The Dilemma of Vaccine ‘Charity’ vs Building Africa’s Production Capacity 25/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan CAPE TOWN – As the health sector celebrates World Immunisation Week, one of the most pressing related problems is Africa’s almost total dependence on imported vaccines – something that predates, but was highlighted by, the COVID-19 pandemic. But addressing this dependence will mean dismantling the ‘charity’ model that has underpinned many of Africa’s immunisation programmes […] Continue reading -> J&J Teams up with African Centre to Find New Drugs to Address Antimicrobial Resistance 25/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan CAPE TOWN – A new partnership between African scientists and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (J&J), aimed at finding solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), was launched in South Africa on Monday. The J&J Satellite Center for Global Health Discovery, housed at the University of Cape Town (UCT)’s Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Center, will […] Continue reading -> WHO and Pfizer Concerned About Access to New COVID Antiviral Paxlovid – But For Different Reasons 22/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended Paxlovid, the antiviral medicine produced by Pfizer, for patients with COVID-19 at high risk of developing severe disease – but it is concerned about limited access to the life-saving medicine. Friday’s WHO recommendation is aimed at “patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at highest risk of developing severe […] Continue reading -> Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Makes Slow Progress, Reaching Only 16.3% 21/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Only 10 of Africa’s 54 countries have vaccinated more than a third of their citizens, although the continent has administered over two-thirds of the vaccine doses it has procured. The top 10 vaccinators are Seychelles (81%), Mauritius (76%), Rwanda (64%), Morocco (63%), Cape Verde (55%), Botswana (54%), Tunisia (53%), Mozambique (43%), São Tomé and Príncipe […] Continue reading -> Row Over COVID-19 Deaths Underscores the Importance of Accurate Mortality Statistics 20/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) expects to publish its COVID-19 death statistics “shortly”, despite objections from the government of India – apparently because the year-long study puts the Indian death toll at around four million while the government’s official death figure is 520,000 (to end 2021). The row between India and the WHO was first […] Continue reading -> As Ukraine War Intensifies, WHO Moves Supplies and Supports Efforts to Assist Rape Survivors 19/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Getting medical supplies and equipment to those Ukrainians who need it as fighting intensifies is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) biggest concerns, according to WHO Europe spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar on Tuesday. “An increase in fighting could further threaten our supply chains in and out of affected areas.,” said Bhatnagar, who is currently in […] Continue reading -> Call to Save African Vaccine Producer Aspen as Countries Opt for Donations Not Orders 14/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Aspen, the South African based pharmaceutical company licensed to produce the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet received a single order from the African continent and might close its COVID vaccine production line. This was disclosed by Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a media […] Continue reading -> With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
J&J Teams up with African Centre to Find New Drugs to Address Antimicrobial Resistance 25/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan CAPE TOWN – A new partnership between African scientists and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (J&J), aimed at finding solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), was launched in South Africa on Monday. The J&J Satellite Center for Global Health Discovery, housed at the University of Cape Town (UCT)’s Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Center, will […] Continue reading -> WHO and Pfizer Concerned About Access to New COVID Antiviral Paxlovid – But For Different Reasons 22/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended Paxlovid, the antiviral medicine produced by Pfizer, for patients with COVID-19 at high risk of developing severe disease – but it is concerned about limited access to the life-saving medicine. Friday’s WHO recommendation is aimed at “patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at highest risk of developing severe […] Continue reading -> Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Makes Slow Progress, Reaching Only 16.3% 21/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Only 10 of Africa’s 54 countries have vaccinated more than a third of their citizens, although the continent has administered over two-thirds of the vaccine doses it has procured. The top 10 vaccinators are Seychelles (81%), Mauritius (76%), Rwanda (64%), Morocco (63%), Cape Verde (55%), Botswana (54%), Tunisia (53%), Mozambique (43%), São Tomé and Príncipe […] Continue reading -> Row Over COVID-19 Deaths Underscores the Importance of Accurate Mortality Statistics 20/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) expects to publish its COVID-19 death statistics “shortly”, despite objections from the government of India – apparently because the year-long study puts the Indian death toll at around four million while the government’s official death figure is 520,000 (to end 2021). The row between India and the WHO was first […] Continue reading -> As Ukraine War Intensifies, WHO Moves Supplies and Supports Efforts to Assist Rape Survivors 19/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Getting medical supplies and equipment to those Ukrainians who need it as fighting intensifies is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) biggest concerns, according to WHO Europe spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar on Tuesday. “An increase in fighting could further threaten our supply chains in and out of affected areas.,” said Bhatnagar, who is currently in […] Continue reading -> Call to Save African Vaccine Producer Aspen as Countries Opt for Donations Not Orders 14/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Aspen, the South African based pharmaceutical company licensed to produce the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet received a single order from the African continent and might close its COVID vaccine production line. This was disclosed by Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a media […] Continue reading -> With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO and Pfizer Concerned About Access to New COVID Antiviral Paxlovid – But For Different Reasons 22/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended Paxlovid, the antiviral medicine produced by Pfizer, for patients with COVID-19 at high risk of developing severe disease – but it is concerned about limited access to the life-saving medicine. Friday’s WHO recommendation is aimed at “patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at highest risk of developing severe […] Continue reading -> Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Makes Slow Progress, Reaching Only 16.3% 21/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Only 10 of Africa’s 54 countries have vaccinated more than a third of their citizens, although the continent has administered over two-thirds of the vaccine doses it has procured. The top 10 vaccinators are Seychelles (81%), Mauritius (76%), Rwanda (64%), Morocco (63%), Cape Verde (55%), Botswana (54%), Tunisia (53%), Mozambique (43%), São Tomé and Príncipe […] Continue reading -> Row Over COVID-19 Deaths Underscores the Importance of Accurate Mortality Statistics 20/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) expects to publish its COVID-19 death statistics “shortly”, despite objections from the government of India – apparently because the year-long study puts