya L. Petersen
Editorial | published 31 Dec 2019 PLOS Medicine
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003020
[Excerpt]
The third factor
We have arrived at a moment in the global HIV response where implementation research is ready to take center stage. Treatment has been scaled-up globally over the past ten years and, as a result, HIV-related mortality and incidence have fallen by more than 50% since a peak in the early 2000s [1]. Despite progress, however, antiretroviral therapy (ART) must still reach perhaps another 15 million persons living with HIV in the coming years. Progress in prevention also remains well below targets. The formula needed for success—past, present and future—consists of three main factors: first, the efficacy of available interventions to treat and prevent HIV; second, adequacy of financing; and third, the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of implementation. As to the first factor, well-tolerated, potent and affordable medications for HIV treatment and prevention already exist: tomorrow’s novel products will likely offer only incremental benefits, and do so through affecting barriers to implementation (e.g., injectable cabotegravir). Regarding the second, donor funding for the global HIV response has leveled out over the past decade and domestic allocations in low- and middle-income countries have not reached needed levels: a large surge in funding is unlikely [2]. Perhaps more than ever before, success in the global HIV response depends on the third factor in the equation: the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of implementation.

Asylum seekers’ perspectives on vaccination and screening policies after their arrival in Greece and The Netherlands

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 4 Jan 2020]

Asylum seekers’ perspectives on vaccination and screening policies after their arrival in Greece and The Netherlands
Christina Louka, Elizabeth Chandler, Adelita V. Ranchor, Hans Broer, Spyros Pournaras, Sofanne J. Ravensbergen, Ymkje Stienstra

Research Article | published 26 Dec 2019 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226948
Abstract
Introduction
Europe has been dealing with an increasing number of refugees during the past 5 years. The timing of screening and vaccination of refugees is debated by many professionals, however refugees’ perspectives on health issues are infrequently taken into account. In this study, we aimed to investigate asylum seekers’ perspectives on infectious diseases screening and vaccination policies.
Materials and methods
Interviews were conducted in Greece and the Netherlands. Asylum seekers and recently arrived refugees were approached and informed with the help of interpreters; consent forms were acquired. The survey focused on demographic data, vaccination status, screening policies and prevention of infectious diseases.
Results
A total of 61 (43 male, 70.5%) refugees (30 Afghanis, 16 Syrian, 7 Erithrean) were interviewed. Mean age was 35.2 years (SD 13.5) and 50% had received primary or secondary education, while 24.6% received none. Median time after arrival in Greece and the Netherlands was 24 months (IQR 8.5–28). 44 out of 61 (72.1) participants were willing to be vaccinated after arrival in Europe, 26 preferred vaccination and screening to be performed at the point of entry. The need for screening and vaccination was perceived higher amongst participants in Greece (100% vs 43.3%) due to living conditions leading to increased risk of outbreaks.
Conclusion
Participants were willing to communicate their perspectives and concerns. Screening and vaccination programs could be more effective when implemented shortly after arrival and by involving asylum seekers and refugees when developing screening and vaccination interventions.

 

Cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive immunization program serving high-risk, uninsured adults

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Preventive Medicine
Volume 130 January 2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/preventive-medicine/vol/130/suppl/C

 

Research article Full text access
Cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive immunization program serving high-risk, uninsured adults
Kimberly J. Wilson, H. Shelton Brown, Ujas Patel, Debbie Tucker, Kurt Becker
Article 105860

Gene drive: progress and prospects

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Proceedings of the Royal Society B
18 December 2019 Volume 286 Issue 1917
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rspb/current

 

