Masamba's Life with Polio, 'Universal' Antiviral Drug on the Horizon, Therapeutic HPV Vaccine + more
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Gavi helps vaccinate half the world’s children against deadly and debilitating diseases.
TOP THREE
How did a polio strain circulating in Pakistan infect a girl in Malawi who had never left her home? The answer shows why continued vigilance against this horrific disease is essential. Five-year-old Masamba is now living with lifelong effects of polio – read her story.
2. SCIENTISTS MAKE BREAKTHROUGH TOWARDS ‘UNIVERSAL’ ANTIVIRAL DRUGS
Scientists have made a breakthrough that could help us develop broad-spectrum antivirals which could be a first defence against pandemics. By targeting viral sugars, 90% of treated mice survived a range of diseases in trials.
3. PREVENTIVE HPV VACCINES WORK. NOW A NEW DISCOVERY COULD ALSO HELP ELIMINATE EXISTING CANCERS TOO
New research could provide a path towards therapeutic HPV vaccines, which can tackle the infection – and the cancers associated with HPV – even after someone has contracted it.
IN BRIEF
· Muslim leaders in Burundi are championing vaccination, using trust and influence to counter misinformation. With DTP3 coverage above 90% since 2006, they are keeping communities healthier.
· Kenya is integrating maternal mental health into child care, ensuring stressed young mothers keep their babies protected.
· New research suggests that bacteria carry ‘memories’ of past environments, creating resistant subpopulations and potentially undermining treatments.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
WHAT'S OUR BEST WEAPON AGAINST DISEASE OUTBREAKS?
When outbreaks strike, vaccine stockpiles get to work – ready, stored and rapidly deployed to protect communities before diseases can spread further.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
MAJOR NEW STUDY FINDS NO HEALTH RISKS FROM ALUMINIUM IN CHILDHOOD VACCINES
A landmark Danish study tracked 1.2 million children over 24 years and found no health risks from aluminium in vaccines. With misinformation still swirling, this remains a powerful reminder of science’s clarity and vaccines’ safety.
NOUVELLES DE LA SEMAINE
Dans l’État de Sokoto, au Nigéria, un groupe de personnes survivantes de la poliomyélite transforment leurs épreuves en un vibrant plaidoyer.
Senior Pharmacovigilance Specialist | Global PV Agreements | Regulatory Compliance Champion | 12+ Yrs in PV Ops, PVA/SDEA, & Safety Governance
3wA powerful and necessary narrative. Masamba’s story highlights the urgent need for equitable access to antiviral innovation, especially in regions where polio and other preventable diseases still pose a serious threat. The concept of a universal antiviral drug is not just scientific ambition, it’s a global health imperative. Appreciate you sharing this perspective. It’s a reminder that therapeutic innovation must be matched with accessibility and policy reform. #GlobalHealth #AntiviralInnovation #PolioEradication #HealthEquity #TherapeuticAccess #PritamASinhaa