Back to
About COVAX
A historic multilateral effort co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF from 2020 through 2023, COVAX pushed to centre vaccine equity at the heart of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVAX will come to a close on 31 December 2023.
COVAX in numbers
195 participating economies
~2 billion vaccines and safe injection devices shipped to 146 economies
~2.7 million deaths averted
10 different COVID-19 vaccine products shipped
>US$ 12 billion to support access for lower-income economies
History and milestones
“No one is safe until everyone is safe”: Key moments in the evolution of the COVAX Facility – the global risk-sharing mechanism for pooled procurement and equitable distribution of vaccines at the heart of COVAX.
Key learnings
COVAX: key learnings for future pandemic preparedness and response
WHITE PAPER | 14 September 2022
Drawing on COVAX’s unique experience enabling an unprecedented global rollout at scale during a pandemic, this paper outlines the key challenges the mechanism faced in seeking to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the actions it took in response and recommendations for the future.
A preliminary assessment of COVAX’s impact in lower-income countries
WHITE PAPER | May 2023
Approximately 90% of COVAX-delivered COVID-19 doses have gone to lower-income economies. This represents the fastest and most complex global deployment of vaccines ever. But in terms of achieving equitable access during this pandemic, how successful has it been and where have its impacts been the greatest?
Coordination in a crisis: Lessons managing the COVAX Strategic Coordination Office (2021–2023)
WHITE PAPER | December 2023
Drawing upon experiences gained during the COVID-19 pandemic in coordinating the COVAX Strategic Coordination Office (SCO), this paper proposes lessons for future pandemic responses, as well as what might be maintained during intra-pandemic periods, to better prepare for future emergencies.
Building an emergency response decision-making framework for outbreaks of pandemic potential
DISCUSSION PAPER | April 2023
When an outbreak of an infectious disease starts to escalate, how should global health organisations decide on if, when and how to launch a response? To this end, Gavi is working with partners to develop a decision-making framework for outbreaks of pandemic potential that will define optimum interventions, specific to the outbreak, and unlock critical financing in response.
The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator: what is it and why is it important?
VACCINESWORK ARTICLE
A new innovative financing instrument, called the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), has been approved by the Gavi Board. But why is it important for African countries to produce vaccines, how will it work, and why now?
Expanding Sustainable Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa 2022
WHITE PAPER | 2 November 2022
The pandemic has highlighted new and pressing challenges to regional vaccine supply resilience as a critical factor in global health security. While 1.8 billion doses1 of COVID-19 vaccine have been shipped under COVAX, including 0.6 billion to Africa, early delays in obtaining doses on the African continent stimulated new resolve to address future supply security.
A New Era of Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa
WHITE PAPER | 22 June 2022
One of the prominent issues exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic is the urgent need to further diversify global vaccine manufacturing, particularly with regards to Africa. With the political realities of nationalism, trade barriers, and the absence of regional manufacturing capability and capacity, rapid and equitable global access to life-saving vaccines can be compromised, leading to delays that put lives at risk.
Taking stock of humanitarian access to pandemic vaccines
DISCUSSION PAPER | 22 June 2022
COVAX was launched in 2020 with equity as its foundational principle, and fundamental to its design from the outset was a vision to address the most unpredictable and hardest to fill gaps in global COVID-19 vaccine access.
10 Learnings for the Alliance from the COVAX Humanitarian Buffer
DISCUSSION PAPER | February 2023
The following 10 learnings highlight the ways in which the COVAX Humanitarian Buffer (HB) and COVAX’s broader learnings in reaching humanitarian settings can contribute to both the Alliance’s work in routine immunisation, future preparedness and response efforts.
Country perspectives
How to get vaccines to remote areas? In Sierra Leone they’re delivered by foot, boat or motorbike
For villagers in remote areas in Sierra Leone it takes a lot of time and money to get to a clinic. So the COVID-19 vaccine came to the people.
Failure to define Long COVID will impede research progress
Surveys that assess symptoms for long Covid have been inadequate for developing a case definition for the illness.
Nearly 7% of Americans struggle with Long COVID as infections surge
The post-viral illness continues to damage lives as global numbers are estimated to be at least 65 million.
Four key pieces of research on Long COVID that have improved our understanding
Four years since the start of the pandemic, we now have a good understanding of what Long COVID does. More of a mystery has been why it happens. New research is starting to find answers.
As the pandemic turns four, here’s what we need to do for a healthier future
On the fourth anniversary of the pandemic, a public health researcher offers four principles for a healthier future.
Research shows that rapid antigen tests are performing as well at detecting the most recent dominant variants as they did with the earliest strains in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two new high-profile studies add to the increasingly worrisome picture of how even mild cases of COVID-19 can have detrimental effects on brain health.
Reaching Every Child with the COVID-19 Recovery Fellowship in Ghana
A COVID-19 Recovery for Routine Immunization Fellowship is helping Evans Attivor successfully reach those who missed immunizations.
COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy protects newborns
Research highlights the importance of maternal vaccination to protect infants against severe COVID-19 until they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves.
Five key factors that allowed COVAX to deliver two billion COVID-19 vaccines
The COVAX Facility set up to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines got to the most vulnerable, no matter where they lived, was unprecedented, and evolved many times over the pandemic. Here are five key factors that led to one of the biggest emergency…
Long COVID patients need scientific ambition, not defeatism
Post-viral illnesses have often been neglected by science. Insights into Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) show that this is the time to ramp up efforts.
New evidence confirms COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy is safe for babies
The largest study to date suggests that receiving an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy may be associated with fewer general complications during birth.
Cognitive slowness could be used as a marker for Long COVID
Diagnostic markers of Long COVID are rare, but a study of cognitive response might have uncovered one.
Lessons from Lower-Income Countries’ COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
As the world prepares for the next pandemic, it will be crucial to learn from the innovative and tailored strategies that lower-income countries used to immunize hard-to-reach communities against COVID-19. These efforts offer insights into how to…
Could long covid ‘brain fog’ be an acquired form of ADHD?
ADHD usually manifests in childhood. But what if Covid-19 has shown that such neurodiversity can develop at any age?
What COVID diaries have in common with Samuel Pepys’ 17th-century plague diaries
Keeping a diary has been a common pandemic pastime throughout history.
Seven things you need to know about the JN.1 COVID-19 variant
WHO has designated the JN.1 form of Omicron a “variant of interest”, due to its rapidly increasing spread.
The Viral Most Wanted: The Coronaviruses
Seven members of the Coronavirus family are already known to infect people, often with deadly consequences. Disease investigators fear that more new and dangerous Coronaviruses could spill over at any time.
People who experienced childhood adversity had poorer COVID-19 outcomes, new study shows
People with adverse experiences during childhood − whether physical, emotional or sexual abuse − had higher rates of death and hospitalization decades later from COVID-19.
Nearly half of COVID-19 survivors in Africa experiencing Long COVID symptoms, study suggests
Fatigue is the most commonly reported symptom among COVID-19 survivors in Africa.
Getting the jab made simple in Eswatini
The Kingdom of Eswatini has made access to COVID-19 vaccination almost as easy as getting a headache pill.
Leading on vaccine equity: reflections on 100 days as interim CEO
The interim CEO of the Vaccine Alliance looks back on his first 100 days and looks forward to the challenges ahead.
Facemasks catch viruses – so why is the evidence on their effectiveness so confusing?
When it comes to assessing the efficacy of facemasks some types of trial are better than others, experts say.
To Prevent the Next Pandemic, Follow the Science
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical role of evidence-based policies in addressing global health crises. It has also highlighted the need for flexible strategies, equitable health care, and multidisciplinary approaches that bridge…
From a Grassroots Survey to Long COVID Treatment Trials
A pharmacist polled patients on their dozens of medications and supplements. Could these efforts help fight long Covid?
Uzbekistan prepares for a viral winter
“Get vaccinated!” advises the government, as spikes in both flu and COVID-19 anticipated.
You’ve heard of long COVID, but did you know there might also be a long cold?
COVID isn’t the only respiratory disease to leave the patient with long-term symptoms. Colds and flu can do the same.
The hidden crisis: How the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting youth mental health
We are facing a parallel pandemic of mental health issues, particularly among young people. As with COVID-19 itself, prevention could be better than cure.
Legally recognised but socially and economically marginalised, trans Bangladeshis encountered COVID-19 as an acute existential threat.
From Kraken to Pirola: who comes up with the nicknames for COVID-19 variants?
Professor Ryan Gregory is part of the team of COVID-19 sleuths who propose unofficial nicknames for Omicron variants.
Why do so many people hate wearing masks?
Some refused to believe they protected against COVID-19, others protested in violent anti-mask demonstrations. Why have face masks caused such extreme reactions?
From masks to testing: three key lessons we’ve already forgotten from the pandemic
The world wasn’t prepared for COVID-19 and painful lessons had to be quickly learned. But in moving on, there are important things we have already forgotten.
Will COVID-19 boosters protect against new variants such as “Pirola” and “Eris”?
The emergence of new Omicron subvariants has prompted fears about a fresh wave of infections, but existing COVID-19 booster vaccines are expected to provide reasonable protection against severe disease.
Why we still need to talk about pandemics and how to approach future ones
Nobody can be blamed for not wanting to hear the word ‘pandemic’ ever again. COVID-19, the worst global health emergency in 100 years, claimed the lives of millions of people.
Nearly a third of hospitalised COVID-19 patients show signs of organ damage
Study highlights the need to follow up COVID-19 patients after hospital discharge, especially if they have ongoing symptoms.
Will we see a return to masks and lockdowns against COVID-19 this winter?
As COVID-19 cases start to rise in the northern hemisphere and new data indicates that non-pharmaceutical interventions were effective in cutting cases, could we see a return to winter restrictions?
Everything you need to know about the new BA.2.86 “Pirola” variant
The latest heavily mutated SARS CoV-2 variant has now been detected in 11 countries. Should we be worried?
COVID: should we start wearing masks again?
Some experts are calling for a return to masking as new variants emerge.
Standing Strong and Brave, Amid Strife
In this photo essay photographer Guerchom Ndebo and the WHO’s Eugene Kabambi capture resilience and community effort in the DRC’s IDP camps.
Five things you need to know about the ‘Eris’ COVID-19 variant
WHO has upgraded the EG.5 sub-variant to a ‘variant of interest’ although the public health risk remains low.
Could cellular energy factories hold the key to understanding Long COVID?
SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to disrupt genes in cellular energy factories called mitochondria, interfering with metabolism.
Disability in a pandemic – Africa’s forgotten families
Challenges for disabled people worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic and urgent attention is needed. But the pandemic worsened such challenges, especially in employment and accessing information. African governments should urgently implement…
What We Must Learn from COVID-19
With the pandemic now seemingly in the rearview mirror, policymakers must start preparing for the next public-health crisis. Today’s political leaders have a historic opportunity to foster a more inclusive global order, and they have a…
Failing to protect health care workers comes at too great a cost
The COVID-19 pandemic was a disaster. It led to at least 6 million deaths, caused tremendous economic and social disruption, and unwound decades of development gains in vulnerable lower-income countries.
Long COVID: brain function still affected for some up to two years after infection – new research
We used a series of ‘brain training’ style tasks to assess how a COVID infection and persistent symptoms affected cognitive function.
How Tanzania leapfrogged into the lead on COVID-19 vaccination
In January 2022, just 2.8% of Tanzania was vaccinated against COVID-19. A year and a half later, the majority of Tanzanians have completed their “primary series.” VaccinesWork asked experts what made all the difference.
A decade of partnership turns COVID-19 vaccination challenges into long term local solution in Laos
A long-standing partnership in Laos helped overcome challenges during COVID-19 vaccine introduction and led to long-term solutions that continue to support health workers with routine immunisation.
COVID-19 vaccines can provide critical protection for children
As SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating around the world, a study in The Lancet provides evidence that vaccination is a highly effective way to protect children from COVID-19.
“The Alliance never rests”: A preview of what’s coming at next week’s Gavi Board meeting
The Gavi Board, which brings together stakeholders from across the world of immunisation1, is meeting next week in Geneva. Prof. Jose Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Board, reflects on some of the key elements up for discussion.
“World’s largest brothel” pushed into crisis by COVID-19 lockdowns, bounces back with vaccination
COVID-19 had a devastating effect on Daultadia in Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest brothels. But special inclusive vaccination drives have offered the 1,500 sex workers living here a path to immunity, and back to normalcy.
Game changers: Nigerian states develop special initiatives to boost COVID-19 vaccination coverage
Five states in Nigeria have reached their COVID-19 vaccination coverage targets. VaccinesWork spoke to health leaders in three of them to learn how it’s done.
“Faces are like water in my head”: What happens when COVID-19 affects the brain?
Scientists are increasingly recognising that COVID-19 can have lasting and debilitating neurological symptoms, as well as causing structural changes to the brain.
Thousands of people in the UK are out of work due to long COVID
Studies from multiple countries have found that long COVID is linked to an increased likelihood of not working. Here’s what’s happened in the UK.
Global health progress has stagnated, putting countless lives at risk, WHO warns
The annual WHO Health Statistics Report says the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the ongoing decline in progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Could CBT, a widely used form of ‘talking therapy’, help people who have persistent fatigue after having COVID? A recent study suggests it could.
Obesity speeds up loss of immunity from COVID vaccines – new research
We found the protection offered by COVID vaccines wanes more quickly in people with severe obesity compared to those of normal weight.
“We need these jabs”: How a Ugandan ‘bingwa’ is helping boost demand for COVID-19 vaccines
Amid flagging demand, Doreen Naiga – one of Africa CDC’s COVID-19 vaccination champions – is persuading young folks and persons with comorbidities in Uganda to get immunised.
The WHO has lifted “PHEIC” status for COVID-19, but insists the disease continues to pose a global threat.
Indian data sheds new light on severity of “Arcturus” infections
A study from Maharashtra suggests the XBB.1.16 COVID-19 variant is replacing all other co-circulating lineages in India, but that the severity of infection is similar to other Omicron sub-variants.
Why finding moments of joy is important in chronic illness
Chronic illnesses like Long COVID can be devastating as people’s lives become radically smaller, but searching out joy and positivity can have real clinical benefits.
Three countries that have seen the impact of COVID-19 vaccine delivery funding
More than US$ 1 billion has been approved by Gavi for 87 COVAX-supported lower-income countries to help them deliver COVID-19 vaccines to every corner of their countries. Here are three examples of where this funding is making a difference.
Could the “Arcturus” variant trigger a new wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths?
The XBB1.16 variant may be the most transmissible version of SARS-CoV-2 yet, but experts believe it is unlikely to cause a big wave of cases.
Down – not out: COVID-19 cases surge in India
A rising immunity wall means cases are milder than they once were. But the steep recent spike, accompanied by the reimposition of mask mandates in some places, is a reminder that the pandemic bug is still stalking us.
Arcturus: WHO upgrades XBB.1.16 to a COVID-19 “variant of interest”
Reports of itchy eyes and high fever are triggering alarm, but there is still nothing to indicate that XBB.1.16 will trigger an increase in hospitalisations or deaths at this stage.
COVID-19 vaccine coverage continues to increase in lower-income countries
The COVAX facility has shipped nearly two billion doses worldwide, ensuring health care workers and older people in low-income countries are protected against a virus that is still claiming lives across the world.
Creating new norms in Ghana with human-centred design
By mid-2022 only 36% of the eligible population in Ghana had been vaccinated against COVID-19. The latest behavioural science techniques helped turn the tide.
Sanofi vaccine: what to know about this protein-based COVID booster being offered in the UK
A vaccine produced by Sanofi is being given as part of the 2023 spring booster campaign. An immunology expert explains how it works.
Q&A: COVID lessons could ease cholera outbreak – Moeti
Lessons from COVID-19 pandemic could ease Africa’s cholera outbreak, says WHO’s Matshidiso Moeti
Why focusing on COVID deaths undercounts the health harms of the pandemic – new research
A new study has attempted to quantify the pandemic’s effects on global health by surveying people across 13 countries.
The COVID pandemic risks lasting damage to adult social care
The COVID pandemic has left lingering consequences both for people receiving adult social care and support in England, and for the workforce delivering it.
Omicron Soup: Deciphering WHO’s new COVID-19 labelling system
WHO has simplified its variant labelling system, but stresses that Omicron remains a public health threat.
Although the mRNA vaccines have done an excellent job of reducing COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, questions remain regarding waning immunity, and public uptake has decreased with each new booster. With the pandemic still far from over, a…
Candida auris: what you need to know about the deadly fungus spreading through US hospitals
A drug-resistant fungus is a threat to human health.
Could the common cold give children immunity against COVID? Our research offers clues
Certain immune cells acquired from a coronavirus that causes the common cold appear to react to COVID – but more so in children that adults.
Could drugs to prevent Long COVID finally be within reach?
Two new studies have suggested that existing diabetes and antiviral drugs could be repurposed to prevent symptoms of COVID-19.
What next-gen Covid-19 vaccines might look like
From building up defenses in the nose to slowing down a virus’s ability to make copies of itself, scientists are rolling out a raft of creative approaches to fighting infection.
“We need to reach every child”: How Uganda’s routine immunisation program climbed back from COVID-19
Resilience can look like a canny financial strategy or a health worker crawling up a rickety ladder, finds John Agaba in Kampala.
In Papua New Guinea, a roving high-level taskforce is finding and patching immunisation gaps
First on their to-do list? Build out the cold chain.
Wisma Mugano: A village health worker’s dedicated life of service
Village health workers, like Mugano, have been instrumental in delivering health services to people in hard-to-reach areas and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Snow-capped peaks and ice-lined refrigerators: extending the cold chain far into Nepal’s Himalayas
Reliable transportation and electricity can be a tall order in the high mountains, but investments in the cold chain have brought vaccines several steps closer to the community.
Do a Quarter of Kids Really Get Long Covid? It’s Complicated.
While the numbers are hard to pin down, some researchers say their colleagues have overstated the risks.
COVID, bird flu, mpox – a virologist on why we’re seeing so many viruses emerge
It’s likely a combination of the incidence of viral outbreaks increasing, and the fact we’re getting better at detecting them.
An immunologist’s reflections on nine months of long COVID
In 2022, Dr Stéphanie Longet got COVID-19 and then Long COVID. Here, Longet, who studies vaccine-induced immunity, talks to VaccinesWork about her mission to understand the condition better.
#VaccinesWork’s top 10 Long COVID stories
Long COVID has altered the lives of millions of people, all living in the limbo of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms weeks or months after their initial infection, yet not knowing how or when they will recover. On International Long COVID Awareness…
The WHO first described COVID as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Where are we at, three years later?
A fighting chance: translating routine vaccination for Kakuma’s multilingual refugee population
Sometimes to build demand for vaccines, just speaking the right language can be enough, especially in one of the world’s largest refugee camps.
COVID poetry: how a new genre is helping readers to comprehend the pandemic
Many established poets published lockdown poems offering their perspective on the power of poetry to make sense of the pandemic.
8 things we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic
Next week marks three years since the World Health Organization characterised COVID-19 a pandemic. From immunity and vaccine efficacy to virus evolution and Long COVID, here’s what we now know.
In Ghana, a game of post-pandemic immunisation catch-up is being hobbled by vaccine shortages
Closing the COVID-19 immunity gap to make sure Ghana’s children are protected is only possible when there are enough vaccines in clinic refrigerators.
Q&A: How to fix the worst malnutrition crisis in more than 40 years
Climate change, COVID-19 and the Ukraine war’s impact on food prices are combining to create the worst hunger crisis in decades. VaccinesWork spoke to Simon Bishop, CEO of the Power of Nutrition, about why this matters, and what we need to do to…
Sri Lanka was winning its battle with leprosy. Then came COVID-19
Slowly, but hidden behind the disruptive pandemic virus, leprosy was spreading. Now Sri Lanka’s health department is working hard to find and cure a cohort of patients before it’s too late.
“No mean feat”: India reaches more than 100 million teens protected against COVID-19
It began at a sprint, and it’s slowed to a stroll – but there are signs that India’s campaign to vaccinate its colossal adolescent cohort is making steady gains among initially hesitant parents.
Why does it feel like everyone is sick at the moment?
Instead of thinking we’re paying an ‘immunity debt’ after the lockdowns of the pandemic, it would be far better to focus on the best way to robustly and safely boost our immune systems: vaccination.
Target single men to counter new COVID-19 variants, health survey of more than 45,000 people reveals
Research across 67 countries shows single men were more inclined to ignore anti-Covid measures than their female or married peers. To face off new variants, health campaigns need to target them.
New roadmap charts a course towards improved coronavirus vaccines that could head off future threats
An international collaboration of scientists has mapped out a strategy to make long-lasting and broadly protective coronavirus vaccines a reality.
How much immunity do we get from a COVID infection? Large study offers new clues
Previous infection was highly protective against reinfection with alpha, beta and delta variants, but less so against omicron BA.1.
Can the “world’s first intranasal COVID vaccine” help spur booster uptake in India?
Physicians say they hope the needle-free jab will fuel booster demand, helping squash transmission of the pandemic virus.
Which lower-income countries saw the biggest COVID-19 vaccination coverage gains in 2022?
Throughout 2022 COVAX helped lower-income governments to roll out jabs and launched an initiative to help those furthest behind improve. So which countries made the biggest strides in coverage? The answer may be surprising.
“Every aspect of sexual and reproductive health is impacted”: The hidden toll of Ebola
As an obstetrician working in Sierra Leone just as the 2014-16 Ebola epidemic was taking off, Dr Benjamin Black found himself at the frontline of an unfolding health crisis. He recently published a book about his experiences, and explains how…
Scientists are trying to find out whether there’s a genetic reason certain people have managed to avoid COVID for three years.
How an Apostolic women’s group helped Zimbabwe counter vaccine hesitancy
Zimbabwe’s large Apostolic faith community has a reputation for shunning medical intervention, including vaccination. Amid COVID-19, that position began to soften. Here, insiders tell VaccinesWork about the strategies that made a difference.
Burundi’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign accelerates
With just 0.25% of the country immunised, Burundi is dangerously behind the rest of the world when it comes to protection from the pandemic virus. But, a revamped strategy is pushing the pace of vaccination.
Yes, masks reduce the risk of spreading COVID, despite a review saying they don’t
An updated Cochrane Review suggests face masks don’t reduce the spread of COVID in the community. But there are several reasons why this conclusion is misleading.
COVID-19 is still a global health emergency. What does that mean?
We've just passed the third anniversary of the declaration of the COVID-19 emergency – and WHO says it’s not over yet. Let’s talk about it.
What happens when you don’t recover from COVID-19?
During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the main focus of public health systems was on avoiding hospitalisation and death. Yet the lingering effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections are something we should all be worried about, even if our…
Curbing vaccine hesitancy is as much a matter of acknowledging its social, historical, and cultural roots as it is of addressing its clinical dimensions.
Long COVID has had a brutal effect on the workforce, study finds
The post-viral condition has prevented significant numbers of employees from returning to work, especially women and those aged over 60 or with co-morbidities.
Signs of progress: interpreters combat misinformation among Nigeria’s hearing-impaired
When a rumour threatened to derail COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Lagos’s hearing-impaired community, a small cohort of sign language interpreters stepped up to help them separate fact from fiction.
An effective nasal vaccine could stop the virus that causes COVID-19 right at its point of entry. But devising one that works has been a challenge for researchers.
“Fighting on two fronts”: battling HIV/AIDS amid COVID-19 in Pakistan
HIV infections in Pakistan are rising. HIV/AIDS workers and activists say that community-based service provision is improving – but that more help is needed.
LGBTQI organisations campaign for COVID-19 vaccination in Eswatini
Discrimination is deadly, especially amid a pandemic. In Eswatini, LGBTQI organisations are making sure that COVID-19 vaccines reach a community often left behind by mainstream healthcare.
Nepal reckons with COVID-19’s steep toll on mental health
Nepal’s commitment to providing mental health care is growing. But resources remain scarce, and rates of mental illness are spiking.
An upgraded global response to future potential pandemic threats would give the best chance of eliminating new infectious diseases at source before they spread globally.
RSV, influenza and COVID-19 can all trigger pneumonia. Here’s what you should know about this lung infection.
Breathing Life Back into COVID Prevention
Taking the fight to pathogens like the coronavirus will require a multi-pronged strategy to improve air quality in indoor public and private spaces. And though this method of prevention will require new investments, the costs will pale in…
Q&A: Africa’s new order for achieving health security
Fully implement Africa’s new public health order for better health outcomes, says Africa CDC’s acting director.
Data suggests the bivalent boosters are working well against omicron.
COVID and your gut: how a healthy microbiome can reduce the severity of infection – and vice versa
The microbes in our gut have many roles, including to support immune function.
How Botswana, a self-financing COVAX country, solved its pandemic strategy puzzle
If anyone knows that a radically inclusive health agenda can rout a rampant virus, it's Botswana. That's part of why, in 2020, the government "jumped at" the chance to join COVAX, Health Minister Edwin Dikoloti tells VaccinesWork. But that was…
Colds, flu and COVID: how diet and lifestyle can boost your immune system
Here are some simple things you can do everyday to help your immune system fight off infections.
Here’s what we know about the new Omicron variant XBB.1.5
A new subvariant of Omicron that caused a spike in cases in the northern hemisphere last winter is spreading like wildfire across the world, but how worried should we be?
How COVID can disturb your sleep and dreams – and what could help
If you’ve had trouble sleeping during or after a COVID infection, you’re not alone.
COVID in 2023 and beyond – why virus trends are more difficult to predict three years on
One thing is for certain though – the pandemic is not over yet.
How Bangladesh’s immunisation system is coming back stronger
Has COVID-19 taught a cohort of Bangladeshis the value of vaccination?
The healthcare app is giving sidelined women physicians a way to practise, and isolated communities a network of experts to turn to.
Five things to know about Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome
Scientists are looking into the similarities between Long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) – also known as myalgic encephalitis (ME). Here is what we know so far.
Flu spikes in Indian Kashmir as COVID-19 measures lift
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, uptake of the flu vaccine in the Himalayan state appears to be unusually slow. But as temperatures plummet and masks are left at home, that’s having contagious consequences.
University clinics move beyond the student population in Zambia
The clinics on Zambia’s university campuses go beyond catering simply to academics’ and students’ health needs.
Renewed malaria push needed after COVID-19 setback
New tools are urgently needed to fight malaria following disruptions to eradication efforts, say health leaders.
Hello, 2023: Gavi’s Board votes in a plan for the coming year
Here are six of the vaccine organisation’s top priorities for a brand new ”Year of Renewal”.
Overweight women may be at highest risk of long COVID – new research
A new study of people in England sought to understand what factors make people more or less susceptible to developing long COVID.
COVID deepened inequalities in HIV treatment: what we learnt in Nigeria
Some vulnerable populations may have fallen through the cracks despite efforts to improve access to HIV services during the pandemic in Nigeria.
The next COVID wave has already hit our shores. Make sure you check whether you’re recommended for another booster dose of vaccine.
Long COVID stigma may encourage people to hide the condition
A UK survey found most long COVID sufferers have experienced discrimination, prejudice or shame related to the condition.
So worth it: COVID vaccination generated tenfold return on investment in New York
Vaccinating against COVID-19 saves lives. It can also save healthcare systems considerable amounts of money, study finds.
The World Is Still Failing at Pandemic Preparedness and Response
The G20 and international financial institutions still have not created a pandemic preparedness and response framework capable of managing the next global health crisis. Fortunately, some low- and middle-income countries are pioneering new models…
COVID, flu, RSV – how this triple threat of respiratory viruses could collide this winter
Outbreaks of seasonal diseases like flu and RSV, along with a further COVID-19 wave, could lead to another public health disaster, warn experts.
Self-financing COVAX champions: Lebanon
Getting COVID-19 vaccines to all countries, whether or not they could afford them, was critical early in the pandemic to stop the virus spreading. This is Lebanon’s experience of being a self-financed partner in COVAX.
Does a faint line on a COVID-19 test mean I’m no longer infectious?
Rapid antigen or lateral flow tests can help to identify when someone with COVID-19 is most infectious, but even a faint line should be treated as a positive result.
COVID: inhalable and nasal vaccines could offer more durable protection than regular shots
These types of vaccines could offer certain advantages over conventional COVID shots. But we need more data to show us they’re effective.
Where online learning is not an option, school doors have to remain open. The best way to make sure they do? Lessons on health, hygiene and vaccination.
Here's how to approach flu shots and COVID boosters during pregnancy
COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are safe in all trimesters during pregnancy, medical experts say. Bivalent boosters can also be given during pregnancy.
Ebola in Uganda: lessons from COVID show that heavy-handed lockdowns may be a bad idea
Lockdown measures may stop the spread of the virus. But they can also lead to a larger and more protracted public health crisis in the form of deprivation and hunger.
How anthropology can bring the human element to emergency outbreak response
Technical solutions to a health emergency risk failing if they don’t allow communities their say; this is where anthropologists come in.
COVID vaccines don’t just benefit physical health – they improve mental health too
The mental wellbeing benefits associated with COVID vaccination were substantial among older and clinically vulnerable people, but negligible for younger adults.
Long COVID: how lost connections between nerve cells in the brain may explain cognitive symptoms
Many people face persistent cognitive symptoms after COVID-19. A new study, which grew and examined 3D models of the human brain, offers a possible explanation as to why this might be.
Five reasons why COVAX supports all nations
Since January 2021 COVAX has shipped more than 1.8 billion COVID-19 vaccines to 146 nations across the globe. Ninety percent of these doses have gone to lower-income countries and territories, but why does COVAX’s model also support higher-income…
Worried about side effects after a COVID-19 shot? Here’s why you probably don’t need to be
Rather than causing any concern, a new study suggests mild post-vaccination symptoms can be signals of vaccine effectiveness, and reinforces the importance of boosters in older people.
COVID and health workers’ strike: how Kenya’s health services coped in times of crisis
Outpatient visits, screening and diagnostic services, and child immunisation were particularly negatively affected.
Ebola in Uganda: why women must be central to the response
As with Ebola, it is often only when the harm is done that people working on the response realise health emergencies disproportionately harm women.
Four ways to support a friend or loved one with long COVID
Start by creating a safe space by showing you beleive them.
Is it wise to get a COVID-19 booster and a flu vaccine at the same time?
Studies suggest that combining influenza and flu vaccination is safe and any increase in side effects is mild.
A recent study tracked depression and anxiety among participants from across different ethnic backgrounds in the US and the UK.
Life expectancy still not recovered from COVID-19 in many countries
COVID-19 caused the biggest mortality shock since World War 2, and many countries’ life expectancy rates are languishing still.
Book Excerpt: It’s not just humans at risk from COVID-19
To believe the coronavirus was engineered to target humans is to ignore its broad capacity for infecting other animals.
Ramping up Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capability is good for everyone. Here's why
Africa only produces about 0.1% of the global supply of vaccines – a market failure which has cost lives and needs urgent attention. Creating greater vaccine supply resilience for Africa through domestic production requires creating a multi-…
Kwara State’s health workers are going door to door to spread accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines. The approach is working.
