ABC: Australians urged to get flu shot, with children more at risk from influenza than COVID-19
As Australia reopens its’ international borders to visa holders and fully vaccinated travellers on February 21, health authorities are preparing for the first significant influenza season in three years.
Experts warn that it's particularly important that pregnant women and children receive the influenza vaccine as they are at increased risk of experiencing severe symptoms and more likely to require medical intervention and/or hospitalisation.
University of Sydney infectious disease expert Dr Booy said “I would say the flu in young children is worse than COVID is in young children”.
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Australians urged to get flu shot, with children more at risk from influenza than COVID-19
CEPI opens Call to develop heat-stable vaccine tech for use against epidemic and pandemic threats
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has launched a $17.5 million initiative to improve the thermostability of current and future vaccines.
Currently, cold chain requirements are one of the leading causes of global vaccine wastage. Improving the thermostability of vaccines will work to improve global access, especially in low-income countries.
CEPI’s Acting Director of Vaccine Manufacturing and Supply Chain, Ingrid Kromann said: “We’re really looking to see a step change in the way that some of these vaccines can be stored and delivered.”
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CEPI opens Call to develop heat-stable vaccine tech for use against epidemic and pandemic threats
WHO: Commonwealth and WHO to strengthen cooperation on health, including access to vaccines
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organization (WHO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which works to strengthen their ongoing collaboration and commitment towards improving vaccine equity as well as a wide range of public health issues.
The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC said: “Equitable access to vaccines is the world’s most pressing political, economic, social and moral priority. Without effective and prompt action on vaccines, we face a never-ending global health crisis that will reduce all of our wealth and security”
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need for a stronger more accessible global health system, especially in lower-income countries.
To read the full statement, follow the link below.
Commonwealth and WHO to strengthen cooperation on health, including access to vaccines
Bloomberg: More Than 10.2 Billion Shots Given: Covid-19 Tracker
With more than 10.2 billion vaccine doses administered across 184 countries, the COVID-19 inoculation initiative is the biggest in history. Despite the astonishing numbers, the distribution efforts have been copiously imbalanced with high-income regions getting vaccinated more than 10 times faster than those in the lowest economic bracket.
Vaccines have been integral to the COVID-19 pandemic, but equal access and delivering billions of vaccines is one of the greatest logistical challenges ever undertaken.
This article explores the stats and logistical considerations of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout initiative.
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More Than 10.2 Billion Shots Given: Covid-19 Tracker
ATAGI recommendations for use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose in adolescents aged 16-17 years
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has made recommendations for use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose in adolescents aged 16-17 years.
Evidence demonstrates that waning of protection against the Omicron variant occurs after a two-dose primary vaccination schedule and a booster dose is required to increase protection against infection and severe disease.
This statement addresses the safety, efficacy and epidemiological considerations.
Follow the link below to read the recommendations in full:
ATAGI recommendations for use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose in adolescents aged 16-17 years.
The Conversation: What we know now about COVID immunity after infection – including Omicron and Delta variants
While the approved COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide strong protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death, immunity does wane over time. Throughout the pandemic, there have been considerable discussions regarding the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines against various variants as well as the duration and level of protection afforded through natural COVID-19 infection compared to vaccine immunity.
This article explores the immunogenicity of natural COVID-19 infection and vaccine protection against breakthrough infections, the rationale for boosters, as well as consideration for future COVID-19 vaccines.
To read the article in full, click on the link below:
The Conversation: What we know now about COVID immunity after infection – including Omicron and Delta variants
CEPI partners with BioNet to expand variant-proof vaccine programme
As a core part of its $3.5 billion pandemic preparedness plan, CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) will work together with BioNet to support the researchers of a global multidisciplinary consortium as they establish preclinical and clinical proof of concept for a novel Coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine will employ multiple mRNA molecules that encode several SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. This groundbreaking research could provide broad protection against differentiated COVID-19 variants as well as enable the rapid development of broadly protective vaccines against other Betacoronaviruses.
“Science has consistently delivered throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Science delivered safe and effective vaccines in record time, weakening the link between COVID-19 infection and severe illness or death, in countries with sufficient access to these innovations” - Dr Richard Hatchett
To read the full statement, follow the link below:
CEPI partners with BioNet to expand variant-proof vaccine programme
WHO: COVAX delivers its 1 billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose
On 15 January 2022, COVAX celebrated the distribution of their billionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with deliveries to 144 countries.
Ongoing efforts between COVAX, global government systems, manufacturers and partners are still underway to ensure rapid vaccine distribution and increased uptake during outbreaks.
To read the full news release, follow the link below:
WHO: COVAX delivers its 1 billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose