WHO says mRNA technology holds particular potential in developing vaccines against emerging epidemic threats. Scientists in the United States and abroad called on US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy Jr, to release the data that informed his decision to cancel the US investments in mRNA vaccine research.  The World Health Organization […] Continue reading ->
The proportion of the world’s population suffering acute hunger declined globally in 2024 to about 673 million people, but continued to rise in most African regions as well as western Asia, according to the new UN State of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI) report, launched Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Global hunger levels have remained […] Continue reading ->
One World Health Organization (WHO) staff member remained in Israeli detention Tuesday evening after the Israeli military destroyed WHO’s main supply warehouse and then raided the WHO staff residence in Deir Al Balah during its new offensive into the central Gaza strip area – which until recently had remained a relative island of calm during […] Continue reading ->
Despite major breakthroughs in identifying and combating respiratory diseases, two of the most prevalent – respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal disease – continue to pose a significant health burden globally, particularly in infants, young children, and older adults.  Against this backdrop, a recent panel at the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) meeting, […] Continue reading ->
The global childhood vaccination rate in 2024 held steady with 85% of infants and children receiving three doses of the vaccine for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT), used as a global benchmark for immunization rates overall.  However large, continued gaps in coverage are propelling outbreaks, including the highest rate of measles cases since 2019.  “In […] Continue reading ->