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The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization met on 11-13 March 2024. This report summarizes their discussions, conclusions, and recommendations. All SAGE recommendations are made using evidence-based methods, [...]

Poliomyelitis (polio) was first targeted for eradication in 1988. Global efforts have led to eradication of 2 of the 3 wild poliovirus (WPV) serotypes (types 2 and 3), and only WPV type 1 (WPV1) remains endemic and only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This report describes global polio immunization, surveillance activities and poliovirus epidemiology during January 2022-December 2023. Data are current as of 10 April 2024. In 2023, Afghanistan and Pakistan identified 12 WPV1 polio cases, as compared with 22 in 2022. WPV1 transmission was detected by systematic testing for poliovirus in sewage samples (environmental surveillance, ES) in 13 provinces in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2021 and in 7 in 2022. The number of polio cases caused by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) (circulating vaccine virus strains that have reverted to neurovirulence) decreased from 881 in 2022 to 524 in 2023; cVDPV outbreaks (defined as either a cVDPV case with evidence of circulation or at least 2 positive ES isolates) occurred in 32 countries in 2023, including 8 that had not experienced a cVDPV outbreak in 2022. Despite reductions in the number of cases of paralytic polio since 2022, cVDPVs and WPV1 (in countries with endemic transmission) were more widespread in 2023. Renewed efforts to vaccinate children who are persistently missed in countries with endemic WPV1 transmission, strengthening of routine immunization (RI) programmes in high-risk countries and providing more effective cVDPV outbreak response are necessary to achieve further progress towards global polio eradication. L'objectif d'eradiquer la poliomyelite a ete formule pour la premiere fois en 1988. Des efforts a l'echelle mondiale ont conduit a l'eradication de 2 des 3 serotypes (types 2 et 3) de poliovirus sauvage (PVS), et seul le PVS de type 1 (PVS1) demeure endemique dans 2 pays, l'Afghanistan et le Pakistan. Le present rapport decrit la vaccination contre la poliomyelite, les activites de surveillance et l'epidemiologie des poliovirus dans le monde entre janvier 2022 et decembre 2023. Il s'appuie sur des donnees recueillies jusqu'au 10 avril 2024. En 2023, l'Afghanistan et le Pakistan ont identifie 12 cas de PVS1, contre 22 en 2022. La surveillance environnementale, qui consiste a analyser de maniere systematique des echantillons d'eaux usees a la recherche de poliovirus, a detecte une transmission de PVS1 dans 13 provinces d'Afghanistan et du Pakistan en 2021 et dans 7 provinces en 2022. Le nombre de cas de poliomyelite dus aux poliovirus circulants derives d'une souche vaccinale (PVDVc) (souches de virus vaccinaux circulants qui ont retrouve leur neurovirulence) est passe de 881 en 2022 a 524 en 2023; des flambees epidemiques de PVDVc (definies comme un cas de PVDVc associe a une circulation averee du virus ou comme au moins 2 isolats positifs issus de la surveillance environnementale) sont survenues dans 32 pays en 2023, parmi lesquels 8 qui n'avaient pas connu de flambee de PVDVc en 2022. Malgre la reduction du nombre de cas de poliomyelite paralytique depuis 2022, les PVDVc et le PVS1 ont davantage circule en 2023 dans les pays oU la transmission est endemique. Pour continuer a progresser vers l'eradication mondiale de la poliomyelite, il est necessaire de redoubler d'efforts pour vacciner les enfants qui echappent encore a la vaccination dans les pays oU la transmission du PVS1 est endemique, en renforcant les programmes de vaccination systematique dans les pays a haut risque et en assurant une riposte plus efficace aux flambees de PVDVc., Introduction Since establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, WPV types 2 and 3 have been eradicated, and WPV1 remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In [...]

