| No images? Click here  Saturday, 31 August 2024 Joint News Release Please find below a joint UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi and WHO news release.UNICEF issues emergency tender to secure mpox vaccines for crisis-hit countries in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi and WHONEW YORK/COPENHAGEN, 31 August 2024 – UNICEF today announced that it has issued an emergency tender for the procurement of mpox vaccines. Vaccines can play a critical role in containing the mpox outbreak which was declared a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The UNICEF tender is issued to help secure mpox vaccines for the hardest hit countries in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, the Pan American Health Organization and other partners. This collaboration to increase access and timely allocation also includes working together to facilitate donations of vaccines from existing stockpiles in high-income countries with the aim of containing the ongoing transmission of mpox. Under the emergency tender, UNICEF will set up conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers. This will enable UNICEF to purchase and ship vaccines without delay once countries and partners have secured financing, confirmed demand and readiness, and the regulatory requirements for accepting the vaccines are in place. WHO is currently reviewing the information submitted by manufacturers on 23 August and is expected to complete its review for Emergency Use Listing by mid-September. More than 18,000 suspected cases of mpox, including 629 deaths, have been reported this year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is at the epicentre of the crisis. Four out of five deaths have been in children. “Addressing the current mpox vaccine shortage and delivering vaccines to communities who need them now is of paramount importance. There is also a pressing need for a universal and transparent allocation mechanism to ensure equitable access to mpox vaccines,” said Director of UNICEF Supply Division Leila Pakkala. “As we confront the ongoing Mpox outbreak, the timely procurement and distribution of vaccines is crucial to protecting the most vulnerable populations, particularly in the hardest-hit regions. This emergency tender is a critical step forward in our collective effort to control the spread of this disease. Africa CDC is committed to ensuring that vaccines are allocated swiftly and equitably across the continent, in partnership with UNICEF, Gavi, WHO, and other key stakeholders. Our unified response is essential to curbing the impact of this public health emergency and safeguarding the health and well-being of our communities,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “With several partners working on securing access to supply, today’s announcement represents an important step in this emergency, enabling UNICEF to purchase and deliver vaccines after Gavi and other partners make funding available and sign purchase or donation agreements with manufacturers for the most immediate dose needs,” said Dr Derrick Sim, interim Chief Vaccine Programmes and Markets Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “Securing access to supply and financing, delivering doses, and in parallel ensuring countries are ready to administer them, are all vital actions that need to be conducted rapidly but thoroughly, and in a coordinated manner. We welcome this tender as another positive step our Alliance and Africa CDC are taking in this response.” “A swift, coordinated, and equitable response is critical to controlling the current mpox emergency and preventing future ones,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO incident manager for the global mpox response and acting Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention. “All of us must act decisively now or risk allowing mpox to spread further and become an even greater global threat. In an interconnected world, the fight against mpox – as with other infectious diseases and health threats -- cannot be waged alone., WHO is glad to partner with UNICEF, Gavi, Africa CDC, other partners and affected countries to get life-saving tools to people in need.” The emergency tender is designed to secure immediate access to available mpox vaccines as well as to expand production. Depending on demand, production capacity of manufacturers and funding, agreements for up to 12 million doses through 2025 can be put in place. Vaccines are one of several tools used to interrupt transmission and to protect children and communities against mpox. Africa CDC, Gavi, UNICEF, WHO, and partners are also prioritizing infection prevention and control, and risk communication and community engagement. As part of this, UNICEF is deploying personal protection equipment, diagnostic tests, medical treatment kits, hygiene supplies and tents to countries at the forefront of the crisis. These supplies support a host of medical countermeasures such as treatment, case isolation and surveillance. UNICEF is the world’s largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of vaccines annually for routine child immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. ##### About UNICEFUNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube About Africa CDCThe Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a continental autonomous public health agency of the African Union that supports member states in efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, and prevention and control of diseases. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org About Gavi, the Vaccine AllianceGavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. View the full list of donor governments and other leading organisations that fund Gavi’s work here. Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunise a whole generation – over 1 billion children – and prevented more than 17.3 million future deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 78 lower-income countries. Gavi also plays a key role in improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as funding global stockpiles for Ebola, cholera, meningococcal and yellow fever vaccines. After two decades of progress, Gavi is now focused on protecting the next generation, above all the zero-dose children who have not received even a single vaccine shot. The Vaccine Alliance employs innovative finance and the latest technology – from drones to biometrics – to save lives, prevent outbreaks before they can spread and help countries on the road to self-sufficiency. Learn more at www.gavi.org and connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter). About WHODedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int Additional links on mpox: Mpox situation reports can be found in the following link: WHO - Emergency situation reports The latest situation report published provides details on the latest epidemiological trends, including an update on the geographic expansion of mpox in the WHO African Region from July – August 2024. 2022-24 Mpox (Monkeypox) Outbreak - Global Trend: https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpx_global/ Weekly Epidemiological Record: Mpox global strategic preparedness and response plan (who.int) Information to media : Media need to register once to access photos for media in the WHO photo library. Once the registration is approved, log in to download images. New users can register here: https://photos.hq.who.int/join WHO headquarters photo library - Gallery - Mpox (for media) Media contactsJoe English UNICEF New York Tel: +1 917 893 0692 Email: jenglish@unicef.org Jenny Gamming Communication Manager UNICEF Supply Division Tel: +45 30 787 661 Email: jgamming@unicef.org WHO media contact: mediainquiries@who.int
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Saturday, August 31, 2024
Joint news release: UNICEF issues emergency tender to secure mpox vaccines for crisis-hit countries in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi and WHO
Friday, August 30, 2024
WHO | Week Ahead for media - 30 August 2024
| No images? Click here  Friday, 30 August 2024 | Issue 269  OIS/Simon Bruty  28 August – 9 September 2024 Equipped for equity: WHO-IPC Paris 2024 Paralympic Games campaign The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are joining forces to highlight the transformative impact of assistive technology on sports during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The "Equipped for equity" campaign advocates for global action to break down barriers to access to assistive technology, like wheelchairs, prosthetics, and hearing aids.  2-4 September The 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2024) The 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2024) will be held between 2-4 September 2024. Safety 2024 global event will focus worldwide attention on safety and injury prevention. This will gather international experts in the field with a united goal of “Building a safer future for all: Equitable and sustainable strategies for injury and violence prevention”.  Tuesday, 3 September Launch of new Guidance on Wastewater and Solid Waste Management from Antibiotic Manufacturing Pollution from antibiotic manufacturing is a significant yet underregulated contributor to antibiotic resistance, risking the effectiveness of life-saving medicines. WHO is releasing guidance that offers a scientific framework for setting targets and implementing best practices across sectors. A launch webinar will take place on 4 September, at 15.30 CEST.  Wednesday, 4 September WHO celebrates International Day for Clean Air with activities to protect public health To coincide with the 5th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, and ahead of the second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, March 2025, Cartagena, WHO will release a series of science and policy snapshots to provide a comprehensive overview of crucial information related to exposure and health impacts of air pollution, its linkages with climate change, and policy actions to address these health effects. WHO reaffirms its commitment to combatting air pollution, a major risk to public health worldwide. The science and policy snapshots will be available starting 4 September at 9:00 AM CEST (Geneva time).  