      Weekly hot topicOmicron - a new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concernOn 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron. Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes. Here is a summary of what is currently known. Latest updates on COVID-19 COVID-19 & antibioticsWhat have we learned about COVID-19 and antibiotics so far? What happens when antibiotics are not taken according to prescription or are used irrationally? When are antibiotics prescribed in the course of COVID-19 treatment? Professor Hanan H. Balkhy explains in Science in 5.  Interim statement on COVID-19 vaccination for children and adolescentsAlthough the majority of COVID-19 vaccines are only approved for use in adults aged 18 years and above, an increasing number of vaccines are now also being authorized for use in children. Here's what you need to know.  Joint statement on dose donations of COVID-19 vaccines to AfricaDonations to COVAX, AVAT and African countries must be made in a way that allows countries to effectively mobilize domestic resources in support of rollout and enables long-term planning to increase coverage rates.  World Health Assembly agrees to launch process to develop historic global accord on pandemicsThe World Health Assembly agreed to kickstart a global process to draft and negotiate an international instrument under the Constitution of WHO to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Other hot topics World AIDS Day 2021With millions of lives on the line, the UNAIDS and WHO World AIDS Day event saw global partners, including Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, urgently call for expanded access to health treatments and technologies and for human rights to be upheld.  |