The mission of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks, provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations, and to research, prevent and manage epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases; to strengthen and expand systems to rapidly detect, investigate and assess potential threats to public health; and to respond immediately and systematically to manage acute emergencies. La mission du Programme OMS de gestion des situations d'urgence sanitaire est de renforcer la capacite des Etats Membres a gerer les risques d'urgence sanitaire et, lorsque les capacites nationales sont depassees, de diriger et de coordonner l'action sanitaire internationale pour endiguer les flambees epidemiques, fournir des services efficaces de secours et de relevement aux populations touchees et mener des activites de recherche, de prevention et de prise en charge des maladies a potentiel epidemique etpandemique; de renforcer et d'etendre les systemes permettant de detecter, d'etudier et d'evaluer rapidement les menaces potentielles pour la sante publique; et d'intervenir immediatement et systematiquement pour gerer les situations d'urgence aigues., Summary of published disease outbreak news reports This is a summary of the disease outbreak news (DON) reports that have been published in April 2024. DON reports are WHO's mechanism [...]

In accordance with the recommendations of the International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication (ICCDE), WHO has certified 200 countries, areas and territories (including 188 WHO Member States) as [...]

Introduction In accordance with its mandate to provide guidance to Member States on health policy matters, WHO issues a series of regularly updated position papers on vaccines and combinations of [...]

Introduction In accordance with its mandate to provide normative guidance to Member States on health policy matters, WHO issues a series of regularly updated position papers on vaccines and combinations [...]

Ebola virus disease (Ebola) is a rare but severe illness in humans, with an average case fatality rate of approximately 50%. There are currently 2 licensed vaccines against Orthoebolavirus zairense, the virus that causes Ebola: the 1-dose rVSV[DELTA]G-ZEBOV-GP (ERVEBO) and the 2-dose regimen of Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo (Zabdeno/Mvabea). The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommends use of 1-dose ERVEBO during Ebola outbreaks, and, in 2021, a global stockpile of ERVEBO was established to ensure equitable, timely, targeted access to vaccine doses for future Ebola outbreaks. This report describes the use of Ebola vaccines and the role of the stockpile developed and managed by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on vaccine provision during 2021-2023. A total of 145 690 doses have been shipped from the ICG stockpile since 2021; however, because there have been few outbreaks since 2021, which were rapidly contained, most doses (139 120; 95%) shipped from the stockpile have been repurposed for preventive vaccination of high-risk groups, compared to outbreak response (6570; 5%). Ensuring the availability of sufficient Ebola vaccine doses for emergency outbreak response remains the priority for the ICG stockpile; nonetheless, investments, advocacy and additional research to guide preventive vaccination are crucial for health system preparedness and resilience. La maladie a virus Ebola (MVE) est une maladie rare mais grave chez l'etre humain, avec un taux de letalite moyen avoisinant 50%. Il existe actuellement 2 vaccins homologues contre Orthoebolavirus zairense, le virus responsable de la MVE: le vaccin a 1 dose rVSV[DELTA]G-ZEBOV-GP (ERVEBO) et le vaccin a 2 doses Ad26.ZEBOV et MVA-BN-Filo (Zabdeno/Mvabea). Le Groupe strategique consultatif d'experts sur la vaccination (SAGE) recommande l'administration d'une dose de vaccin ERVEBO pendant les flambees epidemiques de MVE; en 2021, un stock mondial de vaccins ERVEBO a ete constitue pour garantir un acces equitable, rapide et cible aux doses de vaccin pour les futures flambees de MVE. Le present rapport decrit l'utilisation des vaccins contre le virus Ebola et le role du stock constitue et gere par le Groupe international de coordination pour l'approvisionnement en vaccins (GIC) au cours de la periode 20212023. Au total, 145 690 doses ont ete expediees a partir du stock du GIC depuis 2021. Toutefois, du fait que les flambees epidemiques depuis 2021 ont ete limitees et rapidement jugulees, la plupart des doses (139 120; 95%) expediees a partir du stock du GIC ont ete reaffectees a la vaccination preventive de groupes a haut risque, si l'on compare avec la riposte aux flambees (6570; 5%). Assurer la disponibilite d'un nombre suffisant de doses de vaccin contre le virus Ebola pour la riposte d'urgence aux flambees epidemiques reste la priorite du GIC; neanmoins, les investissements, le plaidoyer et les travaux de recherche supplementaires pour guider la vaccination preventive sont cruciaux pour la preparation et la resilience des systemes de sante., Introduction O. zairense, the virus responsible for Ebola, has caused the largest filovirus outbreaks worldwide; the average Ebola case fatality rate is approximately 50%. (1) Currently, 2 licensed vaccines are [...]

