Relying on donor funding means that the funder ultimately determines the health priorities. This is one reason why many programmes in Africa focus on a single disease such as HIV.
Two public health nurses vaccinate adults at a polio clinic in Southey, Sask. in 1960.
(Canadian Nurses Association fonds. Library and Archives Canada)
At the height of polio and H1N1, Canadians were keen to get vaccinated, but vaccine enthusiasm waned once the crisis had passed — what does that mean for COVID-19?
Until the late 19th century, patenting medicines was considered by some as controversial and even unethical.
S. Vannini/De Agostini Editorial via Getty Images
The pharmaceutical industry overall has been deeply opposed to waiving COVID-19 vaccine patents, but a historian of the industry explains that drug companies once opposed patents altogether.
The federal government has announced COVID-19 vaccination will now become mandatory for aged-care workers. This comes amid a slow and troubled rollout in the sector.
With higher rates of vaccination, the current COVID outbreaks may have been more easily managed.
Teachers in Durban, South Africa. African countries should focus on getting people to wear masks and take other precautions against COVID-19.
Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images
National policies must incorporate good practices derived from lessons learnt so far to strengthen their health systems. Critical policy elements include preparedness and response.
By the time Australia is ready to deliver Novavax, we may well have completed most of the vaccine rollout with AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna. That doesn’t mean Novavax won’t play an important role.
While it’s potentially promising, there’s not enough information yet to determine if the vaccine is safe and effective.
A COVID-19 field hospital in Santo Andre, Brazil. The pandemic has killed over 503,000 people in Brazil; just 11% of the population is fully vaccinated.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
New Zealand’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 12-15 year olds will bring the number of people eligible for the jab to 85% of the population, raising the chance of reaching collective immunity.
John Hart, Murdoch Children's Research Institute e Fiona Russell, The University of Melbourne
China has administered more than one billion doses of its homegrown COVID-19 vaccines, the majority of which were developed by local companies Sinovac and Sinopharm. So what do we know about them?
Our brains cannot easily understand tiny risks so we tend to overestimate them. That’s when we need a little extra help to make the best decisions about our health.
It’s OK to wait longer than three weeks between Pfizer doses, and this may even provide stronger protection. But this must be weighed against the risk of contracting COVID in the meantime.
One of this and one of that might be a good strategy to coronavirus vaccination.
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Various companies use different ingredients and different delivery systems in their COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers are investigating whether it’s better for individuals to mix what’s available.
Paediatrician at the Royal Childrens Hospital and Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist, University of Melbourne and MCRI, Murdoch Children's Research Institute