Editorial
Gene drive: progress and prospects
N. Wedell, T. A. R. Price and A. K. Lindholm
Published:18 December 2019Article ID:20192709
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.2709
Abstract
Gene drive is a naturally occurring phenomenon in which selfish genetic elements manipulate gametogenesis and reproduction to increase their own transmission to the next generation. Currently, there is great excitement about the potential of harnessing such systems to control major pest and vector populations. If synthetic gene drive systems can be constructed and applied to key species, they may be able to rapidly spread either modifying or eliminating the targeted populations. This approach has been lauded as a revolutionary and efficient mechanism to control insect-borne diseases and crop pests. Driving endosymbionts have already been deployed to combat the transmission of dengue and Zika virus in mosquitoes. However, there are a variety of barriers to successfully implementing gene drive techniques in wild populations. There is a risk that targeted organisms will rapidly evolve an ability to suppress the synthetic drive system, rendering it ineffective. There are also potential risks of synthetic gene drivers invading non-target species or populations. This Special Feature covers the current state of affairs regarding both natural and synthetic gene drive systems with the aim to identify knowledge gaps. By understanding how natural drive systems spread through populations, we may be able to better predict the outcomes of synthetic drive release.

Tool for the Meaningful Consideration of Language Barriers in Qualitative Health Research

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Qualitative Health Research
Volume 30 Issue 2, January 2020
http://qhr.sagepub.com/content/current

 

Research Articles
Tool for the Meaningful Consideration of Language Barriers in Qualitative Health Research
Stephanie Premji, Agnieszka Kosny, Basak Yanar, Momtaz Begum
First Published July 5, 2019; pp. 167–181
Abstract
Individuals who experience language barriers are largely excluded as participants from health research, resulting in gaps in knowledge that have implications for the development of equitable policies, tools, and strategies. Drawing on the existing literature and on their collective experience conducting occupational health research in contexts of language barriers, the authors propose a tool to assist qualitative researchers and representatives from funding agencies and ethics review boards with the meaningful consideration of language barriers in research. There remain gaps and debates with respect to the relevant ethical and methodological guidance set forth by funding agencies and institutions and proposed in the scientific literature. This article adds to knowledge in this area by contributing our experiences, observations, and recommendations, including around the issue of conducting research in contexts of more or less linguistic diversity.

Study pushes emergence of measles back to antiquity

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Science
03 January 2020 Vol 367, Issue 6473
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

 

In Depth
Study pushes emergence of measles back to antiquity
By Kai Kupferschmidt
Science03 Jan 2020 : 11-12 Restricted Access
The virus may have entered the human population when cities grew large enough to sustain outbreaks.
Summary
Measles, which killed an estimated 142,000 people in 2017, is one of the most infectious human diseases. But when, where, and how it became a human pathogen is still debated. A new study concludes that the measles virus may have entered the human population as early as the fourth century B.C.E., right around the time cities became big enough to sustain it, rather than in the 11th or 12th century C.E., as previous research suggested. The new estimate is based in part on a technical tour de force: the reconstruction of a measles virus from a lung sample of a 2-year-old girl who died in Berlin in 1912.

Immunogenicity and safety of human papillomavirus vaccine coadministered with other vaccines in individuals aged 9–25 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 2 Pages 101-410 (10 January 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/2

 

Review article Abstract only
Immunogenicity and safety of human papillomavirus vaccine coadministered with other vaccines in individuals aged 9–25 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yaowei Li, Pengfei Zhu, Meifen Wu, Yiqing Zhang, Li Li
Pages 119-134

Cost-effectiveness of the introduction of two-dose bi-valent (Cervarix) and quadrivalent (Gardasil) HPV vaccination for adolescent girls in Bangladesh

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 2 Pages 101-410 (10 January 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/2

 

Review article Abstract only
Cost-effectiveness of the introduction of two-dose bi-valent (Cervarix) and quadrivalent (Gardasil) HPV vaccination for adolescent girls in Bangladesh
Rashidul Alam Mahumud, Jeff Gow, Khorshed Alam, Syed Afroz Keramat, … Sheikh M. Shariful Islam
Pages 165-172

Engineering immunity for next generation HIV vaccines: The intersection of bioengineering and immunology

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 2 Pages 101-410 (10 January 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/2

 

Review article Abstract only
Engineering immunity for next generation HIV vaccines: The intersection of bioengineering and immunology
M. Patricia D’Souza, Shyam Rele, Barton F. Haynes, Dale J. Hu, … David Rampulla
Pages 187-193