The gateway to all vital health interventions
A progressive universalism approach to health care would prioritise immunisations for children, offering the fastest and most effective way to cover lost ground in global public health – and helping to bring universal health coverage within reach…
Five things you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines and your period
Data shows that getting vaccinated can temporarily affect your period, but that the change is temporary.
5 things to know about COVAX in September 2022
September saw good progress in history’s largest vaccine rollout, with COVID-19 vaccine coverage continuing to increase in lower-income countries and civil society finding its voice. Managing Director of the COVAX Facility, Dr Derrick Sim, gives…
Five takeaways from WHO’s immunisation advisory committee
Last week WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization met to discuss COVID-19 boosters, monkeypox, Ebola, polio and measles, among other concerns. Here’s what they decided.
My third COVID-19 infection: Why reinfection can be anything but mild
Vaccination and natural immunity have dramatically reduced the death toll from COVID-19, but catching COVID-19 for a third time is still no walk in the park, as Linda Geddes discovered last week.
COVID-19 has turned back decades of progress on reducing maternal and child deaths
New research has revealed the impact of healthcare disruption during the pandemic on maternal and child health. The Global Financing Facility’s Tashrik Ahmed and Bruno Rivalan discuss the implications.
Community health workers as vaccinators: A pathway to achieving global immunisation goals
A shortage of health workers has made the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in many lower-income countries a major challenge. In Malawi, community health workers are helping to fill the gap.
Some coronaviruses kill, while others cause a common cold. We are getting closer to knowing why
The enigmatic envelope protein seems to hold the key to understanding why some human coronaviruses cause more severe disease than others.
How women’s cooperatives in India emerged as COVID-19 first responders
Integrating COVID-19 campaigns into the work that the Self-Employed Women’s Association does ensured that rural communities were not left out.
Japan invests to ensure pandemic vaccines can be made in 100 days
The country will put US$ 2 billion in a research initiative to help turn a vaccine around at speed when the next pandemic comes along.
If governments fail to take action, the cost of living crisis will worsen the impact of the pandemic this winter, and vice versa.
Nepal integrates hygiene promotion with routine immunisation
Communities in Nepal combined sanitation awareness campaigns with routine immunisation during the pandemic. It might just have helped them keep COVID-19 under control.
Smartwatches could help detect and track COVID – here’s what the research shows
Smartwatches could provide an extra line of defence to help us keep COVID and other infectious diseases at bay. Here’s what the evidence says.
What’s really happening with global vaccine access?
A new scorecard offers insights at a glance from the country to global level.
Hunting for Pi – the next variant after Omicron – in the toilet
Tracking the circulation of infectious diseases through wastewater is not new, but it’s becoming vital in the hunt for the next version of COVID-19.
COVID-related changes in our personalities could go some way to explaining the widespread decrease in wellbeing.
APR 2021: 1.2 million future deaths prevented, 65 million children newly protected
Gavi’s 2021 Annual Progress Report, released today, is a record in numbers of another difficult pandemic year – a year of alarming setbacks, and a year of hard-won gains.
APR 2021: Recognising country commitment
Prof José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, reflects on the achievements of lower-income countries during the pandemic.
APR 2021: Reflecting on 2021, the global imperative for 2022
Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, looks back on the first year of Gavi 5.0
COVID: how ICUs in England were stretched to cope with the pandemic
Here’s what happened behind the scenes to increase intensive care capacity at the height of the pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccination in India’s remote villages
Health workers and religious heads have joined forces to ensure that Kargil’s remote villages are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Preparing for the Next Global Catastrophe
The end of the pandemic may be in sight, but COVID-19 could be a harbinger of future calamities. If global leaders do not establish equitable mechanisms to respond before the next big crisis strikes, low-income countries and high-risk groups will…
COVID pandemic created immunisation gaps in Africa. Over half a million children are at risk
The pandemic has disrupted national immunisation programmes. As a result, the African continent is seeing more outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.
7 COVAX innovations that could help us fight the next pandemic
With 1.7 billion doses delivered to more than 140 countries and territories, COVAX is the largest, most complex vaccine rollout in history. The innovations made along the way could play an important role in fighting the next pandemic.
Conspiracy theories are dangerous even if very few people believe them
Worrying about how many people believe false ideas misses the real danger – that people are influenced by them whether they believe them or not.
COVID-19 vaccination protects against Long COVID
UK data indicates that even though vaccinated people may have breakthrough infections, they are at less risk of developing Long COVID than those who are not vaccinated.
The WHO has advised against the use of two antibody therapies against COVID – here’s what that means
This guidance replaces previous conditional recommendations for the use of these drugs and is based on emerging evidence that they’re not likely to work against omicron.
Supporting vaccination: a toolkit for community health workers
A free digital toolkit that equips health workers to drive greater vaccine understanding and uptake around the world.
New survey suggests reinfection worsens Long COVID
Survey indicates that getting reinfected worsens symptoms of Long COVID or triggers a recurrence of symptoms in people who have recovered.
Mental health conditions raise risk of Long COVID
New data indicates that people reporting depression, anxiety and stress before a COVID-19 infection are 50% more likely to report Long COVID symptoms.
Another new COVID variant is spreading – here’s what we know about omicron BA.4.6
BA.4.6 seems to be even better at evading our immune response than BA.5.
How long after I get COVID-19 will I test negative?
Testing positive for COVID-19 – even without symptoms – can be disruptive to daily life, but how long should we expect to test positive for?
First published on 29 October 2021, updated on 13 September 2022
UNGA: getting back on track to the global goals
As world leaders gather in New York for the 77th United Nations General Assembly, why should we focus to re-commit to vaccine equity, routine immunisation and pandemic preparedness that learns from COVID-19?
The spread of misinformation in many pandemics, including the smallpox and 1918 influenza outbreaks, have undermined efforts to contain infections and prevent deaths.
Long COVID takes hold in Nigeria
Health workers are not resting on their oars to care for Long COVID patients in Lagos, Nigeria. They have set up a clinic and are undertaking awareness talks.
Why health budgets must not be cut amidst political and economic turmoil
We must protect health budgets to safeguard our populations and ensure that our health systems are resilient to inevitable future challenges. Healthier populations are happier, more productive and take an active role in the workforce. We must…
How African countries coordinated the response to COVID-19: lessons for public health
Combining several layers of response to COVID-19 was effective. Decentralisation, innovation and building on existing systems were key.
Unraveling the Interplay of Omicron, Reinfections, and Long Covid
The omicron variant has proved adept at finding hosts, often by reinfecting people who recovered from earlier bouts of covid. But whether omicron triggers long covid as often and severe as previous variants is a matter of heated study.
Five reasons to wear a mask even if you don’t have to
Even though the pandemic is far from over, mask mandates are being lifted across the world. But here is why you shouldn’t bin your mask just yet.
First published on 25 April 2022, updated 7 September 2022
With a little help from friends, officials keep COVID-19 vaccinations going in Ghana
Health officials at district level are serving as examples to the rest of Ghana with their approach to COVID-19 vaccination.
Got allergies? You could be at lower risk of catching COVID
Evidence has shown that people with allergies and asthma are at lower risk of contracting COVID-19. Here’s why we think this might be.
Islamic organisations promote COVID-19 vaccinations in Indonesia
To tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, Islamic organisations are not only promoting vaccinations but also administering them.
Researchers estimate we currently face a 2% chance of a COVID-19-like pandemic in any given year. Climate change is increasing this risk.
Lower back pain could affect up to a quarter of COVID-19 survivors
Clinics should prepare for an increase in people seeking treatment for lower back pain in the aftermath of COVID-19 infection, researchers warn.
5 things to know about COVAX in August
Here’s the first of a series of monthly round-ups giving a status update on the historic effort to ensure equitable uptake of COVID-19 vaccines across the world.
New research suggests COVID-19 vaccines can slow the spread of disease, even with Omicron
A study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission shows the importance of vaccination in reducing the risk of transmission and cutting COVID-19 cases.
‘Tomato flu’ outbreak in India – here’s what it really is
Swabs from two children in the UK reveal the cause of the ‘mysterious illness’.
Bangladesh’s success in dealing with COVID-19
A quick response, early drive for vaccines, proper campaign management and mass participation have helped Bangladesh fully vaccinate more than 70% of its population against COVID-19.
Thomas Cueni, Director General of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA), explains how the biopharmaceutical industry’s Berlin Declaration will help the world’s most vulnerable populations.
We can repair broken global solidarity and accelerate efforts toward COVID-19 vaccine equity
Inequity in access to COVID-19 medical countermeasures continues to be the bane of the global response to this pandemic.
Nepal braces for a fourth wave
Having vaccinated over 80% of its population, Nepal is prioritising children five and above, and the unvaccinated, to head off a possible fourth wave of COVID-19.
Infectious diseases originating in wild animals are high and may be increasing. This is a sign that ecosystem degradation is undermining the planet’s capacity to sustain human wellbeing.
How COVID-19 lockdown measures — and their outcomes — varied in cities around the world
Examining how COVID-19 lockdowns and stay-at-home orders were implemented in Toronto, Johannesburg and Chicago reveals the impact they had on vulnerable communities.
Quelling the pandemic in the world’s largest refugee camp
As part of its national COVID-19 vaccination programme, Bangladesh is making sure that the Rohingya people aren’t left out.
Routine immunisation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
A new policy brief outlines key learnings from a webinar series hosted by the Gavi CSO Constituency in collaboration with RESULTS UK, UNICEF, Save the Children, USAID, Geneva Learning Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
People who get COVID continue to face increased risks of developing some neurological and psychiatric conditions, like psychosis and dementia, for up to two years afterwards.
Seven photos of health workers in action: World Photography Day 2022
A celebration of the stories of care and commitment, captured in images of healthcare workers in action, from many corners of the globe.
Testimonies on the heightened COVID-19 vaccination among refugees
Voices of refugees, host community, health workers and experts speak about COVID-19 vaccination.
Malawi health workers lead in COVID-19 vaccination
Malawi has vaccinated 83% of its frontline health care workers against COVID-19, pushing them to the forefront of the country's vaccination efforts.
“Pakistan can”: How one country repaired its routine immunisation safety net
As the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, Pakistan’s routine immunisation programme took a heavy hit. But while many countries continued to struggle to make up lost ground in 2021, Pakistan bounced back to pre-pandemic levels of protection.…
The race to understand long-COVID in children
Around ten percent of children and young people develop persistent symptoms after their initial COVID-19 infection. Dr David Warburton of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles explains how the US National Institutes of Health’s RECOVER COVID initiative…
Long COVID affects one in eight, says Lancet study
New data indicates that while fatigue, muscle pain and breathing difficulties have risen even in non-infected people over the pandemic, a significantly higher proportion of people with COVID-19 develop persistent Long COVID symptoms.
Animal reservoirs and people who experience chronic COVID infections could potentially see the emergence of new variants. But these variants aren’t necessarily cause for concern.
Biosecurity Is National Security
Just as the advent of the information age underscored the need for cybersecurity, the growing threat of infectious diseases should spur significant investments in biosecurity. To prevent future pandemics, we must be as focused on adapting and…
Surge in cases prompts vaccine drive and return to mask-wearing in Kenya
A surge in COVID-19 infections has prompted a mass vaccination drive throughout Kenya.
Centaurus: what we know about the new COVID variant and why there’s no cause for alarm
A new COVID variant, BA.2.75, has been detected in the UK and several other countries. But the data we have at the moment doesn’t suggest there’s any reason to panic.
How can we boost COVID-19 vaccine coverage in lower-income countries?
COVID-19 vaccine coverage in low- and middle-income countries is increasing at a steady pace, but remains lower than higher-income nations. VaccinesWork spoke to Ted Chaiban, Head of the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership, about how…
They’ve stopped short of mandates, but authorities and experts are strongly suggesting it’s time to cover our mouths and noses again to prevent COVID infection. This time, reach for a respirator.
Theatre steps up to change perceptions about vaccines in Kashmir
When the majority of North Kashmir’s Bandipore villages showed reluctance to get vaccinated against COVID-19, a local theatre came forward to win over hearts and minds.
Mobile vaccinators offer a lifeline to people with disabilities in Eswatini
With support from Médecins Sans Frontières, mobile teams of vaccinators are helping vulnerable groups in Eswatini get protected against COVID-19.
How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected healthcare around the world
New insights into the disruption caused by COVID-19 could help strengthen health systems ahead of future pandemics.
Health Workers Fill the Gaps for Millions of Zimbabwean Villagers
The workers play a pivotal role in the country’s health system, providing care and fighting misinformation.
Long COVID patients are taking desperate measures in the hope of getting better. It’s time to increase our focus on testing potential long COVID treatments in clinical trials.
COVID: risk of diabetes and heart disease is higher after infection – but maybe only temporarily
A new study analysed data from hundreds of thousands of COVID patients in the UK.
Q+A: How CEPI-funded research is supporting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
More data is needed to better understand how COVID-19 vaccines work in different populations and to know what size and order of shots works best. CEPI’s Director of Clinical Development, Jakob Cramer, discusses the research CEPI is supporting to…
Mask mandates – will we only act on public health advice if someone makes us?
If our immunity from COVID vaccines is waning, then wearing a mask to prevent infection is even more valuable. But not many people seem to be thinking that way when they’re out and about.
‘Time to invest in genomics’ in poorer countries – WHO
Genomics has been crucial in COVID-19 response, driving research. But many poor countries lack access to the technology. First WHO Science Council report makes recommendations to address barriers.
Omicron WHAT? A users’ guide to COVID-19 variant names
A Twitter user has nicknamed the latest Omicron subvariant “Centaurus”, and it has quickly gone viral. So, is it time to rethink the COVID-19 variant naming system?
Safari doctors take to the waters to save lives in Kenya
Lamu County islands are accessible only by boat. Getting health services to them is a unique challenge.
COVID vaccines and pregnancy: a review of the evidence shows they are safe
In all the research reviewed, none found any safety concerns regarding COVID vaccines during pregnancy.
Could a variant-proof coronavirus vaccine be within reach?
Tests in non-human primates suggest Caltech’s Mosaic-8 vaccine triggers broad immune responses against a spectrum of different SARS-like viruses.
While the general public has become less anxious over the course of the pandemic, the opposite is true for vulnerable people who have been shielding, a new study suggests.
Intuitively, we would assume that subsequent infections should be less severe. But this won’t always be the case.
Is it time for a new generation of COVID vaccines? Here’s where the research is at.
A new study looked at the health records of more than 9 million people in England to assess whether body weight influenced the uptake and effectiveness of COVID vaccines.
Long COVID: female sex, older age and existing health problems increase risk – new research
A new study has analysed UK data from long-term health surveys and electronic health records to understand how common long COVID is, and who might be at higher risk.
The stark reality of how COVID-19 has worsened global inequality
The toll of the pandemic has been hardest on the most vulnerable, pushing millions into poverty and leaving them more at risk of disease, hunger and violence.
COVID-19 vaccines have saved 20 million lives so far, study estimates
Deaths from COVID-19 were two-thirds lower than they otherwise could have been during the first year of the vaccination programme, mathematical modelling suggests.
Various countries are experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly transmissible BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants, so what should we expect in the coming weeks?
The telemedicine boom in India is making city-level health facilities accessible to people in the remote hilly and tribal areas of the country.
Overcoming hesitancy, one vaccination at a time
Faced with a third coronavirus wave in the DRC, health workers are mobilizing daily to promote vaccination and fight against disinformation.
Four ways you can design social media posts to combat health misinformation
It’s one thing to get ‘likes’ on a video of a cute dog or a photo of your weekend adventures – but another to create content that fosters understanding of complex topics.
Long COVID and the workplace: What employers could do better
Globally, an estimated 200 million people are living with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms, many of them in the prime of their working careers. So, what can businesses do to support them and help themselves? UK human resources professional Lesley…
Two years ago, the Recovery trial transformed COVID treatments around the world with a landmark finding that may have saved a million lives in just nine months.
The need for culturally sensitive COVID-19 vaccine campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa
Better strategies are needed to overcome vaccine hesitancy, but these need to be tailormade for regions.
‘Hybrid immunity’ is the term for immunity acquired from both prior infection and vaccination.
How digitisation is ensuring no child is left behind
A technology NGO is replacing paper vaccination records with simple, cost-effective technical solutions in the Gambia and Uganda.
COVID: six ways long-term smell loss can affect you
Many people have been left with longer-term impairments to their sense of smell following COVID.
COVID-19 greatly increases risks to pregnant women: largest sub-Saharan study
A large six-country study in Africa shows that pregnant women are more likely to be admitted to intensive care or to die if they have COVID-19, indicating the importance of vaccination.
COVID vaccines for children under five: what parents need to know
Pfizer and Moderna have both recently reported results for their COVID-19 vaccines in the youngest children.
South Sudan expands access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations
A COVID-19 vaccination and health centre in Northern Bahr el Ghazal is reaching the most marginalised and vulnerable.
A new generation of vaccines and boosters against SARS-CoV-2 may take a page from the anti-influenza playbook, with shots periodically tailored to target the most commonly circulating virus strains.
How to improve primary healthcare to prepare for future pandemics
These are some of the pivotal areas we need to invest in to build better health systems.
AI drives quest for new antivirals to fight outbreaks
Lack of antiviral candidates limited the fight against COVID-19. Consortium aims to develop new oral antivirals for coronaviruses, dengue and Zika. But critics highlight lack of representation from low-and middle-income countries.
With 95% of the population now jabbed against COVID-19, Indonesia’s vaccine campaign has trounced pessimistic early forecasts.
Why health care is still not inclusive enough, and what we can do to change it
Many LGBTQI+ people are excluded from health care services such as vaccination because of discrimination, social stigma or outdated gender-identification systems, but there are moves to change this.
Embracing the science of vaccines: Tanzania’s changing COVID-19 response
Amid a broad-based effort to sort vaccine fact from vaccine fiction, health workers and community leaders in Tanzania are noticing a change in attitudes among young and old.
Trendspotting: why pandemic preparedness needs to include big data
Professor Marion Koopmans has been instrumental in investigating the animal origins of everything from bird flu to COVID-19. She is now looking at how we can prevent the next pandemic.
Papua New Guinea looks to rebuild its small business sector
The PNG government is looking to stimulate the small business sector by injecting funds into the economy.
The last to receive COVID vaccines are the hardest and most critical to reach
There must be a way to help people cover gaps in health care costs without forcing them to be public about their most private concerns.
COVID-19 could derail SDGs for next five years – report
COVID-19 will remain uncontrolled in many countries unless coordinated action is taken, warn scientists. SDGs progress was already lagging before the pandemic. Inequities in all sectors must be addressed to avoid worst-case scenario. UN…
The pandemic is far from over: how can the private sector help us fight it?
We are still in the acute phase of the pandemic, with cases continuing to rise in many countries and vaccination rates stagnating. The private sector could play a key role in finally bringing COVID-19 under control.
Funding the Polio Eradication Endgame
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that cutting back on eradication efforts could cause a global resurgence of polio that ten years from now could paralyze up to 200,000 children a year. The final five-year push to eradicate…
Why does COVID-19 cause back pain?
Increasingly, people who get COVID-19 are reporting they have back pain. We look at how common this is and what might be behind it.
CoughWatch: Meet the South African researchers tracking COVID-19
Mvuyo Makhasi is leading a team tracking the pandemic via a novel digital platform – CoughWatchSA.
“The Cure Is Us”: Kibera artists take on the pandemic
In a bid to build awareness around COVID-19, Uweza Foundation and Safe Hands Kenya are tapping into the power of art.
75th World Health Assembly High Level Messages
The 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) is taking place in Geneva from 22–28 May. Here are the key recommendations and messages Gavi will be bringing to the global health leaders and other health stakeholders gathering at the WHA.
Haven’t had COVID yet? It could be more than just luck
Even taking into account people who have had COVID but didn’t know it, there’s still likely to be a group of people who have never been infected.
Taking COVID-19 vaccines to the slums of Lagos
The Lagos state government is working hard to give residents of Kotomallam, a slum in Ojota, access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Nepal’s transgender community gets vaccinated
A rigid male/female ID system in Nepal was preventing many members of the country’s transgender community from getting the COVID-19 jab. A group of activists, working with the government, is turning things around.
Children’s physical activity dropped during COVID lockdowns but didn’t bounce back – new UK research
A new study looks at UK kids’ physical activity levels once COVID restrictions had begun to lift compared with before the pandemic.
Fourth COVID-19 shot could give higher immunity than a third dose
Antibody levels after a second booster dose were higher than the peak level after the initial booster.
Taming the spike: How Jason McLellan helped turn the tide of the pandemic
The microscopic spikes on the SARS-CoV-2 virus are fundamental to its ability to infect us. Locking these shapeshifters in place would prove fundamental to developing vaccines against it.
Four strange COVID symptoms you might not have heard about
From skin lesions to hearing loss, unusual symptoms can be troubling for COVID patients.
Getting routine immunisation back on track in India
With the pandemic under relative control, India is getting back on track with its nationwide routine immunisation programme through Mission Indradhanush 4.0.
Long COVID: Wuhan patients still have symptoms two years later
Two years after COVID-19 infection, over half of people hospitalised are still experiencing at least one symptom, according to the longest follow-up study so far.
6 new breakthroughs in the fight against cancer
Cancer scientists are using AI, DNA sequencing, precision oncology and other tech to improve treatment and diagnosis of the disease. Here are 6 advances. Breakthroughs include the DNA sequencing of more than 12,000 cancer tumours and a new…
Five things we’ve learned about the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants
The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants threaten to trigger a new wave of COVID-19 infections in South Africa. Here’s what we know about them so far.
How South Africa is integrating COVID into routine care for mothers and babies
The direct effects of COVID-19 disease on pregnant women, newborns and children are acknowledged. But the indirect effects of the pandemic have been equally devastating.
Five things you need to know about the SDGs – and how the pandemic has shifted the goalposts
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created in 2015 as a holistic vision for transforming human development, but COVID-19 derailed progress – so how do we get back on track?
From war to the pandemic: a refugee in Nigeria changes the narrative
A Cameroonian refugee volunteer, one of more than 70,000 refugees living in Nigeria’s Cross River State, is fighting misinformation and helping to save lives in the camps.
Breathing New Life into Medical Oxygen
In low- and middle-income countries, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a long-neglected problem that was already contributing to untold preventable deaths every year. Now, a global mobilization to scale up the supply of medical oxygen must be…
Severe COVID is equivalent to 20 years of ageing – new study
A new study finds that the cognitive loss from severe COVID is the same as losing 10 IQ points.
Slum-dwellers disproportionately affected by COVID-19, study suggests
People living in Brazilian slums died of COVID-19 at disproportionate rates – but redistributing intensive care beds to anyone in need has wider benefits.
Women’s water burden rose as COVID lockdowns hit
Rising demand for water collection in poor countries added to womens’ burden. Water, sanitation lacking in health, quarantine facilities – survey. School closures also limited access to these basic services for girls.
Misinformation on social media is linked to vaccine hesitancy, says study
Sharing false information, even when later debunked, correlates with people either delaying vaccination or refusing the vaccine outright.
Virus that causes COVID-19 can linger in digestive tract
New evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the gastrointestinal tract.
“Missing link” of RNA viruses found in oceans could detect emerging viral threats
An analysis of oceanic genetic material has identified 5,500 new viruses, which could give clues as to how these viruses affect organisms driving many of the ecological processes that control our planet.
A long life for all: let us realise this utopia, for all the children of Africa
Writing exclusively for VaccinesWork, H.E. Madam Auxilia Mnangagwa, on behalf of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development1, closes World Immunization Week 2022 with one simple message: let's be grateful for…
Stormy weather: boat-borne vaccines ferry a dose of hope to the Sundarbans
In an ecosystem threatened by climate change, cyclones and COVID-19 have battered human health and livelihoods. Mobile healthcare is finding a way to navigate these intersecting crises.
‘Zero dose’ children: almost 14 million get no vaccines
Interview: Gavi Deputy CEO Anuradha Gupta says ‘zero dose’ children account for disproportionate number of early deaths
Applying the COVID Blueprint to Cholera
Despite their apparent differences, COVID-19 and cholera have much in common, which explains why measures to limit the former, such as decreased travel and increased attention to personal hygiene, brought about a decline in the latter. It also…
Can COVID-19 inspire progress in maternal immunisation?
Vaccination in pregnancy is a powerful public health tool, but underused. New insights from the pandemic may be just the spark needed to energise progress.
Q&A: Cold chain experts on keeping vaccines cool
The global COVID-19 vaccine rollout would not have been possible without cold chain equipment (CCE) keeping vaccines cool as they are transported and stored. We spoke to supply chain experts Karan Sagar and Shahrzad Yavari about why COVAX’s work…
New studies show empowering women can mean fewer children miss out on essential vaccines
Two new studies suggest that women’s education reduces the number of zero-dose children who never receive a single vaccine.
Gavi impact in Africa since 2000
Gavi’s mission is to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines. Our work is driven by country needs and priorities. Gavi supports countries to strengthen primary health care through innovative…
WHO has outlined four potential scenarios for the future of COVID-19 and shared a strategy for how the world can end the acute phase of the pandemic.
How effective is a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine?
As some countries gear up to roll out a fourth dose of the vaccine to boost immune responses, data suggests it is not necessarily needed for everyone.
Effect of lockdowns on birth rates in the UK
Fertility rates declined among women of all ages in the UK at the start of the pandemic – but have been picking up again, particularly among older mothers.
Pandemic life on the Delhi Metro
Despite many challenges over the past two years, the Delhi Metro has developed a safe way to transport hundreds of thousands of people every day.
Africa’s Long Post-COVID Climb
While Africa shared in last year’s global economic upswing, a growing array of risks threatens to derail the region’s progress in 2022. The crucial question is whether the world’s leading central banks can pursue price stability without choking…
Disabled people are being left out of COVID recovery. Here are five ways to change that
Many people want to go ‘back to normal’, but this isn’t possible for many disabled people.
Hepatitis cases are increasing among children in the UK – could COVID have a role to play?
While COVID-19 hasn’t been ruled out as a potential cause, the leading contender is actually adenovirus, a common infection in children that can lead to hepatitis on rare occasions.
People who’ve had COVID appear more likely to develop diabetes – here’s why that might be
A number of recent studies indicate people who have had COVID are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 antivirals
Several antiviral pills have now been authorised to treat COVID-19, but how do they work and will people in developing countries be able to access them?
India draws lessons from polio eradication initiative
The programme to eradicate polio shows that mass immunisation is possible in India.
Europe at risk of measles resurgence as COVID-19 restrictions are eased
With many countries failing to hit measles vaccine coverage targets, and COVID-19 control measures being lifted, the goal of measles elimination hangs in the balance.
The vaccinodromes of Kinshasa: DRC steps up COVID-19 vaccinations
The task is enormous: by the end of 2023, vaccinate 53 million Congolese. Despite the many challenges, the government is fine-tuning its strategy.
COVID-19 infection linked to high risk of blood clots for months afterwards
Scientists have identified a 33-fold increase in the risk of potentially fatal clots in the lungs, and a five-fold increase in the risk of deep vein thrombosis in the 30 days after catching COVID-19.
How innovative financing will help prepare for future pandemics
COVAX, using an innovative finance model, has delivered over 1.2 billion doses to lower-income countries. Innovative financing models could equip governments worldwide to prepare for and mitigate future pandemics. Effective and sustainable…
While wealthy countries ease COVID-19 restrictions and welcome a return to normal life, many low-income countries are still struggling to get vaccines into people’s arms. The longer they remain short of the 70% immunization target, the more…
We’re spending more years in poor health than at any point in history. How can we change this?
Life expectancy is rising, but we are also spending more time living in poor health. It doesn’t have to be this way, according to a new study* from the McKinsey Health Institute. Medical advances and lifestyle changes could give us an extra six…
Cow dung fires linked to black fungus epidemic in India
Cow dung is widely used in India as fuel, for medicines and in rituals. Medical researchers say cow dung is rich in black fungus spores. Spores released through smoke from cow dung fires spread widely.
‘Your driver is vaccinated’: How COVID-19 vaccines saved Delhi’s gig economy
Daily wagers have been able to get their jobs back following vaccination.
Caught COVID? Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when self-isolation isn’t mandatory
The virus is still a threat – so be kind to yourself and others if you catch it.
Data-sharing in a pandemic: even though scientists shared more than ever, it still wasn’t enough
Although countries shared more genetic information on SARS-CoV-2 than in any other pandemic, too many have hidden data, hindering the search for the next variant.
Community voices boost vaccine messaging in Cape Coast, Ghana
Community leaders are taking it upon themselves to encourage people to get vaccinated.
What does “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19 actually mean?
With countries increasingly recommending third or even fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines, how many vaccine doses will we ultimately need to remain protected against COVID-19?
Vaccines provide extra protection to those previously infected with COVID-19
Studies confirm importance of COVID-19 vaccination for people who have recovered from infection.
COVID reinfections: are they milder and do they strengthen immunity?
Here’s what we know so far about why reinfections happen and what effects they have.
Bangladesh’s COVID-19 fatality rates are at an all-time low – but that hasn't stopped the country’s vaccination programme from flooring the gas pedal.
India’s eradication of smallpox with a comprehensive vaccination campaign is the perfect case study for the current COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Survey shows public want vaccines shared based on need and equity
A study published in Vaccine shows the public in Germany and US overwhelmingly want medical urgency and equal access prioritised when it comes to the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Even mild COVID can cause brain shrinkage and affect mental function, new study shows
Brain changes including shrinkage, weakened connections and poorer performance on thinking and memory tests could explain ‘brain fog’ after COVID – even after ‘mild’ cases.
“How long can I remain in isolation?” How COVID-19 vaccines helped reopen the schools of Kashmir
The response from students to a vaccination drive to re-open schools has been overwhelming.
What social media tells us about vaccine hesitancy
Government and scientific communications about COVID-19 vaccines are often discussed on social media, which can influence decisions to get vaccinated; here’s how governments need to use that understanding to better advocate for vaccines.
What is next week’s Gavi COVAX AMC Summit hoping to achieve?
The virtual event aims to raise at least US $3.8 billion from donors, as part of a wider US $5.2 billion package of support, to ensure that everyone everywhere has access to COVID-19 vaccines – here’s what those funds will be spent on.
How innovative finance helps close the vaccine equity gap
“Innovative Finance” has been working behind the scenes for decades, helping to raise billions of dollars for some of the world’s most important causes. But how does it actually work, and how is helping to close the vaccine equity gap?
Is the COVAX Facility ensuring equitable vaccine distribution?
A new study has looked into how effective COVAX has been in its central aim: reducing the disparity between rich and poor when it comes to access to COVID-19 vaccines.
"Flurona" co-infection increases the risk of severe illness and death
Worse outcomes for patients infected with COVID-19 and influenza highlight the importance of vaccination against both diseases.
Ending the COVID-19 pandemic means helping countries to catch-up with vaccination, not giving up
Like COVID-19, complacency can be contagious. Dr Seth Berkley argues that during a pandemic complacency can be very dangerous.
Protecting health on both sides of the zoonotic frontier: Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Ugandan wildlife vet Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka knows that pathogenic threats move both ways across the human-animal boundary – and that the best way to protect both animals and people is to bring public health and conservation together.
