Latest news with #GAVI
France 24
21 hours ago
- Health
- France 24
US signals 'powerful shift' in vaccine policy as RFK Jr fires experts
An advisory panel for US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has voted to rescind recommendations for the flu vaccine, The New York Times reports. Kennedy recently fired 17 experts on the advisory panel, replacing them with eight anti-vaxxers. On Thursday the panel voted to walk back vaccine recommendations for the common flu. The reason? A common (and false) argument of anti-vaxxers: that thimerosol, an ingredient in the flu vaccine is linked to autism. The Times says the decision signals a "powerful shift" in the way federal officials approach vaccines. It also delivers the first blows to a scientific process that has provided effective and tested vaccines to Americans for decades. It's important to note, as the Australian academic website The Conversation explains, that the preservative thimerosol is mercury-based and used in some drug products because it prevents contamination by killing microbes. However, it is hardly ever used in flu vaccines today. The website explains that the argument that vaccines cause autism first surfaced in 1998 when a now-discredited report in the medical journal The Lancet was published, claiming that several children developed autism following the flu vaccine. The Financial Times reports that the Trump administration will also stop funding for GAVI, the global vaccine group that provide free shots for meningitis, malaria and other disease prevention to people in poor countries. Kennedy says the alliance has ignored science and failed to justify billions of dollars the US gives in funding. The US being the alliance's top donor, this decision will sharply dent GAVI's efforts to raise over $9 billion for vaccination campaigns dedicated to a half a billion children in the next five years. The Washington Post's editors, meanwhile, profile Susan Monarez, a respected scientist who is acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and who could be on track to hold the position permanently. She had a confirmation hearing this week with US senators and impressed with her ability to avoid contradicting Kennedy's decision and avoid endorsing it at the same time. The Post's editors say that if confirmed, she could be a real impediment to those seeking to upend vaccine policies that have saved countless lives. French newspaper Libération looks at the famine in Gaza on its front page and asks the question: Is famine being used as a weapon of war by Israel in Gaza? The paper investigates the chaotic distribution of humanitarian aid in the Strip. Liberation explains that the system of aid is built around the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American NGO and the only organisation allowed to distribute aid. Traditional NGOs are refusing to work with the GHF, telling Libération they believe it has militarised humanitarian aid and facilitated the chaos. Over 500 people have been killed since the GHF set up its aid distribution points. Libération also accuses the Israeli army of setting up aid mainly in the south of the enclave, cutting off aid to the rest of the population – a form of ethnic cleansing, it says. Finally, the controversial nuptials of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos are underway in Venice this weekend. His opulent three-day wedding celebration has drawn support from Venetian business owners who are happy to cater to the hordes of rappers, celebrities and tech billionaires descending on the Italian city. Nonetheless, it's sparked widespread protests from locals and activists fed up with the added strain it will put on a region that's already suffering from overtourism. Il Giorno, the Italian paper, looks at the controversial wedding of "Mister Amazon" and Lauren Sanchez. In many ways, The New York Times says, San Giorgio, where emperors once met with popes, is fit to host the patron of Protesters say it's not about the wedding but what it represents: the Americanisation of an inherently European city, and a tech billionaire who's cosied up to US President Donald Trump.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bavarian Nordic begins mpox vaccine trial in pregnant women and infants
Bavarian Nordic has initiated two Phase III clinical trials of its mpox vaccine, Jynneos, in pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as infants aged under two years. The first infants have been dosed in one Phase III study (NCT06844487), which aims to recruit 344 infants aged between four months and two years. In addition, the recruitment for 359 pregnant and breastfeeding women has started for an additional trial (NCT06844500). Both studies are part of the PregInPoxVac project. The PregInPoxVac project is led by the University of Antwerp and the University of Kinshasa and is supported by partners in Kenya (ACE Research) and Italy (Penta Foundation). It is funded by the European Union Global Health EDCTP3, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and Bavarian Nordic. The studies will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of MVA-BN in those living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epicentre of the ongoing mpox outbreak, where infants and pregnant women remain highly vulnerable to mpox. Bavarian Nordic CEO Paul Chaplin said: 'Through partnerships, we have made significant advances already by expanding access to our mpox vaccine for