Seasonal influenza vaccination in middle-income countries: Assessment of immunization practices in Belarus, Morocco, and Thailand

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 2 Pages 101-410 (10 January 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/2

 

Research article Open access
Seasonal influenza vaccination in middle-income countries: Assessment of immunization practices in Belarus, Morocco, and Thailand
Carsten Mantel, Susan Y. Chu, Terri B. Hyde, Philipp Lambach, IPIE Pilot Implementation Group
Pages 212-219

Midwives’ knowledge, attitudes and confidence in discussing maternal and childhood immunisation with parents: A national study

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Vaccine
Volume 38, Issue 2 Pages 101-410 (10 January 2020)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/38/issue/2

 

Review article Abstract only
Midwives’ knowledge, attitudes and confidence in discussing maternal and childhood immunisation with parents: A national study
Jane E. Frawley, Kirsty McKenzie, Lynn Sinclair, Allison Cummins, … Helen Hall
Pages 366-371

Safety of Co-Administration Versus Separate Administration of the Same Vaccines in Children: A Systematic Literature Review

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 4 Jan 2020)

 

Open Access Review
Safety of Co-Administration Versus Separate Administration of the Same Vaccines in Children: A Systematic Literature Review
by Jorgen Bauwens , Luis-Henri Saenz , Annina Reusser , Nino Künzli and Jan Bonhoeffer
Vaccines 2020, 8(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8010012 – 31 Dec 2019
Abstract
The growing number of available vaccines that can be potentially co-administered makes the assessment of the safety of vaccine co-administration increasingly relevant but complex. We aimed to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the safety of vaccine co-administrations in children by performing a systematic literature review of studies assessing the safety of vaccine co-administrations in children between 1999 and 2019, in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Fifty studies compared co-administered vaccines versus the same vaccines administered separately. The most frequently studied vaccines included quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) or tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed, hepatitis B, inactivated poliovirus and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (DTaP-HepB-IPV/Hib) vaccine, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate 7-valent (PCV7) or 13-valent (PCV13) vaccines. Of this, 16% (n = 8) of the studies reported significantly more adverse events following immunization (AEFI) while in 10% (n = 5) significantly fewer adverse events were found in the co-administration groups. Statistically significant differences between co-administration and separate administration were found for 16 adverse events, for 11 different vaccine co-administrations. In general, studies briefly described safety and one-third of studies lacked any statistical assessment of AEFI. Overall, the evidence on the safety of vaccine co-administrations compared to separate vaccine administrations is inconclusive and there is a paucity of large post-licensure studies addressing this issue.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) of Influenza Vaccination in China: A Cross-Sectional Study in 2017/2018

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 4 Jan 2020)

 

Open Access Article
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) of Influenza Vaccination in China: A Cross-Sectional Study in 2017/2018
by Xiang Ren , Elizabeth Geoffroy , Keqing Tian , Liping Wang , Luzhao Feng , Jun Feng , Ying Qin , Peng Wu , Shaosen Zhang , Mengjie Geng , Lingjia Zeng , Jianxing Yu , Benjamin J. Cowling and Zhongjie Li
Vaccines 2020, 8(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8010007 – 26 Dec 2019
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to estimate influenza-like illness (ILI) prevalence, influenza-related healthcare seeking behaviors, and willingness for vaccination. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study based on a random dialing telephone survey was conducted from October 2017 through March 2018 to assess influenza-like illness prevalence and vaccination willingness among different demographic groups. Results: 10,045 individuals were enrolled and completed the survey. A total of 2834 individuals (28%) self-reported that they have suffered from influenza-like illness, especially children under 15 years of age. Overall willingness for influenza vaccination in the 2018/2019 influenza season was 45% and was positively associated with higher education level, recommendation from doctors, cost-free vaccination, and vaccination campaigns with employers’ support. Hospitalization and seeking medicine from pharmacies was less frequent in urban locations. People under 15 and over 60 years of age sought medical service more frequently. Conclusions: ILI prevalence differed significantly by age and geographical location/population density. Vaccination policy for motivating key populations at highest risk to vaccinate should take into consideration the awareness-raising of vaccination benefits, barriers reduction of vaccination such as cost, and recommendation via healthcare professionals.

