While some of the world’s richest countries have now stockpiled more COVID vaccines than they have people to inject, the world’s 67 poorest countries may only be able to vaccinate 1 in 10 people against COVID-19 next year, unless urgent action is taken by governments and the pharmaceutical industry to make sure enough doses are […] Continue reading ->
London. The cameras were focused on the face of 90 year-old Margaret Keenan, the first UK citizen to receive the newly approved Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday at University Hospital in the city of Coventry. After her jab, she passed through a corridor of applauding nurses. Behind her mask was the glint of a smile […] Continue reading ->
Just hours after the UK jabbed its first citizen against the coronavirus, researchers have confirmed that Oxford’s vaccine is safe and effective in the first peer-reviewed publication of a Phase III coronavirus vaccine trial yet. “The results for me are very compelling,” said AstraZeneca’s executive vice president Mene Pangalos on Wednesday at a press conference. […] Continue reading ->
Information about COVID-19 has been viewed online more than 270 billion times globally since February, with a large proportion deliberately misleading, misinforming, or lying to readers. But a new ‘infodemic’ response alliance, launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, is hoped to improve scientific literacy among the general public, as countries […] Continue reading ->
The economic benefits to the economies of ten high income countries being asked to support the equitable, worldwide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and tests would be 12 times the costs, a new report has found. The study, undertaken by the global political risk research firm Eurasia Group, on behalf of the Bill and Melinda […] Continue reading ->
As the world’s eyes are fixed on the pending roll-out of new Covid-19 vaccines, a team of 120 leading health and climate experts have called on global leaders to use the momentum of the pandemic response to accelerate climate action, just ahead of the five-year anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement to limit global warming […] Continue reading ->
More than 235 million people worldwide will require humanitarian protection next year: an increase of 40% in 12 months. The United Nations (UN)has announced an appeal for US$35 billion, which it estimates will be required to support 160 million of those most in need of support, across 56 countries. The Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) 2021, […] Continue reading ->
Two groundbreaking agreements with pharma companies that should greatly expand access to WHO-recommended HIV drugs for children and adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been announced by the Geneva-based Unitaid and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). The announcements, coinciding with World AIDS Day, celebrated on Tuesday 1 December, both involve cheaper versions or new […] Continue reading ->
We are kicking off our expanded new series of opinion pieces, with Ilona Kickbusch’s reflections on last week’s G-20 and the mission of COVID vaccine distribution – what she describes as the most “defining global challenge” of 2021. We invite contributions from health policy leaders, influencers and practitioners who wish to speak out on issues […] Continue reading ->
As coronavirus policies initially forced many of us to turn into couch potatoes glued to our screens, the World Health Organization emphasizes that we can remain active and healthy even in COVID times. Regular physical activity of any type, and any duration, including dance, running, or even everyday household tasks like gardening or cleaning, can […] Continue reading ->