Executive summary The purpose of the research overseen by the WHO Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research, as mandated by the World Health Assembly, (1) is to develop medical countermeasures [...]

Introduction The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Hazards with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential (STAG-IH), a multidisciplinary group of external experts, was established by the WHO Director-General in 2018 [...]

The reliable and timely detection of poliovirus infection through surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), supplemented by environmental surveillance (ES) of sewage samples, is a critical component of the polio eradication programme. Since 1988, the number of polio cases caused by wild poliovirus (WPV) has decreased by >99.9%, and eradication of WPV serotypes 2 and 3 has been certified; only serotype 1 (WPV1) continues to circulate and transmission remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In this surveillance update, we evaluated indicators of AFP in surveillance, ES for polioviruses and data on the performance of the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) provided by 28 priority countries for the programme during 2022-2023. No WPV1 cases have been detected outside those countries since August 2022, when importation into Malawi and Mozambique resulted in an outbreak during 2021-2022. During 2022-2023, 20 of 28 priority countries (71.4%) met national AFP surveillance indicator targets, and the number of ES sites increased. Low national rates of reported AFP cases in priority countries in 2023 might have been due to lags in surveillance reporting; substantial national and subnational AFP surveillance gaps persist. Maintaining high-quality surveillance is critical to achieving the goal of global polio eradication. Monitoring surveillance indicators is important to identifying gaps and guiding surveillance-strengthening activities, particularly in countries at high risk for poliovirus circulation. La detection fiable et rapide de l'infection a poliovirus au moyen de la surveillance de la paralysie flasque aigue (PFA), completee par une surveillance des echantillons d'eaux usees, est un element essentiel du programme d'eradication de la poliomyelite. Depuis 1988, le nombre de cas de poliomyelite dus au poliovirus sauvage (PVS) a diminue de >99,9% et l'eradication des serotypes 2 et 3 du PVS a ete certifiee; seul le serotype 1 du poliovirus sauvage (PVS1) continue de circuler et la transmission demeure endemique en Afghanistan et au Pakistan. Dans ce rapport faisant le point sur la surveillance, nous evaluons les indicateurs de la PFA a des fins de surveillance pour la recherche des poliovirus et les donnees relatives aux performances du Reseau mondial de laboratoires pour la poliomyelite (RMLP) communiquees par les 28 pays prioritaires pour le programme en 2022-2023. Aucun cas du au PVS1 n'a ete detecte en dehors de ces pays depuis aout 2022, apres une flambee epidemique en 2021-2022 due a l'importation du virus au Malawi et au Mozambique. En 2022-2023, 20 des 28 pays prioritaires (71,4 %) ont atteint les cibles des indicateurs de surveillance de la PFA, et le nombre de sites de surveillance environnementale a augmente. Le faible nombre de cas de PFA signales dans les pays prioritaires en 2023 pourrait etre du a des retards dans la communication des donnees issues de la surveillance; d'importantes lacunes en matiere de surveillance de la PFA a l'echelle nationale et infranationale persistent. Il est essentiel de maintenir une surveillance de qualite afin d'atteindre l'eradication de la poliomyelite a l'echelle mondiale. Un suivi des indicateurs de surveillance est egalement important pour identifier les lacunes et orienter les activites de surveillance, particulierement dans les pays oU il existe un risque eleve de circulation du poliovirus., Introduction Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was established in 1988, the number of WPV cases has decreased by >99.9%, and WPV serotypes 2 and 3 have been declared [...]

The mission of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and [...]

February 2024 The development of influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), coordinated by WHO, remains an essential component of the overall global strategy for influenza pandemic preparedness. Selection and development of [...]

Imagine the dilemma of a single mother working as a state accountant, who, amid the rising cost of living, finds herself reaching out to numerous agencies for support, only to [...]

Smoke rises from a burning building--the blare of sirens approaches. Firetrucks arrive on the scene. Firefighters jump out to combat the flames to save precious lives. The community applauds them, [...]

Scioto County, pronounced 'sigh-oh-tah,' is the largest county, geographically, in the state of Ohio. It sits at the southern tip of the state on the Ohio River and just across [...]

Of all commercial renewable generation technologies, offshore wind is the costliest, far more so than solar photovoltaics and onshore wind. The newest incarnation of offshore wind-floating turbines that can be [...]

In the United States, an administrative agency called the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) sets rates for various compulsory licenses. Under those licenses, qualified parties can pay a government-set fee and [...]

Terry Rainwaters owns 136 acres of rural land in northwest Tennessee. He lives on the property with his son, rents a second house on the property to long-term tenants, and [...]

Three months before the end of his presidency, Donald Trump quietly issued Executive Order 13957, allowing the conversion of some federal civil service jobs to excepted service under a new [...]

Economics in America: An Immigrant Economist Explores the Land of Inequality By Angus Deaton 271 pp.; Princeton University Press, 2023 Economist Angus Deaton was born and educated in Britain and [...]

Consumer and industrial equipment have become increasingly sophisticated over the past decade. As machines evolve alongside the technological revolution, they become increasingly dependent on complex computing software and uniquely manufactured [...]

Debit card interchange fees are paid by merchants to issuing banks for processing debit card transactions. The fees have been a subject of controversy and regulation in the United States [...]

WHO convenes technical consultations (1) in February and September each year to recommend viruses for inclusion in influenza vaccines (2) for the northern hemisphere (NH) and southern hemisphere (SH) influenza [...]

Introduction In accordance with its mandate to provide normative guidance to Member States on health policy matters, WHO issues a series of regularly updated position papers (1) on vaccines and [...]

