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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Africa Debate: Foreign Secretary speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The Africa Debate: Foreign Secretary speech

    The Foreign Secretary gave a speech at The Africa Debate on 2 July 2025.

    Ladies and Gentleman, Friends.

    It’s a great, great pleasure to be here today. Thank you to Sumaila and the team behind the Africa Debate, for bringing us all together.

    This week, it’s 25 years since I was first elected the Member of Parliament for Tottenham and therefore began my journey in public life. So I want to start by looking back for just a moment in time.

    I was a Member of Parliament and then a Junior Minister in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. And they were both very, very focused on Africa and the continent of Africa.

    However, when I look back on that period, it was most definitely  principally through the lens of development and aid. This was the era of the Jubilee debt campaign. It was absolutely the era of the Millennium Development Goals. Make Poverty History was the theme of the day and the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in 2005, implementing many of the recommendations of Blair’s Commission for Africa.

    These efforts left of course a legacy. In 2000, almost two-thirds of all sub-Saharan Africans lived on under three dollars a day, by 2010, when Gordon Brown left office, the figure was under half.

    But when I became Foreign Secretary last year, I wanted to modernise our approach to Africa, modernise our approach to development.

    I of course had been travelling to the continent for many, many years, the first country I ever visited was Kenya. But I’d seen the transformation of cities and communities, all brimming with huge potential.

    And I suppose I also benefited from my own heritage in the Global South. My parents hailed from Guyana. And so I understood some of the frustrations of countries and communities when it felt like the West was ignoring people or not listening to people, not understanding what they really needed.

    I wanted to change that. And to reset relations then with the Global South, and particularly with Africa. And to implement a new approach, partnership, not paternalism.

    Genuine partnership is, by definition, between two equals each respecting the other. So in this job, I have tried to show that respect. And in the past year, I have visited eight African countries. The first Foreign Secretary to visit South Africa or Morocco since William Hague. And the first Foreign Secretary ever to visit the great country of Chad.

    And on my first visit to the continent as Foreign Secretary, I launched consultations on our new Africa Approach. A five-month listening exercise, hearing from governments, from civil society and diaspora communities, from businesses and universities, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Dakar to Djibouti, what they valued, what they wanted to see from Britain.

    We needed to listen. And I thank you all for your engagement over the course of this process and for what you told us, what we needed to hear.

    The message actually didn’t surprise me. Because what African people want from Britain is exactly what British people want from Africa. You want, we want, growth.

    And not just any form of growth, a jump in numbers on a spreadsheet for a year or two.

    But a secure, sustainable growth for everyone, high-quality jobs, affordable prices, citizens living better lives than those of their ancestors.

    You want, we want, opportunity.

    Opportunity arising from our respective strengths, like the British education system, like of course the City of London, the incredible natural assets and energised young people across Africa, and our collective commitment to multilateralism.

    And you want, and we want partnerships. Partnerships that harness our deep historic ties, and the array of personal connections that exist between us.

    But partnerships that also continue to grow and deepen, as we both invest in them. That’s just a snapshot of a detailed piece of work.

    But of course, the work can only be beginning. The real test of our Africa Approach, and this was clear in the consultation as well, is how we put it into practice.

    Because talk is cheap. It’s actions in the end that count. I am excited by the deals driving growth that we have been delivering so far.

    A new Strategic Partnership with Nigeria, a new growth plan with South Africa, a new partnership with Morocco, joint work on a new AI strategy in Ghana, and new investments in Tanzania and of course in Kenya, announced in the first East Africa Trade and Investment Forum here in London in May.

    And thanks to our Developing Countries Trading Scheme, and free trade agreements with many African countries, almost £15 billion of goods were exported from Africa to Britain tariff-free last year.

    And following the publication of the British Government’s new Trade Strategy, we will further simplify the rules of the DCTS scheme which benefits thirty-eight African countries, and review our tariffs with South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

    The Trade Strategy reinforces Britain’s belief in the power of free trade. And the largest free trade area in the world is Africa’s.

    And that’s why we back the rollout of the African Continent Free Trade Agreement, reducing barriers to intra-African trade through support in areas like digital trade and custom cooperation.

    And we will increase opportunities for British firms to play their part, just as it will increase prosperity in Africa. The British businesses and investors in this room have a big part to play. And I want our Ambassadors, our High Commissioners working closely with you, so that together, we can play a confident role in investing more, and supporting the growth of the African market.

    So, more trade, more investment, this is the best path to prosperity for all.

    And there is a role of course for development as well. But this has to be a modernised approach to development, recognising that fundamentally development is about growth, development is about jobs, development is about business.

    The modern development expert needs to have a mindset of an investor, not a donor. Looking for the best return, not offering the biggest handout.

    And it’s in that spirit that British International Investment recently signed an MoU with South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation, one of Africa’s largest asset managers.

    And this week agreed to support Wave Money Mobile, an exciting African fintech unicorn.

    And it’s also in that spirit that Britain is co-hosting the next Global Fund replenishment summit in South Africa.

    And just last week I made a £1.25 billion pledge to the recent Gavi replenishment in Brussels, the largest of any sovereign donor.

    That work will save lives – many, many millions. But it will also unlock economic value -every pound given to Gavi drives £54 in wider economic benefit.

    And, crucially, it unlocks value in Britain and Africa. Gavi works closely with cutting-edge British pharmaceutical firms like GSK. And it’s also designed the first African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which is using industry partnerships to deliver vaccines for Africa.

    Vaccines, and this is very important, because people talked about that during the COVID pandemic, they asked the question, why, why are we failing, the West failing to vaccinate the African continent, and that was an important question.

    But there was a second question – why has the African continent not got its own manufacturing capability, and that is what we now need to deliver in Africa.

    Working with partners like Nigeria, we are pushing for organisations like Gavi and the Global Fund to work together and reform, so that their work has national ownership at its heart.

    National ownership is similarly important when it comes to reforming wider international finance, especially for climate and nature.

    And thank you, President Ruto, for your leadership on the climate issue particularly. The theme of your conference is precisely the right framing, Africa has Natural Capital. But it cannot unlock this if we make it impossibly challenging for states to access the finance that they need.

    At the recent Development Finance Summit in Seville, we were again pushing for reforms of the multilateral development banks and the IMF. We have to mobilise private capital and use guarantees to unlock more funds.

    To empower regional development banks, like the African Development Bank, where developing countries have more of a voice. To tackle unsustainable debt. To work with the City to bring innovations like disaster risk insurance and strengthen local capital markets.

    One example of what this can mean comes from Sierra Leone, where I can announce £2 million pounds worth of British government investment to back a mangrove restoration project by West Africa Blue. The project protects over 90,000 hectares of mangrove estuaries, improving coastal and community resilience.

    But it is also demonstrating how this model can be commercially viable, unlocking future investment in similar projects in the future. And finally, alongside our work on trade, on investment and development finance, we have heard the clear message from the consultation on illicit finance as well.

    I know that this message is not new. For years, friends in Africa have been saying Britain needs to do more to tackle dirty money. Kleptocrats and money launderers rob all our citizens of wealth and security.

    And now, the Government is listening too. That’s why I’ve started imposing sanctions on crooks who siphon off public money for themselves, like Isabel dos Santos of Angola and Kamlesh Pattni’s illicit gold smuggling network.

    And that’s why I’ve also announced that London will be hosting a Countering Illicit Finance Summit, bringing together a broad range and a broad coalition from the Global North and the Global South, to drive these criminals out of our economies.

    Friends, I said the messages of our recent consultations were that Africa wanted more growth, Africa wanted more opportunities, Africa wanted more partnerships.

    In effect, Africa wants Britain to help them to have more choices. Choices over who to do business with, because it’s choices which matter in a volatile geopolitical age.

    Britain wants choices too. And I believe that, given the choice, more and more British businesses and investors will be choosing Africa in the coming years.

    But don’t take my word for it – let’s hear from an African voice. It’s my pleasure now to introduce to the stage a great partner of the UK, a global leader on climate and nature action, and our next keynote speaker, His Excellency, Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Measles isn’t just dangerous – it may erase your immune system

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Antony Black, Lecturer, Life Sciences, University of Westminster

    INSAGO/Shutterstock

    Blindness, pneumonia, severe diarrhoea and even death – measles virus infections, especially in children, can have devastating consequences. Fortunately, we have a safe and effective defence. Measles vaccines are estimated to have averted more than 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023.

    Yet despite this success, measles cases are rising sharply in the UK and around the world. This global surge is the result of several factors, from vaccine hesitancy to missed immunisation campaigns, leaving many children unprotected and vulnerable.

    But there’s more at stake than just measles itself. Emerging research suggests that the measles vaccination may offer surprising additional health benefits. Children who receive the vaccine have been shown to have a significantly lower risk of infections from diseases unrelated to measles.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    One explanation for this broader benefit is the idea of “measles amnesia.” This refers to the ability of the measles virus to erase parts of the body’s immune memory.

    Our immune system contains various cells that protect us from infections. Some produce antibodies that neutralise viruses, while others detect and destroy infected cells. Immune memory allows the body to “remember” past infections and mount faster responses in the future.

    However, measles infection may reduce the number and diversity of these memory cells – leaving children vulnerable to a wide range of diseases they had previously developed immunity to. In other words, the virus doesn’t just make children ill in the short term, it may also undo years of immune protection.

    In one study, researchers found that between 11% and 73% of antibodies targeting other diseases were lost after a measles infection in unvaccinated children. This immune depletion was not observed in children who had received the vaccine, suggesting that vaccination protects against this damaging effect.

    This broad loss of immune protection may explain why measles outbreaks are often followed by spikes in other infectious diseases. Ongoing studies are exploring the impact of measles amnesia in regions such as West Africa, where measles and other infections remain widespread.

    A vaccine that does more?

    Another theory for the vaccine’s broader benefit is known as the “non-specific effect”. Unlike measles amnesia, which explains how the virus weakens immunity, the non-specific effect suggests that the measles vaccine actively strengthens the immune system against a wide range of pathogens.

    Recent research has shown that measles vaccination may enhance the function of certain immune cells, making them more effective at fighting off other diseases. Some scientists believe this effect, rather than protection against amnesia alone, could be the primary reason why vaccinated children have better overall health outcomes.

    The measles vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, which means it uses a weakened version of the virus to stimulate a strong immune response. Live vaccines, including the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis, are known to provide broad immune training effects, which may explain this non-specific protection.

    Forgotten the dangers

    In the 1960s, before widespread vaccination, measles caused around 2.6 million deaths per year. It’s hard to imagine today, but that’s partly the problem.

    As measles became rare, society began to forget how serious it is. We forgot how contagious it is (one infected person can spread the virus to up to 90% of nearby unvaccinated people) and we forgot how effective vaccination is (two doses provide more than 90% long-term protection).

    And in some circles, this fading memory has been replaced by something more dangerous: mistrust. Misinformation, vaccine myths, and anti-vaccine rhetoric are spreading, just like the virus itself.

    So, whether the additional protection offered by the vaccine is due to prevention of immune amnesia, a non-specific immune boost, or both, the takeaway is the same: Vaccinate children against measles. Because when we protect them from measles, we may also be protecting them from so much more.

    Antony Black does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Measles isn’t just dangerous – it may erase your immune system – https://theconversation.com/measles-isnt-just-dangerous-it-may-erase-your-immune-system-261136

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King on Potential Recissions Legislation: ‘Checks and Balances Essentially have Melted Away’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today spoke on the Senate floor to speak on the Senate floor against the ‘Recissions Package’ currently being considered. This legislation aims to remove Congressionally-approved funding from critical public services including, but not limited to, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which helps to fund Maine Public broadcasting and public interest newsgathering nationwide, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) which leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage and directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies before they can pose a threat to American lives.

    More specifically, King made the point that this bill is a further abdication of congressional authority to fund national priorities, also known in the Constitution as “the power of the purse.”

    The full transcript of Senator King’s floor speech from this morning is below.

    +++

    “Mr. President, I’d like to talk today about the rescission bill that will be coming before us in the next couple of days, and I want to really cover two points – what is being done in this bill, and how it’s being done. I think they are equally important. In fact, I think perhaps how it is being done is more significant in the long run. The rescission bill talks about essentially two areas, public broadcasting, and USAID. In my view, the rescission, the total rescission of those two agencies, by the way –it is a total rescission— it’s not selective cutting of certain programs or partially, it’s the whole thing, both in the corporation for public broadcasting and USAID, go from bad policy to downright dangerous, and I want to talk about that for a minute.

    “Public broadcasting has a unique place in the United States and our media environment in that it is the only media form not driven by advertising and advertising dollars. It cannot be driven by ratings. It therefore is able to provide programming to the American people that they probably almost certainly would not have access to otherwise. It wouldn’t simply find a home on commercial broadcasting because the ratings wouldn’t be there, but that doesn’t mean the programming isn’t important. 