Wednesday, 4 SeptemberConsultation with health community on the COP29 Special Report on Climate Change and HealthWHO is committed to deliver to the Azerbaijan Presidency of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) a Special Report on Climate Change and Health, prepared in consultation with the global health community. The COP29 Special Report on Climate Change and Health will propose a set of priority actions from the global health community to governments and policymakers, calling for urgent response to the current climate and health crises. These priority actions will be accompanied by resources and case studies to guide policymakers and practitioners in implementing the suggested solutions, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health and equity in the international climate movement and sustainable development agenda.   Information on mpox Mpox situation reports can be found in the following link: WHO - Emergency situation reports The latest situation report published provides details on the latest epidemiological trends, including an update on the geographic expansion of mpox in the WHO African Region from July – August 2024. 2022-24 Mpox (Monkeypox) Outbreak - Global Trend: https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpx_global/ Weekly Epidemiological Record: Mpox global strategic preparedness and response plan (who.int) Information to media : Media need to register once to access photos for media in the WHO photo library. Once the registration is approved, log in to download images. New users can register here: https://photos.hq.who.int/join WHO events here Sign up for our newsletters here Check out the WHO series, Science in 5 Access WHO photos available for media use here  WHO media contacts:  You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list. |
Post-presser links: Media briefing held on 30 August 2024
| No images? Click here  Friday, 30 August 2024 Post-presser links Media briefing held on 30 August 2024 WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 30 August 2024 Good morning, good afternoon and good evening, First, an update on the mpox outbreaks in Africa. More than 18 000 suspected cases of mpox have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo so far this year, with 629 deaths. That includes more than 5000 cases and 31 deaths from the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, where the new clade 1b strain has been spreading. The number of reported cases of clade 1b has been rising rapidly for several weeks. Fortunately, relatively few deaths have been reported in recent weeks. In addition, 258 cases of clade 1b have been confirmed in Burundi, 4 in Rwanda, 4 in Uganda, 2 in Kenya and 1 each in Sweden and Thailand. We also remain concerned about outbreaks of clade 1a in other parts of DRC. This morning I returned from DRC, where yesterday I had the honour to meet with His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi to discuss the outbreaks. I thanked the President for his leadership in the response to the outbreaks, demonstrated by the government’s commitment of US$ 10 to the response. I assured him of WHO’s full support, together with the Africa CDC and other partners. I also had the opportunity to meet with the United Nations Country Team, where we discussed coordination of the mpox response among UN agencies, under the government’s leadership. We discussed the critical importance of clear communication with people at risk of mpox, and strong engagement with communities and local partners. I also met with global and local health partners to discuss scaling up routine immunization for other diseases, including polio, measles and malaria, and mobilizing frontline polio workers to support the mpox response. WHO is working to accelerate access to, and delivery of, vaccines. The manufacturers of the two vaccines submitted their applications for emergency use listing last Friday, the 23rd of August, and we are working to review those applications as fast as possible. The safety and efficacy of vaccines are our highest priority. We will not take short cuts. The two main buyers of vaccines for low-income countries, Gavi and UNICEF, require WHO emergency use listing to buy vaccines for use in countries that have not issued their own national regulatory approval. Last week, I gave Gavi and UNICEF the green light to proceed with procuring vaccines, in parallel with the EUL process. However, WHO emergency use listing is not a barrier to vaccines being deployed in DRC. DRC’s medicines regulator approved both vaccines in June of this year, and the government has requested bilateral donations of vaccines from high-income countries with large stockpiles. Together with the Africa CDC, WHO has also helped to secure donations from the European Union and some of its Member States. WHO is working with the Africa CDC, GAVI, UNICEF, CEPI and HERA to set up a coordination mechanism to allocate the donated vaccines and increase access in affected countries. Yesterday, we also invited manufacturers of mpox diagnostics to submit an expression of interest for emergency use listing. Today we have received the first expression of interest. Over the past two days we have also convened a meeting of researchers to identify research priorities, and to foster a coordinated and collaborative approach to the development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. It’s vital to stress that although vaccines are a powerful tool, they are far from the only tool. There are many things that WHO and our partners are doing to prevent and diagnose infections and treat the sick. The outbreak of clade 1b mpox is occurring in one of the poorest and most insecure regions of DRC, complicating the response. Despite