Did the COVID lockdowns work? Here’s what we know two years on
Research shows that lockdowns helped control cases in general – but that not all control measures had the same effect.
The sewage sleuths turning Bangalore’s wastewater into epidemiological treasure
Wastewater surveillance is increasingly used to track COVID-19 infections and the spread of new variants. Linda Geddes speaks to Dr Angela Chaudhuri about the Bangalore-based initiative she helped establish, which she hopes could provide a…
Testing sewage has helped track COVID – soon it could reveal much more about the UK’s health
An unexpected legacy of COVID could be a new system for monitoring public health.
How virtual reality could help reduce vaccine hesitancy
A new study suggests that by engaging people in immersive, gamified experiences, virtual reality could drive home the importance of vaccination.
Vaccinating in the Indian Himalayas: local governments lead the charge
The Panchayat officials in Bir have played a key role in getting locals and tourists vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Subtle Psychology of ‘Nudging’ During a Pandemic
For years, the U.S. and U.K. governments embraced the concept of nudges to change social behavior. Then came Covid-19.
3 health lessons for business from the COVID-19 pandemic
The link between our physical and economic health was made painfully clear during the pandemic, but what lessons can businesses take forward from COVID-19?
Pakistan has vaccinated more than 80% of the adult population against COVID-19
In about 13 months, Pakistan has turned the vaccination tide, fuelled by the availability of adequate COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Pandemic parliaments: lessons learned from two years trying to run democracies living under COVID-19
Social distancing, lockdowns and emergency powers changed the way elected representatives operated in the pandemic.
Everything you need to know about Deltacron and other COVID-19 variants of concern
A hybrid of the Delta and Omicron COVID-19 variants, Deltacron may sound scary, but there is currently no reason for great concern.
The worst disaster in a generation: Cyclone Ana wreaks havoc on health in Malawi
Malawi is using mobile clinics to try to alleviate the effects of a tropical cyclone that hit the southern region of the country.
Pandemic hit the pause button on the discoveries of new species
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the progress of species discovery and documentation due to travel bans, restricted access to technology, and limited funding, according to researchers who work in leading biodiversity inventory projects across…
Could we get a pandemic vaccine in 100 days?
The first COVID-19 vaccines took a year – lightspeed by usual development standards – but global health experts believe we can go much faster.
Do contact-tracing apps have a future?
With COVID isolation scrapped in England, it’s unclear what’s next for the NHS’s much-discussed app.
COVID-19 vaccine roll-out continues amid torrential rains in Lesotho
Despite floods and landslides, Basotho are finding a way to get vaccinated.
Vaccinating people with disabilities in Kashmir
In Kashmir, a disability welfare organisation is ensuring that people with disabilities are not left behind.
Framing vaccines as an infringement of liberty is a powerful tactic, but obscures health and political factors that may actually drive resistance.
Is COVID-19 causing an anxiety epidemic?
A new Lancet Public Health study suggests the long-term impact of severe COVID-19 infections might not be limited to the physical symptoms of Long COVID.
How fractional dosing of COVID-19 vaccines could boost global supply
Halving the dose of some COVID-19 vaccines could provide an extra 0.5 billion doses each month, researchers suggest.
Vaccines without needles could have numerous benefits, but require further investment
Microarray patches could overcome many of the logistical obstacles hindering measles and rubella elimination, but manufacturing facilities are urgently needed to produce them.
Kenya’s HPV vaccine strategies re-activated for COVID-19
Strategies to ensure effective HPV vaccinations in Kenya have been modified to boost rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Two years into the pandemic, which of our newly formed habits are here to stay?
COVID has disrupted how we work, socialise and shop, but there are some signs we’re returning to doing things like we used to.
Carrying the hopes of a nation on her back: Nepalese health worker goes above and beyond
Health worker Lila Thapa walked 30 minutes over hilly terrain with an elderly community member on her back, ensuring she received her COVID-19 vaccine.
Q&A: COVAX and the Humanitarian Buffer
Refugees, migrants in vulnerable situations, asylum seekers, stateless people and other populations of concern in humanitarian settings are at higher risk of being overlooked in the global COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Learn what COVAX is doing to…
COVID: risk of severe disease could be in your blood, new research finds
Genetic research has linked a number of blood proteins to severe COVID – including the enzyme that determines your blood type.
“I didn’t give up”: Kashmir’s vaccinators brave the harsh winter
Snow and freezing conditions are not deterring Kashmir’s health workers from getting vaccines to the people.
Conclusions from the 22nd DCVMN Annual General Meeting
Last October vaccine manufacturers from developing countries across the world gathered with global health leaders to discuss vaccine inequity and ways to boost production globally. Here are the key takeaways.
Walk-in coolers provided by the COVAX Facility are helping to strengthen vaccine storage facilities around Nepal – crucial as the country seeks to accelerate its ongoing COVID-19 drive.
International Women's Day 2022
For this year’s International Women’s Day VaccinesWork spoke to four women from across the globe who are leading the response to the pandemic.
COVID-19 prompts dramatic reduction in dengue fever
Schools and public areas could be dengue transmission hot spots, research suggests.
Mass COVID testing and sequencing is unsustainable – here’s how future surveillance can be done
Passive monitoring of the virus through wastewater or more targeted and evenly spread testing would be better than our current tactics.
Book Excerpt: The Lockdown Diaries of Wuhan
A delivery driver’s social media posts highlight the daily struggles of those confined during the pandemic.
Vaccine education: Rolling out COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan’s schools
In Pakistan, educational institutions are convincing parents to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 through motivational sessions and informative material.
The long haulers: what we now know about Long COVID
Long after the initial infection, millions continue to suffer the crushing fatigue, muscle, joint pain and breathlessness that Long COVID can bring – here’s what we know two years after the pandemic started.
No PCR, no problem: how COVID can be diagnosed with X-rays
X-ray scans are taken in hospitals worldwide – and an AI program has been taught to scan them for coronavirus.
Kenya’s Health Ministry partners with NGO to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination
The partnership with SHOFCO is expected to support the government’s push to administer 20 million jabs between January and June 2022, as well as keep routine immunisation going.
The animators of Nilgiri: Authorities turn to NGOs to bridge the trust gap in India
NGOs and local community leaders have helped turn the tide when it comes to vaccinations in the Nilgiri hills.
How the pandemic has affected periods
The coronavirus, vaccines and pandemic stress have all been linked to distributions to people's menstruation cycles.
Transgender and disabled communities leading the fight against the pandemic in Chennai
In the Indian city of Chennai, transgender and disabled communities have led the way in raising awareness of vaccination.
Kangaroo care saving babies’ lives in rural Kenya
Kangaroo care – close skin to skin contact with a baby from birth – is not only helping premature babies to survive in Eastern Kenya, it is also helping to change perceptions around COVID-19.
Eight changes the world needs to make to live with COVID
There's no going back to a pre-pandemic normal – only forward to a new one.
Vietnam vaccinates 90% of its population against COVID-19
In just five months, Vietnam has turned its COVID-19 vaccination drive around.
Compulsory vaccination helps conquer fears in Nigeria
Mandatory vaccination policy introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria in all its public institutions has contributed to an increase in the number of vaccinated people.
Amid uncertainty, Pakistan is winning the battle against Omicron
Pakistan's government is working on a robust strategy to contain the spread of COVID-19 by rapidly scaling up immunisation in rural parts of the country.
Q&A: Science ‘needs to listen to African voices’
Public speaking a lifelong skill for scientists. Drive behind research should come from grassroots. Science and art merge together in field of communication.
What zero-COVID countries can teach the rest of the world
Most of the handful of countries pursuing zero COVID-19 cases are now starting to move towards cautiously living with the virus, but their efforts hold lessons for the rest of the world in a future where the virus is here to stay.
COVID: how will people behave when self-isolation isn’t mandatory?
People are less likely to isolate if they don't legally have to – but some still will voluntarily.
When it comes to COVID-19, no-one is safe until everyone is safe. A new study suggests vaccinating countries that haven’t had good access to vaccines so faris necessary to stop the virus continuing to evolve into new, potentially deadlier,…
Nurses in Lagos are going against all odds to improve neonatal and infant health care
Through dedication and commitment to service, nurses in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos State, are working hard to improve routine immunisation.
COVID may have made us less materialistic – new research
For many, the pandemic switched the focus away from financial gain.
The Necessary Rise of Africa's Health Tech
The African health-care sector continues to struggle with a lack of resources and funding, but creative uses of technology offer new possibilities for improving access to medical treatment. Building on developments spurred by the pandemic, health…
Pandemic preparedness – preparing for the worst, hoping for the best
Every major outbreak of disease from Zika to Ebola has prompted reviews of the response. A new Lancet review looks at factors linked to the variety of COVID-19 case and death counts across the globe to guide investment into pandemic preparedness…
Social media helps boost vaccine coverage in Kenya
Social media and digital advertising has contributed to an increase in immunisation in Kenya.
What will COVID-19 look like in 2022?
It is tempting to think the worst of the pandemic is behind but the virus is still evolving and the future of COVID-19 is not clear cut. Here two of Gavi’s experts Dr Lee Hampton, medical epidemiologist, and Dr Gustavo Correa, Senior Manager for…
How new training approaches are transforming health workers’ ability to deliver vaccines
The pandemic made the challenge of training health workers in lower-income countries even harder. To counter the huge impact COVID-19 is having on health systems worldwide, a collaboration between Gavi and The Rockefeller Foundation is improving…
How can the world adapt to COVID-19 in the long term?
Covid-19 is here to stay. However, with careful management we can prevent future outbreaks and move from pandemic to endemic. But what does this mean, and what must we do to stop it from erupting again?
Can you be infected with COVID-19 without ever testing positive?
Most people who are infected with coronavirus develop symptoms, but not everyone does. So, what assumptions can you make about your level of immunity if you stay well when everyone around you has COVID-19?
COVID-19 could become endemic – here is what existing endemic diseases look like
COVID-19 becoming endemic is harder to define than you may think. Here we outline how to know when the virus becomes endemic and outline what existing endemic diseases such as malaria and TB look like.
How new COVID-19 variants emerge: Natural selection and the evolution of SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 variants are the products of the evolution of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. They arise via mutations, but other forces also have roles to play in the generation and transmission of variants.
How to Make the Pandemic History
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, millions of people around the world remain in the grip of fear and uncertainty, owing to our collective failure to achieve universal vaccination. Still, three upcoming events offer world…
Vaccine mandate drastically increases vaccination rate in Nepal
To boost uptake, the Nepalese government has made vaccination cards mandatory for access to public services: it’s working.
Togo rolls out social safety net scheme to soften the economic impact of COVID-19
The arrival of COVID-19 into Togo in 2020 hit the economy, and ordinary people’s wallets, hard. The government stepped in to help.
The fair price shops of Uttar Pradesh, India
Uttar Pradesh’s fair price shops are helping improve vaccination rates amongst marginalised sections of the community.
Zimbabwe’s health workers on the pandemic front line
Health workers at the forefront of Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign share their experiences.
What is the Novavax vaccine, and why does the world need another type of COVID-19 vaccine?
With doses of the Novavax vaccine now starting to be delivered around the world, we examine what difference it could make to the pandemic.
Why don’t most people with COVID need to test for another 30 days, even if they’re re-exposed?
One study suggests the virus takes an average of 36 days to clear from the body after symptoms first appear.
COVID-19 through the lens of a Ghanaian photographer
While the pandemic forced everyone else indoors, a Ghanaian photographer took to the streets to document Accra on lockdown.
COVID-19 survivors are still at greater risk of heart attacks a year after infection
Countries should be prepared for a surge in heart problems, suggests the most comprehensive study on COVID-19 and cardiovascular risk to date.
Vaccinating in Kenya’s remote Samburu and Turkana counties
The county governments in Samburu and Turkana have collaborated to ensure that villagers are vaccinated.
How do you vaccinate the world’s second largest country?
Despite the size of both the country and its population, India has vaccinated over three-quarters of adults against COVID-19. How has it managed it?
Preventing the next pandemic is vastly cheaper than reacting to it: Study
Humanity's response to pandemics to date is similar to our climate change response: mitigation rather than prevention. A new study says prevention could save trillions of dollars and millions of lives.
What deliberately infecting people with SARS-CoV-2 is teaching us about COVID-19
The first COVID-19 human challenge study is yielding new insights into how healthy young adults respond to infection.
How did Kenya surpass its 2021 COVID-19 vaccination target?
Kenya was aiming to reach 10 million people with COVID-19 vaccines by the end of December 2021. Thanks to a clear strategy, COVAX support and the hard work of thousands of health workers, they reached their target.
We can't say whether longer Omicron survivability on surfaces relates to a greater risk of infection.
Q&A: The hunt for new COVID-19 variants
Dr Gabrielle Breugelmans is head of epidemiology at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership launched in 2017 to develop vaccines to stop future epidemics. She explains how new COVID-19 variants are…
Could mRNA vaccines protect against HIV?
Moderna has begun a trial with an experimental HIV vaccine based on the same technology underpinning its COVID-19 vaccine.
Financial Times journalist and author Gillian Tett discusses her new book, Anthro-Vision: How Anthropology Can Explain Business and Life.
The Equity Agenda in Fourth Industrial Revolution Healthcare Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the power of innovative Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in healthcare systems. Unless these technologies are designed with equity at their core, we risk leaving some people even further…
Myocarditis: COVID-19 is a much bigger risk to the heart than vaccination
Myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination is rare, and the risk is much smaller than the risks of cardiac injury linked to COVID-19 itself.
Endemic doesn't mean we drop our guard, surrender to the virus or downgrade the threat the virus poses to individuals or the community.
The cognitive bias that tripped us up during the pandemic
Anchoring bias meant we found it hard to get rid of the first bit of information we heard.
COVID: WHO recommends two new treatments – here’s how they work
Sotromivab and baricitinib target COVID at different stages of its development, and will give doctors greater flexibility in treating Omicron patients.
"A big win-win": Vaccine sharing could protect against future COVID-19 waves
Modelling suggests that increased COVID-19 vaccine donations by wealthy nations could benefit rich and poor countries alike.
Uganda’s door-to-door polio campaign targets unimmunised children
Uganda is working hard to ensure that all the gains made in the fight against polio aren’t lost to the pandemic.
Nine factors that could boost your risk of Long COVID
Emerging research is shedding light on why some people are more likely to develop persistent symptoms after catching COVID-19 than others.
Fit for women: 5 things you need to know about global health, gender equality and PPE
Women make up 70% of the health workforce, yet personal protective equipment – or PPE – is still not being designed for them. A landmark conference held this week looked at solutions to the insidious gender bias putting female health workers’…
“Corona Warriors”: The Asha workers of Uttar Pradesh
Asha Workers are the backbone of rural health infrastructure in India. Since the pandemic began, they have been actively involved in educating and helping people cope with the effects of COVID19.
“Stealth Omicron”: Everything you need to know about the new BA.2 subvariant of SARS-CoV-2
A descendent of the Omicron variant called BA.2 could be more contagious, but it doesn’t appear to cause more severe COVID-19 disease.
Our lives won’t remain the same: Nigerians embrace COVID-19 vaccines
Once gripped by uncertainty and confusion, the increased availability of life-saving vaccines is helping more Nigerians break the cycle of fear that came with COVID-19.
Q&A: Religious minorities and ‘faith’ in vaccines
Nurturing confidence in vaccination among minority populations like the Haredim, a Jewish religious group sometimes problematically referred to as “ultra-Orthodox,” has a lot to do with listening, says medical anthropologist Ben Kasstan.
How the planes of the future will create a healthier planet
The effects of climate change may lead to future pandemics. As the aviation industry looks to the future, cleaner fuels and electric planes will be key to reducing aviation’s impact on the climate.
COVID: why some people with symptoms don’t get tested
Recent research found around a quarter of people with classic COVID symptoms didn't get tested.
Can Omicron evade detection from PCR, rapid antigen or lateral flow tests?
PCR and antigen tests are still reliable in detecting the new variant, although in the first few days saliva could be better than nose swabs at picking up the virus.
How Cameroon is making the Africa Cup of Nations COVID-safe
While there were concerns over the threat posed by COVID-19 at Africa’s premiere football tournament, host nation Cameroon is working hard to limit the spread.
We can stop the cycle of new variants continuing indefinitely with a pandemic vaccine pool
Without it we could face further delays in the global rollout and risk the gulf between the vaccine haves and have nots widening.
Workers at a Kenyan syringe company set the record straight
Workers from a syringe-making company in Kilifi, Kenya have been changing minds around the COVID-19 vaccine.
Seven reasons why trying to get ‘COVID over with’ is a bad idea
With more than half of all Europeans predicted to be infected with COVID-19 in the next two months, and perceptions of it being mild, it might be tempting to think it’s better to get the infection over with. Here’s why that is a dangerous game to…
Hail a jab: COVID-19 vaccines taken to the taxi ranks of Eswatini
Access to COVID-19 vaccines has been made easier in the Kingdom of Eswatini as residents can get their jab at bus stops and taxi ranks across the country.
COVAX and the other international organizations committed to vaccine equity cannot end the COVID-19 pandemic without the continued support of governments, industry, and civil society. By working together, the world has a chance to tame the…
The top 5 Omicron symptoms to be aware of
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, here’s what you need to know about its symptoms.
Infectious period: Are cuts to COVID-19 isolation times a good idea?
Growing numbers of countries are cutting the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19, but what does the science say about how long people remain infectious for?
You need a plan: Successfully immunising zero-dose children in Nigeria
COVID-19 has hit routine immunisation hard in southern Nigeria. Authorities are now working hard to ensure children don’t miss out.
Pakistan reignites polio vaccination drive
Civil society, media, local influencers, celebrities, religious scholars, and frontline workers are all reinforcing the Pakistan government’s fight against Poliomyelitis.
Prioritise first doses of COVID-19 vaccines over boosters, say WHO experts
3.6 million people have still not had even their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Ensuring every adult has received at least one dose should be our focus for 2022.
India versus Omicron: How the country’s third COVID-19 wave might unfold
Daily COVID-19 cases have been rising fast, so how well protected is India’s population against Omicron?
Common cold could explain why some people never seem to get COVID-19
A recent cold is no substitute for a COVID-19 vaccine, but lingering immunity from one might protect a lucky few.
Here’s where (and how) you are most likely to catch COVID – new study
To discover your risk of catching coronavirus for any given situation, try our COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission Estimator.
How COVID-19 vaccines affect the menstrual cycle
Emerging evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccination does impact menstrual cycle length – but the effect is minor and temporary.
Could the Omicron variant end the pandemic?
Omicron’s seemingly milder symptoms have prompted some to speculate that the COVID-19 pandemic is burning out. But low vaccination rates mean there could be plenty of obstacles ahead.
Scientists around the world are working faster than ever to develop and produce vaccines that can stop the spread of COVID-19, with 21 vaccines now being rolled out in countries worldwide. Here is an at-a-glance overview of those vaccines and…
Omicron: Vaccines remain the best defence against this COVID-19 variant and others
Even with a variant like Omicron that might be more transmissible than earlier variants, vaccines remain the most effective tool for protection against COVID-19 and for ending the pandemic.
Delivering essential vaccines in Kenya’s nomadic Gosha community
Kenya is raising awareness about vaccines to reduce the number of zero-dose children who never receiving a single dose.
How COVID-19 transformed genomics and changed the handling of disease outbreaks forever
Revolutions in genome sequencing have been used to track COVID-19 in near real time.
Churches are boosting vaccination rates in Eswatini
Eswatini has launched a campaign to encourage members of the Zionist churches to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Everything you need to know about “Flurona”
Influenza-coronavirus co-infections are increasingly being reported in the media, but how common are they, and should we be worried?
COVID healthcare costs ‘catastrophic’ for poorest
Health care costs push more than half a billion people into extreme poverty. COVID-19 adds to the burden, halting progress towards universal health coverage. Health policies must protect poor from financial hardship, say World Bank, WHO.
Is Omicron really less severe than previous COVID-19 variants?
Mounting evidence suggests the Omicron variant is associated with fewer hospitalisations and is less likely to infect the lungs. However, it remains a major threat.
Long Covid is Pitting Patients Against Doctors. That’s A Problem.
Health care professionals must act swiftly to ensure frustrated patients don’t fall victim to misinformation.
How Omicron could make other variants less dangerous
Research from South Africa has found another way in which Omicron could replace Delta and potentially make it less dangerous by boosting immunity to the latter variant.
COVID-19 means that Pakistani transgender people are even more marginalised
Trans rights organisations such as the Good Thinker Organisation are working to ensure that Pakistan’s transgender community recovers from the hardship that COVID-19 has wrought.
Vaccination started off slow, but has steadily increased over 2021 thanks to public health messaging and vaccine deliveries.
How can scientists update coronavirus vaccines for omicron?
A microbiologist answers 5 questions about how Moderna and Pfizer could rapidly adjust mRNA vaccines.
Uganda: Taking vaccines to the people
The country is on a major vaccination drive to ensure that people are protected and the economy can recover.
All around the world, COVAX deliveries are helping to protect frontline health workers, reach nomadic communities, reunite families and allow schools to reopen. Since deliveries began in March, #VaccinesWork has been publishing snapshots that…
#VaccinesWork’s top 11 articles of 2021
2021 has been another tumultuous pandemic year. #VaccinesWork has been there through every twist and turn in our collective pandemic story, covering the latest science, bringing new perspectives from countries across the world and digging into…
Greetings from the North Pole to the Polarised North: street art Santa arrives in Germany
An expression of frustration with vaccine skeptics, German street artist and former immunologist Lapiz's new work is not your typical Christmas card.
How the public came together to support COVID-19 vaccines for the world’s most vulnerable
People around the world have demonstrated global solidarity by donating to the COVAX Facility, providing vaccines to those who would otherwise have no access.
Dr Seth Berkley's reflections on 2021 and the global imperative for 2022
2021 has been another challenging pandemic year, but despite the challenges it saw important milestones, extraordinary resilience in Gavi-supported countries and progress on a number of fronts. In his annual end of year letter, Gavi CEO Dr Seth…
Nigerian stars boost COVID-19 vaccination
Commanding a large following among music and movie lovers, some Nigerian entertainers are using their popularity to encourage fans to take the COVID-19 jab.
“We couldn’t afford to buy these vaccines on our own”: COVAX delivers in Malawi
COVAX deliveries have ramped up in Malawi, given local health workers and officials hope against the pandemic.
Not so super-immunity: People who’ve recovered from COVID-19 and vaccinated can still be reinfected
Israeli data suggests even those who’ve been double-jabbed or recovered from COVID-19 should take precautions to avoid infection.
COVID passes: they can’t prevent every infection but do make events safer
COVID passes lower the risk of transmission and incentivise vaccine uptake at a time when boosters are desperately needed.
While immunologists often focus on antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2, T cell immunity may hold the key to preventing severe COVID-19 disease.
How do the symptoms of Omicron differ from previous COVID-19 variants?
Reports that the Omicron variant may be associated with milder symptoms increase the need for vigilance and infection control.
How COVID-19 and Omicron are affecting travel this holiday season
Here's what you need to know about Omicron and traveling safely this holiday season.
Why excess deaths have varied so greatly around the world during the pandemic
How governments chose to respond to the coronavirus – and how well equipped their health services were before it arrived – made a big difference.
This little vaccine went to market: boosting vaccine uptake in Nigeria
From the market square in Oba, Benin City, vaccinators reach busy businesspeople with COVID-19 vaccines.
Kenya’s campaign to protect holidaymakers
As tourists flock to Kenya’s beaches after curfews were removed, the government is on a mission to ensure they’re protected with COVID-19 vaccines.
Malawi in 60-day COVID-19 “vaccine express” drive
Malawi’s Ministry of Health has embarked on a two months vaccination express campaign to drive uptake and take vaccines to the people.
From availability to arrival: How COVAX doses make it to countries
By the end of 2021, COVAX will have delivered approximately 800 million doses to 144 countries around the world – the largest and most complex vaccination rollout in history. But what exactly does it take for doses to arrive in countries?
How to talk to your children about getting their vaccine - an expert explains
Children might be unsettled by needles and vaccinations. However, vaccinations are an essential tool to stemming the spread of COVID-19. Here an expert explains what you can do to help alieviate children's concerns.
Since being designated a variant of concern on 26 November, the Omicron variant has rapidly spread across the globe. The consequences of this are still unclear, but scientific data is now starting to emerge.
Tackling COVID disinformation with empathy and conversation
Living with someone who believes in anti-vaccination misinformation can tear families apart, say experts.
The Pandemic and Africa's Social Safety Net
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that African tax and social-benefit systems are currently ill-equipped to protect households from sudden income losses. Meaningful progress will require policymakers to reduce the size of the informal sector and…
COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy – here’s what you need to know
Many myths and rumours have spread around the impact COVID-19 vaccinations could have on pregnancy and fertility. The truth is far more reassuring.
We've had COVID-19 vaccines for one year. How can we make better use of them?
It has been one year since COVID-19 vaccines first became available in the UK. COVID-19 vaccines work well, but the question now is how can we make the best use of them? Getting first doses out to people in all countries has to become the…
How a mix-and-match vaccine approach could boost immunity to COVID-19
Signs are emerging that the way your immune cells encounter SARS-CoV-2 can have a lasting impact on how they respond to it in the future.
An ode to health workers on the highways of Monterrey, Mexico
Street artist Buffon draws attention to the importance of healthcare workers and how we can all play our part in ending the pandemic.
Togolese healthcare workers take on the odds to fight COVID-19
As the first line of defence against COVID-19, Togo’s healthcare workers are doing all they can to tackle the pandemic.
"The boys are back in town": Sports and entertainment return in Zimbabwe
There is a glimmer of hope for Zimbabwe’s sports and entertainment.
How COVID-19 led to devastating rises in malaria
The fight against the killer disease has nearly halved malaria deaths since 2000, but now that hard-won progress could be lost because of the pandemic.
This is how COVID-19 hit household expenditure in Europe
New data reveals that COVID-19 reduced Europe’s household spending by 8% in 2020. Nations with the severest lockdowns saw the most dramatic drop in household consumption, says Eurostat. Elsewhere, consumer spending in China fell by 17% in 2020.…
Galápagos census looks at impacts on turtles during and after COVID lockdown
The suspension of tourism activities around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic gave researchers the chance to answer an important question: What impact does tourism have on wildlife populations?
From Alpha to Omicron: Everything you need to know about SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
All viruses change over time, and SARS-CoV-2 is no exception. Here’s what we know about the current variants circulating globally at the current time.
Omg, Omicron! Why it’s too soon to panic about COVID vaccines and the new variant
We won't know whether Omicron evades COVID vaccines for another few weeks. Here's why.
When will life return to normal after the pandemic?
Surveying by the Office for National Statistics shows Brits are increasingly pessimistic about things returning to how they were before.
A Ghanaian doctor’s perspective on COVID-19 vaccine inequity
Pre-COVID-19, Ghana’s health system was overburdened. The virus has made everything harder, and vaccine inequity has made it harder still.
Growing viral: health, hope, and happiness in the time of COVID and HIV
Living with one lethal virus, the children of Snehagram in southern India bolster each other in surviving the coronavirus pandemic.
Mask wearing wasn’t disputed in previous crises – so why is it so hotly contested today?
How the pandemic is reported by the media can influence people's behaviour.
How next-generation COVID-19 vaccines could help to end the pandemic
A year ago, we had no COVID-19 vaccines, now we have many. Could the next generation of vaccines be better still?
The hunt for coronavirus variants: how the new one was found and what we know so far
There's a new COVID lineage called B.1.1.529. It has a genetic profile very different from other circulating variants.
There's Only One Way to Stop the Emergence of Variants Like Omicron
"This crisis is far from over, and without dramatic course correction, will go on for some time."
Omicron: why the WHO designated it a variant of concern
Not much data, but lessons have been learned from the slow response to delta.
Journalists fighting the pandemic: Cameroon's COVID-19 unsung heroes
The media men and women in the country are doing their all to reverse this phenomenon.
The Future of Global Pandemic Security: Navigating shifting landscapes – a Gavi White Paper
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how ill-prepared health systems and societies are in the face of pandemic shocks and their protracted impact. Now, as global attention begins to shift towards improving the way we prevent and respond to…
What do we know about the new B.1.1.529 coronavirus variant and should we be worried?
The variant was first detected in Botswana and contains a high number of mutations associated with increased immune evasion.
Study: government vaccine spending increases since 2000
A comprehensive analysis of vaccine spending shows that while lower-income country governments take on the bulk of financing, they need to mobilise greater resources for immunisation.
We expected people with asthma to fare worse during COVID. Turns out they’ve had a break
Not only have asthma attack rates decreased during the pandemic, evidence suggests people with asthma are not at increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID.
COVID-19 and the impact on part time jobs
The loss of jobs during the pandemic was experienced almost exclusively among part-time jobs. Research shows it is likely that demand for workers in hard-hit sectors will start to come back, writes economist Jonathan Wadsworth. However, the…
COVAX slot swapping: Explained
Switzerland has just become the first country to trade places with COVAX in manufacturers’ supply queues, making one million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine available to the Facility. But what is slot swapping and why is it necessary?
Immune to COVID-19: Why some people test negative when everyone around them is testing positive
Researchers are closing in on why some people are apparently more resistant to COVID-19 infection.
Why COVID-19 Misinformation Works
The rampant spread of false information about the coronavirus has been attributed to politicians who have promoted remedies ranging from anti-malarial drugs to herbal drinks. But how humans process knowledge has an important role to play in…
South Sudan launches mandatory testing and vaccination
There are differing views on whether mandatory testing and vaccinations will improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
How Peru became the country with the highest COVID death rate in the world
The country moved quickly to contain the virus, but its health system struggled to look after those who got sick.
COVID-19 vaccines: Nepal leaves no people with disability behind
"Leave no one behind" has been one of the core pledges of the SDG 2030 agenda. In light of the COVID-19 situation, it is vital to consider the plight faced by people with disability. Nepal has lessons for us all.
Slipping through the cracks: Urban under-immunisation on Bengaluru’s margins
In 2020, 16 million children in lower-income countries did not receive the third dose of their basic childhood vaccines. 12.4 million of them didn’t even receive their first dose. Despite a perception that missed children typically belong to hard…
Young and ethnic minority workers were hardest hit at the start of COVID, but not anymore
The two groups bounced back more quickly in the jobs market than certain other groups, although they may still experience lasting consequences.
Hospital waste, not masks, are plastic scourge of pandemic: Study
A new study has found that 26,000 metric tons of pandemic-related plastic waste has been released into the world’s oceans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020.
Traditional governance systems help turn the tide against COVID-19 in Kenya
A century-old system of governance has helped keep their land plentiful and their villages peaceful. Now elders in Isiolo County, central Kenya, are using the system to keep their villages free of COVID-19.
Luciferase is a useful tool in medicine and has nothing to do with Satan.
Is this the great vaccine-mandate resignation that wasn’t?
COVID-19 vaccine mandates have spurred protests and resignations. But the evidence so far points to marginal workforce losses. Evidence also suggests that mandates keep people safe and save lives.
My shampoo stinks of vomit: How COVID-19 can mess up your sense of smell
Increasingly, people who are recovering from COVID-19 are reporting a distorted perception of odours, also known as parosmia.
