The global vaccine delivery platform, COVAX, might only deliver 20% of its vaccine target by mid-year because of “supply constraints” but it aims to make up the backlog in the second half of the year, according to Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of the global vaccine alliance, Gavi. “Our goal is still to try to get […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization’s new road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) 2021–2030 is a turning point in our fight against NTDs. It provides us with a clear route forward and the opportunities to effectively control and eliminate these debilitating diseases. On World Health Day 2021, dedicated to the theme of building a healthier, fairer […] Continue reading ->
Kenya’s family planning services experienced a 5% increase in the uptake of modern contraceptives at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, possibly contributing to a decline in unwanted pregnancies in the country, a new survey has shown. The survey, conducted by Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA), shows that the use of family planning […] Continue reading ->
The debate around technology transfer is proving to be critical in addressing shortages in the production of vaccines. We wanted to know from developing country manufacturers on the challenges they face in making vaccines for COVID-19. Geneva Health Files brings you an interview with Abdul Muktadir, Chairman and Managing Director of the Dhaka-based company Incepta […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization (WHO) is hopeful that all healthcare workers can be vaccinated by mid-April, but the clock is ticking away, leaving rich countries only nine days to donate surplus COVID-19 vaccines to the global COVAX facility – which has run out of doses at a crucial time. So far, the WHO has not […] Continue reading ->
Global health experts expressed their frustration with the lack of research and attention towards neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and vulnerable populations, calling for health systems to address NTDs in a more sustainable and holistic way. Speaking at the launch of a new strategic plan for the Geneva-based Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) on Tuesday, […] Continue reading ->
France is going into its third national lockdown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, after a deadly third wave hit Europe, causing soaring infection and death rates. With an average of more than 37,000 daily new cases over the past week, tougher restrictions have become inevitable. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the new restrictions […] Continue reading ->
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe and protective in children as young as 12 with no serious side effects in adolescents who received the vaccination, the company said on Wednesday. Interim results of a recent clinical trial of some 2,260 adolescents ages 12-15 years old was published by the pharma company – although it has […] Continue reading ->
Germany has suspended the use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for people under the age of 60 amidst fresh concerns of unusual blood clot cases among some people receiving the vaccine, particularly women, and leading to the deaths of nine people in all. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Health Minister Jens Spahn made the announcement […] Continue reading ->
The most important takeaway about the just-released WHO report on the origins of the SARS-CoV2 virus that has infected over 100 million people to date may not be its initial findings, which need to be held under the microscope, but the fact that it has been issued at all. Speaking at a press conference on […] Continue reading ->