• WHO reports that coronavirus cases are stable or in decline in most of the world – with the exception of the Western Hemisphere, where they have increased by 20 percent over the last week. North America is driving the surge, with US hospitals in southern states becoming overwhelmed, cases doubling in Alberta Canada. Source
• The US CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which gives advice on the best way to administer vaccines, announces that it will meet to discuss coronavirus boosters on 22-23 September. Source
• The US FDA revised its emergency use authorization for the combination of bamlanivimab and estesevimab to include use as post-exposure prophylaxis for people ages 12 and over, who are at high risk for progression to severe illness, hospitalization or death from COVID-19, although it noted that the monoclonal antibody combination is not a substitution for vaccination. Source
• The US announces that it will now require all new immigrants to be fully vaccinated (unless they are too young to be eligible, or have medical contraindications). Source
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, facing slipping poll ratings, has launched a vaccination campaign including first shots for children ages 12 to 15 and boosters for anyone over age 50. Source
• Pope Francis urges people to get coronavirus vaccines, noting that “Humanity has a history of friendship with vaccines.” Source
• In France, a coronavirus vaccine mandate for nearly three million healthcare and other essential workers has gone into effect, requiring them to have at least their first shot, and to receive the second dose by 15 October. Since the policy was announced in early July, the percentage of workers who have received at least one vaccine has increased from 64 to 90. Source
• China announces that it has fully vaccinated one billion people –70 percent of the country’s population – in less than 10 months after approving the first of seven domestically-produced coronavirus vaccines. Source
• A pre-print publication describes the effectiveness of the J & J coronavirus vaccine among 390,517 vaccinated and 1,524,153 unvaccinated individuals in the US. Researchers looked at data from outpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, and laboratory services were submitted to insurance companies from March through July 2021. Overall, vaccination was 81 percent effective for preventing hospitalization for COVID-19, although less so in people over age 50 (75 percent) and people with immunocompromising conditions (64 percent). Source
• In India, where just over 13 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, boosters have not yet been discussed. K. Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India, says that it is “…absolutely important that we protect as much of the global population as fast as possible rather than focusing on booster doses in some of the vaccine-rich countries.” Source
• Novavax issues a press release to announce that it will participate in a newly expanded, Oxford University-led, UK government-funded, phase II trial in adolescents comparing combinations of coronavirus vaccines. Source
• Health experts in Africa, where only 3.6 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, are calling for accelerated delivery of coronavirus vaccines to the continent. Although it is home to 17 percent of the global population, only 2 percent of the nearly six billion shots administered to date have been given in Africa. “As the U.N. General Assembly meets next week, I urge African leaders to call on them to ensure equitable access to vaccines,” said Dr. Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija, chairwoman of the African Vaccine Delivery Alliance, adding “Ask the rich countries: Where are Africa’s vaccines? Where are the vaccines for the low- and middle-income countries of the world?” Source
• Some participants may be prevented from attending the United Nations General Assembly. Instead of operating the UN’s honor system, New York City regulations require attendees to provide proof of vaccination (which is also needed for indoor dining, drinking and exercising within the 16-acre UN campus). Stéphane Dujarric, the chief UN spokesperson, said that discussions were underway to continue the UN honor system “in a way that is acceptable for all.” Source