Why having bad oral health could raise the risk of COVID
Badly controlled bacteria in the mouth pose multiple risks.
Kenya’s weak link in the fight against COVID-19
On 7 October Kenya launched an ambitious campaign to vaccinate over a million operators in the public transport sector.
How disease has stimulated cultural change
Laws and rituals surrounding disease have been part of everyday life for millennia. Here's why that's important.
Would you get vaccinated in a bank? Mobile vaccination clinics take off in Nigeria
Businesses and corporate organisations are making special arrangements to protect workers and, by extension, customers through mobile vaccination.
History’s Seven Deadliest Plagues
SARS-CoV-2 has officially claimed 5 million lives, but credible estimates place the pandemic’s true death toll closer to 17 million. Either count secures COVID-19’s position on our list of history’s deadliest plagues.
What pneumonia can teach us about COVID-19
COVID-19 still has many unknowns, but hope lies in what we already know about preventing and treating pneumonia.
Two-strike Ebola vaccine enters human trials
The vaccine, which is based on the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, is designed to target both the Zaire and Sudan species of Ebola virus.
Investments in Disease Surveillance Support Kenya’s Response to COVID-19
In a conversation with Maria Deloria Knoll, PhD, IVAC’s Director of Epidemiology, Dr. Kagucia shared how Gavi-supported activities facilitated Kenya’s COVID-19 response by expanding capacity, testing, and partnerships.
Lagos steps up the fight against COVID-19
Lagod – the epicentre of COVID-19 in Nigeria – is ramping up its vaccination campaign, with committed leaders and ambitious targets.
Can vaccines unlock access to health care?
Zero-dose children who never receive a single vaccine are also more likely to miss out on crucial primary health care services.
Discoveries from vaccine implementation
In episode 8 of the Global Health Matters podcast, we spoke to Professor Margaret Gyapong of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana and Dr Lee Hampton of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. These experts shared their views on how…
Sickness and survival in pre-COVID-19 Nepal
A gripping documentary about a family's struggle with the emotional and financial consequences of severe pneumonia.
Nose sprays, needle-free patches, durable immunity: towards the next generation of COVID vaccines
The development of COVID vaccines has already been explosive. There are more innovations on the way.
White-tailed deer found to be huge reservoir of coronavirus infection
In a sample of white-tailed deer, 80% were found to have an active COVID infection.
Q&A: Dr Collins Tabu, Kenya’s immunisation chief, discusses the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
Dr Collins Tabu, Head of Kenya's National Vaccines and Immunisation Program, is on a mission to vaccinate at least half of the adult population against COVID-19 by the end of the year. #VaccinesWork spoke to him to see how they plan to do it.
In February 2021, Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to vaccinate its population in order to save lives and stem the spread of the coronavirus were being stymied by a wave of misinformation and a low level of public acceptance of the vaccine.
Vaccine rollout steps up a gear in Sierra Leone
Just 5.5% of Sierra Leoneans have had their first COVID-19 vaccination. With a target to reach at least 80% by December the campaign, with support from COVAX, is ramping up.
Five crucial years, one unprecedented new pandemic and 324 million children immunised
Even with the adversities and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through 2020, Gavi maintained unyielding focus on leaving no one behind.
COVID-19 vaccinations help restore family links in Kenya’s prisons
Inmates in Kenya’s prison system have been banned from seeing family members for over a year and a half. A vaccination campaign.
Vaccine profiles: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Before immunisation for Hib became routine, it was one of the biggest killers of children under five and the main cause of meningitis. High vaccine coverage is essential to keep that threat at bay, especially given rising antimicrobial resistance…
Protecting prisoners in Malawi
Malawi prisoners are at higher risk of getting COVID 19; vaccines are helping to contain the spread.
COVID could wreak havoc on gorillas, but they social distance better than we do
Endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s famous Volcanoes National Park could face “population collapse” within 50 years if some of them contract COVID-19, new research suggests.
COVID-19 wreaks havoc on the Kenyan entertainment industry
While there are those who have thrived, for most entertainers in Kenya COVID-19 came close to decimating the sector.
Q&A: Designing a shock-proof health system
How do we ensure resilient health systems and immunisation programmes that can bounce back from future health threats? In this Q&A with Gustavo Correa, Gavi’s Senior Manager for Data systems and Information, and Josh Wunderlich, Gavi…
Doctors, scientists or politicians: who are you most likely to trust after the pandemic?
Doctors are rated as trustworthy by almost two-thirds of people, according to the Ipsos Global Trustworthiness Index 2021. Scientists came in second, at 61% and teachers third, at 55%. How to restore trust is a key and growing theme for…
Without global vaccination, all COVID immunity is at risk
A year from now, instead of potentially entering the pandemic endgame, we could find ourselves at the start of a new and perpetual cycle of revaccination or boosters for people who have already previously been protected.
The Test of Pandemic Preparedness
The COVID-19 pandemic is the product of a globalized, interconnected world. Without new mechanisms that offer truly global approaches to crisis management and prevention, the experience of the past 18 months is likely to be repeated, with…
COVAX can make even more of a difference if governments stop hoarding vaccine doses and allow the free flow of these crucial supplies.
No one is safe until everyone is safe
To end the pandemic, the virus needs to be stamped out simultaneously across the world, but government hoarding and export restrictions are getting in the way of making this happen.
What COVID-19 is teaching us about human milk and antibodies
Dr Rebecca Powell is on a quest to understand the immune response to infection and vaccination in breastmilk, in the hope of designing maternal vaccines to boost babies’ protection against disease.
The walls speak for the vulnerable in Luanda
Oksanna Dias has been using street art to draw attention to the challenges of the women of Luanda.
Religious leaders join chorus of support for vaccination in Nigeria
Initially silent, respected religious leaders in Nigeria are beginning to make their voices heard in support of COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine Ambassadors: The race to vaccinate Cameroon’s school communities
Cameroon is considering taking COVID-19 vaccines to schools amid a rise in the number of new cases.
Towards universal coverage of maternal health services in Tajikistan
Nozanin is a secondary school teacher and lives in the relatively prosperous region of Sughd, with better access to maternal health services than is found in other regions. However, medical costs are excessive for most people in the country,…
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for teenagers and children?
Some countries are already offering COVID-19 vaccines to teenagers and may expand this to children in the near future. Here’s what we know about vaccine safety and efficacy in these groups.
COVID: how worried should we be about the new AY.4.2 lineage of the coronavirus?
This new sub-variant of the delta has gained a foothold in the UK.
Bring your tissues: Abraham Verghese’s coming-of-age story explores colonialism and global health through a beautifully written tale of family, love and medicine.
What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines and rare neurological complications
Reports of Guillain–Barré syndrome or other neurological complications following COVID-19 vaccination are understandably worrying, but the first study to robustly investigate such links has found that the risk is much greater after COVID-19…
Before immunisation for pertussis, or whooping cough, became routine, it killed twice as many children as measles and polio combined. High vaccine coverage is essential to keep that threat at bay.
Togo becomes one of the first African countries to introduce digital vaccine passports
Togo is blazing a digital trail on the continent, looking to online tools, including digital vaccine passports, to curtail COVID-19.
As India celebrated its one-billionth COVID-19 vaccination, #VaccinesWork caught up with Anuradha Gupta, Gavi’s Deputy CEO and an Indian public health veteran.
Combining COVID-19 and routine vaccination: Nigeria implements a “whole family” approach
The whole family approach is helping Lagos State tackle multiple disease outbreaks and helping families lead healthier lives.
A million a day: Pakistan’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign hits its stride
After a halting start to its immunisation campaign, Pakistan has shifted into high gear, now administering a million doses a day. #VaccinesWork spoke to national health leaders and spent a morning at a rural vaccination centre to find out what…
Is it a cold or COVID-19? An expert explains
Research in the UK shows COVID-19 symptoms can be similar to the common cold. So, how can you tell the difference? Here, genetic epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector explains the latest data and what you need to know.
Bringing routine immunisation back into focus in Ghana
Community health nurses in Ghana are on a mission to reverse the decline in routine immunisation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID and flu: how big could the dual threat be this winter?
Social distancing has shielded us from other respiratory viruses – but that's not necessarily a good thing.
Five reasons why ‘my body, my choice’ doesn’t work for vaccines
With several countries making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for health workers, teachers and other frontline staff, anti-vaccination protesters have co-opted the feminist slogan “my body, my choice” from reproductive rights and bodily autonomy…
Vaccines save Eswatini’s education system
The delivery of COVID-19 vaccines has brought hope for the country’s education system.
Convincing nomadic populations to get the jab in Northern Kenya
For the Gosha community, vaccines are not only protecting them from COVID-19, but are also bringing development to their area.
Ten climate actions that could boost human health
Ahead of the COP26 climate summit, the World Health Organisation flags ten priority actions necessary to protect human and planetary health.
Pandemica, a world where the pandemic goes on forever
Welcome to Pandemica, a world where twice as many people die and life as we once knew it does not return for anyone.
First flight facilitated by the Hope Consortium touches down in Belgium with large delivery of ultra-cold chain freezers for onward shipment to 21 African countries.
In the face of mounting logistical hitches, ordinary Nigerians are rallying behind health workers to ensure the success of COVID-19 vaccine rollout across the country.
Why we still need vaccines even if we get new COVID-19 treatments
The pharma company Merck has applied for emergency use authorisation for an experimental COVID-19 antiviral treatment but, even if approved, such therapies won’t replace vaccines.
Identifying people who have recovered from COVID-19 could provide a way to accelerate protection of populations against the disease.
Without women there are no healthcare systems
The sixth annual Heroines of Health Gala celebrated seven women fighting to improve the health of their communities. From mobilising nurses in Beirut after the blast in August last year to helping communities in Ethiopia affected by the civil…
COVID: why are people testing positive on lateral flow tests then negative on PCR?
The reasons for these results have yet to be confirmed – but maths may explain the phenomenon.
The sports and entertainment communities of Eswatini are banking on COVID-19 vaccines to turn their fortunes around.
Review: Preventing The Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-Science
Dr Peter J. Hotez’ timely and important book underlines the fact that we need vaccine diplomacy now more than ever to overcome threats to our health.
Mobilising mothers around immunisation in Nigeria
Going door-to-door, local community leaders are mobilising mothers to have their children immunised.
How COVID-19 is contributing to period poverty in Nigeria
Skyrocketing prices for sanitary products, supply shortages and lockdowns are combining to make it harder and harder for girls and women in Nigeria to manage their periods.
First ever malaria vaccine recommended by WHO: Q&A with Deepali Patel
The WHO recommendation on the RTS,S vaccine could protect millions of children across Africa.
How will vaccinating camels boost uptake of COVID-19 vaccines?
Authorities in Kenyan border regions have come up with an innovative way to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations among herder communities: combine it with animal vaccination.
Further vaccine R&D is critical to end the devastating COVID-19 pandemic
It is science that we must once again turn to so that we can remain one step ahead of the virus. Increased investment in ongoing vaccine R&D efforts will enable COVAX to deliver on its promises and ensure that our vaccines remain safe and…
Head of UNAIDS unpacks the knock-on effects of COVID-19. And what needs to be done
Greater urgency is needed in the response to the pandemic, to end AIDS and to end COVID-19.
Smokers were never really protected from COVID, despite what early studies claimed
How the 'smoker's paradox' went up in a puff of smoke.
Super clean: Hand sanitiser helps prevent COVID-19, but what else is it doing to our health?
Hand sanitiser has become a regular feature of our lives since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but how effective is it – and is it a good idea to be so clean?
The COVID-19 vaccine-shy are changing their minds
Vaccine hesitancy is “not a stable trait,” concludes a new American study, which found that a majority of initially hesitant respondents shifted their stance in favour of getting the jab.
What we really know about waning COVID-19 immunity
Vaccines are still extremely effective at preventing severe disease. Waning antibody levels doesn’t always translate to lessening immunity.
How COVID-19-related stress could be affecting your menstrual cycle
A new study suggests that more than half of women may have experienced irregularities in their periods after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Routine immunisation worldwide holds firm despite the pandemic
Despite the havoc wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems worldwide, governments’ work to bring immunisation programmes back on track is paying off.
COVID-19 vaccines help routine immunisation become routine again in Nigeria
Routine immunisation took a hit in Nigeria thanks to the pandemic. Thanks to the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly for health workers, mothers are returning to immunisation clinics.
More deliveries equals more demand for vaccines in South Sudan
With COVAX stepping up deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines in South Sudan, there is a steady increase in demand for the jab.
Seven COVID-19 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore
Researchers have identified seven symptoms that are highly predictive of a positive COVID-19 test.
COVAX vaccines lead drive to reopen Uganda’s schools
The Ugandan government is on a drive to vaccinate teachers to ensure the reopening of schools across the country.
What the world can learn from Bhutan’s rapid COVID vaccine rollout
Careful planning enabled this small, mountainous Himalayan country to vaccinate 90% of its adult population in three weeks.
Kids and COVID-19: what we know so far
Although children are less susceptible to COVID-19 than adults, there are still risks associated with infection.
Whipping the Covid-19 vaccine market into shape
The COVAX vaccine procurement facility has run a remarkable race, but needs stable funding for long-term success.
The pandemic has hurt women's health. This is why that's bad for everyone
The pandemic undermined women and girls’ fundamental rights and we must learn lessons about its impacts to build back better and ensure these groups aren't left behind. Empowering women and girls has proven to increase the health and well-being…
COVID-19 is changing Kenyan nomads’ attitudes towards immunisation
COVID-19 is hitting nomads in Kenya’s Rift Valley hard. They are turning away from traditional medicine and customs as a result.
Five reasons why it’s a terrible idea to hold a COVID-19 party (even if you’ve been vaccinated)
Although people who have recovered from COVID-19 may be less likely to catch it again, there are many reasons to avoid becoming infected in the first place.
Your immune system is as unique as your fingerprint – new study
New discovery could help scientists develop more targeted drugs and vaccines.
Study finds no increased risk of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy
Israeli data adds to mounting evidence that taking a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy is safe.
Community health workers are critical in delivering COVID-19 vaccines
Delivering COVID-19 vaccines in low- and middle-income countries is only the first step in being able to vaccinate the world and bring this pandemic to an end. It’s essential to get vaccines from tarmacs into the arms of people living in last…
Lower-income countries are letting far fewer COVID-19 vaccine doses expire than wealthier nations
Just 0.2% of COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered to lower-income countries through COVAX expired before they could be administered, estimated to be a significantly lower amount than wealthier countries.
Togo leads the way in COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
With support from Gavi, WHO and UNICEF, Togo is introducing various mechanisms to turn the tide of COVID-19.
Three things this week’s Global COVID-19 Summit is aiming to achieve
The White House is calling a virtual COVID-19 Summit on Wednesday, 22 September. Its targets for global vaccination are ambitious and essential as we work together to defeat COVID-19.
The historic push to provide ultra-cold chain freezers around the world
Thomas Sorenson, Senior Manager in the Cold Chain Unit, UNICEF Supply Division, explains the work behind the scenes to roll-out the largest ultra-cold chain deployment in history.
This is the WHO’s massive new list of ways to create a healthier, safer environment
Four UN agencies have compiled a first-of-its-kind Compendium of guidance on health and environment to help policymakers save millions of lives. The Compendium pulls together 500 actions and recommendations on everything from clean water and…
COVID-19 vaccine roll-out gathers pace in Kisumu, Kenya
In Kisumu, which is still recovering from the after-effects of flooding, authorities are working to bring vaccines to the beleaguered residents.
Reaching zero-dose children in Malawi’s cities
In Malawi urban areas have more unimmunised zero-dose children than rural regions. The government is working hard to close the immunisation gap.
Gavi at UNGA: Action for equity
The 76th UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) will take place from 14-30 September 2021. Could we see a breakthrough in the fight for universal vaccine access?
Even a quarter dose of Moderna vaccine triggers strong immune response
Although it’s not clear how this compares to the full dose licensed worldwide for emergency use, a quarter of a dose produces an equivalent immune response to immunity from infection.
Vaccine justice: Nepal gives refugees priority in the vaccine queue
Nepal has distributed more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine according to a considered allocation schedule based on humane, inclusive, epidemiological good sense. The country’s future safety depends on the willingness of the rest of the…
We need to stop talking about COVID-19 waves
While vaccines have helped save millions of lives in this pandemic, the ever-evolving virus has spread so far that it may be here to stay.
“We are not resting on our laurels”: COVID-19 survivors encourage vaccination in Nigeria
In Lagos, Nigeria's most populous state, COVID-19 survivors are encouraging more Nigerians to be vaccinated.
Cameroon is dealing with two conflicts amid the pandemic
The war against Boko Haram in Cameroon's northern region and the struggle against armed secessionists in the west have taken a significant toll on vaccine roll-out.
Why India’s latest Nipah case means pandemic preparedness is more vital than ever
With COVID-19 still ongoing, viruses like Nipah are nipping at its heels as the potential next pandemic threat.
How COVID-19 is undermining maternal health and reproductive rights
As the African continent battles a third wave of coronavirus infections, access to reproductive health and rights is an ongoing challenge.
No scientific basis for COVID-19 vaccine boosters in general populations
Even though many wealthy countries are planning to roll out booster doses, a Lancet review has concluded that the standard COVID-19 vaccination regimen is highly effective, even against the Delta variant.
Kenya accelerates its COVID-19 vaccination programme
Kenya has ramped up its COVID-19 vaccination programme, expanding the list of who can get vaccinated.
COVAX: the forecast for vaccine supply
While the supply is lower than predictions earlier this year, wealthy countries and manufacturers hold the power to improve supply.
You don’t need to worry about COVID vaccines being ‘unnatural’ or ‘synthetic’
mRNA vaccines are the first synthetic vaccines, meaning they are made outside of a living cell. But so are lots of things we consume every day, such as vitamin C pills and other dietary supplements.
Pop culture icons and political satire in Bristol
The British artist John D’oh uses humour and wit to drive home messages about vaccines and other measures such as hand-washing and social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Study of 6.2 million Americans shows no significant side effects from COVID-19 RNA vaccines
A study looking at health issues such as stroke or seizures after COVID-19 vaccination showed that vaccines weren’t linked to any significant number of side effects.
COVID-19 vaccination halves the risk of Long COVID
Data from the UK suggests double vaccination lowers the risk of ongoing COVID-19 symptoms, as well as reducing hospitalisations and the severity of the initial illness.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Here’s why.
While most people jumped at the chance to get their COVID-19 vaccine, some have been more hesitant over concerns about safety. Here we explain all the checks and balances in place to make sure the vaccines are safe.
The G20 Must Recommit to COVAX
Additional G20 support can make the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access facility a success. Failure to achieve equitable access would mean more lives lost, broken health-care systems, even deadlier and more transmissible variants, and a pandemic with…
Protecting a different kind of frontline worker in Liberia
Getting market women and pen-pen drivers vaccinated is critical to tackling COVID-19 in Liberia.
Why helping countries deliver COVID-19 vaccines is just as vital as boosting supply
Getting COVID-19 vaccines out to countries isn’t just about ensuring supply – a major stumbling block can be their ‘absorptive capacity,’ or the ability to deliver the volume of vaccine coming their way. Here, we talk to Alex de Jonquieres,…
COVID-19 boosted excess sale of antibiotics in India
COVID-19 boosted sales of antibiotic formulations used in adults and adolescents in India. Antibiotics should not be prescribed to treat viral diseases. Misuse of antibiotics can result in drug-resistant infections.
Hantavirus study shows restoring forests can reduce zoonotic disease risk
Brazilian scientists have found that transmission of hantavirus, a deadly infection, could be reduced by 45% if Brazil restores its Atlantic Forest to levels mandated by its Native Vegetation Protection Law. Hantavirus, spresd by contact with…
The vaccine taxi: Going mobile in Zimbabwe
Distance and fear of the pandemic has put many parents off from taking their children to health clinics in Zimbabwe. So one converted taxi is taking the clinic to them.
The first human case of Marburg virus in West Africa is no surprise: here’s why
The Marburg virus will be present wherever the Egyptian Rousette bat occurs.
What does the new C.1.2 coronavirus variant mean for COVID-19 vaccines?
A rapidly mutating coronavirus variant called C.1.2 is generating headlines around the world. Here’s what we know about it so far.
Humanitarians Push to Vaccinate in Conflict Zones
Pandemic ceasefires offer an opportunity to expand vaccination efforts, experts say. But negotiation is tricky.
People who have already had COVID-19 could be less likely to catch Delta than the vaccinated
A new study from Israel suggests the risk of a breakthrough infection among vaccinated people was higher than among people who’d previously had COVID-19 but had not been vaccinated. However the greatest benefit came to those who'd previously…
COVID variants: we spoke to the experts designing a single vaccine to defeat them all
A universal vaccine has been described as the ‘holy grail’ – but how close are we to getting one?
Do kids get long COVID? And how often? A paediatrician looks at the data
Children can get long COVID, but it seems to be less common than in adults. And they tend to recover quicker.
More than a quarter of a million infants estimated to have died due to pandemic poverty
More than a quarter of a million infants in low- and middle-income countries are predicted to have died in 2020 due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
With evidence showing the COVID virus is airborne, it's no coincidence many outbreaks in schools have occurred in winter – when windows are closed.
With COVID-19 stretching the healthcare system in many parts of Nigeria, health workers and community leaders have to go the extra mile to ensure vaccines reach victims of the country’s latest cholera outbreak.
Over a million children get protected against polio in Malawi
Malawi’s Ministry of Health recently conducted a nationwide polio vaccine catch up campaign targeting 1.8 million children who had previously missed out on the vaccine.
Why kids in low-income countries could face a higher risk of dying of COVID-19
Children are increasingly falling sick worldwide, but existing poor health and inadequate access to health care means the most vulnerable kids are most at risk.
In Brazil’s Acre, smoke from fires threatens health, could worsen COVID-19
Wildfire smoke has been linked to higher COVID-19 mortality rates, threatening to compound what is already one of the worst burdens of coronavirus infections and deaths in the world. At particular risk are Indigenous populations, who suffer…
“We don’t want to end back at square one”: Keeping child immunisation alive in Kenya
Kenya’s community workers fight to continue vaccinating children during the pandemic to avoid the reversal of historic gains.
After India’s brutal coronavirus wave, two-thirds of population has been exposed to SARS-CoV2
A public health scholar based in New Delhi explains how India has emerged from the massive spike in COVID-19 cases, even as the country braces for a new wave.
Are COVID-19 vaccine mandates human rights violations?
Experts point to a more fundamental right to be protected from the disease, particularly as it continues to spread primarily among the unvaccinated.
Pandemic Culture: The “Bangalore Banksy”: Art Against the Darkness
The Bengaluru street artist Baadal Nanjundaswamy is well-loved for his public-spirited art interventions. Lockdown managed to quieten him for a moment – but only for a moment.
Why I no longer think we can eliminate COVID – public health expert
As New Zealand enters another lockdown after detecting a single COVID case, it's time to consider whether stringent zero COVID strategies are feasible in the long term.
In the absence of good vaccines, doctors treating epidemic diseases must rely on cumbersome PPE as their one safety net. At least modern hazmat suits, unlike the 17th century plague doctor's all-leather outfit, actually work.
How to eliminate cervical cancer - an expert explains
COVID-19 has caused a decline in the delivery of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines that protect girls from cervical cancer. Anuradha Gupta, the Deputy CEO of Gavi, explains what we must do to create more access to these vaccines.
Zimbabwe’s waste pickers waiting impatiently for COVID-19 vaccines
For the waster pickers of Bulawayo, COVID-19 has posed risks to both their health and their incomes. Hope for a vaccine is reaching fever pitch.
How artificial intelligence could help the fight against COVID-19
Using big data and deep learning, machines and systems are offering new ways of responding to a pandemic.
COVID-19 boosters: Would a third jab really stop the pandemic?
Rich countries are now considering giving booster doses to vulnerable individuals, having fully-vaccinated most adults. Is this wise?
Is modern life encouraging the evolution of deadlier viruses?
The way we live can shape the evolution of pathogens, for better or worse.
Vaccines can win the race against COVID-19 variants. Here's how
COVID-19 variants threaten to undermine global vaccine programmes unless we accelerate the pace of delivery and rise to the challenge of global deployment.
Should we tell stories of vaccine sceptics who have died of COVID?
The news is full of stories of people who refused the jab who died of COVID.
Clinics get routine immunisation back on track in Zimbabwe
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic hit routine immunisation hard in Zimbabwe, but thanks to the hard work of local health workers children are now getting the protection they need.
COVID-19: why we can’t use antibody tests to show that vaccines are working
Many COVID-19 antibody tests are not designed to specifically detect antibodies that develop as a result of vaccination, and thus cannot show whether antibodies are of the right quantity or quality for protection against infection or illness.
Vaccines bring hope for children in Nigeria’s largest coastal slum
Access to routine immunisation and primary health care is changing the lives of children in Makoko, Nigeria’s largest coastal slum.
Are chatbots better than humans at fighting vaccine hesitancy?
Could artificial intelligence succeed where people have failed in helping people overcome their fears about vaccines?
Investing in Global Vaccine Equity Acknowledges Our Shared Fate
Vaccines are among modern medicine’s greatest innovations, allowing billions of people to lead healthy lives. But stopping outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease – and not only COVID-19 – depends on achieving critical mass with immunization…
Plagues and classical history – what the humanities will tell us about COVID in years to come
We all need to know about the science of COVID as we battle through pandemic, but the ultimate story will lie in how it changed our society.
Nigeria’s new initiative to boost routine immunisation
To improve routine immunisation, Nigeria is implementing the Accelerated Action for Impact (AAI) initiative.
Pandemic Culture: Fatherhood and Fear in São Paulo
Henrique Montanari, also known as EDMX, has been daubing the walls of São Paulo with striking images conveying his fear for the impact the pandemic is having on his children, part of the “the pandemic generation”.
Why are fully-vaccinated people still catching COVID-19?
Breakthrough infections are to be expected, but it doesn’t mean the COVID-19 vaccines aren’t working.
How will COVID vaccines work on compromised immune systems? Here’s what we know
Being immunocompromised appears to affect the vaccine response, but this seems to vary depending on the causes of the person's low immunity.
RSV: what is it, and why are child cases surging in the wake of COVID?
COVID restrictions have prevented the spread of other respiratory viruses too. As these are lifted, the UK government has warned parents of a delayed surge in infections.
That Old Time Anti-Vaxx Feeling
The best single predictor of vaccine uptake per US state is not political affiliation, but the share of the population that believes the human race has always existed. Such findings do not bode well for the global effort to boost vaccination…
If we’re not careful, booster vaccines could end up giving the coronavirus a boost
The sooner we start using booster jabs, the more likely it is that we will need them.
COVID: why you still need to wash your hands
Respiratory viruses, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2, while spread primarily by respiratory droplets can also be spread by contaminated hands touching the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes.
In 2014, Nigeria escaped an Ebola pandemic in the span of 93 days because of the bravery and quick response of health care workers in Lagos. As the world fights through the COVID-19 pandemic, the film 93 Days – though grim – is a hopeful reminder…
Reaching out to communities in rural Zambia
In rural Zambia, clinics and health centres rely on a limited number of medical personnel to run immunisation programmes, which makes the support of community leaders vital.
Review: The Cutter Incident by Paul Offit
Offit’s sobering inquiry into “one of the worst biological disasters in American history” is a work of unflinching investigative journalism which lands, finally, not as a whodunit, but as a tribute to modern systems of meticulous vaccine…
How do experts ensure vaccine safety?
From clinical trials to population surveillance, these are the multilevel mechanisms that ensure vaccine safety – including the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
Intellectual Property and COVID-19 vaccines
During a pandemic supply bottlenecks of essential medical products are almost inevitable, but with COVID-19 this has been further exacerbated by governments hoarding doses and imposing export bans.
Refugees included in Uganda’s COVID-19 vaccine drive
Uganda is setting an example by including its estimated 1.4 million refugees in its COVID-19 vaccine programme, however there are still barriers to overcome.
Kenya’s digital vaccine warriors
The Savannah Innovation Hub teaches young women in Garissa County to counteract COVID-19 vaccine misinformation from groups like Al-Shabaab.
“My heart is always stuck in my homeland”: A Rohingya returnee’s story
Abdullah and his family escaped genocidal violence in Myanmar in 2017, survived a diphtheria epidemic in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar and weathered the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a Rohingya camp. Then, in December 2020, he returned to the…
Fighting liver cancer with vaccines in The Gambia
Vaccines against cancer may seem like a futuristic notion, but children around the world are already getting protection against two of the biggest causes of cervical and liver cancer: HPV and hepatitis B.
Pandemic Culture: Painting for joy - and vaccine confidence - in California
As COVID-19 began to grip northern California, one furloughed lunch lady turned herself into the Velvet Bandit, a pandemic warrior spreading her pro-science message across the streets of the Golden State.
COVID masks: how and when to ask someone to wear one – without getting into a fight
Just because face coverings aren't mandatory doesn't mean they're not protective – so here's how to ask someone to wear one.
Review: COVID, Quickly – A Scientific American podcast series
This series cuts through the noise to help you catch up with the latest COVID-19 developments in an entertaining and digestible way.
“I will definitely take the vaccine”: High demand for COVID-19 vaccines in Uganda
While there was some initial reluctance to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Eastern Uganda, attitudes are changing fast.
TB prevention has relied on the same vaccine for 100 years. It’s time for innovation
BCG remains the only widely available vaccine for TB. Yet the development of a COVID-19 vaccine over the last year shows that there is capacity to rapidly create new vaccines.
How effective are COVID-19 vaccines in the real-world?
Real-world data is starting shed light on the performance of COVID-19 vaccines in less than perfect conditions.
Q&A: Vaccine – The Human Story
Dr Annie Kelly, writer and host of a new podcast which tells the story of the smallpox vaccine, talks to #VaccinesWork.
Review: The Panic Virus by Seth Mnookin
Mnookin’s 2011 investigation of the spread of anti-vax feeling is a pandemic-era must-read.
New vaccination figures underscore urgency to reach the most vulnerable
New data shows the impact COVID-19 is having on routine immunisation programmes worldwide, particularly in lower-income countries. We need action, now, to get routine immunisation programmes back on track and ensure that everyone, everywhere is…
From town criers to local monarchs: encouraging COVID-19 vaccination in Southern Nigeria
Volunteers, including King Dakolo of the Epetiama kingdom, are sensitising and convincing people to accept the COVID-19 vaccine in Bayelsa State, Southern Nigeria.
Rather than translating their own COVID-19 vaccination successes into a renewed global push to end the pandemic, rich countries are becoming complacent while the rest of the world grows increasingly desperate. But the emergence of dangerous new…
Nurses on the COVID-19 frontlines in Sierra Leone
#VaccinesWork spoke to nurse Fatmata Kamara* about how the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Sierra Leone is progressing.
How investigation into long COVID will help us create treatments.
Solar Energy Helps Maintain Zimbabwe’s Vaccine Cold Chain
Persistent power cuts had hampered the provision of healthcare across Zimbabwe. Solar power systems are now offering a solution to ensure children continue to get their vaccines.
