Guidance on Developing a National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines

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This book, and its accompanying orientation course is intended to support national and sub-national focal points in preparing for COVID-19 vaccination. It provides an overview of key aspects of the guidance on developing a national deployment and vaccination plan for COVID-19 vaccines and highlights available and upcoming resources for COVID-19 vaccine introduction.

Source: Guidance on Developing a National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines

    Views 641

    COVID-19 and Homelessness: When Crises Intersect

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    In this study the authors present the findings of a large-scale serosurvey of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among people experiencing homelessness and precarious housing in the greater Paris region. More than half of those sampled had SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies, reflecting a substantially higher burden of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection than that seen in the general population.

    Source: COVID-19 and Homelessness: When Crises Intersect

      Views 535

      COVID-19, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition – What Does the Science Tell Us?

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      This resource tool is compiled by the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health and provides an overview of what peer-reviewed journal articles currently state on COVID-19, maternal and child health (including infants), and nutrition.

      As the pandemic is ongoing more and more research results are published.

      Source: COVID-19, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition – What Does the Science Tell Us?

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        Combating Vaccine Hesitancy in Developing Countries

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        Recently, there has been an increase in vaccine hesitancy in low and middle income countries (LMICs) due to safety concerns and long-term effects. With this skepticism, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that were once thought mostly eradicated such as measles, pertussis and diphtheria, have increased in frequency around the world.

        The author cites various reasons for this situation, and offers some advice as how to combat vaccine hesitancy in LMICs.

        Source: Combating Vaccine Hesitancy in Developing Countries

          Views 710

          Early Estimates of the COVID-19 Impact on Maternal and Child Health

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          While the COVID-19 pandemic will increase mortality due to the virus, it is also likely to increase mortality indirectly. In this study, the authors estimate the additional maternal and under-5 child deaths resulting from the potential disruption of health systems and decreased access to food.

          The results of the study show that if routine health care is disrupted and access to food is decreased (as a result of unavoidable shocks, health system collapse, or intentional choices made in responding to the pandemic), the increase in child and maternal deaths will be devastating. The authors hope these numbers add context as policy makers establish guidelines and allocate resources in the days and months to come.

          Source: Early Estimates of the COVID-19 Impact on Maternal and Child Health

            Views 554

            Key Guidelines in Developing a Pre-Emptive COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Promotion Strategy

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            This paper makes the case for immediate planning for a COVID-19 vaccination uptake strategy in advance of vaccine availability for two reasons: first, the need to build a consensus about the order in which groups of the population will get access to the vaccine; second, to reduce any fear and concerns that exist in relation to vaccination and to create demand for vaccines. A key part of this strategy is to counter the anti-vaccination movement that is already promoting hesitancy and resistance.

            This paper aims to set out in short form critical guidelines that governments and regional bodies should take to enhance the impact of a COVID-19 vaccination strategy. We base our recommendations on a review of existing best practice guidance. This paper aims to assist those responsible for promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake to digest the mass of guidance that exists and formulate an effective locally relevant strategy.

            A summary of key guidelines is presented based on best practice guidance.

            Source: Key Guidelines in Developing a Pre-Emptive COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Promotion Strategy

              Views 737

              Maternal, Newborn, and Reproductive Health and COVID-19: Adaptations, Successes, Challenges, and Next Steps. An Expert Consultation

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              This report presents key findings and recommendations from a series of four discussion-based expert consultation workshops. These consultations—organized by the READY initiative and the Inter Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in crises (IAWG)—brought Maternal, Newborn, and Reproductive Health and infectious disease stakeholders together to review MNRH in the preparedness/outbreak response context and identify priorities for the ongoing pandemic.

              This report compiles and shares participants’ experiences and lessons learned, and identifies challenges and gaps in implementing humanitarian MNRH services in COVID-19 across the world. The recommendations developed from these consultations are intended to support MNRH services and actors to improve access and quality of care to vulnerable populations in future waves of COVID-19 and in future outbreaks.

              Source: Maternal, Newborn, and Reproductive Health and COVID-19: Adaptations, Successes, Challenges, and Next Steps. An Expert Consultation

                Views 520

                New WHO Campaign to Help COVID-era Quitters Kick the Habit

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                The UN World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, announced the start of a year-long global campaign to help people quit tobacco, with millions citing the threat of COVID-19 as a new incentive to give up the habit.

                Source: New WHO Campaign to Help COVID-era Quitters Kick the Habit

                  Views 659

                  We Know How to Curb the Pandemic. How Do We Make People Listen?

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                  A recent report by researchers from Northeastern University and elsewhere found that the number of Americans heeding most recommendations has dropped steadily since April. (Mask-wearing, which has increased, was an exception.)

                  This article relates several instances of intended audiences practicing appropriate behavior when they believe others are doing the same thing, i.e., adhering to social norms. What one believes others are doing influences our actions, but so does what we imagine they view as acceptable.

                  Source: We Know How to Curb the Pandemic. How Do We Make People Listen?

                    Views 622