UN says 14 million children did not receive a single vaccine last year
In their annual global vaccine coverage estimate, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF revealed that approximately 89 per cent of children under one year old received a first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTP) vaccine in 2024, mirroring 2023 levels. While 85 per cent completed the three-dose series, a slight increase from 84 per cent in 2023, officials cautioned that a collapse in international aid this year threatens to reverse progress.
This setback follows a series of significant policy shifts by the United States. In January, US President Trump withdrew the country from the WHO, froze nearly all humanitarian aid, and later moved to close the US AID Agency. Last month, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the US was pulling billions of dollars previously pledged to Gavi, the vaccines alliance, claiming the group had "ignored the science." Mr Kennedy, a longtime vaccine sceptic, has previously questioned the DTP vaccine, despite its proven safety and effectiveness through years of study and real-world use.
"Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. UN experts highlighted that vaccine access remains "deeply unequal," with conflict and humanitarian crises quickly unravelling progress. Sudan reported the lowest DTP coverage. The nine countries accounting for 52 per cent of all unvaccinated children are Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola.
While global measles vaccine coverage saw a slight rise, with 76 per cent of children receiving both doses, experts stress that 95 per cent coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks of the highly contagious disease. The WHO noted that 60 countries reported major measles outbreaks last year. The US is currently experiencing its worst measles outbreak in over three decades, while Europe has seen a surge, with 125,000 cases in 2024 – double the previous year.
In the UK, authorities last week reported the death of a child from measles in a Liverpool hospital. Despite years of awareness campaigns, only about 84 per cent of children in the UK are protected. Helen Bradford, a professor of children's health at University College London, stated: "It is hugely concerning, but not at all surprising, that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles. The only way to stop measles spreading is with vaccination. It is never too late to be vaccinated — even as an adult." Vaccines prevent an estimated 3.5 million to 5 million deaths annually.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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The Independent
7 minutes ago
- The Independent
Will RFK Jr.'s push for psychedelic therapy help or hamper the emerging field?
For decades, proponents of psychedelic drugs have come to Washington with a provocative message: Illegal, mind-altering substances like LSD and ecstasy should be approved for Americans grappling with depression, trauma and other hard-to-treat conditions. A presidential administration finally seems to agree. 'This line of therapeutics has tremendous advantage if given in a clinical setting and we are working very hard to make sure that happens within 12 months,' Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently told members of Congress. His suggested timeline for green-lighting psychedelic therapy surprised even the most bullish supporters of the drugs. And it comes as psychedelics are making inroads in deep red states like Texas, where former Trump cabinet secretary and ex-governor Rick Perry has thrown his full support behind the effort. The administration's embrace of psychedelics has sparked both excitement as well as concern from those in the field, who worry the drugs might be discredited if they appear to be rushed onto the market or are too closely linked with Kennedy, who is known for controversial views on vaccines, antidepressants and fluoride. 'I'm quite optimistic,' says Rick Doblin, whose organization has pursed the medical use of MDMA (or ecstasy) since the 1980s. 'But I'm also worried that the message the public might get is 'Well, RFK likes psychedelics and now it's approved.'' FDA may reconsider MDMA Under President Joe Biden, the FDA rejected MDMA as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, citing flawed data and questionable research. Regulators called for a new study, likely taking several years. It was a major setback for Doblin and other advocates hoping to see the first U.S. approval of a psychedelic for medical use. But the agency appears ready to reconsider. FDA chief Marty Makary, who reports to Kennedy, has called the evaluation of MDMA and other psychedelics 'a top priority,' announcing a slate of initiatives that could be used to accelerate their approval. One new program promises to expedite drugs that serve 'the health interests of Americans,' by slashing their review time from six months or more to as little as one month. Makary has also suggested greater flexibility on requirements for certain drugs, potentially waiving rigorous controlled studies that compare patients to a placebo group. That approach, considered essential for high-quality research, has long been a stumbling point for psychedelic studies, in which patients can almost always correctly guess whether they've received the drug or a dummy pill. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and FDA also recently hired several new staffers with ties to the psychedelic movement. 'These are all very promising signs that the administration is aware of the potential of psychedelics and is trying to make overtures that they're ready to approve them,' said Greg Ferenstein, a fellow at the libertarian Reason Foundation, who also consults for psychedelic companies. 'We didn't hear anything about that in the Biden administration' A spokesperson for HHS did not respond to a request for comment. As a presidential candidate, Kennedy discussed how his son and several close friends benefited from using psychedelics to deal with grief and other issues. A number of veterans lobbying for psychedelic access have already met with Trump's Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins. 'What we're seeing so far is positive,' Collins told House lawmakers in May. But some experts worry the hope and hype surrounding psychedelics has gotten ahead of the science. Philip Corlett, a psychiatric researcher at Yale University, says bypassing rigorous clinical trials could set back the field and jeopardize patients. "If RFK and the new administration are serious about this work, there are things they could do to shepherd it into reality by meeting the benchmarks of medical science," Corlett said. 