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.
पूरा बयान पढ़ने के लिए नीचे दिए गए लिंक का अनुसरण करें।
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.
To read the full article follow the link below:
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
पूरा बयान पढ़ने के लिए नीचे दिए गए लिंक का अनुसरण करें:
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
Sydney Morning Herald: Fourth COVID vaccine shot found to be highly effective
A preliminary study published by Israel’s Sheba medical centre found that a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine administered to people 60 years and over, made them three times more resistant to serious illness and twice as resistant to infection than thrice-vaccinated people in the same age group.
Moving forward, Pfizer’s chief executive Albert Bourla said annual COVID-19 vaccine boosters would be preferable to more frequent boosters
At this stage, Pfizer is nearly ready to file for approval for a redesigned vaccine that targets Omicron while still protecting against other variants.
पूरा लेख पढ़ने के लिए, नीचे दिए गए लिंक का अनुसरण करें:
Fourth COVID vaccine shot found to be highly effective
ABC: Children with COVID-19 are at risk of a rare complication. Will Omicron make MIS-C more common?
Paediatricians flag a surge in paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome following COVID-19 infection, with more than 6,000 cases reported in the US and 35 in Australia. PIMS-TS is most common in children around the age of 9, weeks after they’ve experienced a mild or asymptomatic case of COVID-19. Currently, doctors have not been able to identify an exact causal effect, but some scientists believe a child’s body can have a delayed reaction to the virus.
“We are getting much better now at recognising the syndrome and treating it” explains Associate Professor Nigel Crawford.
While this complication is very rare, scientists are currently uncertain whether the highly infectious Omicron variant will perpetuate a spike in PIMS-TS occurrences.
पूरा लेख पढ़ने के लिए नीचे दिए गए लिंक का अनुसरण करें:
Children with COVID-19 are at risk of a rare complication. Will Omicron make MIS-C more common?
Updated MVEC reference page: Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine
We have updated our Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine page to reflect the latest ATAGI recommendations. The Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in a primary course of vaccination in people aged 18 years and older.
Our reference page also includes links to the latest resources and information regarding the safety and efficacy of the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine.
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine page in the link below.
Updated MVEC reference page: Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI Statement on the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid)
Following two phase lll clinical trials conducted in the USA/Mexico and in the UK, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval of the Novavvax COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, also known as Nuvaxovid (Biocelect Pty Ltd/Novavax Inc) is a spike protein-based vaccine with each 0.5mL dose containing 5 micrograms of the of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and 50 micrograms of Matrix-M as an adjuvant.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated to be highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease in adults in a primary schedule. ATAGI continues to monitor the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine including in high-risk priority groups and will provide updated recommendations as required.
To read the full ATAGI statement, follow the link below:
ATAGI Statement on the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid)