The program will focus on the discussion of protective immunity, vaccine effectivity, the impact of vaccine variants, and the global rollout of vaccination campaigns, all based on the latest scientific data. We hope to promote understanding and stimulate further discussion and research among virologists, infection diseases specialists, the community, and policymakers. This will be done in the truly global context of the COVID-19 pandemic, considering regional differences in access to medications, health system capacity, and public measures.
Registration for the workshop is now open. Make sure to sign up before 28 April to benefit from the Early Fee.
Scholarships and registration waivers are available for young professionals and/or academia from resource-limited settings.
Visit our website for more information on registration fees - https://academicmedicaleducation.com/covid-19-vaccine-development-implementation-2021/june-edition?tab=2&utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email
We are pleased to feature Dr. Catherine Hankins, the Scientific Chair of the INTEREST Conferences from 2014-2020, in the Online Meeting Highlights edition on HIV in Africa. Dr. Hankins draws from her rich expertise and summarizes how prevention remains an important pillar in bringing the HIV epidemic to an end in Sub-Saharan Africa, and what steps need to be taken in the coming years.
Ending AIDS as a Public Health Threat
The ambitious target of having achieved viral suppression in 73% of all people living with HIV by 2020, as set by the United Nations General Assembly in the Sustainable Development goals, has not yet been reached though a progressive increase can be observed globally. In Sub-Saharan Africa, gender and regional inequity remains with respect to prevalence, testing, mortality, and new infections.
Key Scientific Advances in HIV Prevention
Looking into the HIV treatment and prevention toolkit, data from recent and ongoing clinical trials show promising results for vaginal rings, oral PrEP, long-acting injectables, monoclonal antibodies, and preventive HIV vaccines.
What Is Needed Now
To bend the epidemic's trajectory further in Africa, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV treatment and prevention services have to be addressed, as well as stigma which is an important impediment to rolling out programs and for people to come forward and participate. Finally, learn what is necessary to initiate comprehensive prevention programs that address the social determinants of HIV risk.
For more information on the module visit - https://academicmedicaleducation.com/online-meeting-highlights/2020-12?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OMH2403&utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email
Read moreA critical aspect of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in many African countries is whether there are districts or regions that are either entirely un-administered by the authorities or are under-administered, for a variety of reasons. Regions that fall entirely outside the ambit of governments’ abilities to respond to the virus largely embrace those that fall under the control of separatist groups or rebels. Regions that are under-serviced fall into three, sometimes interlinked, categories:
1. those which are difficult to reach because of their remoteness or arid/rugged terrain;
2. poor rural areas which under-resourced governments battle to serve, even under normal conditions; and
3. those from which state services including healthcare are deliberately withheld or restricted because their populations are viewed as hostile to the central state.
The lack of access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by millions of Africans as a result of living in ungoverned, under-serviced, rebel-controlled, or poorly-supported alternatively-administered regions raises a unique set of problems for governments, donor agencies, and healthcare professionals combating the novel Coronavirus. Accountability International believes that the sheer scale and persistence of this problem has caused many decision-makers at country and international levels to turn a blind eye to it – with the unfortunate result being the avoidance of the duty of care in this troublesome third of the continent. However, under numerous human rights, humanitarian, and healthcare conventions to which Africa’s governments are signatory – and to which alternate administrations and some though far from all rebel groups claim adherence – the people living in these zones deserve equitable access to universal healthcare including adequate COVID-19 testing, treatment, and care.
Date and Time:
Thursday 1st April 2021
11AM (East African Time)
10AM (Central African Time)
9AM (West African Time)
To register please email rsvp@accountability.international
The UKCDR and ESSENCE launched a new resource hub to support equity in research partnerships - https://www.ukcdr.org.uk/news-article/equitable-partnerships-resource-hub-launch/.
This hub brings together guidance, tools and principles on equitable partnerships from across the world, including the TRUST consortium and COHRED.
The aim is to support all those involved in the research process (research funders, researchers, research managers) to develop or embed policies and practices which support equity in international research partnerships – with a focus on research partnerships between those in the Global North and Global South.
To view the tools please visit: https://www.ukcdr.org.uk/guidance/equitable-partnerships-hub/