The COVAX No Fault Compensation Programme: Explained
Indemnity and liability was one of the thorniest problems COVAX had to solve to successfully roll out COVID-19 vaccines in lower-income countries. The solution is a world first, which could offer a model for future pandemics.
Willing and waiting: High levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance identified in Global South
The widespread acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in low- to middle-income countries should boost global coronavirus immunity, if distribution issues can be resolved.
Keeping routine immunisation going during Uganda’s second lockdown
Despite a second lockdown, outreach initiatives ensure continuation of Uganda’s routine child immunisation.
Why Africa needs to manufacture its own vaccines
Dr John Nkengasong is a Cameroonian virologist and Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which is working to strengthen the ability of Africa’s public health institutions to detect and respond to disease…
COVID: should you ditch your mask once restrictions are lifted? A philosopher’s view
A philosopher of public health ponders whether taking your mask off on July 19 is like punching someone in the face or like riding a bike.
How Do We Track Vaccinations for People Who Don’t Formally Exist?
Yoshinobu Nagamine, Senior Donor Manager at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, describes the role contactless biometrics can play in accelerating vaccine delivery for those lacking formal identification.
COVID-19: how a sense of community can increase vaccine uptake
If people feel a sense of duty to their local community, they're more likely to protect themselves and others by taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pandemic Culture: Protesting the travel bug in Hamburg
Hamburg street artist and former immunologist Lapiz set out to critique his fellow citizens’ rush to jump on planes after getting vaccinated. So why did the travel agency he’d chosen as his canvas thank him for it?
What can Nigeria do to boost local production of vaccines?
COVID-19 has made local, home-grown production of vaccines a national priority in countries around the world. #VaccinesWork spoke to Professor Martins Emeje at Nigeria’s National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to…
We should treat COVID like norovirus – not the flu
Comparisons with flu are unhelpful – these diseases need to be treated differently.
Pen and paper in a digital age: tracking childhood immunisation in Kenya
It may not be high tech, but it works. Kenyan community health volunteers use tracking books to ensure that children receive routine vaccinations.
Will COVID-19 evolve to be more or less deadly?
Some viruses gradually become less virulent over time, but there's no guarantee that SARS-CoV-2 will follow that pattern.
COVID: lambda variant is now in 29 countries, but what evidence do we have that it’s more dangerous?
The lambda variant ripped through Peru and is now spreading globally. But there is little evidence that it is more dangerous than the original variant.
Could a universal coronavirus vaccine soon be a reality?
COVID-19 is unlikely to be the last coronavirus we ever see. Scientists are already trying to make a one-size-fits-all vaccine to stop a future coronavirus epidemic in its tracks.
Could the seasonal flu vaccine help protect against COVID-19?
A large study suggests the influenza vaccine may reduce the risk of some of the worst consequences of COVID-19.
Community Health Workers stop the spread of COVID-19 and polio in Nairobi’s slums
Community health volunteers collaborated with local structures in the slums to help inhabitants survive lockdown and stop the spread of disease.
COVID-19 vaccine boosters: is a third dose really needed?
If immunity is waning or ineffectual against new variants, then boosters could be needed – but there needs to be evidence that they're necessary.
Nigeria: A different kind of vaccine “store”?
How a makeshift health centre is providing a lifeline to communities in Nigeria.
Why Africa’s push to make vaccines should look further than COVID-19
Vaccine manufacturing doesn't come cheap. It depends heavily on support from developed countries. It also takes much more than relaxing intellectual property rights and a desire for vaccine equity.
Are new variants making the COVID-19 virus as deadly as SARS?
Although related to the virus that caused the SARS pandemic in 2003, the COVID-19 virus has never seemed as deadly – until now.
Handwashing ‘impossible’ for one in three amid COVID-19
One in three unable to properly wash hands at home during COVID-19 – WHO-UNICEF. Progress on water, sanitation and hygiene ‘must quadruple’ to meet 2030 target. Investment and prioritisation needed ‘at the highest levels’.
Is COVID-19 effectively already endemic?
Will the pandemic go out with a fizzle or a bang? And what does “living with the virus” actually mean, and when will we get there?
Opinion: Reach 'zero-dose' children to build back better
We must seize this opportunity to shape our COVID-19 response as a chance to achieve better equity and social justice. What better way to do that than to focus on zero-dose children?
COVID variants: could dangerous new ones evolve in pets and farm animals?
Early results from several studies have found that pets can pick up COVID-19 from their owner – but they are unlikely to be dangerous as a result.
Five ways to mitigate India’s third COVID-19 wave
India’s second wave of COVID-19 has devastated the country through a perfect storm of new variants, low vaccination uptake and a shortage of medical equipment and supplies. Here’s what we need to understand about the ongoing second wave to…
India’s “Covaxin” vaccine shows high efficacy against COVID-19 infections in phase 3 trial
A vaccine that had previously been authorised by the Indian government ahead of phase 3 trials now show promising results. This could add to the global armoury of vaccines against COVID-19.
Africa ‘tech hub’ aims to fill COVID-19 vaccine gap
New mRNA tech transfer hub to be established in South Africa. Facility will provide training and licences for vaccine development. Less than one per cent in Africa have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Unlocking Girls’ Potential Through Technology
The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, not least those disadvantaging women and girls in low- and middle-income countries. Fortunately, with today’s digital technologies, those providing health information and services for girls…
Kenyans use their polio fighting network to tackle COVID-19
A rich network of community volunteers in Nairobi are putting skills they developed during anti-polio activities to work tackling COVID-19, and mobilising slum dwellers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
False negative: How long does it take for coronavirus to become detectable by PCR?
It takes time for coronavirus to become established in the body, so a negative test doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t test positive later on.
How Can I Spot A Fake COVID-19 Vaccine?
Fake COVID-19 vaccines erode public trust in much-needed jabs and encourage vaccine hesitancy.
Are men and obese people really at greater risk of dying from COVID-19?
A reanalysis of 58 existing studies suggests that with COVID-19 being male or seriously overweight isn’t as risky as originally thought.
How vaccines "demolished the wall" COVID-19 built between Nigerians and their loved ones
Separated for weeks and months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of vaccines is allowing people to physically reconnect with friends and family.
How to Prevent the Next Pandemic
We need to make the development and distribution of vaccines a truly global endeavor.
There’s now a Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 – what does this mean?
The Delta variant that has caused devastation in countries like India and the UK has now mutated to produce another variant called Delta Plus. Should we be worried?
By identifying people with high levels of neutralising antibodies after a first vaccine dose, rapid tests could potentially identify those who don’t need a booster dose.
What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines and myocarditis in teens
This rare side-effect from the two RNA vaccines being rolled out might be concerning but the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
COVID-19 vaccines: why it’s important you get your second dose
Two doses have always been more protective than one, but the Delta variant has made the benefit of the second dose much greater.
The Immunization Agenda 2030’s new scorecard visualizes a journey toward pandemic recovery and global immunization progress.
I’m fully vaccinated but feel sick – should I get tested for COVID-19?
Vaccinated people can still get infected with the coronavirus. So if you have symptoms of COVID-19, getting tested can protect others and help health officials keep an eye on the virus.
“My world became smaller”: How COVID-19 vaccines are fighting stigmatisation in Nigeria
Forced to suffer in silence after contracting COVID-19, the arrival of vaccines is helping many Nigerians with a history of the virus overcome stigma and get their lives back on track.
Despite the pandemic, Kenya rolls out measles-rubella vaccinations
Beginning today, Kenya’s Ministry of Health is beginning a major new measles-rubella vaccination campaign to defend against outbreaks.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected turn out for almost all Malawi’s health services, including routine immunisation. One local CSO is using Community Mother Care groups to trace those missing out on vaccines, helping to ensure children are…
How the pandemic is fuelling antimicrobial resistance
For years, a growing number of infections that are resistant to antimicrobials has offered us a grim glimpse into a future with increasingly untreatable diseases. Now, COVID-19 has made antimicrobial resistance so much worse.
Pandemic Culture: Doubt and Faith in Padua
The artist Evyrein is not a believer: not in the church, not in the easy orthodoxy of the oft-repeated phrase of the early pandemic, “andrà tutto bene” – everything will be fine. But in early 2021, his mural of a rebel St. Anthony with a…
New systems map can help overcome difficulties in vaccinating hard-to-reach communities
A major obstacle for COVID-19 vaccination programs to achieve higher and more equitable vaccine coverage throughout the world is vaccinating hard-to-reach communities.
What does COVAX’s latest supply forecast tell us?
The forecast is encouraging given the supply disruptions COVAX and countries with bilateral deals are currently experiencing, and the general challenges manufacturers are experiencing as they ramp up supply at historic speed and scale.
Could lifting COVID-19 restrictions trigger a surge in other common infections?
Masks, hand washing and physical distancing don’t only reduce the transmission of coronavirus. So, what will happen when we do away with these measures?
We archived 84 million tweets to learn about the pandemic – each one is a tiny historical document
During the pandemic, researchers have treated Twitter as a sprawling and evolving historical document.
Protecting children from the most-deadly infectious disease in Indonesia
Affordable vaccines mean more children can now be protected from pneumonia.
What happens when COVID-19 collides with HIV infection?
Mounting evidence suggests people living with HIV may be at greater risk of dying from COVID-19. The good news is that COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe and effective in people with HIV.
Giving 110%: Eswatini’s early rollout of COVID-19 vaccines
Eswatini received its first batch of 32 000 Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in late March. 12 000 came through the COVAX facility and 20,000 through a donation from the Indian Government.
How vaccines turbo-charge any existing immunity against COVID-19
A previous infection does give you some immunity against COVID-19, but a new study suggests that vaccination gives your body a massive boost – including against variants of concern.
Q&A with Sterling and Seth: Spotlight on COVAX
What do the CEO of the Vaccine Alliance and the star of a hit US TV show have in common? They both want to raise awareness about COVID-19 vaccines and COVAX’s role in getting the world vaccinated.
Five Good Reasons to Go Give One
Wondering what you can do to help end the acute phase of the pandemic? Go Give One – is giving everyone everywhere a chance to play their part.
Why we support COVAX: Mastercard
Mastercard, a long-standing partner of Gavi, recently committed US$ 28 million to the Gavi COVAX AMC, to ensure vaccines are accessible to those that needed them the most, no matter where they live. Vaccines Work spoke to Michael Froman to learn…
Seven ways in which COVID-19 could change the way we fight infectious diseases
The pandemic turned our normal ways of working upside down, but there are several ways in which the new normal could bring improvements in the way we fight disease.
Lifesaving but unaffordable: pros and cons of the newest COVID-19 treatment
Antibody therapy reduces COVID-19 fatalities by a fifth, but remains inaccessible to many countries.
Needle phobia could be the cause of 10% of COVID vaccine hesitancy in the UK – new research
People who are afraid of needles are twice as likely to be vaccine hesitant, new research shows.
Why we still need R&D into COVID-19 vaccines
There are now 17 COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use, but as the virus continues to evolve, here is why we can’t pull the plug on research into new vaccines and therapeutics.
How COVID-19 will damage the lives of African children for decades to come
Although the coronavirus doesn’t cause disease and death in children as much as it does in adults, many children around the world are vulnerable to the collateral damage wreaked by the pandemic.
Does a plant-based diet really help beat COVID-19?
A new paper suggests that plant- and fish-based diets lessen the chance of developing severe symptoms – but hold off from becoming vegetarian or pescatarian for now.
Five things we know about the Delta variant (and two things we don't)
The Delta (B.1.617.2) variant of SARS CoV-2 was first detected in India and is rapidly spreading around the world. Here’s what we know about it so far.
Why speaking without a mask is the easiest way to spread COVID-19
COVID-19 virus particles can be spread via coughing, sneezing, breathing or speech, but the latter is one of the most effective ways of spreading. Here is why talking without a mask indoors could be one of the easiest ways to spread the infection…
Floods hampering the vaccine roll-out in Western Kenya
Amidst the challenges that COVID-19 has brought, flooding in Kenya has made it even harder for the people of Kisumu County.
How well do first and second vaccine doses work against Covid-19?
Is it risky or wise to delay the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine? Critics warned against the UK government policy of leaving a longer gap between doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. Now we have more data, so what do we…
Countries must share COVID-19 vaccine doses; the sooner the better
Some of the world’s wealthiest countries nations have already committed to share doses with lower-income countries through COVAX: as G7 leaders meet this week, other governments must follow suit and share their doses now, because we only have a…
Do COVID-19 vaccines affect menstruation and fertility?
Ever since the pandemic started there have been news headlines speculating about the effect of the vaccines on our reproductive system, but what does the science tell us?
From the great plague to the 1918 flu, history shows that disease outbreaks make inequality worse
Accounts of previous epidemics – by Samuel Pepys, Daniel Defoe and Katherine Porter – warn of mistakes that we risk repeating.
Six ways to know the COVID-19 pandemic is over
It’s been over a year now since the pandemic first started, and now that vaccines are rolling out in many countries, how long do we have to wait for things to go back to ‘normal’?
To keep coronavirus at bay, we must create a ‘variant-proof’ world
We remain locked in a deadly race with the virus. We will only win when we have created a “variant-proof” world that can keep a lid on the havoc caused by its troublesome mutations.
The ‘black fungus’ epidemic hitting COVID-19 patients in India
Amid the 28.4 million cases and over 300 thousand deaths from SARS-CoV-2, a second epidemic has hit India. ‘Black fungus’, clinically known as mucormycosis, is an infection currently affecting nearly 12,000 immunocompromised patients recovering…
While we don't know exactly what causes it yet, there are a few theories put forward by a few researchers around the world.
How likely is a positive COVID-19 lateral flow test to be wrong?
Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are less sensitive than PCR tests, but here we explain why you should never ignore a positive result.
“This country belongs to all of us”: Vaccinating internal migrants in Nigeria
For those who migrate within Ondo State, Nigeria, access to immunisation has been complicated by the shift in focus to COVID-19.
Speeding up vaccine development: Can we go from lab to jab in just 100 days?
COVID-19 vaccines were made in record speed, taking around 300 days from the moment the threat was first identified. But the world’s top scientists are aiming to overtake this world record in the next pandemic, aiming to make a vaccine in 100…
Can dogs be trained to sniff out COVID-19?
Various countries are training dogs to detect coronavirus, and the results of early clinical trials are looking promising.
COVID-19's impacts on the brain and mind are varied and common – new research
Non-specific illnesses, such as headache and fatigue, are common, as are mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
LGBTIQ people have been hit hard by COVID-19. Here’s how we can all help
Marginalized people suffer from being at the intersection of multiple challenges and barriers. Economic hardship has been a secondary epidemic in the LGBTIQ community. We need public health and support services that acknowledge difference.
Five reasons why the real number of COVID-19 deaths could be triple the official number
The death toll from the pandemic has been devastatingly high, with the official figure standing at 3.5 million people, but the World Health Organization estimates the real number could be up to three times higher. Here’s why.
Little-Known Illnesses Turning Up in Covid Long-Haulers
A significant number of post-covid patients suffer from syndromes that few doctors understand.
How well your immune system works can depend on the time of day
Our immune system is controlled by our "body clock" – an intricate 24-hour system which controls how cells function.
Nigerians turn to social media for encouragement
Social media has been much-maligned as a source of misinformation when it comes to vaccines. But for millions of Nigerians it is having the opposite effect, encouraging them to get their jabs.
Why COVID-19 variants got new Greek names
Calling variants by their country of origin has politicised the pandemic response, leading to countries being blamed and people originating from those countries stigmatised and targeted – sometimes violently. Now, the World Health Organization is…
How the predicted hunger pandemic became a grim reality
Worldwide more than 3.5 million people have died of COVID-19 so far; now millions more are on the brink of starvation because of a connected hunger crisis.
Can you test positive for COVID-19 test after getting the vaccine?
As more people get vaccinated, and testing requirements are becoming commonplace to allow freedom to travel and work, we look at the circumstances under which you could test positive for COVID-19 even after being vaccinated.
World leaders and private sector commit to protecting the vulnerable with COVID-19 vaccines
In the COVAX Advance Market Commitment Summit, hosted by Japan, countries and industry came together to pledge support to the mission of making vaccines available equitably worldwide.
COVID-19 in the house: How to reduce the risk of transmission
Further infections are not inevitable, if you take the following steps.
Change to cold-storage conditions could make Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine more widely available
Several regulators have agreed the mRNA vaccine can be kept refrigerated for up to 30 days, making it easier to distribute in lower-resource settings.
If you’ve had COVID-19 you could be more than 80% protected from reinfection
Whether or not you can become reinfected with COVID-19 hasn’t been clear so far, but a new study from Denmark indicates that immune response triggered by the first infection offers good protection.
Self-COVID-19 tests: do you know your tonsils from your uvula?
Some COVID-19 tests require you to swab your own tonsils, but could you be mistaking them for something else?
How the answer to long-lived immunity to COVID-19 could lie in our bone marrow
People who have had COVID-19 seem to have bone marrow cells that could produce antibodies for years to come, which could mean that immunity both from natural infection and vaccination is long lasting.
Keeping vaccines cool with cold chain
With millions of COVID-19 vaccines now being delivered around the world, they are utilising a huge hidden infrastructure, built up over decades and spreading across the globe, with one ultimate goal: keeping the vaccines cool. How did these…
What steps must be taken to secure oxygen - for COVID-19 patients and into the future
New waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in countries, such as Kenya and India, have exposed the poor management of oxygen supplies. Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Professor Trevor Duke, an expert on [oxygen provision] and editor of…
Encouraging vaccination in Nairobi: “If we work on awareness and motivation, we are good to go”
Pamela Anyango is on a mission to boost vaccine coverage in Dandora, Kenya, home to a garbage dump that has been labelled the ‘cradle of the next pandemic’.
Is it safe to mix and match COVID-19 vaccines?
Mixing COVID-19 is being proposed in some countries but is it safe to do so, and how do our immune systems react?
Could a new coronavirus be spreading from dogs?
Scientists think they may have caught a canine coronavirus in the process of adapting to humans.
The point of it: Why do vaccine delivery methods vary?
Some vaccines are injected into muscle; others are given orally, or under the skin. What difference does it make to our immune response?
How to give a COVID-mitigated hug
No activity that brings you into someone else’s breathing space is safe, but the risks associated with hugging can be lowered by taking some simple precautions.
Filling the vaccine gap in Kenya
A well-planned immunisation programme can go a long way to reducing the burden of disease on a country.
“We survived something major together”: Rebuilding after COVID-19
COVID-19 put a huge strain on Seyram and his mother’s relationship, as well as on their individual lives. The delivery of Ghana’s first batch of vaccines from COVAX means they can begin to rebuild what was broken.
Coronavirus: so many variants, but vaccines are still effective
Variants of interest and variants of concern seem to be popping up at an alarming rate. But how many of them do we really need to worry about?
Can we stop wearing masks after being vaccinated?
In some countries, wearing masks against COVID-19 is not mandatory anymore, but can the rest of the world follow suit?
Apostolic Churches warm up to COVID-19 vaccines in Zimbabwe
Attitudes towards vaccines are changing as Zimbabwe’s Apostolic Church members come to terms with COVID-19.
Why Africa’s critically ill COVID-19 patients have the world’s highest death rates
Death rates on the continent are higher than Asia, Europe, North America or South America, in large part because of a lack of resources and underuse of resources that do exist.
COVID-19: how rising inequalities unfolded and why we cannot afford to ignore it
It's been argued that pandemics are the great leveller, but with COVID the opposite is true – and we can't afford to ignore it.
The community health workers getting people vaccinated in Uganda
As Community Health Workers, Harriet Nankwanzi and Yusuf Maganda have built personal relationships with people in their communities who have over the years relied on their services to access vital health information.
Asia and Africa offer lessons in health systems resilience
In this pandemic, the income level of a country proved not to be a guarantee of an effective COVID-19 response; this analysis shows the key factors in a resilient health system to protect against future outbreaks.
Do children need to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Children have so far been able to evade the worst effects of COVID-19, but this could be changing as new variants and other factors seem to be putting more at risk.
Poo and the pandemic: How sewage is helping us fight COVID-19
Many countries are beginning to use wastewater monitoring to track COVID-19 outbreaks, but such sewage surveillance has a long history.
“If we don’t go out there, nobody would”: Vaccinating during an insurgency in Nigeria
Health workers go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the children of Borno State, Nigeria, are vaccinated.
The impact of COVID-19 on Malawi’s routine immunisation programmes
The pandemic is having an adverse effect on Malawi’s continued drive to provide all children with routine vaccines.
Fighting the flu: 100 years of preparing for pandemics
Although the world’s eyes are currently focused on COVID-19, a network of laboratories has been tracking the emergence and spread of a different virus for seven decades.
Nomads in lockdown: COVAX reaches the Mongolian steppes
As COVAX vaccines reach the rural Batsumber in Mongolia, livestock herders hope that the loneliness of the pandemic era will soon come to an end.
Why we support COVAX: UBS and UBS Optimus Foundation
The UBS Optimus Foundation has launched a campaign to help secure funding for the COVAX Advance Market Commitment. Vaccines Work spoke to Tom Hall, the UBS Head of Philanthropy Services to find out why.
COVID vaccines: some fully vaccinated people will still get infected – here’s why
Reports of fully vaccinated people getting infected with coronavirus shouldn't cause alarm.
How "camel riders" are helping the COVID-19 vaccine push in Kenya
With tourism hit hard by the pandemic, camel riders in Northern Kenya have repurposed their herds to help spread the word about COVID-19 vaccines, using traditional healers to gain trust in the community.
The World Isn’t Getting Vaccinated Fast Enough. Here Are 4 Ways to Fix That
In an unprecedented show of global solidarity, the world came together to back COVAX, a unique global solution aimed at making equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines possible.
COVAX Manufacturing Task Force to tackle vaccine supply challenges
A COVAX Manufacturing Task Force has been established to identify and resolve issues impeding equitable access to vaccines.
Vaccinator training on smartphone screens amid COVID-19: Another “new normal”?
App-assisted vaccinator training is an approach that shows promise, write the team who ran a Gavi-supported pilot to trial a new screen-based learning mechanism in India. What’s more, amid the pandemic, the flexibility of learning from home,…
China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine first to carry a smart label to monitor heat-damage
It is the first vaccine developed by a non-Western country to be approved by the WHO, and is welcome at a time of global vaccine shortages.
Gavi’s Seth Berkley named one of the world’s greatest leaders by Fortune
Dr Berkley is recognised alongside other world-changing vaccine champions in this year’s list for their part in the fight against COVID-19.
Kenya completes its first round of COVID-19 vaccinations
After some initial hesitancy amongst health workers, Kenya has successfully rolled out the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Covering COVID-19 in Guyana’s ‘Deep South’
The indigenous people adopted measures that were more applicable to the challenges but also their reality. And I tried to illustrate that in my story.
Mounting evidence suggests COVID vaccines do reduce transmission. How does this work?
Vaccination is likely to substantially reduce virus transmission by reducing the pool of people who become infected, and reducing virus levels in people who get infected.
Working towards vaccine equity to leave no one behind
Country and community perspectives on realising the targets of the Immunisation Agenda 2030.
Next Steps for a People’s Vaccine
The Biden administration’s decision to stop opposing a proposed COVID-19 waiver of certain intellectual-property rights under World Trade Organization rules is a welcome move. But ending the pandemic also requires scaling up knowledge and…
When refusing a COVID-19 vaccine isn’t about hesitancy
The reasons why people may not take a COVID-19 vaccine even when offered can be complex and varied, but they point to the need to tackle them better if we are to improve vaccine coverage.
COVID-19 vaccines bring relief to Ugandans living with HIV
The pandemic has been tough for the 1.4 million Ugandans living with HIV, but the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine has brought some welcome relief.
Expediting COVID-19 vaccination could prevent millions of deaths and save billions of dollars
Increasing vaccination coverage by even 1% can save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in medical and economic costs.
The rollout of the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise has not been without its challenges but there is a focus on learning and improving.
The US adds it support to patent waivers for COVID-19 vaccines
As countries worldwide are suffering from COVID-19 vaccine shortages, sharing intellectual property and know-how, and easing trade bans on the export of raw materials, could ease supply bottlenecks.
COVID vaccines: why waiving patents won’t fix global shortage – scientist explains
Increasing skills and the availability of raw materials would be a bigger boost for vaccine production right now.
Oxford vaccine professor: rich countries have a moral duty to share their COVID-19 shots
We cannot look back in the future and know we could have done more.
The Next Pandemic: Another coronavirus?
Even before SARS-CoV-2 swept around the world, scientists had been warning of the global threat posed by viruses like it. Although COVID-19 vaccines should help to end the current coronavirus pandemic, it is unlikely to be the last.
Emerging lessons from Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout
With 47 African countries now rolling out COVID-19 vaccines and over 17 million doses given on the continent, early insights from Africa’s largest-ever immunization drive offer hope, inspiration and early, yet vital lessons. Here, we shine a…
Why Indian hospitals are running out of medical oxygen and how to fix it
Investment in bedside oxygen production could make hospitals more resilient in the face of COVID-19.
What are the most effective ways to improve vaccination rates?
Vaccines are one of our greatest success stories, but vaccination rates for many diseases have been stalling; this has been exacerbated with the disruption caused by Covid-19. Anna Mouser sets out the evidence on what works, and what doesn’t, for…
Reaching communities with immunisation in South Sudan
To reach zero-dose children in conflict states like South Sudan, social mobilisers like Nyok Daniel are crucial to winning the trust and support of local communities.
There will be no recovery without equity
The impact of COVID-19 threatens to reverse hard-worn strides in global health. Without immediate investments, we will miss our chance to save lives and help countries recover from the pandemic and build the human capital needed for a resilient…
Although it is only natural and proper for governments to focus on vaccinating their citizens first, it is important not to lose sight of the big picture. The only way we can beat COVID-19 is to defeat it everywhere, and the best way to do that…
Why routine immunisation is vital for pandemic preparedness
Trying to control a pandemic can feel like being in a warzone, yet even as we fight COVID-19 we still need to keep one eye on the future and potential emerging pandemics. Dr Velislava Petrova, senior manager in vaccine policy and investment at…
Are COVID-19 vaccine expiration dates too cautious?
Distributing COVID-19 vaccines has been challenging, meaning in some cases vaccines are being delivered close to their expiration date; but the WHO is urging countries to hold on to the doses while it assesses whether shelf lives can be extended…
The Pandemic Within the Pandemic
Globally, antibiotic use in hospitals has surged since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and over-the-counter sales, legal in many countries, have soared. This is further fueling the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance, as bacteria evolve…
“Losing my job wasn’t the biggest problem”: A family’s journey through COVID-19 in Ghana
The Safo family, with a seven-year-old son with a number of medical conditions, know all too well what it’s like to have to readjust their lives and limits to accommodate a new reality. The delivery of Ghana’s first batch of COVID-19 vaccines by…
The vaccinators fighting polio in Rawalpindi
In pockets of vaccine resistance like Fauji Colony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, children remain at risk of crippling polio. VaccinesWork meets the polio workers going door-to-door to change minds and protect children’s futures.
Turning a short-term crisis into long-term change
Often, crisis responses and emergency funding do not lead to significant structural changes because their goal is to provide immediate relief, not drive long-term shifts. Immediate crisis relief and long-term structural changes, however, can…
Understanding vaccine hesitancy: Cha’s story
A new documentary tells a powerful tale of families overcoming every obstacle to protect their children from vaccine preventable disease.
All aboard! Cameroon’s race to vaccinate every child
Cameroonian health workers are going the distance to reach the remote Island of Manoka on a quest to ensure that no child is left behind.
Helping children thrive through soap and vaccines
In Uttar Pradesh, India, over 1,000 children die every day from preventable diseases. Gavi’s long-standing partnership with Unilever and Lifebuoy has helped to reach 2.5 million people with essential vaccines and soap, while also leveraging the…
Exercise boosts immunity and makes vaccines more effective – new study
Meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity reduces the risk of falling ill and dying of infectious diseases by 37%.
Reaching zero-dose children in Rajasthan
9.7 million children in 57 Gavi-supported countries remain unvaccinated and at risk. Why are these children missing out? In Bikaner, Rajasthan, VaccinesWork meets two families who simply never landed on the health system’s radar.
COVID-19 in India: an unfolding humanitarian crisis
Stories of reaching herd immunity were certainly premature.
The Zero-Dose Child: Explained
Despite decades of progress increasing access to immunisation in lower-income countries, at least 12.4 million children still go without basic, routine vaccines every year. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is now focusing on reaching these zero-dose…
Over half a million doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Angola in March, delivered through the COVAX initiative. VaccinesWork talked to some of the first beneficiaries.
Why is India’s COVID-19 pandemic skyrocketing?
When the pandemic started, India defied expectations by having a milder outbreak than had been predicted. Now, it is seeing a deadly second wave that is bringing the country’s health system to its knees – so what is behind this, and how much is…
Mysterious Ailment, Mysterious Relief: Vaccines Help Some Covid Long Haulers
Scientists who study the post-illness syndrome are taking a close look at patients’ reports of this unexpected benefit of the vaccine.
Tales from the COVID frontline: An Angolan filmmaker takes on COVID-19
Óscar Gil Pereira is one of Angola’s most celebrated filmmakers. Last year he became one of the 24,000 people in Angola to contract COVID-19. After beating the disease, he is now vaccinated and committed to celebrating the health worker heroes…
Ivermectin: why a potential COVID treatment isn’t recommended for use
The antiparasitic drug was thought to be a potential treatment for COVID-19, but there isn't sufficient evidence to recommend its use, despite widespread support online.
What ingredients go into a vaccine?
Vaccines contain active ingredients that trigger an immune response to viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. But in order to work well, it is important that they also contain other key ingredients to keep them safe and effective.
Are We Risking a Debt Pandemic?
The prospect of recovery from the COVID-19 crisis makes it all the more urgent to have a firm vision of how the burden of public debt can be reduced once the coronavirus has been vanquished. For this reason, every country must work on itself and…
Resourceful Optimism: Fighting COVID-19 in Afghanistan
The pandemic has strained most countries’ health systems. Afghanistan has faced more hurdles than most.
Scientists have spent nearly 100 years searching for a better way to give vaccines
We didn’t have to be stuck with needles.
Serious blood clots “more likely” with COVID-19 infection than vaccine
Study suggests the risk of a serious brain clot is up to ten times higher in people with COVID-19 infections, compared to those receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVAX: A new standard for global innovation and partnership
COVAX has a critical role to play in ending the acute phase of the pandemic. The initiative could also be a model for how we address some of the most urgent development challenges of our time, from climate change to poverty reduction.
“A ray of sunshine”: COVAX vaccines reinvigorate health workers in Eswatini
The delivery of vaccines has gone a long way to alleviating the fears and pressure on healthcare workers in Eswatini.
How long does immunity last after COVID-19 vaccination?
Millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines are being delivered across the world, but what do we know about how long will immunity last?
An expert explains how to track coronavirus variants
New Covid-19 variants could potentially jeopardise a lot of the work that has been done so far to contain the pandemic. Sonia Gonçalves explains how genomic surveillance can help us track and contain them.