    “My kids were raised on ‘Sesame Street.’ It made a huge difference in their readiness to go to school, in their understanding of language and numbers, and the whole basis of our education system. ‘Sesame Street’ is a program that wouldn’t find a home on commercial broadcasting. Likely, also with “Nova” with “Nature” and yes, the “PBS Newshour.”

    “The [corporate] news business today has become more entertainment because it’s based upon advertising [and] attracting viewers and therefore is more inciteful. And I don’t mean – I mean that c-i-t-e not s-i-g-h-t. More inciting to people’s anger and unrest in order to keep them viewing. Whereas the PBS Newshour is pretty much straight news. It wouldn’t get ratings on MSNBC or Fox News, but it provides a source of news both in terms of nationally, but also in each state.

    “The local national public radio “All Things Considered”, those kinds of programming are essential to providing information. Now, some people may think it’s biased. I don’t think anything done by a human is going to be free of any and all bias, but it is pretty much straight news. And it’s an asset to our communities, particularly our rural communities.

    “And by the way, this isn’t where we have federal dollars that are supporting all of these initiatives. In fact, the majority of the support for public broadcasting, both television and radio, comes from the public, from contributions. So, in effect, our federal dollars are matched to a very high degree by the public making their own contributions. That’s an indication of how much the public values these wonderful assets to our information environment here in the country. And to cut off federal funding is just — it’s an essential piece of the funding. A lot of it goes to the local stations. We talk about the corporation for public broadcasting, we think of PBS and the national programs, but a lot of this funding ends up going to the local stations all over the country that provide essential sources of information to their public.

    “By the way, the costs we’re talking about is ridiculously low. I did the calculation. The relationship between the cost of the public broadcasting to the federal budget is, let’s see, it’s seven cents to $10,000. That’s the ratio. Seven cents out of $10,000. That’s what we’re talking about here, an almost immeasurable part of the federal budget, but the return on investment is enormous. It’s enormous. If this were a gigantic $100 billion program, we’d be having a different kind of discussion, but this is a relatively small program in the context of the federal budget, with a very high return on investment to the American people. 

    “Now let’s talk about USAID and the [majority] whip was just talking about that. He listed a number of projects that I think are questionable, that I don’t necessarily support, but USAID is an essential part of our foreign policy to help to stabilize unstable parts of the world, to extend America’s soft power, to build America’s brand, and yes, to do some very essential projects. For example, in PEPFAR, which is an initiative of the George W. Bush administration, involving AIDS, the estimate is that that initiative since its beginning in 2005 has saved 25 million lives. 25 million lives were saved by that program that will be destroyed by this bill. You can’t tell me that having that level of benefit to the people of the world does not [result in] the benefit of the United States, the sponsor of the initiative.

    “Same thing with malaria. The estimates are that the malaria program, which goes back to I believe it was the Obama Administration, has prevented 1.5 billion cases of malaria, which is a real plague in many parts of the world, and saved 11 million lives. Just those two programs together, those two USAID projects, have saved 36 million lives, and we’re talking about cutting them off. That’s not only bad policy, it’s cruel. It’s cruel, and it undermines the credibility of this country.

    “Now, of course, foreign aid has a lot of benefits aside from the ones that I’ve just outlined. By the way, if the Congress and the Administration wants to cull the programs and say we don’t think this one is necessary, this is not a good expenditure of the people’s money, that’s fine. But that’s not what this bill does. This bill throws out the beneficial baby with the questionable bathwater. It is a total abdication of America’s engagement with the world.

    “Vaccination campaigns, food security, nutrition programs, disaster response, refugee support. This aligns with our American values. As I say, it’s a relatively small part of the budget. It helps to stabilize fragile states. It cuts the risk of extremism and terrorism and conflict. And James Mattis put it best. General James Mattis, one of the most distinguished military officers of our time, said, ‘If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then you’re going to have to buy me more bullets.’

    “That puts it most succinctly, you’re going to have to buy me more bullets, because the programs of USAID tend to stabilize the world and mitigate the tendency toward extremism and violence. And since we have started to gut A.I.D., which was one of the first actions of this administration in January and February, China has stepped into our shoes.

    “I’m on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee. I have seen and heard testimony that China is basically stepping in where we’re walking away. We are handing Africa and Latin America to the Chinese. In some cases, to the very programs that we were sponsoring. They’re the ones now engaging with local governments, local leadership, getting the credit for helping with these kinds of problems across the world. We’re giving away the goodwill that is part of the American brand. We’re giving away the opportunity to build alliances, to strengthen our influence, especially in competition with regimes like China and Russia.

    “It also creates markets for U.S. goods and the U.S. economy. A significant share of the foreign aid ends up going back to businesses and NGO’s here in the United States. So, it actually contributes to our economic development. Countries that are receiving this USAID end up being partners and customers of U.S. goods, products, and services. I mentioned it saves lives, it aligns with our values, and there’s nothing wrong with talking about values. That’s a part of what we should be doing. USAID is doing important work all over the world. I met with USAID people in Kabul, Afghanistan. I met with them in Jordan, where they’re working on a water desalinization project that will literally save Jordan. Jordan is a country that has no water, and they’re facing a tremendous crisis. One of the projects that they’re relying on is a very large water production facility supported by USAID. That’s the kind of project that I think we need to continue.

    “Again, I would not say that every single project they’ve sponsored is what I would have agreed upon. That’s our job as oversight bodies, to take a look at the projects being sponsored, the administration can also do that, and they can then cull the projects we don’t think are a useful expenditure of the government’s money, or the people’s money. But not the wholesale destruction of an agency that is critical, I believe, to the foreign policy of the United States. 

    “So, that’s the picture on these rescissions. I believe the more important question, though, Mr. President, as I’ve mentioned, is how this is being done. The question is, who has the power in our government over appropriations? That’s the fundamental question. Where is the power over appropriations, where do the federal dollars go?

    “The answer, of course, is the Congress. Article 1, Section 8. The Congress has the ‘power of the purse.’ The president can submit his budget, and he can submit a budget that zeros out USAID, that zeros out corporation for public broadcasting. But then, the way the process works, we have hearings, we have meetings with the appropriation committee. The appropriators meet, decide, discuss, debate, and come to the floor with a bill that represents the consensus of those on the appropriations committee. And then we consider it here.

    “This process that we’re talking about here—this rescission process—turns the whole thing upside down. It basically says the administration can decide programs that are going to go away, and you can take it or leave it, Congress. I believe it shreds the appropriations process. The appropriations committee, indeed, this body, becomes a rubber stamp for whatever the administration wants.  

    “The deeper problem, Mr. President, is I believe this is another step in Congress’ abdication of its constitutional authority, which has dramatically accelerated since January. The war power, Article 1, Section 8, an express power of the Constitution, we barely could have a debate about that, and the President attacked another sovereign country, which may have been the right thing to do, but there was no consultation, there was no attempt whatsoever to engage Congress, which has the power over declaring war, before that step was taken.

    “Foreign trade, again, foreign trade, trade among nations is the term in the Constitution, is expressly delegated by the Constitution to the Congress, and the Congress has delegated some of that authority to the president, to a president, any president, under emergency circumstances. But this President has expanded emergency to mean just about anything.

    “We learned this week he’s talking about a 50% tariff against Brazil because he doesn’t like the way the current government is treating the prior president. Has nothing to do with trade, has nothing to do with trade deficits or the tariffs. It has to do with something the President individually doesn’t like. That’s not the way the systems supposed to work. The up and down rollercoaster we’ve been on with regards to tariffs is a perfect example of why one person shouldn’t have this authority. This should be something done thoughtfully and systematically here in the Congress. Under Article 1 Section 8, to debate and decide what appropriate tariff levels there are across the world and not this helter skelter up and down changing every other day that has not only affected inflation in this country and brought it up, but it’s also created enormous uncertainty both in our markets and across the world. And finally, we see the power of the purse, Congress’s fundamental responsibility. 

    “And by the way, Mr. President, as I talk to my colleagues, particularly my Republican colleagues, about this issue over the last several months, one of the common refrains is, don’t worry, we don’t have to buck the President because the courts will take care of it. The courts will take care of us. They’ll protect us. Well, that ain’t happening. The ridiculous decision of the Supreme Court yesterday on the Department of Education is an indication that we cannot count on the courts to protect us from the depredations of an authoritarian, proto authoritarian regime. They basically said the President can continue to gut the Department of Education because we are going to hear the case later and decide when it comes. They did the same right with birthright citizenship. They punted on the issue and allowed the activities, the authoritarian-like activities to continue before they get to the case in their own good time.

    “So we can’t count on the courts. That means we’re it. The Congress, the Senate has to stand up for the Constitution. What this bill is, is another building block in the edifice of authoritarianism that we’ve seen built, that we are seeing built before our eyes. A building block in the edifice of authoritarianism.

    “Why is this important? Is this just a dispute between the Congress and the President, politics as usual. Democrats undermining a Republican president, and it’s just going to be all about the midterms and the elections of 2028? No, this is much deeper than that.

    “The fundamental premise of the Constitution is the separation of power and the reason it’s there is because history tells us if power is concentrated, it’s dangerous. Madison put it bluntly in the 47th Federalist: ‘The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary in the same set of hands may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.’ He used the word tyranny. Madison wasn’t mincing words. History tells us that if you concentrate power in one set of hands it’s dangerous. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We know that from 1,000 years of human nature. And that was exactly what the framers of the Constitution were trying to prevent by this complicated, difficult structure where there’s power in the Congress, power in the states, power in the executive, power in the courts, two houses of Congress vetoes, overrides.

    “All of those checks and balances which has become a kind of cliche are there for a fundamental reason, and that’s to protect our liberty. To protect us from the danger of power being concentrated in one set of hands. Now the framers thought that they didn’t have to worry about this, having set up the Constitution the way they did, because they said never will the Congress give up its power. The term they used was ambition must be made to counteract ambition. That there would be institutional rivalry and we would never give up. They didn’t reckon on parties. They didn’t reckon on party primaries. They didn’t reckon on the executive having such sway with the legislative branch that the checks and balances essentially have melted away.

    “So this bill is important because of the merits, as I talked about, about the danger of wiping out USAID and all the good it does in the world and the good it does for our country, and also wiping out public broadcasting and all the good that it does, the irreplaceable good that it does for the people in the United States.

    “But it’s also more dangerous than ever because it’s one more step, as I mentioned, in the breakdown of the fundamental constitutional structure that says power must be divided, because if it’s concentrated in one set of hands — and I don’t care if it’s Donald Trump or the archangel Gabriel. It’s dangerous to have the power in one set of hands. That’s how we lose our liberty.

    “Madison said when the executive and legislative are united in one body, there can be no liberty. Mr. President, we must listen. We must listen to history, to the people that brought us here, the people that brought us this government, the geniuses that formed this structure to protect the liberty of the American people. And it may seem like a small thing. This is one more bill, one more item. But it is one more step, in my view, toward empowering the executive at the expense, not of the Congress, but of the people. But of the people of the United States.

    “Mr. President, I don’t know what it’s going to take, but I hope this debate, this discussion will lead us to finally say this is a line too far. We’re going to draw a line here, and we’ll establish a relationship with the president that is cooperative, collaborative, bipartisan, and sharing the power that the Constitution gives to each of us.

    “There’s nothing less than the liberty of our people that’s at stake. I therefore urge my colleagues to vote against this bill and begin a discussion in the appropriations process as to these two elements and how they should be structured and funded. That’s the way it should be done, not by the dictate of a President, of one who is trying to collapse the authority in our Constitution into his own hands. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ‘Bad Policy to Downright Dangerous,’ King says on Floor in Preparation for Vote on Recissions Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today spoke on the Senate floor against the ‘Recissions Package’ currently being considered by the governing body. This legislation aims to remove Congressionally-approved funding from critical public services including, but not limited to, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which helps to fund Maine Public broadcasting and public interest newsgathering nationwide, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) which leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage and directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies before they can pose a threat to American lives.

    More specifically, King made the point that this bill is a further abdication of congressional authority to fund national priorities, also known in the Constitution as “the power of the purse.”

    Early in the speech, King highlighted the importance of public broadcasting and its impact on the American people.

    King began, “Public broadcasting has a unique place in the United States and our media environment in that it is the only media form not driven by advertising and advertising dollars. It cannot be driven by ratings. It therefore is able to provide programming to the American people that they probably almost certainly would not have access to otherwise. It wouldn’t simply find a home on commercial broadcasting because the ratings wouldn’t be there, but that doesn’t mean the programming isn’t important.

    King then spoke about international interests that have wide-ranging effects on the health and safety of people here at home.

