Dear Colleagues,

As Dr. Tedros pointed out on Monday,  “One year ago, the first death from COVID-19 was reported and WHO issued its first tranche of technical guidance;  A year on, there have been almost 2 million deaths from the COVID-19 virus and while we are hopeful about the safe and effective vaccines that are being rolled out, we want to see this sped up and vaccines allocated equitably in the coming weeks.”  Adding, “…Covax is ready. Countries are ready. The time to deliver vaccines equitably is now” ”  That summed up the current situation (and challenge) quite well.  Including for Covax.

Also on Monday, Mike Ryan (WHO’s health emergencies boss), came up with the (ominous)metaphor of the week, likening the mutating virus to entering the second half of a football game.  “While it doesn’t change the rules of the game, it does give the “virus some new energy.  It adds to the challenge you face because the opposition is bringing on some new players to the field. It...