children and adolescents. "These new studies will fill the gap by providing important data about the use of MVA-BN in infants and pregnant women, and we applaud the study partners as well as the funding partners, EDCTP3 and CEPI for supporting this important work which could help support a label expansion for MVA-BN to include the most vulnerable populations.' Bavarian Nordic is also sponsoring a trial (NCT06549530) of MVA-BN in children aged 2-11 years, with topline data anticipated in Q3 2025. Jynneos is the only non-replicating mpox vaccine approved in the US, EU, Switzerland, Singapore and Mexico. It is also approved in the UK, where it is marketed as Imvanex. The vaccine was originally developed for smallpox, but studies have proven its efficacy in mpox. Last year, after the outbreak was confirmed, Bavarian Nordic set up studies in the epicentre and also promised 2.5 million doses of the jab to Africa via an agreement with UNICEF, which included a 500,000-dose commitment by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). Yesterday, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr (RFK) announced that the US would no longer financially support GAVI, according to Politico. This comes months after the country also stated it would be dropping certain funding to USAID, which also assists with vaccine distribution and research in third-world countries. Earlier this year, Bavarian Nordic shares rose 7% on its Q1 financial announcement, with strong revenue from vaccine sales. On top of this, the company also gained $160m earlier this month after it sold a priority review voucher; however, the buyer has not been disclosed. "Bavarian Nordic begins mpox vaccine trial in pregnant women and infants" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Euronews
2 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
Europe leads global vaccine effort as US pulls back
At a high-level pledging event in Brussels on Thursday, the GAVI Vaccine Alliance rallied international donors to fund its next five-year programme. So far, GAVI has secured over €7.7 billion – still short of its overall target, though more pledges are expected in the coming weeks. "What's at stake is the lives of millions and millions of children. And I think there is nothing more important in the world than the lives of millions of children," GAVI Chairman José Manuel Barroso told Euronews in an interview. 'It makes a difference if they get immunisation, if they get vaccines or not. Because if they don't get them, they will die from perfectly preventable diseases," he added. GAVI, launched in 2000, is a global health partnership aimed at improving vaccine access in the world's poorest countries. Since its inception, the alliance has helped vaccinate over one billion children and is estimated to have saved 19 million lives. Now, it aims to reach 500 million more by 2030. Supporters say vaccine investments offer a strong return – up to $54 for every dollar spent – through reduced healthcare costs and increased economic productivity. Europe Leads the Charge European nations were among the most prominent backers at the Brussels event. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged €130 million, 30% more than the country's previous commitment. 'Spain is ready to take a step forward when others are backing down,' he said. The European Commission also reaffirmed its support with a €360 million pledge, bringing the total 'Team Europe' commitment — combining EU institutions and member states — to more than €2 billion. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed GAVI and UNICEF's commitment to procure up to 20% of vaccines in their programmes from African producers. 'Together we can ensure that vaccines are not only available to Africa, but increasingly made in Africa,' she said at the event, mentioning that Europe is also the largest contributor to the Africa vaccine manufacturing accelerator. The United Kingdom emerged as the single largest donor, committing £1.25 billion. 'Where others are stepping back, we in the United Kingdom are stepping up,' said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. 'This will help immunise over 60 million children, saving an estimated 1.25 million lives.' United States pulls out In a stark contrast to past years, the United States — historically a major donor to GAVI — announced it would no longer provide funding, as part of a broader reduction in international aid under President Donald Trump's administration. 'There is much I admire about GAVI,' said US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a video message. 'Unfortunately, in its zeal to promote universal vaccination, it has neglected the key issue of vaccine safety.' Kennedy, a known vaccine sceptic, specifically raised concerns about the DTP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), a widely used childhood immunisation. GAVI responded by reaffirming its "full confidence" in the DTP vaccine, citing decades of rigorous safety monitoring. Barroso, in a separate interview prior to Kennedy's statement, maintained an optimistic tone about future collaboration with the US administration. However, he also denounced vaccine disinformation campaigns fuelled by conspiracy theories and social media. 'People, sometimes, like to accept these kinds of fantasies,' he said. As Barroso concluded, the global data on vaccination impact is indisputable: countries with sustained immunisation programmes have seen drastically lower child mortality rates. Preventable diseases like polio, once widespread, have nearly disappeared in these regions. "Vaccines save lives and that's hard evidence," he said.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