    “Vaccination campaigns, food security, nutrition programs, disaster response, refugee support. This aligns with our American values. As I say, it’s a relatively small part of the budget. It helps to stabilize fragile states. It cuts the risk of extremism and terrorism and conflict. And James Mattis put it best. General James Mattis, one of the most distinguished military officers of our time, said, ‘If you don’t fund the state department fully, then you’re going to have to buy me more bullets.’ That puts it most succinctly, you’re going to have to buy me more bullets, because the programs of USAID tend to stabilize the world and mitigate the tendency toward extremism and violence. And since we have started to gut A.I.D., which was one of the first actions of this administration in January and February, China has stepped into our shoes,” King continued.

    King concluded the speech by speaking about the critical separation of powers that is ‘melting away.’

    “All of those checks and balances which has become a kind of cliche are there for a fundamental reason, and that’s to protect our liberty. To protect us from the danger of power being concentrated in one set of hands. Now the framers thought that they didn’t have to worry about this, having set up the Constitution the way they did, because they said never will the Congress give up its power. The term they used was ambition must be made to counteract ambition. That there would be institutional rivalry and we would never give up. They didn’t reckon on parties. They didn’t reckon on party primaries. They didn’t reckon on the executive having such sway with the legislative branch that the checks and balances essentially have melted away.” King concluded.

    Senator King has been consistently sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s existential threat to the Constitution, and the need for Congress to assert its institutional role. Most recently, he invoked former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith calling on his Republican colleagues to stand up to the President’s threats to democracy. King previously gave a speech on the Senate floor sharing that this administration is doing ‘exactly what the Framers [of the Constitution] most feared” and a speech where he shared his growing concerns over the Trump Administration’s usurpation of Congressional authority. Senator King also previously declared that the proposal to halt all federal grant and loan disbursement was illegal and a direct assault on the Constitution. More recently, he joined 36 Senators in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sharing the detrimental effects of  the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He also joined fellow Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) colleagues in writing a letter to the White House about the risks to national security by allowing unvetted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Yemen: Security Council extends UN mission in crucial port city amid escalating Red Sea strife

    Source: United Nations 4

    Adopted unanimously, the resolution extending the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) until 28 January 2026, underscores the Mission’s critical role in maintaining fragile stability amid signs of renewed military escalation and deepening humanitarian need.

    The resolution – 2786 (2025) – reaffirms the Council’s support for the 2018 Stockholm Agreement, including the ceasefire in the Houthi-controlled port city – and demilitarisation of its docks, where the majority of Yemen’s imports and vital aid shipments pass through.

    The mission’s future

    It also signals a growing debate over the mission’s future, requesting the Secretary-General to submit a review by November to enhance coordination and coherence of UN operations, “bearing in mind challenges” that have directly impeded UNMHA’s capacity to deliver.

    “The Security Council…expresses its intention to review the full range of options for UNMHA’s mandate, including assessing the future viability and sunsetting of the Mission, and make any necessary adjustments to gain efficiencies and reduce costs or otherwise, as may be required to UN operations in Hudaydah by developments on the ground, including inter alia a durable nationwide ceasefire,” the resolution noted.

    UNMHA was established in 2019 to support implementation of the Stockholm Agreement between the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah (as the Houthis are formally known), which sought to prevent major conflict over the region.

    The mission monitors the ceasefire, facilitates redeployments and supports de-escalation through liaison mechanisms between the parties.

    Tensions mounting

    While the military situation on the ground remains tenuously stable, tensions are mounting on multiple fronts.

    According to a letter from the Secretary-General to the 15-member Council in June, a growing number of ceasefire violations – averaging over 100 per day between June 2024 and May 2025 – highlight the fragile state of the region.  

    Government-aligned forces fortified positions in anticipation of a possible offensive on the city, while Houthi units increased infiltration attempts and public mobilisation, including military-style youth camps in areas they control.

    UN Photo/Mark Garten

    Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 2786 (2025) extending until 28 January 2026 the mandate of the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA).

    Deadly Red Sea passage

    Compounding this, Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea have intensified. On 8 July, the commercial vessel Eternity C was sunk, killing several crew members and leaving others missing. This followed the sinking of the Magic Seas vessel two days earlier.

    In a statement, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg condemned the attacks, calling them violations of international maritime law and warning they risked serious environmental and geopolitical fallout.

    He called on Ansar Allah to cease attacks that risk escalating tensions in and around Yemen.

    “[He urges them] to build on the cessation of hostilities with the United States in the Red Sea and to provide durable guarantees to the region and the wider international community, ensuring the safety of all those using this critical waterway,” the statement noted.

    Significant operational constraints

    Within Hudaydah itself, UNMHA faces significant constraints.  

    The June letter by the Secretary-General details restrictions by Houthi authorities on UN patrols to the critical Red Sea ports – Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Issa.

    Damage from repeated airstrikes, including by the US and Israel in response to Houthi attacks, has left key port infrastructure partially inoperable, disrupting fuel, food and medical imports.

    With Hudaydah responsible for 70 per cent of Yemen’s commercial imports and 80 per cent of humanitarian deliveries, the stakes are high.

    © UNICEF/Mahmoud Alfilastini

    A child receives a polio vaccination in Yemen.

    Polio vaccination drive

    Meanwhile, a new round of polio vaccinations is underway in Government-controlled areas of southern Yemen, amid mounting concerns over the continued spread of the virus.  

    From 12 to 14 July, health workers deployed across 12 governorates, aimed at curbing the outbreak of variant type 2 poliovirus.

    The campaign, led by Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health with support from UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), came as 282 cases have been reported since 2021, with environmental surveillance confirming ongoing transmission.

    “The campaign is essential to interrupt transmission and protect every child from the debilitating effects of polio,” said Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo, acting WHO Representative in Yemen.

    UNICEF’s Peter Hawkins echoed the urgency, warning of the “imminent threat” to unvaccinated children if immunisation gaps persist.

    “But, through vaccination, we can keep our children safe,” he said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • India cuts zero-dose children by 43% as South Asia hits record-high immunization in 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has reduced the number of children who missed all vaccinations — also called zero-dose children — by 43% in just one year, according to new data released on Tuesday by WHO and UNICEF.

    As per the 2024 data, India brought down its number of zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024 — a drop of nearly 700,000.

    “This is a proud moment for South Asia. More children are protected today than ever before,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, while also stressing the need to reach the remaining children in remote areas.

    South Asia, as a region, achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage. In 2024, 92% of infants received the third dose of the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. This marks a 2% increase from 2023 and even surpasses pre-COVID levels.

    Nepal also saw major improvement, cutting its number of zero-dose children by more than half. Pakistan reached its highest-ever DTP3 coverage at 87%. However, Afghanistan remains a concern, with the lowest coverage in the region and a slight decline compared to last year.

    Measles coverage improved as well: around 93% of infants received the first dose and 88% received the second. Reported measles cases fell sharply by 39% in 2024.

    Vaccination against HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which prevents cervical cancer, also made progress. Bangladesh vaccinated over 7.1 million girls since launching its programme last year, while Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka also reported increases. India and Pakistan are expected to begin their HPV vaccination campaigns later this year.

    The WHO and UNICEF report praised strong leadership from governments, the tireless work of frontline health workers, and the better use of data and technology for achieving these gains.

    “It is heartening to see the WHO South-East Asia Region reach its highest-ever immunization rates, surpassing the pre-pandemic uptrend. We must build on this momentum and step up efforts to reach every child with these lifesaving vaccines. Together we can, and we must,” said Dr Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Director of Programme Management, WHO South-East Asia Region.

    Still, experts warned that over 2.9 million children in South Asia remain un- or under-vaccinated and must be reached to ensure full protection against deadly diseases.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Turkmenistan strengthens its influenza vaccination programme

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Building pandemic response capacities through seasonal vaccination 

    Strong national influenza vaccination programmes are the foundation for the vaccination component of the pandemic response. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework’s Partnership Contribution (PC), Turkmenistan is enhancing its national seasonal influenza vaccination programme and through this, is strengthening its preparedness for future pandemics. This collaboration is part of a broader effort to build resilient health systems capable of responding to influenza epidemics and pandemics. 

    Over the past eight years, the Ministry of Health has expanded access to influenza vaccines for WHO-recommended priority groups, including health workers, older adults, people with chronic conditions, and pregnant women. The annual influenza vaccination programme not only protects vulnerable populations but also serves as a foundation for pandemic response.

    Reviewing the influenza vaccination programme  

    In May 2025, Turkmenistan became the first country in the WHO European Region to use the Facilitated Assessment of Influenza Vaccination Programme Review (FAIR) tool. During the review and an interactive workshop, WHO technical experts collaborated with the Ministry of Health to evaluate best practices and identify priority actions to strengthen the national vaccination programme. 

    Using the FAIR tool, WHO experts conducted informational interviews with national stakeholders responsible for policy development, evidence generation, cold chain and supply management, risk communication, community engagement, integrated service delivery, and data management. In addition, WHO experts and national counterparts visited Turkmenistan’s main vaccine storage facilities and a local polyclinic administering influenza vaccines.

    From assessment to action 

    During the workshop, WHO experts presented FAIR findings and facilitated group discussions with national focal points. Together, they developed a list of priority actions, including:

    • Developing a national seasonal influenza vaccination policy aligned with WHO guidance 
    • Reviewing and updating coverage data 
    • Conducting studies to assess the impact of influenza vaccination

    The workshop also emphasized the role of seasonal influenza vaccination as a platform for broader pandemic preparedness. In this context, WHO and national focal points conducted a simulation exercise focused on planning and deploying pandemic vaccines, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 response. Participants from emergency vaccination, logistics, regulatory affairs, and communications identified areas for improvement in the national deployment and vaccination plan (NDVP). 

    Commitment to resilience 

    Turkmenistan is committed to advancing its national influenza preparedness and strengthening its health system’s resilience. By addressing both seasonal and pandemic influenza, the country is taking important steps to protect its population and enhance its capacity to respond to emergencies.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Joint News Release Global childhood vaccination coverage holds steady, yet over 14 million infants remain unvaccinated – WHO, UNICEF

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In 2024, 89% of infants globally – about 115 million – received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, and 85% – roughly 109 million – completed all three doses, according to new national immunization coverage data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

    Compared to 2023, around 171 000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges.

    Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million “zero-dose” children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That’s 4 million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunization Agenda 2030 goals, and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress.

    “Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies and nations to flourish,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It’s encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress. WHO remains committed to working with our partners to support countries to develop local solutions and increase domestic investment to reach all children with the lifesaving power of vaccines.”

    Children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunization services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines.

    Access to vaccines remains deeply unequal

    Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined.

    The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world’s infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunization.

    Immunization coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance have improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650 000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunization coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems.

    “The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent.”

    Broadening protection against vaccine-preventable diseases

    Despite these challenges, countries – especially those supported by Gavi – continue to introduce and scale up vaccines, including against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus.

    For example, large national scale-ups of the HPV vaccine and revitalization efforts in countries that have previously introduced the vaccine, have boosted global coverage by 4% in the past year. In 2024, 31% of eligible adolescent girls globally received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine – most doses were administered in countries using a single-dose schedule. While far from the 90% coverage target by 2030, it represents a substantial increase from the 17% coverage in 2019.

    “In 2024, lower-income countries protected more children than ever before, with coverage rates increasing across all Gavi-supported vaccines,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “Yet population growth, fragility and conflict present major hurdles to achieving equity, leaving the most vulnerable children and communities at risk. Continued commitment from governments and partners will be critical to saving lives and protecting the world from infectious disease threats.”

    Coverage against measles also improved, with 84% of children receiving the first dose and 76% receiving the second dose, which shows slight increase from the previous year. An estimated 2 million more children were reached in 2024, but the overall coverage rate is far below the 95% needed in every community to prevent outbreaks.

    This results in more than 30 million children remaining under-protected against measles, leading to more large or disruptive outbreaks. In 2024, the number of countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks rose sharply to 60, nearly doubling from 33 in 2022.

    The promise of protecting every child is at risk

    Although the community demand for childhood vaccination remains high and protection against more diseases is expanding, the latest estimates highlight a concerning trajectory. National and global funding shortfalls, growing instability worldwide, and rising vaccine misinformation threaten to further stall or even reverse progress which would risk increases in severe disease and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

    WHO and UNICEF call on governments and relevant partners to:

    • close the funding gap for Gavi’s next strategic cycle (2026–2030) to protect millions of children in lower-income countries and global health security;
    • strengthen immunization in conflict and fragile settings to reach more zero-dose children and prevent deadly disease outbreaks;
    • prioritize local-led strategies and domestic investment, embedding immunization firmly within primary health care systems to close equity gaps;
    • counter misinformation and further increase vaccine uptake through evidence-based approaches; and
    • invest in stronger data and disease surveillance systems to guide high-impact immunization programmes.
       

    Notes to editors 

    WHO and UNICEF are working with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners to deliver the global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a strategy for all countries and relevant global partners to achieve set goals on preventing diseases through immunization and delivering vaccines to everyone, everywhere, at every age.