these challenges, hundreds of WHO personnel are on the ground in DRC and the other affected countries, working with our partners to stop transmission and bring these outbreaks under control. With the government’s leadership and close cooperation between partners, we believe we can stop these outbreaks in the next six months. But what this region of DRC needs more than anything else is a political solution to the long-running insecurity. === Now to Gaza. On Sunday, WHO and our partners will begin a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, in which we aim to reach more than 640 000 children under ten years of age. The campaign will involve two doses of vaccine, given in two rounds, four weeks apart. More than 1.2 million doses of vaccine have been delivered to Gaza, and 400 000 more doses will arrive soon. We have trained more than 2180 health workers and community outreach workers to provide vaccination and inform communities about the campaign. Our aim is to reach at least 90% vaccination coverage during each round of the campaign to stop the current outbreak and prevent the international spread of polio. The campaign will be delivered in a phased approach over three days in each round, starting with Central Gaza followed by South Gaza, and then North Gaza. I thank the Palestinian Ministry of Health, UNICEF and UNRWA and others for their partnership in this campaign. I welcome the commitment to humanitarian pauses in specific areas to allow the vaccination campaign to be carried out. Due to insecurity, damage to roads and infrastructure, and population movement and displacement, three days in each area is unlikely to be enough to achieve adequate coverage. Vaccination coverage will be monitored throughout the campaign, and it has been agreed that vaccination will be extended by one day wherever necessary. The vaccination teams must be protected and allowed to conduct the campaigns safely. We urge all parties to ensure their protection, and that of health facilities and children. Humanitarian pauses are welcome, but ultimately, the only solution to safeguard the health of the children of Gaza is a ceasefire. The best medicine is peace. === Now to Sudan, where fighting has now been continuing for 500 days. Hospitals are shutting down, and life-saving supplies are running out. Outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria and measles are taking lives and putting further pressure on the health system. WHO is particularly concerned about the situation in El Fasher and surrounding areas in North Darfur, with famine already reported from the Zamzam Camp. WHO has verified more than 100 attacks on health care since the conflict began. The recent attack on El Daein Hospital in East Darfur killed 16 civilians, including children and a nurse. The attack damaged the dialysis and gynecology departments, and stocks of lifesaving vaccines and other supplies. WHO is working with UNICEF and partners to support the Federal Ministry of Health as it responds to multiple health challenges. This includes rolling out essential vaccines to children and providing technical, operational and financial support to the cholera response. Prepositioned cholera and other essential medical supplies helped jump-start the response. WHO recently deployed 51 000 doses of oral cholera vaccines in Kassala State, which has a high number of cases. The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Allocation has approved a request for more than 450,000 doses to be sent to scale up the vaccination campaign in Kassala State. Last week, five trucks from WHO and partners delivered over 175 tonnes of health supplies. These supplies, including medicines, diagnostic materials and nutrition supplies, will be used by humanitarian partners to provide emergency health care, treat infectious diseases and help alleviate the threat of malnutrition. But much more is needed to stop diseases from spreading and avert famine in parts of the country. A ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access is the best way to stop the health crisis worsening. === Finally, earlier this week I was in Brazzaville for the annual Regional Committee Meeting of the WHO Regional Office for Africa. The committee nominated a new Regional Director, Dr Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile of Tanzania, to succeed Dr Tshidi Moeti, whose second term ends in January next year. I congratulate Dr Ndugulile on his nomination, and I thank Dr Moeti for her 10 years of leadership, dedication, vision and commitment to serving the people of Africa. The Regional Committee also hosted a pledging event for the WHO Investment Round, which aims to mobilize the sustainable funding we need to implement our work over the next four years. I have asked every Member State to contribute according to its means, and every partner. I am deeply grateful to the 14 African Member States and many partners who pledged more than 45 million US dollars to the Investment Round. Africa is leading by example. I call on other regions to follow. Fadéla, back to you. Audio files: Length: 1hr Download and listen: https://who.canto.global/b/SELVC Weblink: https://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/presser/WHO-AUDIO_Press_Conference_30AUG2024.mp3  Media contacts:  You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list.  |