Traditional and religious leaders spearhead COVID-19 immunisation in Malawi
Communities often look to their traditional and religious leaders when it comes to advice on how to live. In Malawi, they are stepping to the fore.
Women on the frontline: delivering COVID-19 vaccines on the Kenya-Somalia border
Al-Shabaab has forced the shutdown of health facilities close to the Somalia border in Northern Kenya. A group of women activists are fighting back, ensuring COVID-19 vaccines reach the most vulnerable.
COVID-19: does exercising really reduce the risk?
New research suggests people who exercise for 150 minutes a week are half as likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who are consistently inactive.
No VIP treatment: Malawi aims for an equitable COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
Since the first consignment of COVAX doses arrived in Malawi in mid-March, vaccination centres like Chileka Health Centre, just outside Blantyre, have recorded enthusiastic turn-out.
COVID-19 ‘led to rise in stillbirths, maternal deaths’
Maternal health in low- and middle-income countries hit hard by COVID-19. Global review analysed stillbirth, maternal death rates from 17 countries. Maternity care must be prioritised during global health crisis, says report
“I can only run away from death for so long”: Vaccinating Elders in Eswatini
The delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to Eswatini through COVAX means the elderly now have the chance to protect themselves against the disease. VaccinesWork visits a vaccination session in Lobamba.
Will summer slow the spread of COVID-19? New research sheds light
The seasons can affect transmission of the virus – but this will likely be dwarfed by the impact of public health measures.
How to Stop the Poverty Pandemic
Experience shows that innovative and evidence-based approaches, when executed well, can dent poverty. With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to reverse hard-won global gains, the need for policy-relevant research, and for scaling effective…
What does it take to deliver COVID-19 vaccines?
Ending the COVID-19 crisis hinges on all countries being able to vaccinate their people. A lot goes into getting ready.
Protecting Uganda’s overstretched health workers through COVAX
Over 50 health workers in Uganda have lost their lives to COVID-19 – a huge toll for a country with just 0.17 doctors per thousand people in some areas. With remaining health workers overworked and vulnerable, some relief has come in the form of…
Rolling out COVID-19 vaccines in Rwanda
Kigali – Forty-eight hours after Rwanda received shipments of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccinations began in earnest, with high-risk population given priority. The country plans to vaccinate a third of the population in 2021 and double that figure next…
Getting from zero to 100% – ensuring every child has routine immunisation
New data shows that investing in getting that first vaccination to children can be a turning point in getting them fully immunised.
Lockdown mental fatigue rapidly reversed by social contact, study finds
The study found people bounce back from their mental sluggishness soon after emerging from isolation.
A year of #VaccinesWork in 10 articles answering your most frequently asked questions
To mark one year of #VaccinesWork, we look back at some of the articles that answer the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 during an unprecedented year for global health.
What is the blood clotting disorder the AstraZeneca vaccine has been linked to?
The European Medicines Agency has concluded that there is a possible link between AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine and very rare blood clots. But what are these clots and how great is the risk?
How geospatial technology is helping Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
In a huge country like Nigeria, ensuring the right people receive COVAX vaccines is not just a question of how, but where. Could geospatial technology, trialled during previous polio campaigns, make a difference?
Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?
Natural infection with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 may not lead to long-lasting immunity, so it is important to get the vaccine as well.
The age of modern vaccines: An Abridged History of Vaccines, Part 2
As the 19th century entered its final quarter, “vaccination” meant one thing: immunisation with cowpox against deadly smallpox. By the end of the 20th century, safe and effective vaccines existed against 26 killer diseases. In the second part of…
Can a COVID-19 vaccine give me COVID?
Currently approved vaccines incorporate viral proteins or the instructions for making them, but they do not contain any live virus.
Immunization and vaccination experts from around the world outlined the current state of the world’s vaccination campaigns while addressing the urgent needs and concerns regarding public trust in the efficacy of vaccines; access and challenges.…
The end of the pandemic is coming – just don't set a date for the party
History tells us that the end of pandemics are rarely – if ever – neat, uncomplicated, or even easy to date.
How does resistance to disinfectants happen? We're on the road to answering the question
The increased use of disinfectants could allow for the development of bacterial strains which are resistant to disinfectants.
Somalia rolls out vaccines for COVID-19
On 15 March 2020, Somalia received 300 000 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility to protect frontline workers and elderly people with chronic health conditions from COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) hears…
Relieved and hopeful: Reflections after my first COVAX vaccine
In March, Mukami received her first COVAX vaccine dose. As a woman in her 60s living in Kenya, she has priority access to COVAX vaccines, alongside other high-risk groups like health care workers and people with underlying diseases. Here she…
What does water mean to the world?
On 22 March 2021, the world marked World Water Day, with the theme for this year’s celebration being “valuing water.” What can the long history of water’s connection with health teach us about its true value to the world?
How Can Covid Vaccines Be Safe When They Were Developed So Fast?
Experts say there’s nothing new about the research underpinning the covid vaccines and that they were tested in more participants than many other approved vaccines.
Why we need to share vaccine doses now and why COVAX is the right way to do it
Covid-19 vaccination efforts are picking up worldwide, bringing hopes of returning to a more normal life. Vaccines are now starting to reach countries across the globe through the COVAX initiative, set up to promote equitable access to vaccines…
Patient Zero: Understanding how new coronavirus variants emerge
By understanding the circumstances that make viral evolution more likely, we stand a better chance of staying a step ahead.
The COVAX Humanitarian Buffer Explained
COVAX was designed to ensure the most vulnerable in every country get access to COVID-19 vaccines. But what about people in conflict zones or humanitarian settings that can’t be reached by government vaccination campaigns? Last week Gavi approved…
COVID-19 vaccines: assessing country readiness
The key insights from the assessments to date present a high-level snapshot of country readiness to deploy COVID-19 vaccines based on initial findings from ongoing assessments in 128 countries.
A year of #VaccinesWork in 10 articles looking at vaccine-preventable diseases other than COVID-19
To mark the first anniversary of #VaccinesWork, we look back at some of the most read articles on diseases other than COVID-19 during an unprecedented year for global health.
5 things to know after you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccine
As more and more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, some are worrying about how ‘normal’ their side effects are. Here’s what you need to know.
Going universal: The search for an all-in-one coronavirus vaccine
Instead of working to make vaccines against each unique coronavirus or variant, what if we could provide broad protection across the field through an all-in-one coronavirus shot?
We must better protect wildlife to prevent future pandemics
Wuhan investigation points to wildlife as likely source of COVID-19. Climate change and illegal trade are increasing risk of zoonotic disease transmission. Wildlife protection, surveillance of zoonosis are key to early detection of ‘spillover…
“We’re closer to getting some normalcy back in our lives”: COVAX gets underway in Ghana
Ghana became the first African country to receive vaccines through the COVAX initiative in February. Meet one of the nurses spearheading the vaccination effort.
What we learned from tracking every COVID policy in the world
For one year, 600 people tracked 20 types of coronavirus restriction in 186 countries – here's what they found out.
The growing threat of pandemics
Whilst COVID-19 caught the world off guard, the speed at which it spread and the extent of its impact on people’s lives came as a great shock to most. However, some were not surprised at all.
Keeping It Cool: A visit to Ghana’s national vaccine storage facility
Ghana became the first African country to receive COVAX doses in February, kicking off a mammoth logistical effort in the country to get these doses to the frontline workers that need them. #VaccinesWork spoke to the cold chain experts making it…
Africa’s had a 30% rise in COVID-19 cases in the second wave
The continent had a milder first wave than the rest of the world, but research suggests that relaxed public health measures led to the coronavirus rebounding with a vengeance the second time around.
A year of #VaccinesWork in 10 articles from around the world
To mark the first anniversary of #VaccinesWork, we look back at some of the most-read articles on how countries have been navigating COVID-19 during an unprecedentedly challenging year for global health.
Why is a global Covid-19 vaccine rollout vital?
The Covid-19 pandemic is global, and to bring the pandemic to a close, a collaborative, global approach is needed. But why is it so important that all countries have access to vaccines as soon as possible?
These results can help allay previous concerns in Europe about a lack of trial data for older people.
COVID-19 vaccines: could a squirt up the nose be just as good as a shot in the arm?
There are several COVID-19 vaccines being used around the world, but all need to be injected and some need ultra-cold refrigeration. Could next-generation intranasal vaccines be a quicker and easier way of protecting ourselves?
An Ounce of Pandemic Prevention
The global response to the coronavirus pandemic, for all its flaws, has yielded impressive results by ignoring traditional bureaucratic and sectoral silos. That should spur us to raise our ambitions for global public health, with an emphasis on…
Why COVID-19 makes you lose your sense of smell and how to get it back
The virus appears to attack support cells at the back of the nose, but “smell training” may help people to recover their missing sense.
What is Africa’s vaccine production capacity?
Accra, 18 March 2021 – COVID-19 vaccination in Africa is gathering pace, with more than 7 million doses so far administered. But the continent received vaccines later than other regions of the world and in limited quantity. A few weeks after…
Tariah Adams: on tap for women and girls’ right to water, sanitation and hygiene
In today’s blog post, we’re featuring a fierce and passionate female WASH advocate from Nigeria. Tariah Adams, a Senior Communications and Advocacy Officer for White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria and campaign mobilizer, she has a personal interest in…
At the end of the year 2019, we created an elaborate 2020 plan for our projects at Beyond the Classroom Foundation. As we got closer to our second project scheduled for the end of March, the government imposed a lockdown, banning all public…
COVID shows infectious disease is our greatest threat to global security
Unlike traditional security threats, infectious disease can’t be solved through sanctions, military posturing, deterrence or bilateral diplomacy, but rather through scientific collaboration, long-term investments in global health and resilient…
A year of #VaccinesWork in 10 articles celebrating women in global health
To mark the first anniversary of #VaccinesWork, we look back at some of the most read articles on COVID-19 during an unprecedented year for global health.
So far, homeschooling has been trial and error because it’s difficult to keep the twins calm and engaged for long periods of time. We have no fixed curriculum and use online educational programs as a guide.
“We’ll all be fine”: COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
After a difficult year, the vaccination roll-out is underway at Ghana’s premier medical facility, where health workers dare to hope that things can go back to normal.
No "us versus them": why equitable inclusion of all migrants in COVID-19 vaccine plans is essential
COVID-19 has demonstrated that viruses not only know no borders, but they also do not discriminate based on immigration status. Failing to take migrants into account in our vaccination efforts would hamper the effectiveness of these campaigns and…
A year of #VaccinesWork in 10 COVID-19 articles
To mark the first anniversary of #VaccinesWork, we look back at some of the most read articles on COVID-19 during an unprecedented year for global health.
Should I invest in a pulse oximeter?
Sales of medical devices that measure the oxygen saturation of blood are booming thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But are they worth the investment?
Nigeria rallies over 7,000 traditional leaders against COVID-19
Abuja, 12 March 2021 – As the second wave of COVID-19 affects the global health and economic community, the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting government to engage strategic stakeholders as part of concerted efforts to reverse the…
How can supply keep up with demand for COVID-19 vaccines?
With the historic global roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in full swing, bottlenecks in the supply chain are inevitable as manufacturing output tries to keep pace with demand. A manufacturing supply chain summit last week outlined potential…
Uganda launches first phase of COVID-19 vaccination exercise
“I am so happy that as of today, I am protected!” says Dr. Prossy Namusisi one of the health workers vaccinated at the launch ceremony.
Vaccine Altruists Find Appointments for Those Who Can’t
An army of volunteers help people who otherwise would have had difficulty securing a covid vaccination because of cumbersome computer or telephone registration systems.
Does the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine really cause blood clots?
Various countries have halted the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, while reports of blood clots are investigated. Here’s what we know so far.
Battling misinformation wars in Africa: applying lessons from GMOs to COVID-19
For anyone who has worked on crop improvement in Africa over the last three decades, the flood of misinformation around vaccines evokes an eerie sense of déjà vu.
Why do some people with COVID-19 get sicker than others?
Our immune systems are supposed to defend us from invading pathogens but, in the case of COVID-19, an immune overreaction may be to blame for severe illness.
'Like being hit with a cricket bat’: A doctor’s battle with long COVID
Dr Paul Garner, a British infectious disease expert at the UK’s Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine caught COVID-19 early in 2020, and then developed Long COVID. Here, he talks frankly with Gavi about his experiences, how he recovered and how…
When can children get the COVID-19 vaccine? 5 questions parents are asking
COVID-19 vaccine testing on children is just getting started, and only in adolescents.
Why Ebola is back in Guinea and why the response must be different this time
The virus is always present in nature and when circumstances allow, it may jump from one species to another.
Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, many countries around the world imposed some form of quarantine to control its spread. What can the history of quarantine teach us about isolation and lockdowns now?
Diphtheria may resurface as a ‘major global threat’ study warns.
Researchers identify bacterial variants that may be evolving resistance to antimicrobials and vaccines.
Ten lessons from Ogun State - from first COVID-19 case in Nigeria to building a resilient response
Vivianne Ihekweazu (Lead writer): On the day marking one year since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Nigeria, this article reflects on the experience and lessons learnt from the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker as she led…
Don’t overlook the most important metric for Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine
Overall efficacy is just one metric.
At the end of the tunnel: the virus – then the vaccine – reach a remote Himalayan valley
For the people of Lahaul, the opening of a new high-altitude tunnel ends years of wintertime isolation – and opens a vital route of access for COVID-19 vaccines.
AstraZeneca vaccine: careless talk has dented confidence and uptake in Europe
Stockpiles of this vaccine are going unused in France and Germany, and unfounded criticism of it may be partly to blame.
Private sector innovation meets public health expectations
This is the second in a three-part series highlighting key lessons learned since the launch, four years ago, of the Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP), established by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to ensure optimal cold chain…
Breaking the glass vial: Women at the forefront of COVID-19 vaccine
Leaders in global health have been working on COVAX – a global initiative to ensure the fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Some of the top jobs are held by a diverse group of women, so in honour of International Women's Day we'd like to…
International Women's Day 2021
For this year's International Women's Day VaccinesWork has interviewed a number of women leaders and front line workers who represent this year's IWD theme: #ChooseToChallenge
International Women’s Day 2021: “Women come to me and I guide them”
This International Women’s Day Vaccines Work is hosting a series of interviews with inspirational women from across the world. Here Nighat Rani, a vaccinator in Pakistan, shows how her work rests on a bedrock of female empathy and understanding…
International Women’s Day: Chizoba Wonodi on the importance of a good mentor
This International Women’s Day Vaccines Work is hosting a series of interviews with inspirational women from across the world. Here Professor Chizoba Wonodi, Founder of Women Advocates for Vaccine Access in Nigeria and Country Director at the…
International Women’s Day: Quarraisha Abdool Karim on the fight against HIV
This International Women’s Day Vaccines Work is hosting a series of interviews with inspirational women from across the world. Here Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, epidemiologist and associate scientific director for CAPRISA – the Centre for…
International Women’s Day: Heidi Larson and the fight against vaccine hesitancy
This International Women’s Day Vaccines Work is hosting a series of interviews with inspirational women from across the world. Here Professor Heidi Larson, Founding Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project, explains how gender can affect…
International Women’s Day: Caring for Everyone: an ASHA worker’s COVID-19 story
This International Women’s Day Vaccines Work is hosting a series of interviews with inspirational women from across the world. Here Rathnamma P, an 'ASHA' in Bengaluru, India, explains how the country's army of one million female community health…
International Women’s Day: Anuradha Gupta on ‘choose to challenge’
This International Women’s Day Vaccines Work is hosting a series of interviews with inspirational women from across the world. Here Anuradha Gupta, Gavi’s Deputy CEO, explains what ‘choose to challenge’ – this year’s IWD theme – means to her.
The value of COVID-19 vaccines in children: Roadmap for a safer world
To make the world safe from COVID-19, we need everyone vaccinated, including children. To get back to normality, we also need vaccinated adults, ongoing safety measures, safe re-opening of schools, access to all recommended vaccines – and…
A little less hesitation, a little more action - Elvis and the polio vaccine
As political and public health leaders across the world work to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, what can they learn from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll getting jabbed?
The ins and outs of Kenya's COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan
Reaching the goals of the plan requires the best possible interaction between public and private -for profit and not-for-profit - healthcare sectors.
Drone delivered COVID-19 vaccines take to the air
The first deliveries of up to 2.5 million doses of COVAX vaccines by autonomous drone began this week in Ghana.
What is COVID-19 vaccine efficacy?
Several vaccines that have become available have shown different levels of efficacy. So what is vaccine efficacy? Dr Lee Hampton, a paediatrician and medical epidemiologist with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, explains.
Scientists edge closer to a universal flu vaccine
A vaccine that apparently protects animals against multiple strains of flu has been created by tethering a relatively unchanging part of the surface proteins found on the virus to nanoparticles.
How to make sure COVID-19 vaccines reach as many people as possible
As more COVID-19 vaccines become available, countries the world over are now faced with the daunting task of carrying out mass vaccinations. Here, one expert explains how her organisation is supporting rollouts in the US and offers insights…
Why I volunteered to be infected with coronavirus
Most people have been doing everything they can to avoid getting COVID-19, but in the coming days British history student Jacob Hopkins has chosen to be deliberately infected with SARS-CoV-2 as part of the world’s first Challenge Trial. He…
COVID vaccines: how to make sense of reports on their effectiveness
Real-world studies of vaccines aren't directly comparable with clinical trials, but their results are still good news.
5 reasons to believe the COVID-19 pandemic might be slowing down
COVID-19 cases are falling week on week, so can we allow ourselves to be hopeful?
The first COVAX vaccinations begin
COVID-19 vaccination campaigns using COVAX-funded doses commenced today in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the first global rollout.
Country readiness for COVID-19 vaccines
This article is part of a series of explainers on vaccine development and distribution. Learn more about vaccines – from how they work and how they’re made to ensuring safety and equitable access – in WHO’s Vaccines Explained series.
COVAX vaccines take to the air by drone
Ghana is not only the first country to receive a shipment of COVAX vaccines, but it will be the first to broaden its reach by delivering them by drone. The new partnership with Zipline and UPS Foundation will see 2.5 million doses delivered this…
COVID-19: what happens if some countries don't vaccinate?
Even those that live in areas where the population has already been vaccinated would not be totally protected if the virus mutates elsewhere.
How Roald Dahl became a passionate vaccine advocate
Roald Dahl's daughter Olivia died of measles aged seven.
Why vaccine side effects might be more common in people who've already had COVID-19
Minor side effects are a normal sign that the immune system is mounting a protective response following vaccination, although they aren’t universal.
Real-world data supports the use of AstraZeneca vaccine in older individuals
Vaccine data from Scotland provides reassurance that the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines will significantly reduce hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 among older people after the first dose.
African countries have an advantage in rolling out Covid-19 vaccines
The continent is one of the most experienced regions in the world in dealing with disease outbreaks.
Why do antibodies fade after a COVID-19 infection, and will the same thing happen with vaccines?
Maintaining antibodies in the blood requires creating certain long-lasting immune cells – but this doesn't always happen.
Will we ever get rid of COVID-19?
The pandemic won’t last forever, but the virus that causes COVID-19 might. Here we look at what we can expect over the next couple of years in a Q&A with Dr Lee Hampton, pediatrician and medical epidemiologist at Gavi.
Saving the planet from catastrophic climate change will require not only a dramatic increase in funding for clean-energy research and development. We need innovation in policy just as much as in technology.
The $4 trillion economic cost of not vaccinating the entire world
The world's most advanced economies will incur half the total costs associated with a failure to vaccinate poorer nations, which could exceed $4 trillion if only half their citizens are inoculated.
Could a universal coronavirus vaccine future-proof our response?
With three major coronavirus outbreaks in the last two decades – first SARS-CoV, then MERS-CoV, and now SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 – another outbreak is inevitable. Scientists are calling for the world to step up the search for a universal…
What are COVID-19 challenge trials and why do we need them?
A new trial about to start in the UK will deliberately infect people with the virus that causes COVID-19 – if we have vaccines already, why do we need this?
100 years and counting of mask wearing in Japan
As wearing face masks in public becomes the new normal across the world, what can we learn from a country like Japan, where this has been a long-established practice?
Grab, jab and release: keeping rabies off the streets of Goa
The global effort to contain COVID-19 risks disrupting campaigns against other diseases. Will the fight to control the deadly rabies virus in India be among them?
The largest global rollout of vaccines in history just got one step closer
The World Health Organization has given the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine an Emergency Use Listing, passing an important milestone before the first delivery of COVAX vaccines worldwide.
Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 will have side effects – that's a good thing
The side effects of new SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are a result of immune system activation. While uncomfortable, they are both normal and expected. They are a sign that the vaccine is working.
The G7 has an opportunity to demonstrate global leadership in the COVID-19 pandemic by making the success of the international COVAX vaccine-access facility its top priority. Global solidarity is not only morally right, but also offers the…
How have Covid-19 vaccines been made quickly and safely?
Unprecedented international cooperation and focus have led to multiple effective and safe Covid-19 vaccines in less than a year, and created a blueprint for future vaccine development. Here's how
Why having COVID-19 data on men and women is critical
COVID-19 deaths differ among men and women but the differences are not reported. A project is building sex-aggregated data on COVID-19 globally. Such data is key to developing effective solutions to fight COVID-19.
Side Effects and COVID-19 Vaccines: What to Expect
It’s totally normal to experience side effects from COVID-19 vaccines. Here’s what you need to know.
Could new outbreaks put Ebola vaccines to the test once again
Guinea is having its first Ebola outbreak since 2016, when West Africa experienced the biggest outbreak ever seen. Could the vaccine that contained previous outbreaks soon be redeployed?
When will the world be vaccinated against Covid-19?
With the first Covid-19 vaccines in short supply, how do governments decide who gets a vaccine first?
COVID-19 variants are not going away, but vaccines may help make that OK
Clinically significant SARS-CoV-2 variants are likely to be here to stay, but multiple COVID-19 vaccines still have a role to play.
Gavi’s CEO explains how the COVAX Advance Market Commitment mechanism will make COVID-19 vaccines available to lower-income countries.
Tackling the COVID Hunger Crisis
The choice facing world leaders is simple: act now to tackle the hunger crisis, or pay a much higher price later. Immediate action will be cheaper and save more lives than responding only after multiple famines have taken hold and a generation’s…
Community Health Workers, Often Overlooked, Bring Trust to the Pandemic Fight
As the pandemic brings long-standing health disparities into sharper view, community health workers are coming to the forefront in the public health response. This fast-growing workforce help fill the gaps between health care providers and low-…
A leap forward in vaccine technology
By building on the lessons learned in 2020, it should be possible in the long term to compress vaccine development timelines still further. That would allow healthcare systems to stamp out disease outbreaks much earlier and save many more lives…
Do COVID-19 variants mean that we need a booster shot for our booster?
Oxford scientists are already working on an updated version of their COVID-19 vaccine to ensure people remain fully protected against new variants of SARS-CoV-2. But how would these be delivered and how often would they be needed?
WHO experts have just recommended the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine: here’s what they found
The recommendations offer reassurance amid concern over whether some vaccines are as effective against new variants.
The Silent Pandemic of Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance has been a slow-growing scourge, fueled in part by relatively weak political support for implementing national action plans and surveillance systems. Because the problem is essentially the result of multiple systems failures…
Reaching Pakistan’s zero-dose children during the COVID-19 pandemic
In Islamabad’s slums, Gavi-supported Civil Society Human and Institutional Development Programme is ensuring that parents know that their children can be vaccinated safely by following COVID-19 guidelines.
All aboard the vaccine minibus: getting immunisation back on track in Pakistan
In Pakistan, a life-saving game of immunisation catch-up is underway after the COVID-19 emergency forced over a million children to miss out on routine vaccinations.
How important are surfaces in the transmission of COVID-19?
Contaminated doorknobs and packaging probably aren’t the main way the coronavirus spreads. But don’t throw away the hand gel and cleaning products just yet.
Will coronavirus really evolve to become less deadly?
The coronavirus is evolving, but which path it will take is far from certain.
The world's last smallpox patient
Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases in the world, but it’s the only one in history to have been eradicated globally. One Somali man sat on the frontline of this effort and can inspire the world today as we battle yet another devastating…
What are 'adverse events' and 'emergency use authorisation' in relation to vaccination?
While vaccines are the safest way to prevent the spread of infectious disease, a tiny proportion of those vaccinated may experience an adverse event. Here, we explain how often this happens and why.
Here’s how we could stop antimicrobial resistance becoming the next pandemic
Antimicrobial resistance was already a major global health threat, but now the potential increase in the use of antibiotics in response to the pandemic could exacerbate the problem and threaten a potentially even bigger global crisis.
What’s the most effective face mask for preventing COVID-19 transmission?
Face coverings have become a standard feature of pandemic life, but which mask is best for everyday use, and how should you take care of it?
Protecting Lower-Income Countries with COVID-19 Vaccines Requires Global Solidarity
The medical and moral imperative for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is why COVAX was created. Co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness…
4 things about mRNA COVID vaccines researchers still want to find out
Researchers are already working to improve the current crop of mRNA vaccines. Hopefully this will help them become more practical and affordable for the entire world, not just first-world countries.
How COVID-19 is altering cold and flu seasons
Pandemic restrictions and wider use of flu vaccines may have explained 2020’s record low cases of seasonal flu, but will the picture look like in tropical countries with year-round flu?
How the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine could still help the battle against the COVID-19 variant
Research suggesting that one of the COVID-19 vaccines provides only minimal protection against mild-moderate infection caused by the 501.Y.V2 variant has raised concerns. But this doesn’t mean it won’t prevent severe disease and deaths.
Eliminating cervical cancer depends on global effort to ensure supply meets demand
Global access to HPV vaccine is vital, particularly in lower-income countries. Lessons learned from HPV roll-out could boost uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.
Why even a low efficacy COVID-19 vaccine could still be extremely useful
Efficacy rates for COVID-19 vaccines are higher than many scientists had dared dream of, but even if they prove less effective in real life, or in the face of new variants, they could still unlock normal life.
Who can’t have a COVID-19 vaccine?
The currently available coronavirus vaccines have been tested on adults of various ages, as well as those with long-term conditions, and appear to be safe. But there are a few groups who should avoid being vaccinated for now.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine could stop transmission of the virus
Several COVID-19 vaccines may have now demonstrated their ability to prevent disease, but it was still not clear whether any could stop the virus being passed on. Now however a preliminary study suggests that some might also be able to reduce…
Can the world ever be cervical cancer-free?
As World Cancer Day approaches amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s now more important than ever to ensure continued access to HPV vaccines to eliminate cervical cancer around the world.
Women Leaders in Polio Eradication: Dr. Alda Morais Pedro De Sousa
Dr. De Sousa has spent more than twenty years charting the highs and lows of polio eradication in Angola.
How safe are COVID-19 vaccines?
Given the speed at which COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, it is understandable that people want to know whether they are safe. So what measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of these new vaccines?
Everything we know about Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Covid-19 vaccine
The single-dose vaccine showed promising results in preliminary data from a phase 3 clinical trial.
The next step: Lifesaving typhoid conjugate vaccines reach Punjab province, Pakistan
Punjab province introduces typhoid conjugate vaccine, taking the next step in protecting children from typhoid in Pakistan.
How India is using a digital track and trace system to ensure COVID-19 vaccines reach everyone
A system originally designed to do real-time monitoring of vaccine supply chains in India has now been adapted to help ensure COVID-19 vaccines reach as many people as possible.
Results from Novavax vaccine trials in the UK and South Africa differ: why, and does it matter?
The results indicate that the vaccine efficacy in the UK was 89% for individuals who received at least two doses of vaccine. In South Africa, the vaccine efficacy was 60% in people without HIV.
With the World Health Organization inviting COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to submit their candidates for evaluation, we examine the process from submission to Emergency Use Listing.
COVID-19 variant found in Brazil ‘spreads faster’
Manaus variant spreads faster and could carry higher risk of infection. Researchers believe new variant spread from Brazil to Asia. Fast, widespread vaccination is best way to slow down mutations.
When Your Chance for a Covid Shot Comes, Don’t Worry About the Numbers
When getting vaccinated against covid-19, there’s no sense being picky. You should take the first authorized vaccine that’s offered, experts say.
Q&A: Tales from the COVID frontline – coping with the pandemic on a psychiatric ward
Irene Baker* is a care assistant at a psychiatric hospital in England. She describes the challenges of caring for mentally ill patients during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The body's fight against COVID-19 explained using 3D-printed models
A biologist explains what proteins do in viruses, how they interact with human cells, how the vaccine delivers mRNA into the cell and how antibodies protect us.
New GPEI Director Aidan O’Leary takes helm of global polio effort
In a special one-off interview, PolioNews (PN) talks to both Aidan O’Leary (A-O’L) and Michel Zaffran (MZ) about the future of polio eradication.
Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidates have turned the vaccine cold chain into hot news. But what is a cold chain? How does it work? And what does it have to do with equity?
4 of our greatest achievements in vaccine science (that led to COVID vaccines)
We've gone from a novel virus to several COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year. Here's what we've learned from earlier vaccines to allow this to happen.
COVAX Supply Forecast reveals where and when COVID-19 vaccines will be delivered
COVAX is forecasting it will roll out over 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021. What does that mean for the world’s poorest countries?
How much of an impact do vaccines really have?
The world’s most comprehensive study reveals all! A new study looking at the impact of vaccinations in 98 countries over the past 20 years concludes that 37 million people are alive today thanks to vaccines.
Will the Covid-19 vaccine work on the new variants?
Scientists are working to understand what mutations of the virus mean for inoculation strategies.
How will COVID-19 vaccines be approved for use in Australia?
Australia is set to get the green light to roll out the Pfizer vaccine any day now. There is a complex process behind this.
The state of the world’s sanitation
To achieve universal sanitation, we need greater investment and higher rates of sanitation coverage.
Is there an economic case for global vaccinations?
New research adds to the argument that the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is the most optimal solution for a global economic recovery.
What if I don’t get my second Covid-19 vaccine dose on time?
Don't panic if a second dose isn't available exactly when you need it.
In Zimbabwe, Friendship Bench, a community-based approach is providing solutions to people struggling with their mental health during this pandemic.
The importance of blood markers in assessing vaccine efficacy
If vaccine efficacy can’t be assessed through placebo-controlled trials in future, how can we know if they are effective?
Hesitancy over new COVID-19 vaccines doesn’t seem likely to affect uptake
The initial concern that nervousness over the new vaccines would slow uptake doesn’t seem to have become a reality in the early days of COVID-19 immunisation, although it will be critical to maintain vaccine confidence suggests an Ipsos poll.
South African scientists who discovered new COVID-19 variant share what they know
Scientists have observed that 501Y.V2 has quickly become "dominant" among multiple variants that have been circulating in the South African population.
Door to Door in Miami’s Little Havana to Build Trust in Testing, Vaccination
It’s time-consuming but worthwhile: Residents respond to messages about Covid testing and vaccines when outreach teams speak their language and make a personal connection.
COVID-19 impact ‘vastly underestimated’ in African countries
Zambian data challenges the assumption African populations may have been spared from COVID-19.
How accurate are lateral flow tests?
Will these rapid tests really allow us to lower our guard during the pandemic?
