Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Canada May Begin Reopening Border With US On June 22
Politico: Canada Eyeing June 22 To Begin Loosening Restrictions At U.S. Border
The mayors of Canadian border cities say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has signaled it could start easing Covid-19 restrictions at the Canada-U.S. frontier on June 22 if the country’s vaccination campaign stays on its current trajectory. Jim Diodati, mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario, told POLITICO that Public Safety Minister Bill Blair delivered the message during a recent virtual meeting of border mayors from the province. (Blatchford, 6/7)
Politico: Moderna Applies For EU Coronavirus Vaccine Authorization Covering Teens
U.S. biotech Moderna filed Monday data for an EU conditional marketing authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 18. It’s the second COVID-19 vaccine maker to apply for a license in children in the EU after BioNTech/Pfizer, whose mRNA vaccine was approved for adolescents on May 28. (Collis, 6/7)
The Washington Post: WHO Pushes Vaccine Makers To Reserve Half Their Production For Covax
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on coronavirus vaccine manufacturers to give half their doses to Covax, the initiative to distribute vaccines equitably, as part of a push to inoculate 30 percent of the world’s population by Dec. 31. “Sharing vaccines now is essential for ending the acute phase of the pandemic,” he told reporters Monday. “But it’s also clear that in an emergency, low-income countries cannot rely solely on imports of vaccines from wealthier nations.” (Ang, 6/8)
AP: India To Provide Free Vaccines To All In Major Policy Shift
India’s federal government will provide free coronavirus shots to any adult starting later this month and take back control of the country’s vaccination drive, marred by delays and shortages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Monday. The changes reverse a policy launched in April which tasked states and the private sector with vaccinating those between the ages of 18 and 44. The federal government will now procure 75% of all vaccines directly from the manufacturers and provide them to the states for free, while the remaining 25% will be purchased by the private sector. (Saaliq, 6/7)
In other global developments —
AP: All Roads -- Blocked Off Roads -- Lead To Tokyo Olympics
Roads were being closed off Tuesday around Tokyo Olympic venues, including the new $1.4 billion National Stadium where the opening ceremony is set for July 23. This is a clear sign that Tokyo Olympic planners and the International Olympic Committee are moving forward despite public opposition, warnings about the risks of the games becoming a spreader event, and Tokyo and other parts of Japan being under a state of emergency until June 20. (Wade and Komiya, 6/8)
CIDRAP: WHO Formally Recommends Johnson & Johnson's Ebola Vaccine
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization for the World Health Organization (WHO) formally supports the use of Johnson & Johnson's two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen, Zabdeno (Ad26.ZEBOV) and Mvabea (MVA-BN-Filo), both during outbreaks for individuals at risk for Ebola exposure and before outbreaks for first responders, according to a press release today from Johnson & Johnson. (6/7)
AP: Clowns Used To Teach Landmine Safety To Children
A Bozeman (Montana)-based performer and nonprofit leader with a penchant for red noses has partnered with a land mine safety group to create videos, GIFs and games to educate children on the dangers of landmines. Naomi Shafer, a Bozeman resident and executive director of Clowns Without Borders, is part of an international team of performers and educators creating landmine safety videos in four countries. Clowns Without Borders, a nonprofit that performs in refugee camps, conflict zones and natural disaster sites around the world, is working with the Mines Advisory Group to create online content to reach audiences after in-person events were halted due to the pandemic. (6/6)