    About the data 

    Based on country-reported data, the WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases given through regular health systems – normally at clinics, community centres, outreach services, or health worker visits. For 2024, data were provided from 189 countries. 

    About WHO 

    Dedicated to the health and well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health. We connect nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int

    About UNICEF

    UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.

    For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org
    Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Joint News Release Global childhood vaccination coverage holds steady, yet over 14 million infants remain unvaccinated – WHO, UNICEF

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In 2024, 89% of infants globally – about 115 million – received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, and 85% – roughly 109 million – completed all three doses, according to new national immunization coverage data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

    Compared to 2023, around 171 000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges.

    Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million “zero-dose” children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That’s 4 million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunization Agenda 2030 goals, and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress.

    “Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies and nations to flourish,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It’s encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress. WHO remains committed to working with our partners to support countries to develop local solutions and increase domestic investment to reach all children with the lifesaving power of vaccines.”

    Children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunization services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines.

    Access to vaccines remains deeply unequal

    Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined.

    The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world’s infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunization.

    Immunization coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance have improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650 000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunization coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems.

    “The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent.”

    Broadening protection against vaccine-preventable diseases

    Despite these challenges, countries – especially those supported by Gavi – continue to introduce and scale up vaccines, including against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus.

    For example, large national scale-ups of the HPV vaccine and revitalization efforts in countries that have previously introduced the vaccine, have boosted global coverage by 4% in the past year. In 2024, 31% of eligible adolescent girls globally received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine – most doses were administered in countries using a single-dose schedule. While far from the 90% coverage target by 2030, it represents a substantial increase from the 17% coverage in 2019.

    “In 2024, lower-income countries protected more children than ever before, with coverage rates increasing across all Gavi-supported vaccines,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “Yet population growth, fragility and conflict present major hurdles to achieving equity, leaving the most vulnerable children and communities at risk. Continued commitment from governments and partners will be critical to saving lives and protecting the world from infectious disease threats.”

    Coverage against measles also improved, with 84% of children receiving the first dose and 76% receiving the second dose, which shows slight increase from the previous year. An estimated 2 million more children were reached in 2024, but the overall coverage rate is far below the 95% needed in every community to prevent outbreaks.

    This results in more than 30 million children remaining under-protected against measles, leading to more large or disruptive outbreaks. In 2024, the number of countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks rose sharply to 60, nearly doubling from 33 in 2022.

    The promise of protecting every child is at risk

    Although the community demand for childhood vaccination remains high and protection against more diseases is expanding, the latest estimates highlight a concerning trajectory. National and global funding shortfalls, growing instability worldwide, and rising vaccine misinformation threaten to further stall or even reverse progress which would risk increases in severe disease and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

    WHO and UNICEF call on governments and relevant partners to:

    • close the funding gap for Gavi’s next strategic cycle (2026–2030) to protect millions of children in lower-income countries and global health security;
    • strengthen immunization in conflict and fragile settings to reach more zero-dose children and prevent deadly disease outbreaks;
    • prioritize local-led strategies and domestic investment, embedding immunization firmly within primary health care systems to close equity gaps;
    • counter misinformation and further increase vaccine uptake through evidence-based approaches; and
    • invest in stronger data and disease surveillance systems to guide high-impact immunization programmes.
       

    Notes to editors 

    WHO and UNICEF are working with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners to deliver the global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a strategy for all countries and relevant global partners to achieve set goals on preventing diseases through immunization and delivering vaccines to everyone, everywhere, at every age.

    About the data 

    Based on country-reported data, the WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases given through regular health systems – normally at clinics, community centres, outreach services, or health worker visits. For 2024, data were provided from 189 countries. 

    About WHO 

    Dedicated to the health and well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health. We connect nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int

    About UNICEF

    UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.

    For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org
    Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: How one global health org protects lives, prepares for the toughest scenarios: Gavi CEO

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    How does the CEO of an organization brought in to help respond to fast-moving health crises like Mpox and other infectious diseases plan for the unexpected? Sania Nishtar heads up Gavi – The Vaccine Alliance, an organization that has helped vaccinate over one billion children in the world’s poorest countries and prevent more than 18 million deaths worldwide. Sania talks to us about the planning, mindsets, technologies and scenario planning her team uses to be ready for any emergency. She explains the importance of securing ‘crystal clarity’ in advance for what its expected to deliver and how that helps the organization prepare for a range of circumstances and efficiently coordinate with governments and other global organizations when time is of the essence. This organization was launched at Davos 25 years ago and she shares what what’s needed for global health security and strengthened public health systems now and in months and years ahead.

    This interview was recorded in January 2025 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

    About this episode:
    Gavi: https://www.gavi.org/

    Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/sania-nishtar-gavi-preparation-global-health

    Related podcasts:
    What most people get wrong about progress: Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2IJjZs4E7A&t=51s

    We’re ‘losing the war’ on modern slavery: What leaders can do – HPE’s John Schultz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXggC3o08I&t=1s

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2xYpxNICUQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Strengthening Immunity, One Dose at a Time: Malawi’s Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV2) Success Story

    Source: APO


    .

    In the heart of Southern Africa, Malawi has taken a bold step in the fight against polio. After reporting its first case of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) after 30 years in 2022, the country responded with urgency and resolve. By May 2024, thanks to multiple vaccination campaigns, vigilant surveillance and strengthened immunization systems, Malawi was declared polio-free once again. But the journey didn’t end there.

    With the looming threat of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) from neighboring countries, Malawi recognized the need to boost its population’s immunity. Backed by GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance funding and guided by the Malawi Immunization Technical Advisory Group (MAITAG), the Ministry of Health introduced the second dose of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV2) into the national immunization schedule in December 2024.

    This milestone was more than a policy shift—it was a nationwide movement:

    • Over 187,348 eligible children better protected from Polio following vaccination with 2nd Dose of IPV as of April 2025

    • 17,000 health workers were trained across all districts.

    • IPV2 was rolled out in every health facility, including outreach posts in remote areas.

    • Community engagement efforts flourished, with local leaders and health workers leading sensitization campaigns.

    • Data management tools and systems were updated to incorporate the new vaccine

    In Karonga District, which borders Tanzania and faces high cross-border transmission risk, the rollout was seamless. Health workers reported no challenges, and community members welcomed the new dose with open arms. 

    Mr. Kayuni, an area supervisor with over 20 years of experience in immunization programming within the district, discussed the introduction of IPV2, which aims to enhance protection against the type 2 poliovirus. He noted that due to the anticipated benefits of IPV2, efforts had been increased in community awareness regarding the new dose to reduce vaccine hesitancy for improved coverage.

    At the Mlongoti outreach post, a structure built by the community demonstrates their support for the health system and immunization program. Suzgika Gondwe, a local mother, expressed her understanding that this dose reduces the risk of polio for her child. Another caregiver, Gift Ngofi, mentioned that she believed in the benefits of the additional dose because the information came from their community health workers. Temwa Kaula supported her community members’ opinions, noting no expected harm beyond typical vaccine side effects from the new dose. All three caregivers discussed the overall importance of vaccines, observing fewer illness episodes for their children, decreased hospital visits, and increased time for income-generating activities.

    This success story is not just about a new vaccine—it’s about resilience, trust, and community-driven health progress. With continued support and vigilance, Malawi is not only protecting its children today but also securing a polio-free future for generations to come.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Malawi.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Childhood immunisation rates continue to climb

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New figures released today show childhood immunisation rates at 24 months continue to rise, reflecting the Government’s strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Kiwi children, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “Protecting children from preventable illnesses like measles and whooping cough is a priority, so it’s heartening to see more children across the country now fully immunised,” Mr Brown says.

    National coverage at 24 months has climbed to 79.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2024/25 – up 2.4 percentage points compared to the same quarter last year.

    “These results show that our clear focus on health targets, combined with the efforts of our frontline workforce, is delivering real improvements for children.”

    The gains have been widespread across the country, with several districts showing strong improvement compared to the last quarter.

    “Auckland lifted its coverage by 5.7 percentage points, Counties Manukau by 5.5, and Lakes by 5.2. Capital and Coast rose by 4.4 points, while Whanganui achieved a 5.8-point gain.”

    The South Island also recorded excellent progress.

    “Nelson Marlborough saw a 5.2-point increase, and South Canterbury delivered a remarkable 12.1-point gain this quarter.”

    Mr Brown says the rise in immunisation coverage is especially important following the recent cases of measles in Wairarapa.

    “These cases are a timely reminder of why staying on top of immunisations is so important. Measles is highly infectious, and vaccination remains the most effective way to protect our children and communities.

    “Every additional child immunised lowers the chance of outbreaks, helping to keep our families, schools, and communities safe and healthy.

    “Childhood immunisations are a key priority for this Government. We want to see 95 per cent of children fully immunised by 2030, and we know GPs play a critical role in achieving that,” Mr Brown says.

    “That’s why this Government has introduced performance payments for GP clinics that lift childhood immunisation rates by up to ten percentage points, or reach 95 per cent of their enrolled population – with partial payments for partial achievement.”

    Mr Brown says the Government is backing local services and frontline staff to keep building momentum.

    “Putting patients first means giving every child the healthiest possible start to life. We’re continuing to invest in community outreach, local services, and the workforce needed to lift immunisation coverage even further.

    “There’s still more work to do, but this latest data shows we’re heading in the right direction,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Vaccination against cholera brings hope to more than 2 million Angolans

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    A new round of the oral vaccination campaign against cholera was officially launched this Saturday in the municipality of Cafunfo, Lunda Norte province, an initiative of the Angolan government, through the Ministry of Health, with the support of GAVI – Global Alliance for Vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the European Union and other partners in the health sector.

    The campaign plans to vaccinate more than 2 million people in the most affected municipalities in the provinces of Cabinda, Kwanza Sul, Huíla, Lunda Norte, Namibe and Zaire – regions where there is currently active transmission of the disease.

    The campaign started simultaneously in all the provinces covered, with teams on the ground starting vaccination activities at fixed posts and through door-to-door visits.

    At the launch, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta, called on everyone to get involved: “Everyone has to take part in this war against cholera, we’re almost there, there’s just a little bit left and if we all work together we’ll be able to get rid of cholera in Angola.”

    The minister also highlighted the strengthening of the response capacity thanks to the support of partners: “Through our partners, we managed to get around 1 million vaccines in the first and second rounds. Now we’ve got 2 million vaccines that will allow us to increase coverage and protect even more people.”

    The vaccine used in this round is Euvichol-S, an oral, single-dose vaccine donated by Gavi and distributed via the international mechanism coordinated by the International Coordination Group (ICG). The campaign involves 942 vaccination teams, made up of vaccinators, mobilizers and supervisors, who will work at fixed posts and also through door-to-door visits.

    All people aged one year and over will be vaccinated, as part of an integrated response that includes epidemiological surveillance, access to drinking water, sanitation, risk communication and case management.

    During the ceremony, the WHO Representative in Angola, Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, highlighted the role of the vaccine in protecting communities, but recalled that it must be complemented by other structural measures: “The oral vaccine is a strong tool in our hands, in each campaign we stop the transmission of cholera by reinforcing the vital shield of protection for communities. But the vaccine alone is not enough, we must remain vigilant. The fight against cholera is also about sustainable investment in water, sanitation and hygiene. Only in this way will we cut cholera in the long term.”

    In the beneficiary neighborhoods, the mood is hopeful. After months of fear and uncertainty, the arrival of the vaccine represents a concrete response and essential protection, especially for the most vulnerable families.

    Verónica Domingos Ferreira, who lives in the municipality of Kikombo, Kwanza Sul, was one of the people vaccinated. After seeing her neighbors fall ill months ago, she decided to seek information and protect her family. Today, she is relieved: “I’m very grateful. Today I got vaccinated and I vaccinated my children. This vaccine is a blessing. Now I feel that my family is better protected.”

    With actions like this, Angola is strengthening its capacity to respond to outbreaks and reaffirming its commitment to the health and dignity of its communities. The campaign will continue in the coming days, with calls for the active participation of the entire population.

    – on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Jamaica accedes to Afreximbank, strengthening ties to Global Africa

    Source: APO

    Jamaica has officially acceded to the Establishment Agreement of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), becoming the 13th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member State of the African Multilateral Financial Institution. The historic signing took place on the sidelines of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.

    Jamaica’s accession marks a major achievement in the growth of Global Africa: an intercontinental partnership committed to economic transformation and self-determination for African nations and their diaspora. The move unlocks an additional US$1.5 billion financing for Jamaica and other Caribbean economies, raising Afreximbank’s total approved facility for the region to US$3 billion, contingent upon full CARICOM membership.

    Commenting at the signing ceremony, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, emphasised the mutual benefits to both parties:

    “We are thrilled to welcome Jamaica into the Afreximbank family. Jamaica’s accession to the Partnership Agreement marks a pivotal step towards realising the vision of our forefathers—a united and prosperous Global Africa, built on a platform of South-South cooperation. The Partnership Agreement unlocks Afreximbank’s financing solutions, trade facilitation tools, and investment opportunities, empowering Jamaican businesses to access African markets while fostering reciprocal trade.

    Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, expressed his optimism for Jamaica’s membership of the Bank:

    “This is a significant and strategic step that strengthens Jamaica’s ability to access increased trade financing, investment support, and technical assistance. The agreement creates real opportunities for Jamaica to benefit from Afreximbank’s expanding suite of financial instruments, including trade guarantees, project financing, and capital support tailored to the needs of developing economies. It positions Jamaica to tap into new sources of funding for critical sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and the creative industries, while laying the foundation for deeper collaboration between African and Caribbean businesses.”

    This historic signing builds on the momentum of the inaugural AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF), held in Bridgetown, Barbados in September 2022, where Caribbean nations reaffirmed their commitment to closer Africa-Caribbean cooperation. Since then, Afreximbank has hosted successive ACTIFs in Guyana (2023) and The Bahamas (2024), with the fourth forum scheduled for 28–29 July 2025 in Grenada.

    Since establishing its regional office, Afreximbank has approved over US$700 million in financing across the Caribbean, with a pipeline exceeding US$2 billion. Investments have supported key sectors such as energy, tourism, education, and small business development across Barbados, St. Lucia, Suriname, Grenada, and The Bahamas. The Bank also provided over US$4.3 million in pandemic-related assistance through the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) to The Bahamas, Antigua & Barbuda, and Trinidad & Tobago.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contact:
    Vincent Musumba
    Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
    Email: press@afreximbank.com

    Follow on Social Media: 
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    About Afreximbank:
    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

    For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Hendra virus has killed a horse in Queensland. Should we be worried?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinod Balasubramaniam, Associate Professor (Molecular Virology), Monash University

    CJKPhoto/Getty

    The death of an unvaccinated horse from Hendra virus this week in southeast Queensland is the state’s first reported case in three years.

    Before that, Australia’s last case was in July 2023, when another unvaccinated horse died in New South Wales.

    The new incident is a stark reminder that, while rare, this persistent virus poses a deadly threat to both animals and humans.

    So, what is Hendra virus? And how is it passed on? Here’s what you need to know.

    What is Hendra virus?

    Hendra virus is found only in Australia. It is named after the Brisbane suburb Hendra, where it was first identified in 1994 – an outbreak that killed 13 horses and one human.

    Hendra is a highly pathogenic virus, meaning it causes severe, often fatal illness.

    It is a kind of henipavirus, which belongs to the large family of Paramyxoviridae. Henipaviruses such as Hendra are zoonotic, which means they occur naturally in animals but can also be passed on to humans.

    Australia’s native flying foxes or fruit bats (the genus Pteropus) are Hendra’s natural “reservoir host”. They carry the virus without symptoms.

    Outbreaks occur when the virus is transmitted to horses and occasionally to humans through infected horses. It is not known to affect other animals.

    Can humans get Hendra?

    Although alarming, human cases of Hendra virus remain exceedingly rare. Only seven confirmed cases have been reported since 1994, resulting in four deaths.

    Each human case occurred after close contact with an infected horse or horses.

    Those who contracted Hendra were typically veterinarians or horse trainers exposed to blood, mucus or other bodily fluids while caring for the horse or determining its cause of death.

    Direct transmission of Hendra from bats to humans, or between humans, has not been documented.

    How does it spread?

    Hendra exists year-round in flying fox populations, who shed virus particles in bodily fluids, but don’t get sick themselves.

    Horses mainly become infected through grass, feed or drinking water that has been contaminated by flying fox saliva, urine or feces. Although horse-to-horse transmission is possible, it is not common.

    An infected horse will show rapid symptoms including:

    • fever
    • breathing difficulties
    • nasal discharge
    • increased heart rate
    • neurological signs, such as muscle twitching, loss of coordination, and disorientation.

    The infection progresses rapidly. In around 75% of cases, death follows within 48 to 72 hrs of symptoms beginning.

    How dangerous is Hendra for horses?

    Cases are infrequent but severe. Hendra has killed over 100 horses since it was identified in 1994.

    Around 75–80% of infected horses either die naturally or are euthanised due to welfare concerns. This high death rate underscores the need for preventive measures.

    Vaccination is the main way to prevent infection in horses. No vaccinated horses have developed the disease since a highly effective vaccine became available in 2012.

    Veterinary authorities strongly recommend vaccination for horses, especially in Queensland and northern New South Wales, regions historically affected by the virus.

    Other preventive measures include: placing feed and water containers away from areas frequented by flying foxes, regular stable cleaning, and keeping horses in stables overnight during months when bats are most active.

    This is typically May to October, sometimes known as “Hendra season”. But there are signs climate change and habitat destruction may be changing when and where flying foxes roost and potentially worsening the risk of outbreak.

    How to prevent human infection

    There is no vaccine for humans against Hendra virus.

    Preventing virus transmission from horses to humans requires strict biosecurity and hygiene protocols.

    People who work with potentially infected horses must use personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, eye protection and disposable gowns.

    Rigorous hand hygiene practices – such as thorough washing with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitisers after horse contact – are vital.

    If you suspect your horse is sick, avoid direct contact and get veterinary help straight away.

    Vinod Balasubramaniam receives funding from the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Malaysia.

    – ref. Hendra virus has killed a horse in Queensland. Should we be worried? – https://theconversation.com/hendra-virus-has-killed-a-horse-in-queensland-should-we-be-worried-260586

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 10 July 2025 Statement Fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) is hereby transmitting the report of the fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, held on Thursday, 5 June 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CEST.

    Concurring with the advice unanimously expressed by the Committee during the meeting, the WHO Director-General determined that the upsurge of mpox 2024 continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and, accordingly, on 9 June 2025, issued temporary recommendations to States Parties, available here.  

    The WHO Director-General expresses his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Members, and Advisors of the Committee.

    ===

    Proceedings of the meeting

    Sixteen (16) Members of, and two Advisors to, the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) were convened by teleconference, via Zoom, on Thursday, 5 June 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CEST. Fourteen (14) of the 16 Committee Members, and the two Advisors to the Committee participated in the meeting.

    The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) joined in person and welcomed the participants, including Government Officials designated to present their views to the Committee on behalf of the two invited States Parties – Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The opening remarks by the Director-General are available here.

    The Representative of the Office of Legal Counsel then briefed the Members and Advisors on their roles and responsibilities and identified the mandate of the Committee under the relevant articles of the IHR. The Ethics Officer from the Department of Compliance, Risk Management, and Ethics provided the Members and Advisors with an overview of the WHO Declaration of Interests process. The Members and Advisors were made aware of their individual responsibility to disclose to WHO, in a timely manner, any interests of a personal, professional, financial, intellectual or commercial nature that may give rise to a perceived or actual conflict of interest. They were additionally reminded of their duty to maintain the confidentiality of the meeting discussions and the work of the Committee. Each Member and Advisor was surveyed, with no conflicts of interest identified.

    The meeting was handed over to the Chair who introduced the objectives of the meeting, which were to provide views to the WHO Director-General on whether the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, and if so, to provide views on the potential proposed temporary recommendations.

    Session open to representatives of States Parties invited to present their views

    The WHO Secretariat presented an overview of the global epidemiological situation of mpox, including all circulating clades of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Over the past 12 months, the majority of mpox cases have continued to be reported from the African continent, largely driven by outbreaks of MPXV clade Ib in East African countries, including the DRC, where clade Ia is co-circulating. Sierra Leone however is experiencing a rapidly evolving outbreak, which based on available genomic sequencing results, appears to be driven by MPXV clade IIb. Outside of the African region, there continues to be a steady report of monthly cases (between about 500 – 1000 monthly), from all regions, mostly reflecting ongoing circulation of MPXV clade IIb among men who have sex with men (MSM).

    In the DRC, while surveillance- and access to healthcare-related challenges persist, particularly in the eastern part of the country, trends in most Provinces where MPXV clade Ib is circulating, including those of North Kivu and South Kivu, are now appearing to stabilize or decline. Similar trends are also observed in areas endemic for MPXV clade Ia. In the capital Kinshasa, where the upsurge is driven by a co-circulation of MPXV clades Ia and Ib, the disease appears to be clustered geographically and in specific demographic groups, with incidence disproportionately higher among young adults, reflecting dynamics of transmission sustained by sexual networks in key areas of the city.

    In Burundi, a steady decline in incidence of mpox cases has been observed since late 2024. Initially concentrated in and around Bujumbura and later spreading to the administrative capital Gitega, with at its peak cases reported in most districts, the upsurge appears to now be concentrated only in a few hotspots.

    In Uganda, although national trends indicate a decrease in mpox cases since mid-February 2025, including a clear downward trend in the capital Kampala, limitations in testing capacity warrant cautious interpretation. Clusters are concentrated in urban settings, with transmission primarily among young adults, consistent with sexual contact transmission dynamics.

    In Kenya, although the number of mpox cases remains low, recent data suggest an upward trend. Surveillance is likely underestimating the actual incidence of mpox cases. Transmission has been associated with mobile populations, including truck drivers and sex workers.

    Sierra Leone has recently faced a significant upsurge of MPXV clade IIb, with a peak reproduction number in the capital Freetown, exceeding that observed in the past in Kinshasa, DRC, or Kampala, Uganda. Over the past three weeks, the number of observed mpox cases has been declining, possibly due to a combination of, increased natural immunity in high-risk groups and public health interventions. Transmission remains concentrated in urban areas and among young adults, likely to be associated with sexual contact.

    Travel-associated cases are declining but remain a concern. Notably, recent diagnoses of MPXV clade Ib infection in Australia – linked to exposure in Thailand – highlight the risk of undetected transmission in countries or areas with underperforming surveillance. The majority of secondary transmission resulting from imported mpox cases occurs through close, intimate, or sexual contact.

    MPXV clade Ia continues to show higher mortality, especially in children the DRC with a case fatality rate of 2-3%, although data should be interpreted considering, inter alia, the limitation of syndromic surveillance. Across all clades, individuals with underlying immunosuppression, particularly those with HIV infection, remain at greatest risk of severe outcomes and death. The overall case fatality rate for MPXV clade Ib and clade IIb remains around 0.5%.

    The WHO Secretariat presented the assessed risk by MPXV clades and further expressed in terms of overall public health risk where any given clade/s is/are circulating, as: Clade Ib – high public health risk in the DRC and neighbouring countries; Clade Ia – moderate public health risk in the DRC; Clade II – moderate public health risk in Nigeria and countries of West and Central Africa where mpox is endemic; and clade IIb – moderate public health risk globally. It was noted that the above risk assessment corresponds to the one presented during the third meeting of the Committee on 25 February 2025.

    The WHO Secretariat subsequently underscored progress in mpox control efforts, attributing gains to partnerships among national governments, communities, and WHO. However, these are now at risk due to a worsening funding shortfall, not only for the response but for global health programs that support mpox prevention and control activities.

    An updated WHO Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP, available here), covering the period May-August 2025 and integrating lessons from operational reviews conducted in early 2025, was issued in April 2025. While the strategy remains fit for purpose, the funding environment has deteriorated. Despite a $145 million funding requirement to support all partners involved in mpox response efforts, including $47 million for WHO, the Organization has received no new financial commitments since the issuance of the new SPRP, and resource constraints now threaten the sustainability of operations – personnel levels have dropped, and essential supplies, including vaccines, cannot be deployed efficiently.

    WHO has issued updated clinical care and infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance, emphasizing the importance of integrating mpox-related interventions into broader health programs and health services delivery. However, the effective implementation of the guidance remains limited by logistical and financial barriers, and its application at local level requires intensified support. Community-centered care strategies, such as home-based care with IPC integration and linkage to primary care, have been endorsed to alleviate pressure on health facilities.

    Seven countries have initiated mpox vaccination (Central African Republic, DRC, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda), with four additional countries (Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and South Africa) poised to begin. Vaccine supply exists with 2.9 million vaccine doses in countries, but resource limitations hamper distribution and administration, with only approximately 724,000 doses administered to date. Strengthened coordination is essential to ensure equitable and timely delivery to high-risk populations.

    While recent progress in controlling and responding to the spread of mpox are encouraging, sustainability hinges on urgent and sustained resource mobilization, greater integration within health systems, and continued prioritization of community engagement. Without this, current gains risk being reversed.

    Representatives of Burundi and the DRC updated the Committee on the mpox epidemiological situation in their countries and their current control and response efforts, needs and challenges, and plans in the medium term.