COVID-19 and the cost of vaccine nationalism
Without a vaccine, the worldwide economic impact of COVID-19 would have been $3.4 trillion a year. But even with a COVID-19 vaccine, unequal allocation could cost the global economy up to $1.2 trillion a year in GDP.
Why healthy food and its local production should be part of the COVID-19 response
COVID-19 is deepening global food insecurity, as the pandemic’s economic impact adds to existing challenges.
Vaccines that use harmless viruses as a delivery mechanism are vulnerable to being attacked by our immune system – but experimenting with how they are given could get around this.
Delaying the second COVID vaccine dose – a medical expert answers key questions
A medical professor explains the reasoning behind the delay in the UK and what impact this might have on the vaccine's effectiveness.
Could coronavirus persist in ‘safe havens’ of the body?
Some people continue to shed viral RNA for weeks or months after developing COVID-19. Could persistent pockets of infection be to blame?
COVID-19 policy briefs must be realistic: a review by young southern African scientists
African leaders can make strategies to fight COVID-19 more accessible to the people.
Lasting immunity: Why COVID-19 vaccines may succeed where natural infections fail
Immunity to most coronaviruses is short-lived, but will the same hold true for the virus that causes COVID-19 or vaccines against it?
What it takes to vaccinate 39 million children in Pakistan
Health workers take COVID-19 precautions to deliver polio drops.
The Ethics of Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccination
In the United States and some other countries, members of disadvantaged racial and ethnic minorities have a lower-than-average life expectancy, and therefore are under-represented among those most likely to die from COVID-19. How should…
5 Reasons to Wear a Mask Even After You’re Vaccinated
Vaccination, face coverings and physical distancing are essential parts of a team effort against the coronavirus.
Mutating coronavirus: reaching herd immunity just got harder, but there is still hope
New variants will push the number needed to reach herd immunity up.
Will the new variant of COVID-19 make re-infection more likely?
New variants of the coronavirus are causing alarm across the UK and South Africa, with many countries closing their borders to travellers from these countries. But what effect could new strains have on our ability to control the pandemic?
South Sudan: We are ready to take up the challenge
Western Equatoria Ministry of Health and UNICEF are preparing for COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.
Eureka! Two Vaccines Work — But What About the Also-Rans in the Pharma Arms Race?
How two effective vaccines on the market make it so much harder to quickly test any competing vaccines.
How COVID-19 is placing increased pressure on water resources for farmers in Cameroon
In Cameroon’s Marua region, the pandemic means farmers are now faced with the double challenge of using what limited water resources they have to grow crops while saving lives through handwashing.
If I delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine, what impact will it have?
Taking a wait-and-see approach to COVID-19 vaccines could lead to only pockets of the population being protected. Will this be enough to end the pandemic?
Oxford scientists: how we developed our COVID-19 vaccine in record time
What normally takes decades has been achieved in 12 months, without cutting corners.
How South Africa is preparing for its COVID-19 vaccine introduction
As participating countries look towards receiving their first batch of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility, we examine how South Africa is ramping up its readiness.
Has Covid-19 permanently altered the development timetable for other vaccines?
Covid-19 has changed the world of vaccines, but that doesn't mean all diseases will get treatments as quickly.
Preparing ahead: How Imo State harnessed the REDISSE project to improve its COVID-19 response
As at January 12, 2021, Nigeria has had over a hundred thousand confirmed cases of the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. The pandemic has continued to challenge healthcare system...
As long as humans encroach on nature, pandemics are inevitable — making it important to concentrate resources in areas where people and wildlife are linked.
Could COVID-19 vaccines be tweaked to cover new coronavirus variants?
We’ve always been able to adapt vaccines to protect against emerging variants and additional pathogen strains, but new vaccine platforms could make this even easier.
What is it like to receive two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine? One 92-year-old shares his experience.
On 8 January, Derrick C became one of the first people in the UK to receive his second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, three weeks after the first dose. Here we ask him what that was like.
Can you spread Covid-19 if you get the vaccine?
Answering this question will take us one step closer to our new normal.
Why resistance is common in antibiotics, but rare in vaccines
How resistance to drugs originates, and why it's different for vaccines.
Why lockdown can be bad for your immune system - and what to do about it
Lockdowns are an effective way of reducing COVID-19 infections, but they could take a more general toll on our health if we allow them to.
COVID-19 immunity: how long does it last?
Long-term protection will depend on the 'memory response' developed by our immune systems – and the initial signs are promising.
COVID-19 vaccines are set to become the quickest vaccines in history to go from initial trials to rollout, but what lessons can we learn from its speedy predecessor: the Ebola vaccine?
Lessons from Rwanda’s Fight Against COVID-19
While some of the world's richest and most technologically advanced countries have struggled to contain the spread and morbidity of COVID-19, Rwanda has set a shining example of how to manage a pandemic and safeguard public health. Chief among…
Why delivering COVID-19 vaccines might be just as hard as developing them
From Liability Laws to Production Delays, the 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Rollout Offers a Cautionary Tale for Today.
Coronavirus: few vaccines prevent infection – here’s why that’s not a problem
Sterilising immunity means that the immune system is able to completely prevent a virus from replicating in your body. Not all vaccines provide this.
Trekking through the snow to deliver vaccines
Vaccinators tackle winter conditions and challenging contexts during Afghanistan’s last polio campaign of the year.
COVID-19 comes as a double blow to those living with HIV
In March 2020, as soon as the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in Kyrgyzstan, a state of emergency was declared, and the country went into lockdown.
Can Poor Countries Avoid a Vaccine Bidding War?
For all of the good news about the arrival of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the hard truth for the coming year is that global demand will outpace supply. Without a multilateral agreement to allocate doses globally, the road to recovery…
Is altering the dosing strategy of COVID-19 vaccines a good idea?
Uncertainty in the availability of vaccine doses is prompting some countries to consider altering dosing schedules, or mixing different vaccine types. How could this impact the effectiveness of vaccines?
COVID-19 FAQs: The 10 questions you need to know the answer to
We believe the best way to address misconceptions is to arm yourself with the facts and have a few key points and statistics. Here’s our list of facts to combat common misinformation.
Coronavirus vaccines: how will we know when life can go back to normal?
Here's what we still need to find out before we can know when we'll be able to return to our pre-coronavirus ways.
In less than a year, the world has come together to develop effective COVID-19 vaccines and a multilateral platform for allocating them most efficiently around the world. But with the risk of vaccine nationalism still looming large, now is the…
What do the new COVID-19 variants mean for vaccine development?
Viruses are constantly mutating and often this process does not have any impact on the risk they pose to humans. However, occasionally mutations can occur which make it easier for viruses to infect us, or which could render vaccines against them…
Long-lasting symptoms appear unrelated to how bad your infection was, though women appear more affected than men.
What you need to know about a COVID-19 vaccine
Answers to the most common questions about coronavirus vaccine development.
![© UNICEF/UN0200242/Singh [NOTE: This is a file photo] In India, pentavalent vaccines are being checked for imperfections.](/sites/default/files/styles/content_feed_thumbnail/public/vaccineswork/2020/Thumbnail/UN0200242_h2.jpg?itok=hJ_OHDIY)
Managing Well in the Work-From-Home Era
Managers owe it to their employees to stop treating work from home like a luxury. The office wasn’t invited into the home. It turned up like an unexpected guest – and it shows few signs of leaving soon.
What are whole virus vaccines and how could they be used against COVID-19?
Whole virus vaccines use a weakened or deactivated version of the disease-causing virus to trigger protective immunity against it.
Seven vital questions about RNA Covid-19 vaccines
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines are more than 90% effective, as reported in phase III clinical trials – and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be licensed.
What are viral vector-based vaccines and how could they be used against COVID-19?
Viral vector-based vaccines use a harmless virus to smuggle the instructions for making antigens from the disease-causing virus into cells, triggering protective immunity against it.
Severe COVID may be caused by 'autoantibodies' – here is what that means
Antibodies that go rogue and attack healthy tissue identified in patients with severe COVID.
What are protein subunit vaccines and how could they be used against COVID-19?
Protein subunit vaccines use fragments of protein from the disease-causing virus to trigger protective immunity against it.
Learning from 2020, renewing hope for 2021
Reflections on 2020 from Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
What are nucleic acid vaccines and how could they be used against COVID-19?
Nucleic acid vaccines use genetic material from a disease-causing virus to trigger protective immunity against it.
Rethinking healthcare in Africa with geospatial mapping
In August 2020, Nigeria became the last African country to be declared free from wild poliovirus.
Five mantras for effective COVID-19 vaccine communication
Well-designed communication can increase healthy behaviours, including vaccine uptake. Here are our top five mantras for how to think about COVID-19 vaccine communication.
MVIP update – 1 million doses administered, Kenya 1st anniversary, cooperation for vaccine access
Kenya marked its 1st anniversary of the launch of the pilot in September, with more than 128,000 children reached with vaccine, and one country health official expressing “a great sense of pride” in being part of the effort to protect children…
What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccine approvals in Nigeria and South Africa
Before any COVID-19 vaccines can be delivered to the public, their use must be approved by national regulatory authorities. We look into the process before vaccines would be approved for distribution and use in Nigeria and South Africa.
A united front: building vaccine confidence during a pandemic
To combat vaccine misinformation at home and around the globe, we must build trust.
What to expect when you get a COVID-19 vaccine
Now that the first COVID-19 vaccine has been approved, and others are on the way, what does getting vaccinated actually involve? Here are some of the logistics involved and what to expect after you’ve had your vaccine.
There are four types of COVID-19 vaccines: here’s how they work
The fight against COVID-19 has seen vaccine development move at record speed, with more than 170 different vaccines in trials. But how are they different from each other and how will they protect us against the disease?
Two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been secured to ensure that no-one misses out
The COVAX Facility plans to start rolling out the doses in early 2021 to high-risk groups in participating countries, with the aim of vaccinating up to 20% of populations of participating countries by the end of the year.
To be effective, COVID-19 vaccination plans must include migrants
As we prepare for one of the world’s largest vaccination efforts, and on the occasion of International Migrants Day, we are coming to a critical reckoning: the need for inclusive approaches in our health-related thinking and practices has never…
There’s a new strain of COVID-19 – should we worry?
Viruses mutate all the time, but this new mutation affects the viral protein that invades human cells. What does this mean for the pandemic and the vaccine?
Ask an Expert: Why Are There So Many COVID-19 Vaccines — and Is It Better to Have More?
Vaccines have been approved – so why are we still developing others?
How did scientists manage to develop safe COVID-19 vaccines in just ten months?
The COVID-19 vaccines currently rolling off production lines have been developed faster than any other vaccine against a new disease in history. How have scientists achieved this incredible feat? And could the lessons learned enable more rapid…
Can I catch COVID-19 from Christmas wrapping paper?
Coronavirus can survive on surfaces, so should unwrapping presents be considered risky? We examine the evidence.
2020 Year in Review: The impact of COVID-19 in 12 charts
12 charts provide an overview of our research in the face of a truly unprecedented crisis.
Will an mRNA vaccine alter my DNA?
Some of the COVID-19 vaccines use messenger RNA to provoke an immune response. But what exactly is this genetic material, and how does it interact with the DNA in our cells?
A 4-point checklist for assessing countries' vaccine readiness
As the new COVID-19 vaccines begin to ship out, how ready are health systems to manage delivery? Here are four ways countries should frame that question.
How to stay safe from COVID-19 this festive period
COVID-19-related restrictions differ from country to country, but as families gather to celebrate during the festive holidays there are some important things you can do to protect yourselves and your loved ones against coronavirus.
What do immunity passports and vaccination certificates mean for COVID-19 restrictions?
Here’s why continuing to physically distance and wear masks is vital until we can be sure how long vaccine-acquired immunity lasts.
What psychology can tell us about why some people don’t wear masks – and how to change their minds
Some people respond strongly to perceived threats to their freedom and push back – others are simply more accepting of risk.
Are African countries ready for the COVID-19 vaccine?
Preparing African countries for COVID-19 vaccines will require thoughtful planning and unprecedented coordination across a wide-range of stakeholders.
We need more data on the low-dose, high-dose regimen used in one arm of the trial, which may make the vaccine more effective.
Mobile phone data reveals the most effective strategies for reducing COVID spread
Restaurants, gyms and religious establishments appear to account for most coronavirus infections in US cities, but new analysis suggests there are strategies which can reduce the risks.
Could Ebola survivors hold the key to understanding long COVID?
Like patients with long COVID, some Ebola survivors have lingering symptoms which can make it difficult to work or function in everyday life. Dr Janet Scott has been studying these survivors, and now also has her sights on COVID-19. She tells us…
What if I’ve already had COVID – do I still need a vaccine?
Routine vaccinations during a pandemic – benefit or risk?
Some countries may stop their vaccination programs for a while to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. But which is better: fewer coronavirus infections or making sure children get all their usual vaccinations?
Without a greater focus on the gender dynamics of the COVID-19 crisis, women and girls will suffer long-term handicaps that constrain their economic prospects for years to come, if not permanently. We already know enough about the pandemic's…
Keeping trust in immunisation during the COVID-19 pandemic
At this crucial moment for immunisation, considering community perceptions of vaccination has never been more important.
Health workers use special days to reach every child with life-saving vaccines
Not even the COVID-19 pandemic will stop them.
“Don’t use COVID-19 as an excuse not to immunize your children, you will regret it.”
Janet, mother of twins, tells fellow mothers.
Five ways that scientists are ensuring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines
As companies race to develop COVID-19 vaccines, some development processes have been run in parallel to stop the pandemic as quickly as possible. Yet safety remains paramount; now that we are on the brink of rolling out some of the vaccines that…
How small clinical trial sample sizes can offer important findings
Scientists have been racing to develop COVID-19 vaccines that could reach millions, yet many of the studies have surprisingly small sample sizes drawn from the clinical trials. Does that matter?
Why an antidepressant could be used to treat COVID-19
Fluvoxamine has shown positive results in early trials.
The peril of ignoring childhood pneumonia in the age of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic now threatens global progress on preventing and treating childhood pneumonia, potentially reversing decades of health gains for the world’s most vulnerable children.
COVID-19 could undermine progress towards reducing infant mortality
Over the past three decades, improvements to maternal and newborn health have led to many more infants surviving beyond the first 28 days of life. But disruptions to health services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may now be undoing years of hard…
Four reasons why we need multiple vaccines for Covid-19
Having a range of Covid-19 vaccines available for people to use around the world will be essential to bringing the pandemic under control. Here’s why.
10 things you should know about vaccine candidates
Despite the benefit of all the recommended public health measures in preventing transmission, vaccines still provide us with the best chance of our lives returning to some semblance of normality.
Equal, rapid access to COVID-19 vaccines won’t just save lives; it will save money
Research suggests that the quickest way to end the pandemic and limit the economic damage is for all countries to benefit from a coordinated global vaccine deal.
IOM and Gavi working together to give the most vulnerable ‘a good start’ in South Sudan
This week Gavi signed a historic agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to improve immunisation coverage for migrants and forcibly displaced persons around the world. IOM’s South Sudan Communications Officer, Liatile…
Ensuring safety of COVID-19 vaccines
CEPI spoke with vaccine safety expert, Dr Robert Chen, Science Director of The Brighton Collaboration – the largest global organisation of scientific experts on vaccine safety – about how vaccine safety is assessed in clinical trials and how…
Anxiety, depression and insomnia: the impact of COVID-19 on mental health
COVID-19 patients are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with anxiety, depression or insomnia. Here’s a closer look at how the SARS-CoV-2 virus can impact your mental health.
Why the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is now a global game changer
The global pandemic is far from over, but this latest in a series of welcome announcements brings renewed hope even if several hurdles remain.
The longest mile in the COVID-19 vaccine cold chain
Promises of COVID-19 vaccine doses for developing countries will face challenges along the crucial cold chain.
COVID-19 ‘Vaccine for the World’ shows up to 90% efficacy
Interim analysis of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate – to which Gavi has secured access – suggests an efficacy of 62– 90%. Crucially, the vaccine can be administered and distributed using existing health care and supply chain…
Oxford vaccine results are in: here's how to ensure it is used
The Oxford vaccine – developed in partnership with AstraZeneca – stops 70% of people developing COVID symptoms, and, depending on how the doses are given, may even protect up to 90% of people.
Resumed immunization campaigns are critical to preventing COVID-19 as well as polio
Local adaptation and innovation has allowed the resumption of polio immunization campaigns – and points the way to more effective, community-based delivery of a whole range of basic health services.
COVID-19 antibody levels could fall faster in men than women
New research suggesting that antibodies reduce faster in men compared with women could have implications for vaccine development.
Although antimicrobial resistance has been a known and growing problem for decades, only one new class of antibiotics has been discovered since 1984. Tackling AMR requires a fundamental change in how new antibiotics are valued, and government…
Natural immunity to COVID-19 may be long-lasting
Until now, we didn’t know how long immunity after infection with COVID-19 would last – new research suggests it could be long-lasting.
Coronavirus vaccine results are pouring in, and it's good news for older people
Early results from COVID-19 vaccine trials are starting to emerge, and scientists have received the first reports from three independent studies with optimism because protection against the coronavirus is possible.
What is lateral flow testing and how could it be deployed against coronavirus?
Unlike PCR tests, which involve complex laboratory equipment and highly trained staff, lateral flow tests can be processed on the spot and return a result far quicker. But how exactly do they work, and could they really make a difference to the…
Moderna follows Pfizer with exciting vaccine news – how to read these dramatic developments
It is very exciting to hear another positive story about vaccine trial results – a good vaccine is the most likely way of ending the pandemic.
What is the difference between efficacy and effectiveness?
The two terms used to describe how well a drug or vaccine works are often used interchangeably, but they are not actually the same thing – here’s why.
The Human Cost of COVID-19: Eugene
Vienna, Austria – In this final story in the World Health Organization series exploring the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eugene, a care-home nurse in Austria, shares the story of how he survived coronavirus.
Volunteers take lead on contact tracing in hard-to-reach communities
As COVID-19 has overwhelmed the medical system, a group of volunteers in Nigeria is undertaking the task of slowing the disease’s spread within communities.
Vaccine roll-out is still months away – how can we avoid more lockdowns in the meantime?
The main way the virus is thought to spread is through respiratory droplets and fomites (contaminated objects or materials such as clothes, furniture and door handles). With this mode of spread, most infections take place through close contact,…
Understanding vaccine hesitancy
Q&A with Heidi Larson, Director of The Vaccine Confidence Project and Professor of Anthropology, Risk and Decision Science at the London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine. Anti-vaccination beliefs threaten the effectiveness of one of…
Video: How Kenya is prioritising routine immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Ministry of Health and UNICEF Kenya, with support from Gavi, are working to ensure that routine health services, such as immunisation, continue during the pandemic. Watch their video to learn more.
5 ways COVID-19 is exacerbating global poverty
COVID-19 has presented many new social and economic challenges, and is exacerbating already existing ones. One such challenge is global poverty. Right now over 700 million people live in extreme poverty worldwide, which is defined as living on…
The Human Cost of COVID-19: Gracia
In this third story in the World Health Organization series exploring the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gracia, a junior high school student in West Papua, learns life skills for the future.
COVAX Facility governance explained
How will the COVAX Facility ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is indeed equitable? By Aurélia Nguyen, Managing Director, Office of the COVAX Facility
'Back to normal by spring': are we expecting too much from the first COVID-19 vaccines?
Pfizer’s update certainly is fantastic news. A COVID-19 vaccine could well be approved and ready for use in the next few months. But whether that means we can all get back to normal life by early 2021 is less certain.
The Human Cost of COVID-19: Shukria
In this second story in the World Health Organization series exploring the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shukria, a volunteer, talks about how she helps her community with providing masks and awareness messages about COVID-19.
A smart label on vaccine vials will be vital for safely rolling out future COVID-19 vaccines
Interim results suggesting that Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine provides more than a 90% efficacy, offers hope that immunisation can be effective against COVID-19. But the need to store this vaccine at “ultra cold” temperatures could pose…
Until a coronavirus vaccine is ready, pneumonia vaccines may reduce deaths from COVID-19
The yearly influenza season threatens to make the COVID-19 pandemic doubly deadly, but I believe that this isn’t inevitable.
The Human Cost of COVID-19: Nombasa
In the first of a World Health Organization series exploring the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nombasa, a frontline healthworker, makes an urgent appeal to governments and global health partners.
Six in ten children are immune to the COVID-19 virus despite never being infected by it
Immunity triggered by exposure to the coronaviruses that cause the common cold could protect people, especially children, against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Adverse events following immunisation: what are they, and when are they cause for concern?
A successful vaccine produces the best possible immune response, whilst keeping side effects to a minimum. When adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) do occur, it is important that they are reported, especially if they are serious, even…
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine may be over 90% efficacious, so what happens next?
An interim analysis of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine candidate suggests is more efficacious than many had dared to expect. The announcement is a welcome indication that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine might be within reach, but there are…
Science can give us the tools to end the pandemic, but it needs funding
Vaccines, tests and treatments, alongside well-equipped health systems, are the solutions to bringing the Covid-19 pandemic under control. But this won’t happen without urgent investment, explains Jeremy Farrar.
Why we will always need vaccinations
Vaccination programmes have prevented millions of deaths worldwide, but their continued success relies on our continued participation.
Do mutations of COVID-19 virus in mink pose a threat to people?
With Denmark culling its entire farmed mink population following discovery of a mutated form of SARS-CoV2, are we at risk of further complications and diseases from animal-human transmission?
Coronavirus: believing in conspiracies goes hand in hand with vaccine hesitancy
While developing an effective vaccine probably won’t bring an immediate end to the pandemic, it’s clear that things can’t begin to return to normal without one. Anything that reduces a future vaccine’s effectiveness will be a problem. This…
Come together: how the fight to end polio can help the COVID-19 recovery
The world is anxiously awaiting the development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 60 years ago, the world was also waiting in eager anticipation of a publicly available vaccine to stop a disease that was ravaging communities around…
Why understanding superspreaders could be one key way of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic
Superspreading events, where one person infects tens of others, appear to be playing an increasingly significant role in the spread of COVID-19. So what have we learned about these events and how can we stop them from fuelling the pandemic?
Gavi COVAX AMC: a shot in the arm for international cooperation
Never has the development of vaccines been so widely anticipated as for COVID-19, and arguably never has so much been at stake. Because without COVID-19 vaccines, we cannot bring this crisis to a swift end.
How does COVID-19 trigger a loss of smell and other olfactory disorders?
Anosmia is the medical term for a sudden loss of smell and has been associated with COVID-19. Here’s a closer look at the olfactory dysfunctions linked to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
How deliberately infecting volunteers with COVID-19 could help accelerate vaccine development
Josh Morrison, Co-founder and Executive Director of 1Day Sooner, an organisation that advocates on behalf of challenge trial volunteers, explains why.
Equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution will lead to the biggest reduction in deaths
Mathematical modelling suggests that if wealthy countries stockpile COVID-19 vaccines, we will see nearly twice as many deaths than if vaccines were shared equally across the globe.
We need Covid-19 treatments as well as vaccines – and they have to work for everyone
Effective treatments that are accessible to everyone who needs them have to be part of the solution to the coronavirus pandemic – here's why.
What impact does malnutrition have on the effectiveness of vaccination?
Malnutrition can affect the immune system and the quality of immune response to vaccinations, with potential implications for low-income countries where COVID-19 is already fuelling a "hunger pandemic" in the most vulnerable people.
Overcoming the COVID-19 Disruption to Essential Health Services
It is clear that COVID-19 will persist much longer than anticipated. If countries do not take action soon to ensure the continuity of essential health services during the pandemic, the future death toll from communicable and noncommunicable…
How COVID-19 may have increased dengue infections in Thailand and Singapore
Spending less time in the workplace usually results in lower rates of infectious disease, but workplace closures in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific may be increasing exposure to the mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus.
Digitizing vaccine cold chain, key to post-pandemic immunization in Indonesia
For some vaccinators in the vast archipelagic nation of Indonesia, a day in their professional life may involve trekking through deep tropical valleys and jungles or crossing the open waters on rickety boats to isolated islands.
Why protecting, promoting essential services for women and children is now more critical than ever
Now, COVID-19 is unleashing substantial health, social and economic impacts in every corner of the globe. But it is the poorest countries and the most vulnerable communities around the world that stand to suffer the most from this protracted…
CEPI’s strategic investments in vaccine manufacturing at facilities around the world will support the COVAX goal to produce 2 billion doses of safe and effective vaccine by the end of 2021.
Let’s flatten the infodemic curve
We are all being exposed to a huge amount of COVID-19 information on a daily basis, and not all of it is reliable. Here are some tips for telling the difference and stopping the spread of misinformation.
Ghana launches polio campaigns despite the challenges of COVID-19
In the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic, Ghana is working to protect 4.5 million at-risk children from polio through the launch of two polio vaccination campaigns. Here’s a closer look at those efforts for World Polio Day.
Immunization Is the Best Weapon Against Poverty
Anti-vaxxers’ irresponsible misinformation ignores those with the most to lose by not vaccinating: the poorest and most vulnerable, who risk dying or sliding into medical impoverishment if they or their loved ones get sick. For much of the world’…
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on social, economic, and environmental risks that have been building for the past half-century of neoliberalism. Even amid the deep uncertainties of today's global situation, one thing is clear: it is…
New vaccines to meet emerging needs
Here’s how Gavi helps lower-income countries get the new vaccines and products they need to address urgent threats to public health – from cholera and COVID-19, to Ebola and pneumonia.
We need a global response to the COVID-19 pandemic
President of Niger H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou talks about the importance of routine immunisation and Gavi support in Niger, and the need for ensuring universal access to COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility.
How Gavi, UNICEF and WHO supported Timor-Leste’s successful COVID-19 response strategy
Timor Leste has kept COVID-19 infections to a minimum, and thanks to effective collaboration has managed to successfully reverse the initial declines seen in immunisation coverage and health service delivery.
Timor-Leste’s Director-General of Health Services for the Ministry of Health discusses the unique challenges of tackling COVID-19 in Timor-Leste and how have they been addressed.
Why we need a “portfolio approach” to COVID-19 vaccine development
Most vaccine candidates in early development fail: this is the stark reality of vaccine development.
Children who get zero vaccines deserve 100% of our attention
Over 50% more children were immunised in Gavi countries in 2019 than in 2000, yet 10.6 million children continue to miss out entirely on basic vaccinations. Here’s why reaching these children and setting them on the pathway to full immunisation…
Once we have effective Covid-19 treatments, it shouldn’t only be the rich who benefit
We need a range of treatments to make Covid-19 preventable and treatable. Jeremy Farrar describes recent progress made by research and why more investment is needed.
Brazil city ‘might have reached herd immunity'
Herd immunity threshold may have been reached in Amazonas capital, Manaus, but experts warn that herd immunity is not the end of the pandemic.
Why some people might be immune to certain COVID-19 vaccines
Vaccines based on the common cold virus are at the forefront of the COVID-19 vaccine race, but they may be less effective in people who have previously been infected by these common pathogens. So how could we overcome this challenge?
Why handwashing with soap is the most effective way to stop viruses
Global Handwashing Day and the ongoing spread of COVID-19 is a timely reminder about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to stay healthy.
COVID-19 as an awakening for hand hygiene access
Globally 3 billion people lack hand hygiene facilities at home and two out of five health care facilities lack hand hygiene at points of care. As the pandemic unfolded around the world, hand sanitizer and handwashing stations became as in-demand…
How “data poverty” could worsen health inequalities during the pandemic and beyond
Big data has the potential to change society for the better, but this opportunity is being undermined by a failure to collect data from across societies and make it publicly available.
What is the world like for girls today?
On International Day of the Girl Child, Gavi’s Megan Holloway looks at how COVID-19 is impacting the lives of girls.
A Moment of Truth in the Pandemic
As the most ambitious pandemic-response initiative ever conceived, the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility is the best chance the world has to bring the pandemic to an end. But to succeed, COVAX requires broad international buy-in, based on…
The World Food Programme wins 2020 Nobel Peace Prize amidst ‘hunger pandemic’ triggered by COVID-19
These global efforts are increasingly urgent as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put millions of lives at risk from famine and malnutrition.
Will silent reinfections drive the spread of COVID?
People who have had COVID-19 can develop an immune response that normally protects people from recurrent infection. But now that reinfections of COVID-19 have been recorded, what does that mean for our ability to fight the virus?
Immunization continues amid COVID-19
European Commission Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) humanitarian air bridge made it possible.
Protecting community health workers means protecting communities in the DRC
Preventing and controlling infectious disease is possible with dedication of health workers, multi-stakeholder collaboration and equitable access to vaccines. Africa’s wild polio-free certification, which took decades of collaborative effort, is…
10 things we have now learned about COVID-19
Just over six months since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, what do we know about this new coronavirus?
What are monoclonal antibodies – and can they treat Covid-19?
For more than 30 years, monoclonal antibodies have transformed the way we treat many diseases. Researchers think they are also one of the most promising treatments for Covid-19. Here's why.
How emergency use authorisations could accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines
Emergency use procedures are designed to make potentially life-saving medical products available as quickly as possible during health emergencies. A record number have been granted since the arrival of COVID-19 pandemic, but what does this mean…
AVADAR: How digital health fast-tracked Nigeria’s drive to eradicate polio
Polio, a contagious disease caused by the poliomyelitis virus is transmitted primarily when stool from someone infected contaminates foods, drinks or water sources. It invades the nervous system and could, in a matter of hours, lead to complete…
Why I volunteered for a COVID-19 vaccine trial
Vaccines are designed to trigger an immune response to pathogens we’ve never encountered before. But how does it feel to be one of the first humans to encounter a new vaccine? British communications consultant Heather Macdonald-Tait explains what…
How COVID-19 is heightening the economic risks in Gavi-supported countries
In a matter of months, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the global economy. Now a new study looks at how this economic shock is impacting sovereign debt levels of Gavi-supported countries.
Q&A with Professor Salim Karim
Africa has not been as hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as predicted. Here, we talk to Professor Salim Abdool Karim, the head of South Africa's Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 to find out why and what the future might hold.
Understanding urban challenges in Uganda
In the first of this series, we look at the highlights of an evaluation to determine the potential barriers to immunisation caused by the increase in urbanisation.
Why the world is at risk without immunisation
Vaccines save lives by protecting children and adults from diseases. COVID-19 pandemic is a clear example of what a world without vaccines could look like. Governments should ensure that delivery of essential services such as vaccines remains a…
A Nurse in Uganda is a Trusted Messenger of Hope
Her own healthy baby son is how Ugandan nurse Maureen Wandawa demonstrates the benefits of immunization. Working together to build confidence in, and access to, vaccines for all who need them is one way we can #UniteforHealth to keep us all safer…
From equality to global poverty: how Covid-19 is affecting societies and economies
The Covid-19 pandemic is a social and an economic crisis just as much as it is a health crisis – its repercussions, severe and far-reaching, are being felt across the world.
More than one million people have died of COVID-19
The true number could be much higher, and two million could die before we get a vaccine, says the World Health Organization.
How do vaccine challenge trials ensure the benefits outweigh the risks?
