World Health Organization’s Censorship Of Report On Italy’s Pandemic Response Sets Dangerous International Precedent – Critics Say

15/12/2020 Nicoletta Dentico & Elaine Ruth Fletcher

The World Health Organization’s suppression of an independent report that critically examined both the strengths and weaknesses of Italy’s COVID-19 pandemic response – sets a dangerous precedent that compromises the international organization’s credibility at a time when WHO’s independence has been questioned – and the Italian national pandemic response is under intense scrutiny as well, […] Continue reading ->

Coronavirus Variant Identified In England

14/12/2020 J Hacker

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Sixty different local authorities in England have reported around 1,000 infections caused by a new COVID-19 variant. The variant is not thought to have an impact on disease severity or mortality, or on the efficacy of a vaccine. It has been reported to WHO. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in Parliament today: “We have identified […] Continue reading ->

US FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn Signals Approval of Pfizer Vaccine – Tells CDC To Get Ready For Rollout

11/12/2020 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & J Hacker

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United States Food and Drug Agency Commissioner Stephen Hahn Friday said that the agency will “rapidly work toward the finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization” for the cutting edge Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – following a vote by an independent FDA expert panel on Thursday recommending that the vaccine be approved. FDA Commissioner @SteveFDA […] Continue reading ->

COVID-19 Reveals Weakness Of Global Health Financing Systems, Says New WHO Expenditure Report

11/12/2020 Raisa Santos

The combined health and economic shocks triggered by COVID-19 have revealed profound weaknesses in health systems, with direct consequences on the future of healthcare, says a new World Health Organisation report on global health financing systems. “COVID-19 has revealed [the] underlying weakness of country and global health financing systems. There needs to be a proactive […] Continue reading ->

As Rich Countries Roll Out COVID-19 Vaccines – Will Developing Countries Miss Out?

09/12/2020 Elaine Ruth Fletcher

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 ->

Massive UK Vaccine Roll-Out Begins Showcasing Muscle of UK National Health Service

08/12/2020 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & J Hacker

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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 ->

First Ever Peer-Reviewed COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Results – The Oxford Vaccine

08/12/2020 Svĕt Lustig Vijay

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 ->

Most Countries Can Expect Vaccine Supply in Early 2021 – But The Pandemic is Far From Over, Warns WHO

04/12/2020 Kerry Cullinan

While the UK and US are likely to start vaccinating its citizens against COVID-19 before the end of the year, the 189 countries that are part of the COVAX initiative should expect to start getting vaccines towards the end of the first quarter of 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. Currently through COVAX, […] Continue reading ->

WHO Launches Campaign In Africa To Combat ‘Infodemic’ As Preparations Begin For COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

04/12/2020 Paul Adepoju & J Hacker

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 ->

Health Impacts of Climate Change Unprecedented, But Still Time For A Reset

03/12/2020 Svĕt Lustig Vijay & Elaine Ruth Fletcher

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 ->