the Indian death toll at around four million while the government’s official death figure is 520,000 (to end 2021). The row between India and the WHO was first […] Continue reading -> As Ukraine War Intensifies, WHO Moves Supplies and Supports Efforts to Assist Rape Survivors 19/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Getting medical supplies and equipment to those Ukrainians who need it as fighting intensifies is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) biggest concerns, according to WHO Europe spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar on Tuesday. “An increase in fighting could further threaten our supply chains in and out of affected areas.,” said Bhatnagar, who is currently in […] Continue reading -> Call to Save African Vaccine Producer Aspen as Countries Opt for Donations Not Orders 14/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Aspen, the South African based pharmaceutical company licensed to produce the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet received a single order from the African continent and might close its COVID vaccine production line. This was disclosed by Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a media […] Continue reading -> With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Makes Slow Progress, Reaching Only 16.3% 21/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Only 10 of Africa’s 54 countries have vaccinated more than a third of their citizens, although the continent has administered over two-thirds of the vaccine doses it has procured. The top 10 vaccinators are Seychelles (81%), Mauritius (76%), Rwanda (64%), Morocco (63%), Cape Verde (55%), Botswana (54%), Tunisia (53%), Mozambique (43%), São Tomé and Príncipe […] Continue reading -> Row Over COVID-19 Deaths Underscores the Importance of Accurate Mortality Statistics 20/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) expects to publish its COVID-19 death statistics “shortly”, despite objections from the government of India – apparently because the year-long study puts the Indian death toll at around four million while the government’s official death figure is 520,000 (to end 2021). The row between India and the WHO was first […] Continue reading -> As Ukraine War Intensifies, WHO Moves Supplies and Supports Efforts to Assist Rape Survivors 19/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Getting medical supplies and equipment to those Ukrainians who need it as fighting intensifies is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) biggest concerns, according to WHO Europe spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar on Tuesday. “An increase in fighting could further threaten our supply chains in and out of affected areas.,” said Bhatnagar, who is currently in […] Continue reading -> Call to Save African Vaccine Producer Aspen as Countries Opt for Donations Not Orders 14/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Aspen, the South African based pharmaceutical company licensed to produce the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet received a single order from the African continent and might close its COVID vaccine production line. This was disclosed by Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a media […] Continue reading -> With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Row Over COVID-19 Deaths Underscores the Importance of Accurate Mortality Statistics 20/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) expects to publish its COVID-19 death statistics “shortly”, despite objections from the government of India – apparently because the year-long study puts the Indian death toll at around four million while the government’s official death figure is 520,000 (to end 2021). The row between India and the WHO was first […] Continue reading -> As Ukraine War Intensifies, WHO Moves Supplies and Supports Efforts to Assist Rape Survivors 19/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Getting medical supplies and equipment to those Ukrainians who need it as fighting intensifies is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) biggest concerns, according to WHO Europe spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar on Tuesday. “An increase in fighting could further threaten our supply chains in and out of affected areas.,” said Bhatnagar, who is currently in […] Continue reading -> Call to Save African Vaccine Producer Aspen as Countries Opt for Donations Not Orders 14/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Aspen, the South African based pharmaceutical company licensed to produce the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet received a single order from the African continent and might close its COVID vaccine production line. This was disclosed by Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a media […] Continue reading -> With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
As Ukraine War Intensifies, WHO Moves Supplies and Supports Efforts to Assist Rape Survivors 19/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Getting medical supplies and equipment to those Ukrainians who need it as fighting intensifies is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) biggest concerns, according to WHO Europe spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar on Tuesday. “An increase in fighting could further threaten our supply chains in and out of affected areas.,” said Bhatnagar, who is currently in […] Continue reading -> Call to Save African Vaccine Producer Aspen as Countries Opt for Donations Not Orders 14/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Aspen, the South African based pharmaceutical company licensed to produce the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet received a single order from the African continent and might close its COVID vaccine production line. This was disclosed by Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a media […] Continue reading -> With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Call to Save African Vaccine Producer Aspen as Countries Opt for Donations Not Orders 14/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Aspen, the South African based pharmaceutical company licensed to produce the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet received a single order from the African continent and might close its COVID vaccine production line. This was disclosed by Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a media […] Continue reading -> With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
With COVID Vaccine Supply Outstripping Vaccination Rates, Pharma Giants Question Pursuit of IP Waiver 13/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan Pharmaceutical giants have questioned why a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is still on the table when they are battling to find markets for their vaccines amid order cancellations – including from the Africa Centre for Disease Control. “I’m stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still being debated while supplies […] Continue reading -> NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
NCDs Finally Get Attention at Presidential Level 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan After years of being the neglected stepchild of global health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) might finally be getting the urgent attention they need with Tuesday’s launch of an international NCD compact and presidential group. The measures were announced at the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by the governments of Ghana […] Continue reading -> Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Historic Public Hearings on WHO Pandemic Instrument; Some Unhappiness with Process 12/04/2022 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Organization (WHO) convened public hearings for only the second time in its history on Tuesday, asking interested parties what substantive issues should be contained in its proposed international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The first and only other WHO hearings were held 22 years ago in the run-up to the adoption […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts