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Fabian Sutch-Daggett
Features Editor
Breakthrough COVID-19 vaccine trial in Africa examines vaccine efficacy in people living with HIV
The ‘Ubuntu’ study is the first to research the relationship between vaccine efficacy and HIV status
A landmark clinical trial in eight subSaharan nations is set to be the first to evaluate the e icacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in people living with HIV, including those with poorly controlled infections. Furthermore, this study will be the first to evaluate the e icacy of vaccines – in this study, the Moderna vaccine – against the Omicron variant.
In addition to researching the impact of HIV on vaccine e icacy, the researchers aim to identify optimal treatment and vaccination regimens for the populations studied, and which factors should be considered regarding previous COVID-19 infection.
The trial will be conducted in East and Southern Africa – regions of the world that have been highly impacted by HIV. At present, it is expected to enrol more than 14,000 volunteers at 54 di erent clinical research sites in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda and Kenya, where adult HIV prevalence ranges from 4.5 per cent to 27 per cent.
“Sub-Saharan Africa has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but access to e ective vaccines, especially mRNA technology, has been very limited,” says Dr Nigel Garrett, co-chair of the study and head of Vaccine and HIV Pathogenesis Research at the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA).
“The Ubuntu trial will provide safety data to regulators and assess correlates of protection from COVID-19, and it will answer important questions on mRNA vaccine dosage regimens among people living with HIV,” he added.
To compare the e icacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines with regards to HIV status, more than 12,600 people living with HIV and around 1,400 who are HIV-negative will be enrolled. The study aims to recruit 5,000 volunteers who have previously had Covid-19, confirmed by an antibody blood test performed at initial enrolment. All participants will receive the Moderna vaccine, but dosages and schedules will vary depending on previous COVID-19 infection.
Organisers of the study also stated that people living with HIV will receive access to optimal HIV treatment throughout the course of the trial. “This region faces a huge HIV burden,” says Dr Glenda Gray, Ubuntu lead protocol adviser and President of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).
“Although safe and e ective vaccines have been developed for COVID-19, HIV and COVID-19 are on a collision course,” she adds. “The impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV is a concern for the continent, particularly in light of the recently-sequenced Omicron variant set to drive South Africa’s fourth wave and further infections globally.”
“These communities have been disproportionately impacted by the twin pandemics of HIV and COVID-19, and they now have an unprecedented opportunity to help advance science and improve our understanding of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in the context of HIV,” says Dr Philip Kotzé, one of the lead investigators for the study.
Markers of brain cell damage higher over short term in COVID-19 patients than in Alzheimer’s patients
Studies from South Africa have shown a notable increase in asymptomatic ‘carriage’ than in previous variants
Blood proteins indicative of neurological damage were higher in COVID-19 patients
Preliminary findings from clinical trials in South Africa have suggested that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 could have a far higher rate of ‘asymptomatic carriage’ than other variants.
This higher rate of carriage could be a factor in the rapid transmission of the variant, which has broken records for daily cases in nations around the world. In the United States, the CDC has reported that the variant is responsible for more than 98 per cent of new COVID cases, and has replaced the Delta variant in less than one month.
The study in South Africa examined more than 500 South African healthcare workers who were fully-vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a single dose form of the COVID-19 vaccine. Compared with previous variants, such as Beta and Delta, the rates of asymptomatic infection rose from just 2.6 per cent to more than 16 per cent.
“As we witness the quick, global spread of Omicron , it is clear that we urgently need a better understanding of the transmission dynamics of this variant,” says Dr Lawrence Corey, the senior author of the paper.
“Since so many people may be asymptomatic, we can’t always know who is carrying the virus, but we do know what we can do to protect ourselves and to help
Patients hospitalised for COVID-19 had higher levels over the short term of blood proteins known to rise with neurological damage than non-COVID-19 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found.
Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, researchers found higher levels of seven markers of brain damage (neurodegeneration) in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms than those without them, and much higher levels in patients that died in the hospital than in those discharged and sent home.
Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the study was conducted over two months early on in the pandemic (March-May 2020). Any determination of whether patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for future Alzheimer’s disease, or instead recover over time, must await the outcomes of long-term studies.
The study identified 251 patients at 71 average years of age, all of whom had no record or symptoms of cognitive decline or dementia before being hospitalized for COVID-19. These patients were then divided into groups with and without neurological symptoms during their acute COVID-19 prevent further spread: Wear a mask; wash your hands; avoid large, indoor gatherings; and get fully vaccinated as soon as possible,” he added.
Dr Glenda Gray, president of the South African Medical Research Council, stressed that the findings are preliminary, but appear to be in line with the bigger picture coming together about Omicron’s high transmissibility.
“Some larger studies were designed to analyse data at the intersection of COVID-19, vaccines, and people living with HIV, but they also are giving us useful information about Omicron and how its spread di ers from those of previous variants of concern,” she says.
infection, when patients either recovered and were discharged, or died.
A second analysis found that a subset of the damage markers in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were significantly higher over the short term than in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and in one case more than twice as high.
“Our findings suggest that patients hospitalised for COVID-19, and especially in those experiencing neurological symptoms during their acute infection, may have levels of brain injury markers that are as high as, or higher than, those seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease,” says lead author, Professor Jennifer A. Frontera, MD.
“Traumatic brain injury, which is also associated with increases in these biomarkers, does not mean that a patient will develop Alzheimer’s or related dementia later on, but does increase the risk of it,” says senior author Thomas M. Wisniewski, MD, the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman Professor in the Department of Neurology and director of the Center for Cognitive Neurology at NYU Langone.
“Whether that kind of relationship exists in those who survive severe COVID-19 is a question we urgently need to answer with on-going monitoring of these patients.”
Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam to become Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham
Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam will become the University of Nottingham’s next Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. He will take up the Executive Board-level role on his return to the university when he steps down as the Deputy Chief Medical O icer (DCMO) for Health Protection in England.
A specialist in influenza, including its epidemiology, transmission, vaccinology and pandemic preparedness, Professor Van-Tam was Professor of Health Protection in the Faculty’s School of Medicine prior to his secondment as DCMO. He is also an alumnus of the University and graduated from the School of Medicine in 1987.
A familiar public face during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was one of four Deputy Chief Medical O icers (DCMO), where he has been a key provider of independent advice to the Government on COVID-19, leading on health protection and regularly presenting at Downing Street press conferences. He received a knighthood in the most recent New Year’s Honours for his services to public health.
As the DCMO for Health Protection, Professor Van-Tam has played important roles in a number of di erent incidents in the UK, including domestic outbreaks of MERS and Monkeypox, the 2017/18 influenza season and most notably the response to the Novichok attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic where he worked on the Vaccine Taskforce and supported the development of treatments. “My time as DCMO has been the most challenging of my professional career, especially the COVID response. We all wish COVID had never happened. Notwithstanding, it has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to have served the people of the UK during this time,” says Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam.
“I want to pay tribute to Professor Chris Whitty, the CMO team, my fellow scientists, public health professionals and clinicians whose support, wisdom and energy has been inspiring. There are countless numbers who work behind the scenes - all of whom have an unrelenting commitment to help and support the British public. It has been an honour to work with them all.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West said: “All of us at the University are incredibly proud of Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam’s work as Deputy Chief Medical O icer, in which he has played a major role in steering the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences consists of four Schools encompassing Medicine, Health Sciences, Life Sciences and Veterinary Medicine and Science. It educates more than 5,000 students and conducts world-leading translational, applied and clinical research with a focus on making a real-life impact to patients and the public. Last year it celebrated its 50th anniversary of teaching Medicine and 30th anniversary of teaching Nursing courses.
The International Centre for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer launches at The Royal Marsden in London
We like to think of the start of a new year as a new beginning, and that is certainly the case at The Royal Marsden where I am proud to say that we have launched the world’s first centre for recurrent head and neck cancers, says Professor Chris Nutting, Clinical Director at The Royal Marsden in Cavendish Square.
Our aim is to create a centre of international excellence and set international standards in the curative treatment of recurrent head and neck cancers.
The International Centre for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer (IReC) will work to accelerate research and improve outcomes for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.
It will also collaborate with other international centres to set standards for management of recurrent HNC and conduct novel research in surgery, radiotherapy, drugs and biomarkers.
The IReC’s objectives are also to:
• Develop a national tissue bank to support laboratory and translational research • Create a research environment that will support research students and
multicentre research, and be competitive in grant funding • Teach and train future academics in the management of recurrent HNC • Act as a national focal point for head and neck cancer patients, carers and support groups, to help inform research and management priorities for recurrent HNC
Cancer recurrence is a major concern of patients and their families. Recurrence can vary widely between cancer types and within certain types according to stage and many other factors.
In broad terms the rate of recurrence of HNC is not as high as many other cancers, however it is a significant issue and one which deserves dedicated research and focus.
The IReC is truly world-class in its field. No other research departments are able to demonstrate a similar spectrum and volume of research activity on recurrent cancers.
Collectively we participate in several industry trials and are supporting seven future academic clinicians who are performing research in areas such as molecular/genetic science, robotic surgery and functional outcomes for patients.
Join us on the UK Pavilion stand at Arab Health 2022 to discover how to enhance your GCC strategy for the Life Sciences or Healthcare market. The British Government, namely the Department for International Trade (DIT), is delighted to be attending Arab Health in January and we would like to invite you to meet with us at the show.
Join us on the UK Pavilion stand at Arab Health 2022 to discover how to enhance your GCC strategy for the Life Sciences or Healthcare market. New to 2022, the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) will be combining programmes and hosting one stand - the UK Pavilion at Arab Health. DIT has developed a programme of activity to benefit international buyers and UK companies at Arab Health 2022. As a government organisation, one of our ambitions is the promotion of the best of UK innovations, and the role this is playing in defining the future of healthcare. Combining with the DIT activities is the ABHI UK pavilion, and their state-of-the art simulated operating theatre. It celebrates collaborations between healthcare providers, clinicians and healthcare technology companies, allowing visitors to watch the UK’s best surgeons in action. Watch the latest developments the UK Healthcare sector has to offer by leading providers: Royal Brompton Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Bupa Cromwell Hospital and HCA Healthcare. DIT will be hosting a number of interesting business seminars alongside Arab Health to connect UK companies to a wide range of healthcare providers in the region. The seminars are open to both UK and overseas organisations. In Dubai, taking place in the same week, is Expo 2020, and our UK healthcare and life sciences week. This provides UK companies with even more opportunities to uncover a host of interesting discussions and debates.
The British Government, namely the Department for International Trade (DIT), Event Details is delighted to be attending Arab Health in Date: 24 - 27 January 2022 January and we would like to invite you to Time: 10:00 - 18:00 meet with us at the show. Location: Dubai World Trade Centre Stand: The UK Pavilion, Hall 2 - E30 In the UK, the government recently launched its UK Life Sciences Vision setting out a 10-year strategy for For more information please contact: the sector to solve some of the biggest healthcare E: dithealthcare@brayleinoevents.com problems of our generation, including cancer and T: +44 (0)117 933 9467dementia. The healthcare challenges all nations currently face Joint collaboration: is growing. One of our ambitions for this show is to share our learnings and debate these key issues, and the role this is playing in defining the future of healthcare. We will be promoting the best of British innovations at the show and we hope you can join us.
Our Programme
DIT is hosting a programme of activity at the show: hosting a number of seminars at local hotel venues; hosting one to one business meetings; and bringing a delegation of NHS Trusts to the show, to explore new opportunities and collaborate with the region. Our programme has a number of NHS and other government senior representatives from the UK and DIT market advisers from the Middle East and other countries in attendance. For the latest information on seminar registration and 1-2-1 Commercial Officers bookings. Register your details to be updated on the latest At Dubai Expo 2020, from the 26 January, we are developments on the UK Healthcare running a special healthcare focused week on the UK Pavilion at Arab Health and the Pavilion. Our Expo team would be pleased to greet programme of activities. you to our special healthcare week. This provides you with even more opportunities to uncover a host of interesting discussions and debates. Combining with the DIT activities on the UK pavilion stand, is the ABHI surgical simulations and their state-of-the art simulated operating theatre. It
New to 2022, the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) will be combining programmes and hosting one stand - the UK Pavilion at Arab Health. DIT has developed a programme of activity to benefit international buyers and UK companies at Arab Health 2022. As a government organisation, one of our ambitions is the promotion of the best of UK innovations, and the role this is playing in defining the future of healthcare. Combining with the DIT activities is the ABHI UK pavilion, and their state-of-the art simulated operating theatre. It celebrates collaborations between healthcare providers, clinicians and We would be delighted to meet with private and public healthcare providers. The UK is very interested healthcare technology companies, allowing visitors to showcase UK innovations and work with the GCC to watch the UK’s best surgeons in action. Watch the region in continued collaboration. latest developments the UK Healthcare sector has to offer by leading providers: Royal Brompton Hospital, Please do book meetings in advance or visit us on Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Bupa the UK Pavilion stand at the show. Cromwell Hospital and HCA Healthcare. DIT will be hosting a number of interesting business seminars alongside Arab Health to connect UK companies to a wide range of healthcare providers Event Details in the region. The seminars are open to both UK Date: 24 - 27 January 2022 and overseas organisations. Time: 10:00 - 18:00 In Dubai, taking place in the same week, is Expo 2020, and our UK healthcare and life sciences week. This provides UK companies with even more Location: Dubai World Trade Centre Stand: The UK Pavilion, Hall 2 - E30 opportunities to uncover a host of interesting For more information please contact: discussions and debates. E: dithealthcare@brayleinoevents.com Benefits from visiting DIT & ABHI at the W: ukhealthcarepavilion.com
UK Pavilion:
• Find out information on the challenges of doing business in MENA markets and how to overcome them. •Network with buyers, and exhibitors to establish new contacts. •Attend seminars and gain expert advice and support from dedicated advisers. •DIT will be facilitating 1-2-1 meetings between
Commercial Officers and UK companies, from countries such as India, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait,
Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Turkey and UAE. The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our economy. We are a specialised government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business as well as delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.
Event Details
In the UK, the government recently launched its UK Life Sciences Vision setting out a 10-year strategy for For more information please contact: the sector to solve some of the biggest healthcare E: dithealthcare@brayleinoevents.com problems of our generation, including cancer and T: +44 (0)117 933 9467dementia. The healthcare challenges all nations currently face Joint collaboration: is growing. One of our ambitions for this show is to share our learnings and debate these key issues, and the role this is playing in defining the future of healthcare. We will be promoting the best of British innovations at the show and we hope you can join us.
Our Programme
DIT is hosting a programme of activity at the show: hosting a number of seminars at local hotel venues; hosting one to one business meetings; and bringing a delegation of NHS Trusts to the show, to explore new opportunities and collaborate with the region. Our programme has a number of NHS and other government senior representatives from the UK and DIT market advisers from the Middle East and other countries in attendance. For the latest information on seminar registration and 1-2-1 Commercial Officers bookings. Register your details to be updated on the latest At Dubai Expo 2020, from the 26 January, we are developments on the UK Healthcare running a special healthcare focused week on the UK Pavilion at Arab Health and the Pavilion. Our Expo team would be pleased to greet programme of activities. you to our special healthcare week. This provides you with even more opportunities to uncover a host of interesting discussions and debates. Combining with the DIT activities on the UK pavilion stand, is the ABHI surgical simulations and their state-of-the art simulated operating theatre. It celebrates collaborations between healthcare providers, clinicians and healthcare technology companies, allowing visitors to watch the UK’s best surgeons in action. Watch the latest developments the UK Healthcare sector has to offer by leading providers: Royal Brompton Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Bupa Cromwell Hospital and HCA Healthcare. We would be delighted to meet with private and public healthcare providers. The UK is very interested to showcase UK innovations and work with the GCC region in continued collaboration.
Please do book meetings in advance or visit us on the UK Pavilion stand at the show. Event Details
Date: 24 - 27 January 2022 Time: 10:00 - 18:00 Location: Dubai World Trade Centre Stand: The UK Pavilion, Hall 2 - E30 The British Government, For more information please contact: namely the Department for E: dithealthcare@brayleinoevents.com International Trade (DIT), is W: ukhealthcarepavilion.com delighted to be attending Arab Health in January and we would like to invite you to meet with us at the show. DIT & ABHI are running a joint stand which is showing live streaming surgical simulations, seminars in our booth theatre, and other interesting programmes. On the website you can see all the UK seminars and programmes from a range of UK companies and organisations. Hall 2, Stand E-30
The UK Pavilion at Arab Health 2022 24 - 27 January 2022, Dubai TUESDAY 25 JANUARY, AT VOCO HOTEL, 14:30 – 16:00 Next Steps for UK Digital Health
Digital transformation of healthcare has the potential to redefine how healthcare services are delivered with digital at their heart. This exciting seminar will provide an excellent opportunity to hear from leaders and experts regarding the future digital transformations in the UK and UAE. Our Expert Panel Speakers: Dr Tim Ferris, Director for Transformation, NHS England and Improvement, Ali Parsa, CEO, Babylon Health, Dr Dirk Richter – Senior Advisor with the Department for Health Dubai, Dr Mubaraka Ibrahim – Acting Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Health & Prevention UAE
THURSDAY, 27 JANUARY, 2022, AT DUBAI WORLD EXPO 2020, 11:00 - 12:00 Empowering People: Better Health and Care with Technology
Opening Address and Chair: H.E. Hawaa Al Mansoori , Deputy Medical Director, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist and Member of the Federal National Council of UAE. A panel discussion on how health systems can adopt technology to empower citizens to self-care, improving the overall prevention and public health objectives of the system. Health systems cannot cope with being reactive to those who are getting progressively sicker. Panellists: Ali Parsa, Founder and CEO, Babylon, Jeffrey Kemprecos, Government Affairs and Public Policy Executive, GSK, Dr Timothy Ferris, Director of Transformation, NHS England and NHS Improvement, Dr Ammar Safar, Medical Director, Moorfields Eye Hospitals in the UAE
Event Details
Date: 24 - 27 January 2022 Time: 10:00 - 18:00 Location: Dubai World Trade Centre Stand: The UK Pavilion, Hall 2 - E30 For more information please contact: E: dithealthcare@brayleinoevents.com W: ukhealthcarepavilion.com
Long term exposure to air pollution may heighten COVID-19 risk
Exposure to ambient air pollution may heighten the risk of COVID-19 infection, suggests research published online in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
The association was strongest for particulate matter, with an average annual rise of 1 µg/m3 linked to a 5 per cent increase in the infection rate. This equates to around an extra 294 cases per 100,000 people a year according to the findings, which focus on the Lombardy region of Italy.
Northern Italy was badly a ected by the pandemic, with Lombardy the worst a ected region in terms of both cases and deaths. Several reasons have been suggested for this, including di erent testing strategies and demographics.
While further research is needed to confirm cause and e ect, the findings should reinforce e orts to cut air pollution, according to the researchers who ran the study.
Estimates from the European Union Environmental Agency show that most of the 3.9m Europeans residing in areas where air pollution exceeds European limits live in Northern Italy.
Recent research has implicated airborne pollution as a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, but study design flaws and data capture only up to mid-2020 have limited the findings, according to the researchers.
To get around these issues, they looked at long term exposure to airborne pollutants and patterns of COVID-19 infection from the start of the pandemic to March 2021 among the residents of Varese, the eighth-largest city in Lombardy.
A er accounting for age, gender, and care home residency, plus concurrent long term conditions, averages, both PM 2.5 and PM 10 pollution levels were significantly associated with an increased COVID-19 infection rate.
For every 1 µg/m3 increase in long term exposure to PM 2.5, a 5 per cent increase in the number of new cases of COVID-19 infection was seen, equivalent to around 294 extra cases per 100,000 of the population per year.
The observed associations were even more noticeable among older age groups, indicating a stronger e ect of pollutants on the COVID-19 infection rate among 55–64 and 65–74 year olds, suggest the researchers.
However, this is an observational study, and as such, can’t establish cause. Although the researchers considered various potentially influential factors, they weren’t able to account for mobility, social interaction, humidity, temperature and certain underlying conditions, such as mental ill-health and kidney disease.
“Our findings provide the first solid empirical evidence for the hypothesised pathway linking long-term exposure to air pollution with the incidence of COVID-19, and deserve future generalisation in di erent contexts,” say researchers.
“Meanwhile, government e orts to further reduce air pollution levels can help to mitigate the public health burden of COVID-19.”
Consumer health sector commits to an industry-wide environmental pledge
The charter aims to reduce the impact of self-care on the environment
The Global Self-Care Foundation (GSCF) has recently announced the launch of the Charter for Environmentally Sustainable Self-Care, a global commitment from the consumer health industry to ensure the sustainability and eco-friendliness of self-care.
The pledge itself has identified reducing the impact of self-care products on the environment, and ensuring better health outcomes, product safety and access to e ective treatment options as its key goals.
Self-care products encompass items such as over-the-counter medicines, food supplements including minerals and vitamins, and medical devices such as bloodpressure readers and sleep apnea machines.
“Voluntary and proactive action across the consumer health industry is essential to find urgent, sustainable solutions to address the sector’s environmental impact,” says Judy Stenmark, Director General at the GSCF.
“That’s why I am very pleased to see the Charter come to fruition at a time when we are truly seeing a collective global movement from business to address sustainability, both through making tangible commitments and delivering on them. The Charter provides an ambitious platform for all our members globally to drive innovation in sustainability.”
Members of the GCSF, including consumer health manufacturers and suppliers, have made a range of commitments as part of the Charter, based on their individual sustainability goals and programs. The Charter itself is primarily focused on three priority areas where the industry has the greatest impact and influence: plastics and packaging, pharmaceuticals in the environment and carbon footprint.
These members have pledged to reduce plastics and packaging wherever possible, striving less waste and more sustainable production methods within manufacturing. The industry also continues to take measures to reduce the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment, which include promoting the safe disposal of unused medication. With regards to carbon footprint, GSCF members and the broader industry are adopting emissions reduction targets that accelerate the transition to the low carbon economy, in line with the Paris Agreement.
“Minimising the impact of self-care products on the environment while safeguarding access to e ective treatment and well-being options for people is a critical issue for the consumer health industry. Member companies have already embarked on the sustainability journey individually; with the Charter we establish a platform for good practice sharing and collaboration with an objective to create collective actions and move the needle forward,” says Jurate Svarcaite, Director General at the AESGP.
