In this section of the newsletter, we provide excerpts of and links to relevant and topical studies, opinion pieces, blogs, and other articles published on leading scientific platforms on health systems, medicine, and allied social sectors, and reputed media platforms.
COV-BOOST: evidence to support rapid booster deployment
Comment article published December 18, 2021 in The Lancet
With growing evidence that the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time and the recent emergence of the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, some countries are rapidly deploying vaccine boosters. The article looks at the outcomes of the COV-BOOST trial that was conducted across 2800+ participants in UK to study the impact of booster shots. The study provides strong evidence that vaccine boosters are immunogenic and safe, among healthy adult participants older than 30 years.
Omicron in South Africa: The Latest News
Interview published December 20, 2021 in The JH Bloomberg School of Public Health Blog
In this interview, Josh Sharfstein, MD, talks with HIV researcher Glenda Gray, MBBCH, president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, and epidemiologist Chris Beyrer, MD, Desmond M. Tutu Professor of Public Health and Human Rights, about how omicron was discovered, what we know about it now, and what it means for South Africa and the world. They also discuss the importance of protecting people who are immunocompromised—including those with HIV—to help get the pandemic under control.
Sustainability at the crossroads
Editorial published December 21, 2021 in Nature
The article looks back at 2021 through the lens of the progress achieved by the world in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. 2021 has been a year of multiple crises. With the second consecutive year into the COVID-19 pandemic, progress is slow on working towards challenges of climate change, protecting biodiversity and ending hunger — parts of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations’ flagship plan to end poverty and promote a healthier planet by 2030.