Media/Policy Watch

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

 

The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

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

 

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

Foreign Affairs
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

The Guardian
http://www.guardiannews.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

 

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
Samoa Lifts State of Emergency After Deadly Measles Epidemic
The Pacific island nation will reopen schools after a measles outbreak killed 81 people, many of them children.
Dec. 29, 2019

SYDNEY, Australia — Samoa announced on Saturday that it would reopen schools and end restrictions on public gatherings as it lifted a six-week state of emergency in the aftermath of a measles epidemic that left scores of children and babies dead.
Since September, more than 5,600 measles cases have been recorded in the Pacific island nation of about 200,000 people, the Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. At least 81 people have died, many of them younger than 5…

 

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new, unique, relevant content]

Think Tanks et al

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Think Tanks et al

Brookings
http://www.brookings.edu/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new relevant content]

 

Center for Global Development
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new relevant content]

 

CSIS
https://www.csis.org/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new relevant content]

 

Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new relevant content]

 

Kaiser Family Foundation
https://www.kff.org/search/?post_type=press-release
Accessed 4 Jan 2020
[No new relevant content]

Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review :: 21 December 2019

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

.– Request anEmail Summary:Vaccines and Global Health : The Week in Review is published as a single email summary, scheduled for release each Saturday evening before midnight (EDT in the U.S.). If you would like to receive the email version, please send your request to david.r.curry@centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.org.

–pdf version:  A pdf of the current issue is available here: Vaccines and Global Health_The Week in Review_21 Dec 2019

– blog edition: comprised of the approx. 35+ entries posted below.

– Twitter:Readers can also follow developments on twitter: @vaxethicspolicy.
.
– Links:  We endeavor to test each link as we incorporate it into any post, but recognize that some links may become “stale” as publications and websites reorganize content over time. We apologize in advance for any links that may not be operative. We believe the contextual information in a given post should allow retrieval, but please contact us as above for assistance if necessary.

Support this knowledge-sharing service: Your financial support helps us cover our costs and to address a current shortfall in our annual operating budget. Click here to donate and thank you in advance for your contribution.

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

Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review will resume publication on 4 January 2020 after an end-of-year holidays break.

Drop in cholera cases worldwide, as key endemic countries report gains in cholera control

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Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

Drop in cholera cases worldwide, as key endemic countries report gains in cholera control
19 December 2019 WHO News release
The number of cholera cases decreased globally by 60% in 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced in a report that points to an encouraging trend in cholera prevention and control in the world’s major cholera hotspots, including Haiti, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“The decrease we are seeing in several major cholera-endemic countries demonstrates the increased engagement of countries in global efforts to slow and prevent cholera outbreaks and shows the vital role of mass cholera vaccination campaigns,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We continue to emphasize, however, that the long-term solution for ending cholera lies in increasing access to clean drinking water and providing adequate sanitation and hygiene.”

There were 499,447 cases of cholera and 2990 deaths in 2018, according to reports from 34 countries. While outbreaks are still ongoing in various countries, the case load represents a significant downward trend in cholera transmission that has continued into 2019, according to data collected by WHO.

“The global decrease in case numbers we are observing appears to be linked to large-scale vaccination campaigns and countries beginning to adopt the Global Roadmap to 2030 strategy in their national cholera action plans,” said Dr Dominique Legros, who heads WHO’s cholera programme in Geneva. “We must continue to strengthen our efforts to engage all cholera-endemic countries in this global strategy to eliminate cholera.”

Nearly 18 million doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) were shipped to 11 countries in 2018. Since the OCV stockpile was created in 2013, almost 60 million doses have been shipped worldwide. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has provided funding for purchase of the vaccine and financial support for the global vaccination drives….