Rubella virus is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable birth defects. Infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, fetal death, stillbirth or a constellation of birth defects, known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which includes cataracts, deafness, heart defects and developmental delay. A single dose of rubella-containing vaccine can provide lifelong protection against rubella. The Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011-2020 set a target to achieve elimination of rubella in at least 5 of the 6 WHO regions by 2020, and rubella elimination is a critical goal of the Immunization Agenda 2030. This report updates a previous report and describes progress towards rubella and CRS elimination in 2012-2022. During this period, the number of WHO Member States that included rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) in their immunization schedules increased from 132 (68%) to 175 (90%), and the percentage of the world's infants were vaccinated against rubella increased from 40% to 68%. The reported number of rubella cases decreased by 81%, from 93 816 in 2012 to 17 407 in 2022. Verification of rubella elimination was achieved in 98 (51%) of 194 countries by 2022, an increase from 84 (43%) countries in 2019. Despite significant progress in introduction of RCV into routine immunization programmes worldwide, nearly 25 million infants annually still do not receive RCV. Nevertheless, the increasing number of countries that have achieved and sustained rubella elimination, even in complex settings, represents progress towards global rubella elimination. L'infection par le virus de la rubeole est l'une des principales causes de malformations congenitales evitables par la vaccination. Lorsqu'elle survient pendant la grossesse, elle peut entrainer une fausse couche, la mort foetale, une mortinaissance ou une constellation de malformations congenitales (notamment cataracte, surdite, malformations cardiaques et retards de developpement) connue sous le nom de syndrome de rubeole congenitale (SRC). Une dose unique de vaccin a valence rubeole peut conferer une protection a vie contre la rubeole. Parmi les cibles fixees dans le Plan d'action mondial pour les vaccins 2011-2020 figurait l'elimination de la rubeole dans au moins 5 des 6 Regions de l'OMS a l'horizon 2020. L'elimination de la rubeole fait en outre partie des objectifs cles du Programme pour la vaccination a l'horizon 2030. Le present rapport actualise les informations fournies dans le rapport precedent et decrit les progres accomplis vers l'elimination de la rubeole et du SRC dans la periode 2012-2022. Au cours de cette periode, les nombre d'Etats Membres de l'OMS ayant inclus le vaccin a valence rubeole (RCV) dans leur calendrier de vaccination a progresse, passant de 132 (68%) a 175 (90%); et le pourcentage de nourrissons dans le monde vaccines contre la rubeole est passe de 40% a 68%. Le nombre de cas notifies de rubeole a recule de 81%, passant de 93 816 en 2012 a 17 407 en 2022. En 2022, l'elimination de la rubeole avait ete verifiee dans 98 (51%) des 194 Etats Membres de l'OMS, contre 84(43%) en 2019. Toutefois, meme si l'introduction du RCV dans les programmes de vaccination systematique a fortement progresse a l'echelle mondiale, pres de 25millions de nourrissons sont encore prives de ce vaccin chaque annee. Le nombre croissant de pays ayant reussi a eliminer durablement la rubeole, meme parmi ceux confrontes a des situations complexes, temoigne neanmoins des progres realises vers l'elimination de cette maladie a l'echelle mondiale., Introduction Rubella virus is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable birth defects and can cause epidemics. Rubella virus infection usually produces a mild febrile rash illness in children and adults; however, [...]

In Westminster parliamentary democracies like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, research has found that cabinet composition is driven mainly by longstanding norms and practices that privilege older, white males with certain educational and political experiences. Do these trends apply at the subnational level where the demographic make-up can be quite different? To answer this question, we draw upon an original dataset of all members of the legislative assembly and cabinet in three Canadian territories from 1979 to 2022. These territories are unique given that Indigenous communities loom large in their governments and societies. Using an event history model, we find that territorial cabinets very much reflect the demographic make up of their legislatures, similar to what occurs at the federal level. We also observe important differences between the territories, which suggest that the influence of Westminster structures and norms are likely mediated by factors unique to each territory. Certaines recherches effectuees sur les democraties parlementaires de type Westminster telles que l'Australie, le Canada et la Nouvelle-Zelande, ont montre que la composition d'un Cabinet est principalement dominee par des normes et des pratiques anciennes qui privilegient les hommes blancs d'un certain age ayant de l'experience en education et en politique. Ces tendances s'appliquent-elles au niveau infranational ou la composition demographique est tres differente? Pour repondre a cette question, nous nous appuyons sur un ensemble original de donnees de tous les membres de l'Assemblee legislative et du Cabinet de trois territoires canadiens allant de 1979 a 2022. Ces territoires sont uniques etant donne que les communautes autochtones predominent dans leurs gouvernements et leurs societes. En utilisant un modele de donnees longitudinales, nous constatons que les Cabinets territoriaux correspondent bien a la composition demographique de leurs legislatures, a l'instar de ce qui se produit au niveau federal. Nous observons egalement des differences considerables entre les territoires, ce qui laisse entendre que l'influence des structures et des normes de Westminster est probablement interposee par des facteurs propres a chaque territoire., Scholars of political executives in parliamentary democracies are frequently concerned about the demographic profile of government leaders (Bird, 2012; Cross, 2010; O'Brien et al., 2015). Cabinet composition is important because [...]

