Speaking earlier today during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced plans to establish a new Tuberculosis (TB) Vaccine Accelerator Council.
The Council will facilitate the licensing and use of effective novel TB vaccines catalyzing high-level alignment between funders, global agencies, governments, and end users in identifying and overcoming barriers to TB vaccine development.
TB Vaccine Accelerator Council Announced
Detecting Flu Viruses at Airports
Ginkgo Bioworks today announced that they had expanded their support for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program to include a study monitoring influenza viruses.
Traveler-based pathogen monitoring represents a novel approach to influenza surveillance, complementing CDC's ongoing efforts by providing early insights into global trends in influenza virus evolution.
Detecting Flu Viruses at Airports
Ginkgo Bioworks today announced that they had expanded their support for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program to include a study monitoring influenza viruses.
Traveler-based pathogen monitoring represents a novel approach to influenza surveillance, complementing CDC's ongoing efforts by providing early insights into global trends in influenza virus evolution.
Convalescent COVID-19 Plasma Beneficial for Immunocompromised
Reduction seen in mortality with COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion in randomized clinical trials, matched cohort studies
COVID-19 Vaccinations Continue on Schedule
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agencies recently confirmed no change in COVID-19 vaccination practice recommendations.
Unraveling Key Determinant of Chronic Hepatitis B Vaccination
The role of viral hepatitis as a public health threat has long been underestimated. For example, over 800,000 people die each year from the consequences of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development project recently called for action to reduce this global disease.
While prophylactic vaccines are available to prevent HBV infection, more than 3% of the world's population are chronically infected and do not benefit.
Polio-free India Seemed Impossible
The World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region recently reported India completed 12 years free of polio, a remarkable achievement.
The WHO announced on January 13, 2023, that this achievement was realized due to consistent, determined efforts and genuine commitment at all levels.
WHO Director Dr. Hamid Jafari reflected on his time eradicating polio in India and what lessons we can take to address the final challenges for achieving eradication in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Excerpts of his statements are inserted below.
More Children at Risk for Vaccine-Preventable Disease
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced disease prevention amongst school-aged children is heading in the wrong direction… even for vaccine-preventable diseases.
Despite the widespread return to in-person learning, pandemic-related disruptions continued to affect vaccination coverage and assessment for the 2021–22 school year, preventing a return to prepandemic vaccination levels of 95% coverage.
Most Long COVID Resolves Within One Year for Mild Infections
Furthermore, vaccinated people were at lower risk of long-term breathing difficulties than unvaccinated individuals
$214 Million Allocated for Ebola Sudan and Marburg Vaccines
The Sabin Vaccine Institute today announced that the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) had awarded it a multi-year contract with funding potential for up to $214 million to advance the development and production of Ebola Sudan and Marburg virus diseases vaccines.
As of January 12, 2023, no licensed vaccines against Ebola Sudan and Marburg viruses exist.
However, if approved, these vaccines could be used as part of ongoing U.S. preparedness efforts and in response to future global outbreaks.