Though the Americas is the only World Health Organization (WHO) region that is reporting a slight decline in new COVID-19 cases this week, countries in Central and South America, Canada and Mexico are still experiencing rising rates of infection. Over 1.1 million new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Americas over the last week, officials […] Continue reading ->
WHO urged high income countries in Europe and elsewhere to reconsider the reopening of mass events, and keep strict social distancing rules in place – in the wake of a surge in COVID cases almost everywhere but Latin America. They spoke at a press briefing on the day that the world passed the tragic milestone […] Continue reading ->
Levels of neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated individuals is a strong indicator of COVID-19 vaccine success- and this knowledge could be used to jump-start vaccine approvals and mass administration – even before large Phase 3 clinical trials are completed, suggests a new study by the University of Oxford Vaccine Group, Public Health England, and AstraZeneca. Knowledge […] Continue reading ->
After months with virtually no therapeutic options for people with severe COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of a class of medicines called interleukin-6 antagonists on Tuesday. The medicines, tocilizumab and sarilumab, reduced the risk of death and ventilation when combined with corticosteroids, according to a study published the same day in […] Continue reading ->
At least 70% of women should be screened for cervical cancer via high-performing DNA-based tests to identify the human papillomavirus (HPV), not a visual inspection with acetic acid or a Pap smear, which are more common. The HPV DNA test is not only more accurate, but it is also more cost-effective, according to the World […] Continue reading ->
As many high-income countries are relaxing restrictions for the summer months, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are witnessing rises in cases, deaths, and overwhelmed hospitals. Countries in Europe and the United States are increasingly allowing in travellers, ending mask mandates, and allowing large gatherings including football matches and concerts. At the same time, the third […] Continue reading ->
The Swiss-based journal Vaccines has retracted a controversial paper linking deaths to COVID-19 vaccines, which prompted the resignation of six members of its editorial board last week. The paper was titled ‘The Safety of COVID-19 Vaccinations – We Should Rethink the Policy’, and it attracted massive support from anti-vaxxers who question the safety of vaccines. […] Continue reading ->
Despite a series of controversies, Bharat Biotech, which produces Indian homegrown vaccine Covaxin, hopes for World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listing (EUL) soon, following last week’s publication of its promising Phase 3 results. The vaccine was given emergency authorisation by the Indian government in early January – even before it had concluded a Phase […] Continue reading ->
Their consensus was inevitable. As the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) discussed a solution in May to contain the grave and growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one mandate emerged: any action must take a multisectoral One Health approach to human, animal, and environmental health. Antibiotics are commonly used in animals – often without the […] Continue reading ->
Small island states need more help to deal with the effects of climate change as well as the new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the first World Health Organization (WHO) Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Summit concluded this week. Following a two day virtual SIDS Summit: For a healthy and resilient future in […] Continue reading ->