'I just don't think that's going to happen.' Texas goes all-in on ibogaine research As officials in Washington weigh the future of psychedelics, some states are moving ahead with their own projects in hopes of nudging the federal government. Oregon and Colorado have legalized psychedelic therapy. And last month, Texas approved $50 million to study ibogaine, a potent psychedelic made from a shrub that's native to West Africa, as a treatment for opioid addiction, PTSD and other conditions. The research grant — the largest of its kind by any government — passed with support from the state's former GOP governor, Perry, and combat veterans, some who have traveled to clinics in Mexico that offer ibogaine. Ibogaine is on the U.S. government's ultra-restrictive list of illegal, Schedule 1 drugs, which also includes heroin. So advocates in Texas are hoping to build a national movement to ease restrictions on researching its use. 'Governmental systems move slowly and inefficiently,' said Bryan Hubbard of Americans for Ibogaine, a group formed with Perry. 'Sometimes you find yourself constrained in terms of the progress you can make from within.' Ibogaine is unique among psychedelics in both its purported benefits and risks. Small studies and anecdotal reports suggest the drug may be able to dramatically ease addiction and trauma. It was sold for medical use in France for several decades starting in the 1930s, but the drug can also cause dangerous irregular heart rhythms, which can be fatal if left untreated. Some veterans who have taken the drug say the risks can be managed and ibogaine's healing properties go far beyond antidepressants, mood stabilizers, counseling and other standard treatments. Marcus Capone struggled with anger, insomnia and mood swings after 13 years as a Navy Seal. In 2017, at the urging of his wife Amber, he agreed to try ibogaine as a last resort. He described his first ibogaine session as 'a complete purge of everything.' 'But afterward I felt the weight just completely off my shoulders,' he said. 'No more anxiety, no more depression, life made sense all of a sudden.' A nonprofit founded by the Capones, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, or VETS, has helped over 1,000 veterans travel abroad to receive ibogaine and other psychedelics. But federal scientists have looked at the drug before — three decades ago, when the National Institute on Drug Abuse funded preliminary studies on using it as an addiction treatment. The research was discontinued after it identified 'cardiovascular toxicity." 'It would be dead in the water,' in terms of winning FDA approval, longtime NIDA director Nora Volkow said. But Volkow said her agency remains interested in psychedelics, including ibogaine, and is funding an American drugmaker that's working to develop a safer, synthetic version of the drug. 'I am very intrigued by their pharmacological properties and how they are influencing the brain,' Volkow said. 'But you also have to be very mindful not to fall into the hype and to be objective and rigorous in evaluating them.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Independent
37 minutes ago
- The Independent
2026 World Cup's contingency plans for wildfire smoke risks remain unclear
The 2026 World Cup being hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States is less than a year away and FIFA 's protocols for matches affected by wildfire smoke remain unclear. The 48-team World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Canada is hosting 13 matches — seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. The day after Toronto's air quality was among the worst in the world, the organizing committee for the World Cup in Canada declined to reveal guidelines for postponement or air quality related contingencies with soccer's international governing body. No policies are posted publicly. The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or 'very high risk,' on Monday morning, dropping to a 'high risk' rating of 8 by late afternoon. This year's fire season, according to Canadian government data, is the second-largest on record. Canada's most destructive wildfire season was in 2023, with more than 6,000 fires burning 37 million acres (15 million hectares) of land, according to Natural Resources Canada. Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's associate medical officer of health, said in a statement that Toronto Public Health is actively reviewing the latest evidence and best practices for air-quality issues as the city prepares for the World Cup. 'TPH may provide guidance and recommendations on public health risks, including environmental health concerns such as extreme weather and wildfire smoke,' the statement read. 'This includes contingency planning to support the health and safety of residents, visitors, and participants during the tournament.' Outdoor activities on days when the Air Quality Health Index rises higher than 7 should be rescheduled, said Dr. Andrew Halayko, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba, to protect the most vulnerable, including people who are 65 or older, pregnant, young children and those with existing health conditions. But others say it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the air quality reaches a threshold where sporting events should be canceled. 'I personally think that we can't, based on good evidence, have general statements about what AQHI is unacceptable for a given event. Everything is contextual,' said Dr. Christopher Carlsten, the head of the respiratory medicine division at the University of British Columbia. That context includes the age of the general audience and the forecast of the air quality, and events should be judged on a case-by-case basis, he said. The impact of poor air quality on athletes is a subject of debate. Some experts think athletes can better handle poor air conditions because they are generally young and healthy, making them less likely to sustain long-term health impacts. Michael Brauer, a professor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine, said that studies show that even low levels of pollution impact cognitive ability — which not only affects performance but also increases the risk of injuries. 'Imagine two players going up for a pass at really high speeds, and if you make one tiny error, that could be a career-threatening injury,' he said. The Canadian Football League doesn't play games when the AQHI surpasses a threshold of seven, according to an agreement with the players. Those games are postponed. ___
Medical News Today
4 hours ago
- Medical News Today
Gabapentin users may face 85% higher cognitive impairment risk