New pneumococcal vaccine from Serum Institute of India achieves WHO prequalification

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Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

New pneumococcal vaccine from Serum Institute of India achieves WHO prequalification
December 19, 2019 by Lauren Newhouse
This milestone marks a key step toward improving pneumococcal conjugate vaccine affordability and enabling sustainable access for low- and middle-income countries
Pune, India and Seattle, United States, December 19, 2019—PNEUMOSIL®, a vaccine against a leading cause of deadly childhood pneumonia—the pneumococcus bacterium—has achieved prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO). Developed though a collaboration spanning over a decade between Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd. (SIIPL) and PATH and with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the vaccine is expected to provide protection for children on par with other pneumococcal conjugate vaccines at a price that is more affordable for low- and middle-income countries…

Global Vaccine Action Plan review and Lessons Learned Report

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Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

Global Vaccine Action Plan review and Lessons Learned Report
WHO/IVB/19.07 2019 :: 44 pages
Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. The Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011-2020.
Report PDF: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329097/WHO-IVB-19.07-eng.pdf?ua=1
Preface [excerpt]
…This report expands on the annual assessment reports prepared by the SAGE Decade of Vaccines Working Group. It considers the entire decade, drawing on a review of progress toward GVAP’s goals and objectives as well as the perceptions of stakeholders captured through three surveys, which elicited 310 responses from immunization stakeholders, and two sets of semi-structured interviews with 80 stakeholders undertaken in 2017–2019. It also incorporates valuable insights from Working Group members and the representatives of partner organizations and WHO regional offices who have made important contributions to annual
assessments. Annex 3 provides links to the full body of evidence used to generate this report.
This document reflects on the lessons learned from GVAP, and makes recommendations for the development, content and implementation of the next global immunization strategy.

 

HIGH-LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
A post-2020 global immunization strategy should:
1. Build on GVAP’s lessons learned, ensuring more timely and comprehensive implementation at global, regional and national levels

2. Have a key focus on countries:
2a. Place countries at the centre of strategy development and implementation to ensure context specificity and relevance
2b. Strengthen country-led evidence-based decision-making
2c. Encourage the sourcing and sharing of innovations to improve programme performance
2d. Promote use of research by countries to accelerate uptake of vaccines and vaccine technologies and to improve programme performance

3. Maintain the momentum towards GVAP’s goals:
3a. Incorporate key elements of GVAP, recognizing its comprehensiveness and the need to
sustain immunization’s successes each and every year
3b. Add a specific focus on humanitarian emergencies, displacement and migration, and chronic fragility
3c. Encourage stronger integration between disease-elimination initiatives and national immunization programmes 3d. Encourage greater collaboration and integration within and beyond the health sector

4. Establish a governance model better able to turn strategy into action:
4a. Create a robust and flexible governance structure and operational model based on closer collaboration between partners at all levels
4b. Incorporate the flexibility to detect and respond to emerging issues
4c. Develop and maintain a strong communications and advocacy strategy

5. Promote long-term planning for the development and implementation of novel vaccine and other preventive innovations, to ensure populations benefit as rapidly as possible

6. Promote use of data to stimulate and guide action and to inform decision-making

7. Strengthen monitoring and evaluation at the national and sub-national level to promote greater accountability

Highest-Ever Funding Allocations Announced to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria – Global Fund

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Milestones :: Perspectives :: Research

 

Highest-Ever Funding Allocations Announced to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria – Global Fund
18 December 2019
GENEVA − Following a record-breaking Replenishment in October 2019, the Global Fund today announced its largest-ever funding allocations for eligible countries to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and build systems for health over the next three years.

The allocations include US$12.71 billion for country allocations and US$890 million for catalytic investments for the period beginning 1 January 2020 – 23% more than for the previous three-year period. The funds will help save 16 million lives, cut the mortality rate for the three diseases in half and get the world back on track to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030.

“World leaders came together at our Replenishment and made commitments to step up the fight to end these epidemics by 2030,” said Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Now the real work begins. Our allocations will allow partners to expand programs that work, and to find innovative solutions for new challenges. In addition to more money, we need better collaboration and more effective programs.”…