The UK is expected to host the world’s first COVID-19 human “challenge” trials, which will involve deliberately infecting healthy volunteers with coronavirus to assess the effectiveness of experimental vaccines. So far, around 2,000 potential…
Recovering Better through Gender Equity
Gender equality must be at the heart of not only our response, but our attempts to restructure systems to be fairer and more equal to recover better.
Global investors must support pharma solidarity and collaboration in the response to COVID-19
The prospect of having the first supplies of at least a few effective COVID-19 medicines and vaccines by the end of 2020 is a key driver of recent market optimism.
What does COVID-19 mean for this year’s flu season?
Every winter, hundreds of thousands become infected with seasonal influenza, which kills between 290,000 and 650,000 people worldwide each year. But this year, we have another respiratory illness to contend with: COVID-19. So, what does this mean…
Collaboration among the Serum Institute of India (SII), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will accelerate manufacturing and delivery of up to an additional 100 million doses of future vaccines, if proven to be…
The world needs Gavi now more than ever
When I join Gavi in January, it will be at a time when it is contemplating the most ambitious period in its history.
José Manuel Barroso named as new Chair of the Gavi Board
Gavi Board unanimously approves the selection of former Prime Minister of Portugal and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso as its new Chair
The last mile of polio eradication and the vaccination challenges it brings
We are close to a polio-free world, yet cases of vaccine-derived disease are challenging the eradication effort.
Classroom precautions during COVID-19
Tips for teachers to protect themselves and their students.
A secret ingredient for stronger vaccines?
An ingredient called dmLT could be the key to improving vaccine effectiveness in low-resource settings.
Keep focus on emerging infections, Disease X: analysts
Biggest funders of emerging infectious diseases R&D are also biggest recipients. Ebola and Zika experienced R&D spike in wake of epidemics. US is losing global leadership role in the field.
How to keep vaccine production going during a pandemic?
Vaccine manufacturers have worked hard to adapt to a new normal of keeping supplies for immunisation programmes going in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Which COVID-19 test is most relevant to me?
At the beginning of the pandemic there was a mad scramble to develop a test which would accurately diagnose COVID-19 infection. Now, six months in, hundreds of testsare available – but how do they differ, and which test is the…
What does the pausing of the AstraZeneca trial mean for other COVID-19 vaccines?
Gavi’s Derrick Sim, Director of Vaccine Supply and Demand, discusses why it is sometimes important to halt clinical trials.
10 reasons why pandemic fatigue could threaten global health in 2021
Being in a constant state of high alert and uncertainty is exhausting yet health officials warn that we can’t let our guard down yet and resisting living with the ‘new normal’ could threaten our health.
Coronavirus vaccine: why it’s important to know what’s in the placebo
Some researchers conducting clinical trials on a COVID-19 vaccine have not revealed to the public what the placebo contains, but they should.
How health systems work and why they matter
Supporting health systems is essential for Gavi’s work to improve immunisation coverage and equity.
Could COVID-19 be fuelling drug resistance?
We need to understand the impact of Covid-19 on wider health issues to shape better public health responses and limit long-term consequences. Drug resistance is one of these, Gemma Buckland-Merrett explains.
How can we make fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines a reality?
How will COVAX ensure that COVID-19 vaccine doses reach all countries at the same time, and protect those people that need it the most?
There’s more than one way for a COVID-19 vaccine to end this pandemic
Effective vaccines prevent individuals from developing disease, but some also stop people transmitting the pathogens that cause them. What role will they have to play in ending the COVID-19 pandemic?
The three Vs needed to end this pandemic
While scientific and vaccine manufacturing community make huge strides in the race towards that goal, it is important to remember that vaccines are only one of three Vs needed to beat this coronavirus.
The role of social mobilisers during COVID-19
How one social mobiliser in South Sudan has managed to contribute to health security in her region.
Our shared future is not a choice
2020 was already going to be a monumental year — the beginning of the 10-year countdown for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mapping vaccine confidence worldwide
Anecdotes of how people feel about vaccines are plenty, but there have been few attempts to gather robust global data. This five-year study reviewed survey responses from over a quarter of a million people around the world on how they felt about…
A record-breaking year for childhood immunisation
Gavi’s CEO provides an overview of its flagship publication, launched today.
Why is no one safe until everyone is safe during a pandemic?
No one is safe until everyone is safe. This phrase has become a slogan for global health figures but what does it mean in the worldwide COVID-19 response?
COVID-19 vaccines: what happens after clinical trials
If a COVID-19 vaccine is to reach the global public sometime next year, it will be the result of one of the fastest developments and rollouts of a vaccine against a new disease ever. In contrast, the RTS,S malaria vaccine, which is currently…
How Ethiopia is maintaining health services during a pandemic?
Ethiopia has overtaken Nigeria to become the Gavi-eligible African country most affected by COVID-19. Over the past week, the number of confirmed cases in Ethiopia has grown exponentially. Despite the pandemic, immunisation activities – both…
COVID vaccine is being speeded up but urgency cannot be at expense of safety, says Dr Seth Berkley
As CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance funded largely by Bill Gates, Dr Seth Berkley has helped vaccinate almost half the world’s children from fatal and debilitating diseases. His current baby is the COVAX Facility to help develop, manufacture and…
Are vaccines a global public good?
As COVID-19 vaccines have a critical role to play in ending this pandemic crisis, many experts have described them as a global public good. But what exactly does that mean?
Supply chains: The lifeline for getting PPE to community health workers
You may have heard the saying, “no products, no programs,” but for those who work in public health during COVID-19, the saying has become “no PPE, no programs.” And for community health workers (CHWs) who play a vital role in providing health…
Different types of immunity and why they matter to COVID-19
Antibodies are one route to immunity against disease, but T cells and innate immunity also play a crucial role in protecting us. So, how could these different types of immunity be mobilised against COVID-19
How Somalia is resuming vaccination campaigns despite COVID-19
More than 3,000 health workers are conducting a three-day health campaign from 30 August to 1 September 2020 to ensure that around 400,000 children aged under five receive measles and polio vaccines, as well as vitamin A and deworming tablets, at…
To end this global health crisis we don’t just need COVID-19 vaccines, we also need to ensure that everyone in the world has access to them.
Who should we vaccinate first?
When COVID-19 vaccines become available demand is likely to outstrip supply, at least initially. So, who should be first in line?
Modelling the Manufacturing Process for COVID-19 Vaccines: Our Approach
Researchers across the world are working flat out to develop and manufacture a vaccine for COVID-19 that can end what has been the worst pandemic in at least a century.
How to measure the success of a COVID-19 vaccine?
Dr Melanie Saville, CEPI’s Director of Vaccine Development, discusses what a successful vaccine against COVID-19 would involve, some of the unknowns and the challenges that vaccine developers are wrestling with, and what makes CEPI’s approach…
Before the pandemic began, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was already facing a severe measles outbreak which started at the end of 2018. Despite huge challenges caused by COVID-19 and other diseases, the largest measles outbreak in…
How the African Region is Celebrating the End of Wild Polio while cVDPV Outbreaks Continue
Is it possible to get COVID-19 more than once?
What do the first confirmed cases of reinfection with COVID-19 mean for the rest of us and future of this pandemic?
DRC: The great lengths that polio vaccinators go to reach every last child
By foot, boat and bicycle, thousands of volunteer vaccinators in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) go to extraordinary efforts, sometimes at personal risk, to help eradicate polio.
An estimated $15.9 trillion has been mobilised to respond to the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of this has gone to multilateral and bilateral funders to support low- and middle-income countries’ (LMIC) governments.
Borno: Africa’s Last Wild Poliovirus Frontier
When Aisha took her son Busami Modu to his grandmother’s house in Kuya, a village in Borno state, Nigeria, she waved goodbye to a healthy, happy little boy. A “beauty to behold,” she recalls. The next time she saw him, he was paralysed and unable…
Can vaccine clinical trials be sped up safely for COVID-19?
One of the most time-consuming parts of vaccine research and development is the testing of a vaccine. How does this work, and how, in the context of COVID-19, are scientists trying to speed it up?
Data from global Ipsos survey shows 37% of those polled worldwide think it is likely a vaccine will be available by the end of the year. But is this optimism misplaced?
How is Nigeria addressing the public health challenges due to COVID-19?
As one of the African countries most affected by COVID-19, Nigeria has faced significant economic and health impacts, including to routine immunisation, in the face of the pandemic.
What do diarrheal disease and COVID-19 have in common?
Diarrheal disease is the second leading infectious killer of children under five worldwide. Lessons learned from tackling this deadly disease could also help us recover from COVID-19 stronger than ever.
Somalia responds swiftly to measles outbreak in Jubaland State
A surveillance system in Somalia is providing real-time early warning disease alerts to help tackle health threats such as measles outbreaks and COVID-19 cases.
How has our urban world made pandemics more likely?
As more people have moved to cities, population density, human encroachment and increased global interconnectivity have contributed to the spread of infectious diseases.
COVID-19 has triggered lockdown measures for billions of people around the world. As many of us struggle to adapt to the ‘new normal’, we look at the origins of quarantine measures - and how they’ve been used to contain deadly outbreaks for…
How do vaccines actually work?
Vaccines prevent millions of deaths every year by harnessing the body’s immune system to create defences against future infection. But how exactly does this work?
How is Pakistan maintaining routine immunisation despite the COVID-19 pandemic?
Despite disruption to routine immunisation in Gavi-eligible countries due to COVID-19, collaborative efforts between Alliance partners and governments have made it possible to partially resume immunisation sessions in countries such as…
How creative communication strategies are helping fight COVID-19 misinformation in DRC
The misinformation surrounding COVID-19 in the Democratic Repubic of the Congo isn’t new – public health officials have seen rumours and myths circulate with Ebola. Here’s how they are tackling them.
New evidence shows investments in vaccination produce even greater returns than previously thought
Analysis suggests that investments in vaccination programmes will result in US$ 0.8 trillion in returns over the next ten years.
Why COVID-19 means Gavi is supporting more countries than ever before
Since 2000, Gavi has been increasing equitable access to vaccines by working with the world’s poorest countries. Yet during a pandemic, more prosperous countries are also at risk of falling through the net. How will Gavi respond?
You’ve got your antibody test result – but what does it mean?
If you test positive for COVID-19 antibodies, does that actually mean you’ve been infected?
Children missing out on routine vaccinations in Somalia amid COVID-19 fears
In the recent past, 25-year-old Zahra Mohamud* had visited the Hawadle maternal and child health centre in Hargeisa regularly to have her older son Ibrahim* vaccinated against the most common childhood diseases.
Gavi has helped lower-income nations narrow the vaccine coverage gap
Lower-income countries are seeing better vaccination coverage than they have had in decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to hamper progress.
Now is the Time to Pave the Way for Equitable Vaccine Distribution
When COVID-19 vaccines become available, one of the biggest challenges the global community will face is equitable distribution. This will be the single largest vaccine deployment in history.
COVAX Facility country consultations conclude with participation from at least 136 countries
Briefings led by Gavi, CEPI and WHO over the past two weeks saw participation from at least 136 countries interested in joining a COVAX Facility aimed at guaranteeing equitable access to eventual COVID-19 vaccines.
How are Gavi-supported countries maintaining routine immunisation during the pandemic?
A spotlight on Ethiopia, India, the Solomon Islands and Zambia
Governments have had to act fast to not only protect their people against COVID-19 but also to ensure protective measures like vaccination against other infectious diseases…
Why the UK wants to recruit half a million people in a COVID-19 vaccine trial
The UK has just secured 90 million doses of future COVID-19 vaccines, and now it is trying to recruit volunteers for some of the biggest ever phase 3 trials to test potential vaccines.
Delivering life-saving vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic
Health workers are stopping at nothing to ensure immunizations for every child.
What happens if COVID-19 mutates?
Reports of a potentially more infectious form of the coronavirus have fed fears that a "mutant” version of the virus could arise. But what does mutation actually mean and is it really a cause for concern?
Should countries stop vaccinations to halt the spread of COVID-19?
It’s a devil’s choice governments have faced since the start of the pandemic, but new research could provide the answer.
Can the BCG vaccine protect against COVID-19?
While researchers racing to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, the potential of the BCG vaccine – used to prevent TB – to slow the pandemic has been hotly debated. New research suggesting that the BCG could prevent severe COVID-19 disease has made…
Could COVID-19 be airborne, and if so how do we protect ourselves?
Ever since the new coronavirus was identified, there has been a debate about whether it is airborne or not. Now, over 200 scientists from around the world have written to the World Health Organization urging it to consider the potential of COVID-…
The vaccines success story gives us hope for the future
As the world waits for a vaccine to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, we look back to all that vaccines have achieved for humanity.
Q&A with Ola Rosling of Gapminder
The head of Gapminder, whose mission is to fight ignorance with a fact-based world view, talks with Gavi about data and COVID-19.
How Technology Helps Health Workers Deliver Essential Care in Developing Countries
Living Goods saves lives by supporting digitally empowered community health workers who deliver care
How do we know who is immune to COVID-19?
With surveys using antibody tests yielding disappointing results, there are growing concerns that fewer people may have already been infected with SARS-CoV-2 than was previously hoped. Yet antibodies are only part of our immune system’s response…
This article is a summary of an online conversation hosted by the Gavi CSO Constituency in partnership with ACTION, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, RESULTS UK & Save the Children.
How the COVID-19 lockdown is affecting routine immunisation
Routine immunisation has slowed in many Gavi-supported countries around the world. Here, researchers writing in The Lancet, including a Gavi scientist, look at the effect of lockdown on vaccination programmes in Karachi, Pakistan …
30 June 2020: Overview of COVID-19 situation in Gavi-supported countries and Gavi’s response
Across Gavi-eligible countries, we have seen a consistent increase in cases since March 2020. Within the month of June alone, the number of cases has more than doubled, with 70 out of 73 Gavi-eligible countries reporting over 1 million confirmed…
How is the pandemic impacting one of the world’s largest refugee settlements?
As of 27 June 2020, there have been 513 tests carried out in the camps, with 49 confirmed cases.
First African trial of a COVID-19 vaccine
The first African clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine has started in South Africa, run by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits).
'Global Goal: Unite for Our Future' mobilized over $6.9 billion to help the world’s most vulnerable.
Ebola is officially over in North Kivu and Ituri - what can we learn for COVID-19?
On 25 June, the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has raged for more than 2 years is over. What does this mean for the country and what can it teach us about ending the COVID-19 pandemic?
What is the COVAX pillar, why do we need it and how will it work?
With more than 200 COVID-19 vaccines already in development, why do we need the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator Vaccine Pillar, or COVAX Pillar?
Why development aid transparency matters
At a time when economies are under pressure and government spending is under scrutiny, transparency and accountability within the development sector is more important than ever.
Gavi a top performer in leading transparency index
The Vaccine Alliance ranked in the highest ‘Very good’ category out of 47 international development organisations assessed in the 2020 Aid Transparency Index
Will we see a deadly second wave of COVID-19 later in the year?
Beijing, a city month’s ahead of Europe in COVID-19 terms, is now plunging back into lockdown. Many are concerned that this could be the first hint of a second wave. But is that likely and what would it look like?
Seven things countries have done right in the fight against COVID-19
There has been a huge variation in how countries have responded to COVID-19. Whilst some have imposed strict lockdown measures, others have avoided tight restrictions. But what works best?
16 June 2020: Overview of the COVID-19 situation in Gavi-supported countries and Gavi’s response
Seventy (of 73) Gavi-eligible countries have reported 824,259 confirmed cases and 20,641 deaths. The number of cases is increasing at an average rate of 4% from the previous day.
The long-term health effects of COVID-19
Even mild symptoms from the new coronavirus can last for weeks, or disappear only to rebound with renewed intensity, so what long-term effects does the disease have on our health?
As the devastating consequences of the pandemic unfold across the world, COVID-19 is making long-lasting changes in global health
Is COVID-19 about to take off in Africa?
So far relatively few people in Africa have been infected by the novel coronavirus, with around 215,000 cases and 5,800 deaths in a population of 1.2 billion in the continent. But with lockdowns lifting, will cases soar?
New supply agreement between UNICEF and Serum Institute of India (SII) makes pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) available at US$2.00 per dose, a 43% reduction from the Gavi price at the start of the AMC
Vaccinations and COVID-19: What parents need to know
How to safely get routine vaccinations for your child during the COVID-19 pandemic
When it comes to COVID-19 vaccines how can governments back a winner?
With so many COVID-19 candidate vaccines in development, and with most of them likely to fail, what’s the best way for governments to ensure they back a winner and ensure there are enough doses for everyone?
A third of the world has been under some form of lockdown to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, but has it made any difference to the number of cases and deaths?
How digital tools are helping Pakistan monitor routine immunisation during the pandemic
A Gavi-supported digital immunisation registry is keeping track of vaccination activities to make sure children remain protected from other infectious diseases.
5 reasons why pandemics like COVID-19 are becoming more likely
SARS, Ebola, Zika, and now COVID-19. Five reasons why disease epidemics and even pandemics are becoming increasingly common.
How are Gavi's private sector partners stepping up to help fight COVID-19?
Despite the devastating economic impact this pandemic has had on businesses across the world, many are doing their part to bring this crisis to an end.
Could COVID-19 ever be eradicated?
Ideally, humanity would end COVID-19 by eradicating it so there are no new cases globally even in the absence of preventive measures. However, experience with other disease eradication programmes indicates that this will be very challenging, and…
How the world changed on 4 June
On 4 June, global leaders met at a virtual event to pledge support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and in the process made history by reaching new global health milestones
02 June 2020: Overview of the COVID-19 situation in Gavi-supported countries and Gavi’s response
Seventy (out of 73) Gavi-eligible countries have reported 475,401 confirmed cases and 12,464 deaths. Though this number still accounts for a small proportion, about 7%, of global COVID-19 cases, this share is expected to increase given the…
World leaders make historic commitments to provide equal access to vaccines for all
The Global Vaccine Summit, hosted by the UK, raises US$ 8.8 billion from 32 donor governments and 12 foundations, corporations and organisations to immunise 300m children and support the global fight against COVID-19.
Supporting Gavi now to build a better future
We’ve all seen the shocking projections: at least 80 million children under one are at risk of developing diseases like measles, diphtheria, and polio due to disruptions in routine immunization services because of COVID-19.
Gavi provides funding to support the pandemic response in Myanmar
As one of the poorest low-income countries in South East Asia, Myanmar faces many barriers to implementing a strong and effective response to COVID-19. Gavi has now allocated over US$ 8.8 million to help ensure that Myanmar is better able to…
How physical distancing, masks and eye protection reduces the spread of COVID-19
In the absence of a vaccine or treatment against the new coronavirus, measures to control its spread rely on avoiding contact with people who we are not sharing a house with. This study shows the varying effects of such preventive measures.
When will it be safe to hug people again?
The physical distancing necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 can be emotionally distressing, but since the virus is unlikely to disappear soon, when will life regain a semblance of normality?
Q&A with Keller C. Rinaudo, CEO and Co-Founder of Zipline
Zipline is a California-based automated logistics company that uses autonomous drones to make on-demand, emergency deliveries of high priority products, including emergency and routine vaccines and other health products.
Why is the Global Vaccine Summit so important?
The pandemic will only strengthen our commitment to vaccinate vulnerable communities. On 4 June 2020 Gavi will hold its third donor pledging conference online with the aim to raise vital funds for the next five years.
How does COVID-19 compare to past pandemics?
The COVID-19 pandemic is most often compared to the H1N1 influenza pandemic of 1918, or Spanish flu, even though there have been three other major pandemics since then. So how does this coronavirus pandemic compare to those?
Immunisation and COVID-19 at the 73rd World Health Assembly
Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines was a major priority for world leaders attending the virtual meeting
Why are BAME groups experiencing high rates of death from COVID-19?
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities in Europe and the USA are overrepresented in COVID-19 deaths. In the bid to slow and, ultimately, stop the spread of COVID-19 it is vital to understand the reasons why, in order to adequately…
Vaccines for the happy few = health for none
Health is not just a human right, it is a prerequisite for development. Through its advocacy programme Global Health, Global Access, Cordaid continually stresses the importance of Health for All.
COVID-19’s collateral damage could devastate low- and middle-income countries
While the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths stays relatively low across Africa, Asia and Latin America compared with the rest of the world, the economic and social consequences are likely to reverberate for decades to come.
Could COVID-19 accelerate the digitisation of vaccine records?
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting vaccination programmes across the world, but this could provide an opportunity to hasten the move to digital record-keeping systems.
What is COVID-19’s ‘R number’ and why does it matter?
Altering the ease with which the new coronavirus spreads in the population is critical to controlling the pandemic. The number of people infected by any single case - the R number – will be key. If the virus is able to infect more than one person…
We are working hard to ensure that immunization services continue to be available for every child
There is no fundamental reason to stop immunization in any situation.
19 May 2020: Overview of the COVID-19 situation in Gavi-supported countries and Gavi’s response
Seventy (out of 73) Gavi-eligible countries have reported 257,996 confirmed cases and 7,547 deaths. These 70 countries account for a small proportion, about 5%, of global COVID-19 cases and 2% of global deaths.
Here are four ways Vietnam has managed to control COVID-19
Vietnam became one of the first countries to report a COVID-19 infection and the first to report human-to-human transmission outside of China. One hundred days later, just 270 cases had been confirmed in the country, with no deaths.
How quickly can we get a COVID-19 vaccine?
It is clear that the search for COVID-19 vaccines is being fast-tracked like never before. In just a few months, we now have over 100 vaccine candidates in development, ten of which are being tested in clinical trials.
Agencies call for joint effort to safely deliver routine immunization and proceed with vaccination campaigns against deadly vaccine-preventable diseases.
Experts are warning that COVID-19 could become an endemic disease. What does this mean and how will it impact our response?
How do you keep pregnant women safe during a pandemic?
Pregnant women can be more exposed to risk during outbreaks. With 200 million pregnant women in the world, is the global pandemic response adequate to protect them, and not just from the coronavirus?
Rwanda’s efforts to strengthen its health system paying off in midst of COVID-19 pandemic
The country has made strategic investments including supply chain strengthening and technological innovation, all of which have allowed critical immunisation activities to continue during and beyond the quarantine.
Is air travel risky in the age of COVID-19?
Does air travel increase your chances of getting becoming infected by the novel coronavirus and contracting COVID-19?
What is contact tracing, how could it reduce the spread of COVID-19, and how could it affect me?
Controlling the pandemic demands a multi-pronged approach with other key methods like contact tracing to help stop the chain of transmission.
Q&A with Jonathan Stambolis, CEO of Zenysis Technologies
Zenysis is an advanced analytics software company. Their platform helps countries harness the life-saving power of data to improve the delivery of essential health services, like childhood vaccination, and to fight infectious disease outbreaks.…
The future with COVID-19: three potential scenarios
What our lives will look in the short to medium term future is uncertain, but what does seem clear is we won’t return to a pre-COVID-19 life any time soon. Here are three potential scenarios that infectious disease experts have sketched out for…
Maintaining commitment to immunization in Africa through COVID-19 and beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a strain on health systems worldwide. The increasing demand on health facilities and health care workers has dramatically shifted resources from essential routine health services to COVID-19 response as countries…
The poorest are most likely to die from COVID-19
Social inequity will put the poorest populations at greater risk from COVID-19
How COVID-19 could be causing a rare complication in children
Initially, children seemed to be least affected by the new coronavirus. However, new evidence suggests that a small number might have a rare immune reaction to COVID-19, with some needing intensive care.
How can fragile countries, like Afghanistan, respond to COVID-19?
As countries rich and poor struggle with challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Afghanistan is taking proactive steps to overcome its own.
How equipment is protecting us against COVID-19
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, such as masks and gloves are becoming part of our daily lives, but what counts as effective PPE and what doesn’t?
How COVID-19 is causing a ‘hunger pandemic’
The new coronavirus has killed more than a quarter of a million people in just a few months, but the pandemic’s effect on food, housing and job insecurity will last years.
Is antimicrobial resistance exacerbating the COVID-19 pandemic?
Will efforts to save lives in cases of severe COVID-19 trigger another global health crisis once the pandemic is over?
5 May 2020: Overview of the COVID-19 situation in Gavi-supported countries and Gavi’s response
Sixty-nine (out of 73) Gavi-eligible countries have reported 123,129 confirmed cases and 3,941 deaths, five more countries than the 64 announced last week. These countries account for about 3% of global COVID-19 cases and deaths.
How can the technology in our pockets track COVID-19?
Tracking who is infected is essential to controlling the transmission of contagious diseases. Could digital technology prove to be a game-changer for the current pandemic?
10 infectious diseases that could be the next pandemic
Because of vaccination, many deadly diseases are now preventable. But we still lack vaccines for other potentially lethal diseases that could spread to become pandemics like COVID-19. Here is a list of 10 diseases to watch.
COVID-19: Diagnostic testing uses, types and challenges
Even when a COVID-19 vaccine is available, testing can help pinpoint populations who should be prioritised for immunisation.
Five ways coronavirus could impact the future of global health
For the global health community, the implications resulting from COVID-19 could be immense.
What is an Advance Market Commitment and how could it help beat COVID-19?
How we can ensure that once a COVID-19 vaccine is available, it is accessible to everyone that needs it.
28 April 2020: Overview of the COVID-19 situation in Gavi-supported countries and Gavi’s response
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a heavy burden on global economies, health care systems and other core sectors. Gavi is helping countries reallocate their health system strengthening grants to provide fast and flexible funding for vital…
Keeping routine immunisation going during COVID-19 in Indonesia
Q&A with Dr Vertando Halim, Coordinator of Expanded Programme on Immunization, Jakarta, Indonesia
When is it safe to lift COVID-19 lockdown?
With so many lives and livelihoods at stake, when will the lockdowns end, and what will they look like across the world?
A COVID-19 vaccine might be ready within 18 months. But what happens then?
The world is currently on pause, buying time while an effective vaccine against COVID-19 is developed. Already, several vaccines have entered human trials, and discussions have begun about how the most promising candidates might be manufactured…
Gavi’s role in the COVID-19 response in supported countries
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a heavy burden on global economies, healthcare systems and other core sectors. Gavi is helping countries reallocate their health system strengthening grants to provide fast and flexible funding for vital resources…
Lessons in preparing to distribute COVID-19 vaccine
How the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic can help us be better prepared for distributing and administering potential COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 threatens weak health systems in indigenous Amazonian communities
Indigenous groups face unique health challenges. How do we mitigate these risks in our COVID response?
Will wearing a mask protect me from COVID-19?
How exactly is the COVID-19 virus spread and will a mask protect me?
Why a gender lens is needed for the COVID-19 response
The immediate and long-term consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are disproportionately impacting the lives of women and girls, and the most marginalised.
Can routine immunisation be carried out safely during COVID-19 pandemic?
How does the benefit of stopping the spread of coronavirus weigh up against the risks from diseases such as measles?
Informal workers at risk from both COVID-19 and lockdown measures
With COVID-19 spreading in low- and middle-income countries, governments have been imposing strict lockdowns that could pose an even greater threat than the virus itself.
COVID-19 lessons from a frontline health worker
Interview with Emmanuel Lansana, outpatient supervisor at Monrovia’s Redemption Hospital in Liberia, about lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak that can help tackle COVID-19.
How Africa has developed its scientific research capabilities
Africa is better prepared now to perform research in emerging infections than during the Ebola epidemics in West Africa.
Should we wear masks against COVID-19?
Will new evidence suggesting that the virus is airborne mean we all need to wear masks?
When is COVID-19 most contagious and why is self-isolation so important?
Although there are guidelines on how long people should self-isolate when infected, the data on how long people remain contagious is not yet fully understood.
Coronavirus risks creating a lethal vaccine gap
Could the impact of COVID-19 on routine immunisation be an even bigger threat in low-income countries than the virus itself?
Why human impact on the environment is leading to infections like COVID-19
As we continue to encroach on the environment and erode natural habitats, the likelihood of other diseases like COVID-19 emerging to devastate the planet are high.
What kind of tests are there for COVID-19?
Large-scale testing for COVID-19 could help solve some of the mysteries surrounding the virus that are still puzzling scientists.
Modelling suggests suppression strategy will save more lives from COVID-19 in poor countries
Imperial model of the spread of COVID-19 implies a suppression strategy could be most effective.
What is COVID-19 and how is it spread?
With nearly 550,000 people infected, almost 25,000 dead, and hundreds of millions in lockdown across the globe, the coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. But what do we know about COVID-19 and what can we do to fight this…
The idea of herd immunity as the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered heated debate, but what is herd immunity and how does it work?
How do we stop the spread of a pandemic in a slum?
Over 1 billion lives are at risk if COVID-19 sweeps through crowded slums. How can we prepare?
Why is coronavirus lockdown necessary?
With an increasing number of countries around the globe going into lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people forced to stay home may be wondering why these measures are necessary, how long they will need to go on for and what it will…
What is Gavi’s role in stopping the COVID-19 pandemic?
On the most recent issue of The Bio Report podcast, Gavi's Aurélia Nguyen discusses COVID-19 vaccine development, the role of the Vaccine Alliance in stopping the pandemic, and shares lessons learned from the 2014 Ebola outbreak that may prove…
When a COVID-19 vaccine is available, how will we pay for it?
When a COVID-19 vaccine is available, how will we pay for it?
Research summary: How do you beat the COVID-19 pandemic in the absence of a drug or vaccine?
If COVID-19 epidemics are not controlled, 510,000 people could die in the UK and 2.2 million in the USA.
With zero cases of COVID-19 in Mozambique so far, Dr Rosa Marlene, National Director of Public Health of Mozambique, discusses a potential impact that a pandemic of this magnitude could have on the country’s health system.
What not to touch: how to avoid contact with the new coronavirus
We touch countless objects every day, from house keys to our mobile phones. The virus that causes COVID-19 can last for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours in the air (in the form of aerosol droplets) before drifting down onto surfaces,…
How clinical vaccine trials are speeding up in a pandemic
Clinical trials for vaccines can take 10-15 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, which is why pharmaceutical companies can be reluctant to start down that challenging road without a definite pay-off at the end. As the COVID-19 pandemic…
How might COVID-19 play out in Africa?
Africa marks a critical juncture for the coronavirus pandemic.
From travel restrictions to social distancing, what is the best way to stop a pandemic?
What is an emergency vaccine stockpile and how can they prevent pandemics?
We don’t yet know how the COVID-19 pandemic will progress and how long it will take for a vaccine to be developed, but the knowledge and experience gained from past outbreaks can be applied to the global response to coronavirus.
Will coronavirus herald a new era in vaccine innovation?
A vaccine against the novel coronavirus is under urgent development as the number of people infected with COVID-19 increases, a process which could also result in a new range of highly innovative vaccine technologies that ushers in a new era in…
COVAX data brief
Regular snapshot of latest information on key COVAX data points, including shipments, donations, coverage, administration, absorption and delivery support.
Explore COVAX
Managing the end-to-end coordination of COVAX, ensuring pooled procurement and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world.
The Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) ensured access to COVID-19 vaccines and support for lower-income countries.
COVAX in humanitarian settings
Addressing the most unpredictable and hard-to-fill gaps in access.
Last updated: 21 Dec 2023