    In Burundi, since the mpox upsurge started in July 2024, cumulatively, approximately 4,000 confirmed cases of mpox, including one death, were observed. The number of cases has been subsiding and, as of 25 May 2025, mpox cases are occurring in 9 districts, including two hotspots. The response in Burundi is focusing on rapid response to alerts and contract tracing. Among the challenges in responding to mpox are insufficient resources to provide food for cases, lack of clean water in some of the hotspots, and the absence of a functional multisectoral One Health platform.

    In the DRC, the number of mpox cases is plateauing, with a significant decrease in positivity rate, further corroborating the declining trends. Outside areas considered to be endemic, adults account for the majority of cases, with sexual contact being the most frequent mode of transmission. Overall, as a result of contact tracing activities, 83,000 contacts were identified, with a median of 5 contacts per case. More than two million mpox vaccine doses were received, with approximately 600,000 people vaccinated to date. Efforts are ongoing to make triage more efficient and effective, and improve diagnostics for mpox, including transport of samples from the affected communities. National authorities have developed a plan to intensify the response to the mpox outbreak, focusing on surveillance, contact tracing, risk communication, and vaccination. However, the funding gap is again impacting response activities, particularly in remote areas.

    Members of, and Advisors to, the Committee then engaged in questions and answers with the presenters from States Parties and the WHO Secretariat, revolving around the issues and challenges enumerated below.

    Global epidemiology, clade distribution, and risk assessment – The global epidemiological risk has remained largely unchanged since the Committee last met on 25 February 2025. However, 17 countries in Africa are currently reporting mpox outbreaks (i.e. one case or more in the last six weeks). MPXV clade Ib continues to spread in high-risk groups and has been newly detected in countries including Ethiopia, Malawi, South Sudan, and Zambia. Sierra Leone is experiencing a distinct outbreak, likely due to MPXV clade IIb according to initial evidence. This outbreak poses a specific local and regional risk and is a reminder of the ongoing risk of mpox outbreaks in specific contexts. The Committee asked about progress made towards the elimination of mpox in the WHO European Region. In that respect, the WHO Secretariat indicated that MPXV clade IIb continues to circulate at low levels, predominantly among MSM. Despite the reduced number of cases, elimination has not been achieved, with persistent transmission linked to gaps in immunity, behavioral risk factors, and communication barriers. Given the patterns of international travel, the risk of reintroduction in the WHO European Region persists.

    Surveillance, laboratory testing, and confidence in data – On the specific question of confidence in trends in the DRC, while there remain many specific challenges to surveillance, stable or decreasing trends observed in syndromic surveillance, epidemiological case-based surveillance and laboratory-based surveillance, coupled with decreases in test positivity, bring some confidence in the robustness of the assessment. Caution is warranted particularly when interpreting current trends in some areas of the Eastern Provinces of the DRC where access remains constrained, although, overall, Eastern DRC had been seeing a sustained decline in reported cases before the more recent security constraints. Concerns were expressed about the possibility of undetected transmission of MPXV in West Africa, including in Ghana and Togo in relation to MPXV clade Ib, as well as in Sierra Leone, in relation to MPXV clade IIb, despite of the declining trajectory of the number of cases after it peaked in early 2025. Concerns were also expressed regarding the need for enhanced genomic sequencing capacity. Burundi was commended for its strong surveillance performance, including its high testing rate and contact follow-up capacity. National laboratory diagnostic approaches generally report adhering to WHO protocols. However, in Sierra Leone, due to the burden of response activities, only 2% of samples positive for MPXV infection (prior to early May 2025) underwent genomic sequencing.he WHO Secretariat continues to support countries experiencing upsurges of mpox cases by providing technical assistance, including facilitating shipment of specimens to national or international laboratories.

    Patterns of transmission – The Committee highlighted that, unlike in most other areas experiencing the MPXV clade Ib outbreaks, an increased number of paediatric mpox cases is observed in the Provinces of North and South Kivu, DRC. While detailed epidemiological data are limited, this age pattern could potentially be explained, inter alia, by the build-up of immunity among adults following sexual exposure, leading to infections due to non-sexual exposure withing households. There have been anecdotical reports of exposure in paediatric healthcare facilities. It was noted that outbreaks of mpox have not otherwise been reported in educational or other settings where children are congregating.

    Contact tracing – Approaches to contact tracing differ across countries. In some settings the absence of systematic tracing and access to diagnostics reduces the effectiveness of overall control actions. The need to optimize public health resource allocation was underscored. This would entail reassessing the feasibility of traditional contact tracing in certain settings, as well as the use of mpox vaccine among identified contacts to reduce secondary transmission.

    Vaccination – As of June 2025, approximately 2.9 million mpox vaccine doses have been distributed across the African continent, the majority to the DRC, which has received about 2.5 million doses. Of these, approximately 600,000 doses have been administered. The remaining 1.9 million doses comprise 1.5 million LC16m8 vaccine doses donated by Japan (not yet deployed as training of health workers is underway) and 367,000 MVA-BN doses. A further 349,000 doses secured by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) remain undeployed due to funding shortages. An additional 219,000 MVA-BN doses have been pledged by the Government of the United States of America, pending approval for deployment. Strategies for the use of mpox vaccine have evolved in response to supply constraints and emerging epidemiological trends. In the DRC, since February 2025, approximately105,000 doses have been administered to children under 12 and approximately 56,000 doses to adolescents aged 12 to 18. Additional groups targeted by vaccination efforts in the DRC include healthcare workers, individuals at risk of severe disease – such as people living with HIV – and, in more recent phases, key populations in transmission hotspots, including sex workers, and MSM. In Sierra Leone, the vaccination strategy was initially focused on healthcare and frontline workers and people living with HIV. The focus of vaccination efforts then shifted to hotspots and contacts, sex workers, and MSM within those hotspots. Initially, most countries began with a two-dose regimen; however, the majority have now transitioned to a single-dose approach or are preparing to shift toward intradermal fractional dosing. These dose-sparing strategies were endorsed in the WHO position paper, if vaccine resources were limited, published on 23 August 2024, available here.[1] It was noted that intradermal fractional dosing, where each vial can yield four to five doses, is applicable only to the MVA-BN vaccine and has already been employed in some settings. Overall, the uptake of available vaccines has remained lower than anticipated due to logistical, operational, and financial barriers. Further efforts are needed to optimize the strategic use of available mpox vaccine and maximize its public health impact.

    Mpox and HIV infections and integration of health services – Coinfection with HIV presents significant challenges for health services in the management of mpox, especially in countries with high HIV prevalence. In Kinshasa, DRC, 9.3% of mpox cases are reported to be HIV-positive, though this figure likely underrepresents the true burden due to limited HIV testing and integration of health services. In Uganda, 55% of deaths associated with MPXV infection have occurred among people living with HIV. The importance of co-located testing services and data systems was underscored to capture the dual burden of HIV and mpox more effectively. Reference to WHO technical guidance was made in relation to the use of rapid tests for HIV diagnosis, immediate linkage to care for those who test positive, and protocols for clinical management of coinfected individuals. The needs for improving triage systems and refining clinical diagnostic criteria for mpox were highlighted, with emphasis on the misclassification of dermatological conditions, such as chickenpox. Overall, the integration of health care delivery remains uneven across countries.

    Funding – Funding gaps remain one of the most critical threats to the mpox response. It was noted that, since the launch of the updated SPRP in April 2025, WHO has not received any additional earmarked contributions, resulting in the scaling back of operations, including surveillance, laboratory support, community outreach, and vaccine-related logistics. Serious concerns were expressed regarding the sustainability of key control interventions, including HIV-related, the interruption of which could lead to the intensification of transmission and, hence, limit the ability of public health systems to adapt and respond to changing transmission patterns. However, it was emphasized that lessons should be learned from the experience of Burundi that, despite operating with limited resources, has made substantial progress in controlling the upsurge of mpox, thanks largely to non-pharmaceutical interventions – a combination of sensitive surveillance, effective contact tracing, strong laboratory testing capacity, and decentralized district-level interventions leveraging on community engagement.

    Anticipated scenarios for controlling and responding to mpox – The Committee expressed concerns about the current epidemiological trajectory suggesting that mpox may be moving toward endemicity in some countries, or areas thereof, in the African continent. Although some countries are seeing sustained declining trends, MPXV transmission persists. This is consistent with preliminary modelling work suggesting that the actual case counts may be higher than reported due to diagnostic and surveillance gaps. Such scenario raises concern in terms of future interspersed surges of cases in countries in the African continent, as well as exportation of cases within and beyond the continent. Therefore, the observed epidemiological evolution of mpox since the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) was determined in August 2024, requires the development of adequate definitions to describe the pattern of mpox transmission experienced by countries, or areas thereof, and, consequently, assist in setting the goals for control, and guide control and response interventions accordingly. 

    Deliberative session

    Following the session open to invited States Parties, the Committee reconvened in a closed session to examine the questions in relation to whether the event constitutes a PHEIC or not, and if so, to consider the temporary recommendations drafted by the WHO Secretariat in accordance with IHR provisions.

    The Chair reminded the Committee Members of their mandate and recalled that a PHEIC is defined in the IHR as an “extraordinary event, which constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease, and potentially requires a coordinated international response”.

    The Committee was unanimous in expressing the views that the ongoing upsurge of mpox still meets the criteria of a PHEIC and that the Director-General be advised accordingly.

    The overarching considerations underpinning the advice of the Committee are determined by (a) challenges in accurately describing the multi-faceted epidemiological patterns and profiles associated with multiple circulating MPXV clades, observed and markedly differing from historical experience with the disease; (b) uncertainties related to funding availability in the immediate and medium term, both, domestically and internationally; and (c) the subsequent challenges in defining public health strategic approaches for controlling and responding to the spread of mpox.

    On that basis, the Committee considered that:

    The event is “extraordinary” because of (i) the emergence and spread of MPXV clade 1b has introduced new uncertainties regarding virus evolution, and the current and foreseeable dynamics of mpox spread; (ii) the establishment of sustained community transmission of MPXV clade I in additional countries in the African continent, without a full appreciation of the factors driving the rapid evolution of the surge of mpox cases; (iii) the disproportionate burden of mpox cases among children, especially in the Eastern Provinces of the DRC, with not yet fully explained dynamics of transmission; and (iv) the persistent challenges integrating health service delivery to mpox patients, due to the likelihood of comorbidities and heightened vulnerability.

    The event “constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease” because of (i) sub-optimal surveillance systems in many countries and regions, likely leading to undetected transmission and subsequent spread of MPXV clade I into additional countries in the African continent. Such consideration applies to both countries in West Africa, where MPXV clade I had not previously been identified, but are experiencing significant population movement with central and east African countries where that virus is spreading, as well as to countries outside the African continent (e.g. exported case of MPXV clade Ib infection from Thailand to Australia); and (ii) the continuous exportation of MPXV clade I mpox cases from Africa to other continents, some of which resulting in secondary transmission.

    The event “requires a coordinated international response” because (i) there is a need for concerted efforts by the international community to supplement domestic funding for mpox control and response activities, as well as those of United Agencies, other international institutions and partnerships operational in the field and/or involved in vaccine procurement and related logistics; (ii) access to vaccine, even when available, remains challenging in terms of delivery capacity at the local level; (iii) in the context of limited funding, there is a need to facilitate the exchange of experience between countries, in particular those of countries like Burundi, that despite operating with limited resources, has made substantial progress in controlling the upsurge of mpox through the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions; and (iv) there is a need to monitor the spread and phylogenetic evolution of MPXV clades through genetic sequencing, not always available or optimally performing, in countries experiencing upsurges of mpox.

    The Committee subsequently considered the draft of the temporary recommendations proposed by the WHO Secretariat.

    Anticipating the possibility that the WHO Director-General may determine that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, the Committee had received a proposed set of revised temporary recommendations ahead of the meeting. This reflected the proposal to extend most of the temporary recommendations issued on 27 February 2025. While acknowledging that the standing recommendations for mpox are approaching their expiration (20 August 2025) and could potentially benefit from extension or revision, the Committee reiterated the relevance of the proposed temporary recommendations. However, the Committee emphasized the needs (i) to prioritize temporary recommendations related to non-pharmaceutical interventions, taking into account implementation challenges and successful experiences on the ground; and (ii) to anchor vaccine deployment in evidence-based approaches.

    Conclusions

    Considering the complexity of the epidemiological evolution of the spread of mpox, of the distribution of the MPXV clades, the challenges in implementing efficient and effective control and response interventions, as well as issues raised by the Committee in occasion of their previous meetings, the Committee welcomed the proposal by the WHO Secretariat to hold an informal technical meeting aimed at assisting countries to prioritise response measures adapted to the varied epidemiological contexts, ahead of its next formal meeting should the WHO Director-General determine that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC.

    The Committee agreed to provide its feedback to the WHO Secretariat on the proposed set of temporary recommendations the day after the meeting (i.e. 6 June 2025), and to finalize the report of the meeting during the week of 9 June 2025.