US halts funding to global group that provides vaccines to low-income countries
WASHINGTON — The United States will halt funding for a global organisation that provides vaccines to millions of children in lower-income countries, which comes after the most senior US health official said the group has 'ignored the science' on safety issues. US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime vaccine sceptic and activist, said the country will not deliver on a $1.58 billion (€1.39 billion) pledge made by the previous Biden administration until GAVI – which procures and distributes jabs around the world – changes its approach to vaccine safety research and assessment. 'There is much that I admire about GAVI,' Kennedy said in video remarks. 'Unfortunately, in its zeal to promote universal vaccination, it has neglected the key issue of vaccine safety'. He raised concerns about the safety of a vaccine used to protect infants against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, also known as whooping cough (DTP), which is a routine childhood immunization. Kennedy cited a 2017 study from Danish researchers that found infants who received the type of DTP vaccine offered by GAVI were 10 times more likely to die from any cause than unvaccinated babies in their first six months of life – though other experts have since identified flaws in those findings. GAVI hit back at some of Kennedy's comments, saying it had 'full confidence' in the DTP said it offers the jab in lower-income countries because they have a much higher disease burden and are less well-equipped to offer regular booster doses than wealthy countries, which commonly use another version of the DTP vaccine that offers less long-lasting vaccine group had aimed to raise $9 billion (€7.9 billion) to fund its work over the next five years from international donors as part of its summit in Brussels this week, but reportedly fell short of that an interview with Euronews ahead of the event – and Kennedy's announcement – GAVI chair and former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso had struck a more optimistic tone about the group's partnership with the US.'We are working constructively with this administration,' Barroso told he is also toeing a difficult line, navigating US leadership that has embraced vaccine conspiracy theories and slashed funding for global health broadly, Barroso said 'there are campaigns of disinformation' related to vaccines, particularly on social media.'What we have to do is to work with science and to give the facts,' he said. — Euronews
Euronews
2 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
US halts funding to group offering vaccines to low-income countries
The United States will halt funding for a global organisation that provides vaccines to millions of children in lower-income countries, which comes after the most senior US health official said the group has 'ignored the science' on safety issues. US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime vaccine sceptic and activist, said the country will not deliver on a $1.58 billion (€1.39 billion) pledge made by the previous Biden administration until GAVI – which procures and distributes jabs around the world – changes its approach to vaccine safety research and assessment. 'There is much that I admire about GAVI,' Kennedy said in video remarks. 'Unfortunately, in its zeal to promote universal vaccination, it has neglected the key issue of vaccine safety'. He raised concerns about the safety of a vaccine used to protect infants against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, also known as whooping cough (DTP), which is a routine childhood immunisation. Kennedy cited a 2017 study from Danish researchers that found infants who received the type of DTP vaccine offered by GAVI were 10 times more likely to die from any cause than unvaccinated babies in their first six months of life – though other experts have since identified flaws in those findings. GAVI hit back at some of Kennedy's comments, saying it had 'full confidence' in the DTP vaccine. GAVI said it offers the jab in lower-income countries because they have a much higher disease burden and are less well-equipped to offer regular booster doses than wealthy countries, which commonly use another version of the DTP vaccine that offers less long-lasting protection. The vaccine group had aimed to raise $9 billion (€7.9 billion) to fund its work over the next five years from international donors as part of its summit in Brussels this week, but reportedly fell short of that target. In an interview with Euronews ahead of the event – and Kennedy's announcement – GAVI chair and former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso had struck a more optimistic tone about the group's partnership with the US. 'We are working constructively with this administration,' Barroso told Euronews. But he is also toeing a difficult line, navigating US leadership that has embraced vaccine conspiracy theories and slashed funding for global health programmes. Speaking broadly, Barroso said 'there are campaigns of disinformation' related to vaccines, particularly on social media. 'What we have to do is to work with science and to give the facts,' he said.