How do we apply a gender lens to the housing needs of vulnerable women? The YWCA Niagara Region (YWCA) asked this question. Brock University's Niagara Community Observatory (NCO) partnered with the YWCA to identify the barriers to accessing safe and affordable housing in Niagara, with priority placed on community engagement and inclusive access to housing. The article has a two-fold purpose. First, it provides an overview of community-engaged research, focusing on the key principles and practices involved in listening to stories of women with lived expertise of homelessness facing discrimination or disadvantage compounded by intersectional identities of Indigeneity, race, gender and ability. Second, it reports on the making of a policy brief and video clip designed as advocacy tools for increasing awareness of the need for increased equitable access to safe and affordable housing for women and gender diverse peoples in Niagara. Comment appliquer une perspective de parite aux besoins de logement des femmes vulnerables? Le YWCA de la region de Niagara (YWCA) a pose cette question. Le Niagara Community Observatory (NCO) de l'Universite Brock s'est associe au YWCA afin d'identifier les obstacles a l'acces a un logement securitaire et abordable dans la region de Niagara, avec comme priorite l'engagement communautaire et l'acces inclusif au logement. L'article poursuit deux objectifs. Premierement, il offre un apercu de la recherche communautaire, en mettant l'accent sur les principes et pratiques cles impliques dans l'ecoute des temoignages de femmes ayant vecu l'itinerance, la discrimination ou le desavantage, aggrave par des identites intersectionnelles comme l'appartenance a une communaute autochtone, la race, le genre et l'aptitude. Deuxiemement, l'article rend compte de la realisation d'une note de synthese et d'un clip video, concus comme outils de sensibilisation pour sensibiliser davantage au besoin d'un acces equitable et accru a un logement sur et abordable pour les femmes et les personnes de diverses identites de genre a Niagara., Like most of Canada, Niagara region is experiencing an unhoused crisis. The rapid spread of people experiencing homelessness does not appear to be ending soon due to an increase in [...]

The Canadian public sector employs around one-fifth of Canadian workers; they are responsible for policy making, stewarding public funds, and serving the public. Canadian governments struggle with job satisfaction, engagement, retention, and turnover, all of which may be associated with public service motivation (PSM). We conducted a scoping review of Canadian PSM research to synthesize what is known about these associations in the Canadian context. We identified 24 published studies and four works in progress. These demonstrate that PSM exists among Canadian public servants from the early stages of their career until later stages, and that PSM bolsters attraction to public sector work among students. No studies measured PSM among Canadian public servants using a validated instrument. Further research about the contributions of PSM to the quality of Canadian public services and how employers can nurture PSM is recommended, particularly given recent changes in work environments. Le secteur public canadien emploie environ un cinquieme des travailleurs canadiens; ces derniers sont responsables de l'elaboration des politiques, de la gestion des fonds publics et du service au public. Les gouvernements canadiens se debattent avec la satisfaction au travail, l'engagement, la retention et le roulement de personnel, qui peuvent tous etre associes a la motivation de travailler pour le service public (PSM). Nous avons effectue une revue exploratoire de la documentation canadienne sur la MSP afin de synthetiser ce que Ton sait de ces associations dans le contexte canadien. Nous avons identifie 24 etudes publiees et quatre travaux en cours. Ceux-ci demontrent que la PSM existe bien parmi les fonctionnaires canadiens des le debut de leur carriere jusqu'aux phases ulterieures, et quelle renforce l'attrait pour le travail dans le secteur public parmi les etudiants. Aucune etude n'a utilise d'instrument valide pour mesurer la PSM parmi les fonctionnaires canadiens. Nous recommandons des recherches plus approfondies concernant comment la PSM peut contribuer a la qualite des services publics canadiens et sur la maniere dont les employeurs peuvent l'encourager, en particulier compte tenu des recents changements dans les milieux de travail., INTRODUCTION Public Service Motivation (PSM) is an important construct in public administration, and more specifically public sector management scholarship that originated in the United States. It speaks to three categories [...]