    The Acting Director of the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management at WHO headquarters, on behalf of the WHO Deputy Director-General, expressed her gratitude to the Committee’s Officers, its Members and Advisors and closed the meeting.

    References: 

    [1] On 6 June 2025, after the fourth meeting of the Committee, WHO published the Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), 10-13 March 2025, including a section on mpox vaccine. The report is available here.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Survey reveals high parental confidence in children’s vaccines

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Survey reveals high parental confidence in children’s vaccines

    UKHSA data shows 85% of parents are confident childhood vaccines are safe, effective and trustworthy.

    New data published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows continued high levels of confidence in the UK’s childhood vaccination programme.

    The Childhood vaccines: parental attitudes survey 2025, which tracks parental attitudes towards childhood immunisations across the UK found that most parents believe that childhood vaccines are safe (85% up from 84% in 2023) that they trust them (84% up from 82% in 2024) and they work (87% compared to 89% in 2024).

    Parents had a strong awareness of the risks posed by vaccine-preventable diseases, with over 90% (compared to 86% last year) agreeing that pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis, polio and septicaemia were serious.

    The survey also captured parental attitudes towards newer additions to the vaccination schedule. An important new pregnancy vaccine was introduced in September 2025 to help protect babies against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and 85% of parents of babies and younger children also rated RSV infection as serious.

    Healthcare professionals, in particular GPs, health visitors and nurses, continue to be the most trusted source of vaccine information. 76% of parents had seen or heard information about children’s vaccines in the past year, predominantly from trusted sources including healthcare professionals and official NHS websites. Only 7% ranked the internet and 3% social media in their top three most trusted sources.

    Most parents (79%) had already decided that their baby would have all the vaccines offered before they spoke to a health professional. However, following a discussion with a health professional more than half of these parents (53%) said they felt even more confident about their decision, and of those who had decided not to vaccinate 15% changed their mind in favour of vaccination. This is positive news, given the declines in uptake over recent years, and highlights the vital role that knowledgeable health care professionals can play in reversing that decline.

    Most parents (80%) reported that they had not seen or heard any concerning information about childhood vaccines, with 12% reporting mixed information and just 3% reporting hearing or seeing information that undermines vaccines. 86% of all parents felt they had received enough information to make an informed decision about vaccines offered to their children.

    Dr Julie Yates, UK Health Security Agency’s Deputy Director for Immunisation Programmes:

    The findings from our latest survey are encouraging and show that most parents across the UK continue to trust the NHS childhood vaccination programme and understand its importance in protecting our children. It’s particularly reassuring that parents identify healthcare professionals and NHS resources as their most trusted sources of vaccine information. Having questions about vaccines is a normal part of the parental journey. Our survey highlights the crucial role that healthcare professionals play in providing parents with accurate information about vaccines and the serious diseases they protect against, and in building confidence in these programmes. We urge parents with any concerns to speak with a trusted NHS professional such as their GP, Health Visitor, Midwife or Practice Nurse.

    However, childhood vaccination rates are still not where we want them to be, and we cannot be complacent. We know that many parents and carers have busy lifestyles, and that finding time to ensure your child attends their appointment can be a challenge. That is why we are working with the NHS and partners to improve access to childhood vaccination services. Getting our rates up to the 95% WHO target required to eliminate these diseases will take sustained effort and a long-term commitment across the public health system, and we are working together and with families and communities to do this.

    Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said:

    Today’s findings reflect the essential work being done by GPs, health visitors and nurses to reliably inform parents about childhood vaccinations, with more than half of parents saying they felt more confident in getting their children vaccinated after speaking to a healthcare professional, with vaccination one of the best ways to boost public health and prevent illnesses.

    Our childhood immunisation programmes are available for free on the NHS as we want to make sure as many children as possible are protected against becoming seriously unwell, and NHS England continues to work closely with vaccination teams, schools and GP services to make it as easy as possible for young people to get their jabs.

    Our 10 Year Health Plan aims to build an NHS fit for the future which includes improving access to vaccinations to help put people in control of their own health and I would encourage all parents to act on invites or check vaccination records if they think they may have missed their child’s vaccination.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Planning a ‘Euro summer’ or cruise? Why another flu shot might save your holiday

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Janetzki, Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South Australia

    DavideAngelini/Shutterstock

    Are you escaping a southern hemisphere winter by heading off for a “Euro summer”? Maybe you’re planning a cruise through the Mediterranean. Or you’re dreaming of a white Christmas overseas later in the year.

    Maybe you’ve already booked your flights and accommodation, locked in your itinerary, and started planning what to pack.

    But there may be one more thing to add to your pre-travel checklist – a flu shot.

    For some travellers, this may mean a second flu shot this year – one for Australia’s flu season and another to protect them in the northern hemisphere.

    Why do I need another flu shot?

    Protection from a flu shot doesn’t last all year; it decreases after three to four months.

    So if you had your flu shot in April or May, it may no longer offer enough protection by the time you travel in July or later.

    Getting a second shot will provide you with optimal protection against the flu while travelling to the northern hemisphere.

    That’s why it is now recommended Australians travelling to the northern hemisphere between October and May consider a second flu shot if they’ve already had one earlier this year.

    If it’s been three to four months since your first shot, you can consider a second shot.

    A second shot should be at least four weeks after the first shot. Ideally, get your second shot at least two weeks before your departure, so your body has time to build up protection.

    If you haven’t had a flu shot at all this year, now’s the time. In the year to July 7, there have been more than 167,000 confirmed cases of the flu in Australia.

    Who should consider a second flu shot?

    Here are some examples where a second flu shot is worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist.

    Cruises are a prime setting for flu outbreaks. There are hundreds or thousands of people sharing confined spaces, such as restaurants and entertainment facilities, for days or weeks at a time. This creates the perfect environment for the flu virus to spread.

    Group tours and large events are also high risk. Bus tours, music festivals and cultural events bring together large crowds, often in indoor spaces or via shared transport. This increases your chance of exposure and catching the virus.

    Pilgrimages and religious gatherings such as Hajj, Lunar New Year or Ramadan are also high risk, especially for older travellers or those with health conditions. These events can attract millions of international visitors, often in crowded, shared accommodation, where flu and other respiratory viruses can spread rapidly.

    People who are over 65 years of age, have medical conditions, such as severe asthma or diabetes, or are on medications that decrease their immune function, are more likely to become severely ill if they catch the flu. So, if you’re travelling during the northern hemisphere’s flu season, a second shot should be strongly considered.

    Which flu shot should I get?

    Each year, health authorities around the world develop two different flu shots, one for each hemisphere’s flu season. The flu shots can differ, as flu strains change rapidly and different strains may circulate in different regions.

    Australians receive the southern hemisphere version around March to May. And
    while it’s ideal to have the northern hemisphere flu shot before heading overseas, it’s not available in Australia.

    Instead, you can have two shots of the southern hemisphere flu shot – one earlier in the year and a second shot before your trip.

    You could wait until you are overseas to get your second shot. But you wouldn’t be protected for two weeks afterwards, and you’d need to navigate an overseas health system while on holiday.

    Where can I get a flu shot? How much does it cost?

    You can get a flu shot at your local pharmacy, GP clinic, or sometimes via your workplace. Many pharmacies offer walk-in appointments, and the flu shot usually costs around A$25 (including the price of the vaccine and administering it).

    If your GP doesn’t bulk bill, you will be charged an out-of-pocket cost for the consultation, and may need to pay the cost of the shot if you don’t qualify for a free one.

    The (first) flu shot is free for people who meet certain criteria, such as being 65 and over, pregnant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those with certain medical conditions. But you would have to pay for a second shot if you’re travelling.

    Specific flu shots are recommended for each person. So speak to your pharmacist or GP to discuss the best option for you.

    Your GP or pharmacist will also discuss what to expect after your flu shot. This may include tiredness, fever, muscle aches, and redness or swelling at the injection site. These usually go away within two days. For most people, these symptoms are mild and well-tolerated.

    Why bother?

    The flu is more than just a sniffle. It can lead to serious illness, cancelled plans and perhaps a hospital stay in a foreign country. Even if you don’t get sick, you could pass the virus to others more vulnerable than yourself.

    So before you finish your pre-travel checklist, make sure your flu shots are up to date.

    Not getting the shot could be the difference between sipping Aperol spritz on the Amalfi Coast or spending your trip in bed with a fever.

    Jack Janetzki works for the University of South Australia, Pharmaceutical Defence Limited and The Barossa Pharmacist in the Mall (Nuriootpa, South Australia). He is a member of Pharmaceutical Defence Limited, the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the South Australian Immunisation Program Advisory Group, the Observational Health Data Science Informatics network and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Insight Board for pharmacist-led vaccination services.

    Wern Chai is employed as a lecturer at the University of South Australia. He is an SME for the Australian Pharmacy Council, a board examiner for the Pharmacy Board of Australia, the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the South Australian Immunisation Program Advisory Group and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Insight Board for pharmacist-led vaccination services.

    – ref. Planning a ‘Euro summer’ or cruise? Why another flu shot might save your holiday – https://theconversation.com/planning-a-euro-summer-or-cruise-why-another-flu-shot-might-save-your-holiday-259888

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Sounds Alarm Over RFK Jr. Postponing U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Meeting, Threat to Coverage of Preventive Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray, Former ACIP Member from WA State Raise Alarm Over Purge of Entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee

    ICYMI: Murray Calls for Kennedy to Reinstate Fired ACIP Members or Delay Meeting Until New Members Appropriately Vetted

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Patty Murray, a senior member and former chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement regarding the postponement of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) meeting that was scheduled to take place tomorrow. USPSTF is an independent advisory panel of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The USPSTF is made up of 16 unpaid, volunteer members serving four-year terms. USPSTF is supported by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) staff, but that agency has lost roughly half of their support staff due to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s mass firings across HHS.

    The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc. on June 27th ruled that USPSTF members are “inferior officers” consistent with the Appointments Clause to the Constitution, therefore affirming their authority to determine coverage of preventive services. The Affordable Care Act Democrats passed gave USPSTF recommendations the force of law for the first time—ensuring that mammograms, colonoscopies, and screenings for depression, osteoporosis, lung cancer, and other recommended preventive care would be covered by insurance at no cost to patients.

    “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is essential to ensuring cancer screenings and other lifesaving preventive services are covered by insurance at no cost to patients—and the abrupt postponement of tomorrow’s task force meeting should set off alarm bells for everyone worried about what our conspiracy-promoting Health Secretary is up to next. I’m concerned Secretary Kennedy may be taking the first steps to dismantle the Preventive Services Task Force and attack its mission and commitment to scientific evidence, just like he has done at the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee and across our nation’s public health agencies.

    “The Preventive Services Task Force is made up of independent national experts in preventive medicine and primary care—they are volunteers who serve the public interest. In no world should experts be replaced with unqualified anti-science cronies of RFK Jr. who will make preventive health care more expensive and harder to get over baseless conspiracy theories or debunked disinformation.

    “I implore every one of my colleagues who believes Americans should be able to get lifesaving preventive care without worrying about cost to speak out now, and to my Republican colleagues: pick up the phone and tell Secretary Kennedy to keep his hands off preventive care.”

    Senator Murray forcefully opposed RFK Jr.’s nomination to lead HHS and has been a leading voice in the Senate pushing back against his systematic dismantling of our nation’s premiere public health agency, from the unprecedented mass firing of qualified HHS employees and the closure of critical regional offices, to Secretary Kennedy’s purge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Last month, Senator Murray called on Secretary Kennedy to reinstate the fired ACIP members and held a press call with Washington state-based Dr. Helen Chu, one of the 17 ACIP members abruptly fired by Secretary Kennedy without cause.

    Senator Murray has sent countless oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans’ health and safety and will set our country back decades—and lift up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Negotiations on the supply of COVID-19 vaccines and Austria’s participation therein – E-002717/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002717/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Gerald Hauser (PfE)

    Commissioner Hadja Lahbib’s reply, dated 26 July 2025, to written question E-001495/2025[1] reads as follows:

    ‘The (Advanced) Purchase Agreements for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the Member States were concluded in full transparency with the Member States. Negotiations were carried out by a Joint Negotiation Team that consisted of representatives of the Commission and of several Member States. This team reported regularly to a Vaccines Steering Board co-chaired by the Commission and a Participating Member State, which provided guidance throughout the process. The Commission has provided information to the Parliament on a continuous basis, in line with its Treaty obligations and the framework Agreement on relations between the two institutions’.

    • 1.Please provide the names of the members of the negotiation team and the steering committee.
    • 2.Which Austrians were involved in concluding the negotiations, and who signed the agreement on behalf of Austria?
    • 3.How often was Austria kept informed during the negotiations, and what information was provided?

