Good morning, this is Elaine bringing you Geneva Solutions’ global health news, produced in collaboration with Health Policy Watch.

Today, we’re looking at how the first jabs of Covid-19 vaccines in the United Kingdom are stoking hopes of ending the pandemic, but also fears that poorer countries could miss out. We are also watching moves to confront criminal attempts to seed fake Covid medicines and vaccine disinformation. And we are hearing about why teenagers’ voices need to be heard on pandemic policies that affect them deeply.

10.12.2020

Today’s reason for hope

90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine. Credit: EPA/Jacob King/POOL

Massive vaccine roll-out begins with the UK. As the UK kicks off its huge ‘V-Day’ vaccine operation, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said most countries can expect vaccine rollout in early 2021 - although access groups worry there won’t be enough for low- and middle-income countries.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Global Health News

Teenagers, Covid and mental health. The lives of teens and young adults have been upended by the pandemic; their voices need to be heard by policymakers to restore balance and improve decisions about policies that affect them so deeply.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

New alliance formed to fight fake Covid vaccines and medicines. The approval of the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine is stoking fears that the global roll-out could stimulate a counter-pandemic of fake online cures as well as criminal attempts to interrupt vaccine supply chains.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

WHO Foundation appoints new CEO. The WHO Foundation has appointed a senior pharma executive to head the new foundation that aims to shore up funding for the organisation by targeting private sector donors.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Here’s what else is happening

‘Reprehensible’ political leadership during pandemic slammed by UN human rights chief.
UN News (EN)
Switzerland ramps up Covid vaccine order by three million doses.
Swissinfo (EN)
Ethnic profiling of Tigrayans reported while situation in Ethiopia remains volatile.
Reuters (EN)
Renowned HIV researcher named to lead US health agency.
Nature (EN)
Over 80 million people forcibly displaced, new report reveals.
UNHCR (EN)
Responsible data for public good initiative launched.
World Economic Forum (EN)
Donors pledge $370m to UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
UNOCHA (EN)
ICC abandons inquiry into alleged British war crimes in Iraq.
Guardian (EN)

Image of the day

Credit: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti

Pandemic-weary holiday shoppers crowd pedestrian malls in Barcelona, despite pleas by the WHO and national health officials to maintain social distancing and mask protocols so as to level surging coronavirus cases in Europe. The Spanish government is pleading with people to observe measures brought in over the Christmas holiday. “We cannot put a police officer in every house,” said health minister Salvador Illa on Monday.

Next on the agenda

10 December | The data wave in human health: what is the implication for human rights? Data-driven technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are set to revolutionise the health sector while also raising important questions about human rights.

Global Health Centre (EN)

11 December | Midwives and nurses on the way to universal health coverage. The event aims to highlight the essential role women play as frontline health workers in national Covid-19 responses.

WHO (EN)

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Have a good day!

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