Gabapentin is a medication that, in the United States, is approved to treat seizures and shingles-related neuralgia. It is also used off-label to treat other health issues, including low back pain. Past studies have also found that using gabapentin may increase a person's risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. A new study reports that people who receive six or more prescriptions of gabapentin for lower back pain are at a higher risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive found these risks were more than doubled in adults between the ages of 35 to 49 is a medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of some epileptic seizures, moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome, and postherpetic neuralgia, which is a nerve pain associated with shingles. Additionally, gabapentin is sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety disorders, insomnia, hot flashes, alcohol use disorder, akathisia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and lower back pain. Like all medications, gabapentin has some potential side effects, including dizziness, tiredness, water retention, and dry mouth. Past studies have also found that using gabapentin may cause breathing difficulties, and may increase a person's risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. Now, a new study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine reports that people who receive six or more prescriptions of gabapentin for lower back pain are at a higher risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Scientists also discovered these risks were more than doubled in adults between the ages of 35 to 49 How does it affect dementia, MCI risk?For this study, researchers analyzed data from more than 26,000 adults through the federated health research network selected participants who had a diagnosis of chronic pain, chronic pain syndrome, lumbar radiculopathy, and chronic low back pain. They also categorized study participants into different age groups: 18–64, 18–34, 35–49, 50–64, and 65 or older. Researchers assess 10-year outcomes on study participants to see what percentage developed dementia, generally, or specifically Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or MCI. 'Currently, there is a discrepancy on whether taking gabapentin increases a patient's risk for developing dementia,' Nafis B. Eghrari, a 4th-year medical student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH, and first author of this study, told Medical News Today.'Moreover, there lacks a strong understanding of how gabapentin impacts cognitive function and whether it contributes to neurodegenerative processes. Previous studies have shown mixed findings on this topic. Thus, we decided to explore this gap in the field,' explained Eghrari.6 or more gabapentin prescriptions linked to 85% higher MCI riskUpon analysis, researchers found that study participants who received six or more gabapentin prescriptions had a 29% higher risk of developing dementia, and an 85% greater chance of being diagnosed with MCI.'The significance of this finding is an association between gabapentin prescription and dementia on a nationwide level,' Eghrari explained. 'Though this does not imply causation, this warrants further investigation on the drug's long-term effects.''In terms of clinical significance, I recommend that physicians prescribing gabapentin for chronic pain perform cognitive exams on a regular basis when seeing patients,' he continued.'I'd also advise patients who are taking this drug to alert their physician if they notice any cognitive deficits, including confusion, poor memory, or slowed thinking,' said the doubled in 35–49-year-oldsEghrari and his team also discovered that when looking at participants by age groups, the risks for dementia more than doubled and more than tripled for MCI in people who were 35 to 49 years old. 'We were surprised to find this relatively higher risk in the non-elderly population,' Eghrari said.'These results indicate that gabapentin may have a greater cognitive impact on non-elderly individuals, as elderly individuals are already at risk for neurodegeneration due to their older age. This finding warrants further investigation into the underlying mechanism of how gabapentin may impact cognition.' – Nafis B. Eghrari'The key takeaway of this study is that patients prescribed gabapentin for chronic back pain should be closely monitored by their physician for cognitive decline,' he continued. 'Moreover, gabapentin should be prescribed with caution due to the associated risk of dementia/cognitive impairment.''We hope to carry this research forward and explore whether there is a true causative relationship between gabapentin and cognitive impairment,' Eghrari added. 'We also plan to investigate the underlying mechanisms of how the drug may impact cognition.'What are the drawbacks of large dataset studies?MNT had the opportunity to speak with Neel Anand, MD, MCh Orth, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon and director of the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles, about this study. Anand, who was not involved in the research, commented that there are pros and cons to studies with big data sets as there are many variables and it is hard to determine the true causative little or no information was provided on any other illnesses participants may have had or other medications they were taking.'The best thing I would take from the study is […] [that] there's not a single drug without a side effect — they all have some issues,' Anand pointed out. 'So the answer is, if you're chronically going to take something, you better watch out — something's [potentially] going to go wrong somewhere.'Anand said the best way to prove anything is to take a cohort of study participants who take a specific medication and nothing else, and compare them to another cohort who does not take the medication. And researchers need to ensure that participants take the medication if it is prescribed to noted that, in some cases, patients do not follow the doctor's indications regarding prescription medication. 'Sometimes they do more, sometimes they'll take less,' Anand said. 'The only way to actually study [the real-life effects of long-term drug use] would be to literally take a thousand people and give them gabapentin and nothing else, and a thousand you don't, and then follow them over 5 years or more,' he he admitted that 'at least we can be cognizant' that there may be a heightened risk of dementia with prolonged gabapentin is 'a possibility that [doctors] needs to be aware [of] or at least counsel our patients [on] — that's fair,' Anand added.