    Submitted: 3.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-001495_EN.html
    Last updated: 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At HELP Markup on CDC Nominee, Senator Murray Slams Secretary Kennedy for Record Measles Outbreak, Highlights Republicans’ Refusal to Conduct Oversight

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: At HELP Hearing, Senator Murray Presses CDC Nominee on Commitment to Scientific Integrity, Vaccine Access, as RFK Jr. Fires ACIP Members, Pushes Vaccine Conspiracies

    Senator Murray, along with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), authored the PREVENT Pandemics Act that made the CDC Director a Senate confirmed position for the first time starting this year

    ***WATCH HERE: Murray remarks at HELP markup on measles outbreak***

    Washington, D.C. – Today—at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee markup to advance the nomination of Susan Monarez, PhD to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Committee, spoke forcefully about how measles cases in the U.S. have reached a 33-year high, and yet our conspiracy-minded Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has only doubled down on his dangerous anti-vaccine activism, and the Republican leadership of the HELP Committee is refusing to exercise any serious oversight of the measles crisis or other public health disasters the Trump administration is fanning the flames of.

    At the markup, the HELP committee voted 12-11 to send Dr. Monarez’s nomination to the Senate floor—Senator Murray voted against advancing her nomination.

    The CDC Director is a Senate-confirmed position for the first time this year thanks to a provision in Senator Murray’s bipartisan PREVENT Pandemics Act, which she negotiated and passed with former Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) in 2022.

    Senator Murray’s full remarks at the HELP markup, as delivered, are below and video is HERE:

    “I think it’s really important as we consider a CDC nominee today, we talk about the real elephant in the room.

    “Because we could actually have the best CDC director in the world, and it wouldn’t change the fact that we have a person leading HHS who is an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist—and a Committee that I fear is failing to do its bipartisan, public oversight of public health disasters.

    “Measles cases are at a record 33-year high. They have not been this high since before we eliminated the disease in 2000.

    “And now we are over 1,200 cases—that is really, we believe, also an undercount.

    “But instead of pounding the pavement to encourage people to get vaccinated—the single most effective protection against measles, as you know—RFK Jr. has been firing every single member of the CDC vaccine advisory panel, and he loaded it up with his favorite vaccine skeptics, so they can pursue debunked conspiracies.

    “And I am concerned because this Committee, it feels like, has all but abandoned serious oversight of this crisis. We haven’t had a hearing on the record-breaking number of measles outbreaks.

    “Or a hearing on how the CDC vaccine panel is now stacked with people who are actually not unvetted, and all the previous board members—every single one of them—was removed with no credible explanation.

    “So, I really believe we need public oversight.  

    “I really do hope that Dr. Monarez will defy my expectations, I hope she will stand up for science, and put public health first.

    “But again, I have hoped that for others, and here we are today. So, I just want to express my disappointment, and real feeling that this committee should have oversight and do hearings before it’s too late to do anything all.

    “And I would just say, my door is open to everyone. I think that we do need to work together and try and repair some of the harm that this anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists are doing to our country right now, and I hope that you take that into consideration.”

    _______________

    At her nomination hearing last month, under Senator Murray’s questioning, Dr. Monarez admitted she agreed with Senator Murray that the eight new members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP)—which Secretary Kennedy handpicked after firing every member of the Committee for no reason—should go through a thorough ethics review process before participating in ACIP meetings. At the hearing, Senator Murray also raised alarm over Secretary Kennedy bringing Lyn Redwood in to the ACIP meeting to give a presentation on thimerosal in vaccines, and pressed Dr. Monarez on how changes to the ACIP recommendation could force families to pay out of pocket for vaccines, or forgo vaccination altogether. Senator Murray has been speaking out for weeks against Secretary Kennedy’s reckless decision to fire the entire slate of ACIP members without cause—holding a press call with Dr. Helen Chu of Washington state, one of the 17 ACIP members who was fired, and calling on Secretary Kennedy to reinstate the ACIP members he fired and ensure any new members undergo appropriate vetting.

    Senator Murray forcefully opposed the nomination of notorious anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr. to be Secretary of HHS, and she has long worked to combat vaccine skepticism and highlight the importance of scientific research and vaccines. Murray was also a leading voice against the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead CDC, repeatedly speaking up about her serious concerns with the nominee immediately after their meeting. In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the 2019 hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander pressing Trump’s CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.

    Senator Murray has been a leading voice in Congress against RFK Jr.’s dismantling of HHS and attacks on America’s public health infrastructure, raising the alarm over HHS’ unilateral reorganization plan and slamming the closure of the HHS Region 10 office in Seattle and the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Spokane Research Laboratory. Senator Murray has sent oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans’ health and safety and will set our country back decades, and lifting up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here’s what to know about ‘Stratus’

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Paul Griffin, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland

    visualspace/Getty Images

    Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we’re now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID.

    This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed “Stratus”) and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a “variant under monitoring” in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.

    A “variant under monitoring” signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.

    XFG was one of seven variants under monitoring as of June 25. The most recent addition before XFG was NB.1.8.1 (nicknamed “Nimbus”), which the WHO declared a variant under monitoring on May 23.

    Both nimbus and stratus are types of clouds.

    Nimbus is currently the dominant subvariant worldwide – but Stratus is edging closer. So what do you need to know about Stratus, or XFG?

    A recombinant variant

    XFG is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 which means these two subvariants have shared genetic material to come up with the new subvariant. Recombinants are designated with an X at the start of their name.

    While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.

    Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn’t work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.

    XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.

    Early laboratory studies have suggested a nearly two-fold reduction in how well antibodies block the virus compared to LP.8.1.1.

    Where is XFG spreading?

    The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.

    As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.

    This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.

    According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.

    In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia’s national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.

    The big questions

    When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it’s more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we’re still learning about XFG and we can’t answer these questions with certainty yet.

    Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course “hoarseness” or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.

    Notably, there’s no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.

    Will vaccines still work against XFG?

    Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.

    Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.

    Because of SARS-CoV-2’s continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.

    One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.

    Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.

    Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.

    Paul Griffin has been the principal investigator for clinical trials of 8 COVID-19 vaccines. He has previously participated in medical advisory boards for COVID-19 vaccines. Paul Griffin is a director and medical advisory board member of the immunisation coalition.

    – ref. XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here’s what to know about ‘Stratus’ – https://theconversation.com/xfg-could-become-the-next-dominant-covid-variant-heres-what-to-know-about-stratus-260499

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-Evening Report: XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here’s what to know about ‘Stratus’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Griffin, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland

    visualspace/Getty Images

    Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we’re now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID.

    This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed “Stratus”) and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a “variant under monitoring” in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.

    A “variant under monitoring” signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.

    XFG was one of seven variants under monitoring as of June 25. The most recent addition before XFG was NB.1.8.1 (nicknamed “Nimbus”), which the WHO declared a variant under monitoring on May 23.

    Both nimbus and stratus are types of clouds.

    Nimbus is currently the dominant subvariant worldwide – but Stratus is edging closer. So what do you need to know about Stratus, or XFG?

    A recombinant variant

    XFG is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 which means these two subvariants have shared genetic material to come up with the new subvariant. Recombinants are designated with an X at the start of their name.

    While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.

    Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn’t work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.

    XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.

    Early laboratory studies have suggested a nearly two-fold reduction in how well antibodies block the virus compared to LP.8.1.1.

    Where is XFG spreading?

    The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.

    As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.

    This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.

    According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.

    In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia’s national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.

    The big questions

    When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it’s more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we’re still learning about XFG and we can’t answer these questions with certainty yet.

    Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course “hoarseness” or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.

    Notably, there’s no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.

    Will vaccines still work against XFG?

    Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.

    Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.

    Because of SARS-CoV-2’s continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.

    One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.

    Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.

    Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.

    Paul Griffin has been the principal investigator for clinical trials of 8 COVID-19 vaccines. He has previously participated in medical advisory boards for COVID-19 vaccines. Paul Griffin is a director and medical advisory board member of the immunisation coalition.

    – ref. XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here’s what to know about ‘Stratus’ – https://theconversation.com/xfg-could-become-the-next-dominant-covid-variant-heres-what-to-know-about-stratus-260499

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Calls for Commitment to Building Open Global Economy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    RIO DE JANEIRO, July 8 (Xinhua) — Addressing the plenary sessions of the 17th BRICS summit on Sunday and Monday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for commitment to building an open world economy, opposed unilateralism and protectionism, and stressed the need to maintain stability and smooth operation of industrial and supply chains.

    At the plenary sessions, the Chinese premier also touched upon topics such as strengthening multilateralism, artificial intelligence, environmental protection and climate change, and global health. The sessions were attended by leaders of BRICS countries, partner countries, guest countries, and representatives of international organizations.

    Li Qiang noted that the current international economic and trade order and the multilateral trading system are facing serious challenges, and global economic recovery remains a difficult task. In expanding cooperation, BRICS should remain true to the founding purpose of the organization, meet the demands of the times, uphold and practice multilateralism, promote a fair and open international economic and trade order, join forces in the Global South, and make greater contributions to global stability and development, he said.

    According to the Prime Minister, when expanding cooperation, BRICS must support the basic principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and promote liberalization and simplification of trade and investment procedures.

    Mentioning the establishment of the China Cooperation Center for the Development of Special Economic Zones in the BRICS countries this year, Li Qiang expressed China’s readiness to work with all parties to build a network of practical cooperation.

    He called on all parties to remain committed to strengthening international financial cooperation, expressing support for the expansion and strengthening of the New Development Bank and welcoming the willingness of countries in the Global South to invest in China’s financial market.

    He called for an accelerated review of the World Bank’s equity stakes and the adjustment of quota shares by the International Monetary Fund, and stressed the need to enhance the representation and voice of developing countries.

    Li Qiang noted that greater cooperation within BRICS should open up a “new blue ocean” of economic growth, calling for cooperation in new areas such as the digital and green economy, to make artificial intelligence (AI) the driving force of all industries and benefit every household, and to help strengthen the capacity of countries in the Global South.

    China will launch the Global South Digital Development Initiative under the Global Development Initiative and plans to provide 200 training programs on digital economy and AI to Global South countries over the next five years, he said.

    He added that China welcomes the participation of all countries in the World Conference on Artificial Intelligence to be held later in July.

    Highlighting the growing risks in the areas of climate, environment and health, Li Qiang said the international community should form a broad consensus, take active actions and join efforts to address common challenges.

    He called on the international community to strengthen global synergy in combating climate change, resolutely implement the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and deepen cooperation in clean energy, carbon markets and other areas.

    Developed countries must fulfill their commitments to climate change financing, technology transfer and other areas, Li Qiang stressed.

    According to him, the world must achieve more tangible results in the field of environmental protection, adhere to the principle of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, advocate for a systems approach to management and more effectively implement the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

    He also called for increased capacity building for public health systems, calling on the international community to support the World Health Organization’s coordinating role in global health governance, make full use of platforms such as the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre, and provide more public goods to countries in the Global South.

    China always fulfills its obligations and makes active contributions to global challenges within its capabilities, Li said, adding that China will continue to take concrete actions, fulfill its responsibilities and cooperate with all parties to promote greener, healthier and more sustainable global development.

    The summit resulted in the adoption of the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on Global Governance in Artificial Intelligence and the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Climate justice a “moral obligation”: PM Modi urges fair tech access and finance for developing nations at BRICS Summit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday underscored India’s commitment to climate action and equitable health security, calling for urgent technology transfer and affordable financing for developing nations to bridge the gap between climate ambition and action.

    Addressing a session on ‘Environment, COP-30 and Global Health’ at the BRICS Summit in Brazil, PM Modi said he was glad that under Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s chairmanship, BRICS has prioritised key issues that are “interconnected and vital for the bright future of humanity.”

    “This year, COP-30 is being held in Brazil, making these discussions timely and relevant,” he said. “For India, climate change is not just about managing energy demands but about maintaining the delicate balance between life and nature.”

    The Prime Minister noted that climate action is deeply woven into India’s culture and daily life. “In our tradition, the Earth is respected as a mother. When Mother Earth needs us, we respond — by transforming mindsets, behaviours, and lifestyles.”

    The PM highlighted India’s flagship initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in the Name of Mother), the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuels Alliance, the Green Hydrogen Mission, and the Big Cats Alliance.

    PM Modi also pointed out that India had fulfilled its Paris Climate Agreement commitments ahead of schedule, despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and was progressing steadily towards its Net Zero target for 2070. “In the last decade, India has seen a 4000% increase in its installed solar energy capacity,” he said.

    Calling climate justice a “moral obligation,” PM Modi emphasised that developing countries must receive fair access to technology and affordable finance. “Bridging the gap between climate ambition and financing is a special responsibility of developed nations. Without this, climate action will remain limited to climate talk,” he said.

    The PM also welcomed the “Framework Declaration on Climate Finance” adopted by BRICS leaders, calling it an “important step in the right direction.”

    On health, PM Modi said the pandemic demonstrated how “viruses do not require visas and solutions cannot be chosen based on passports.” He added that India’s “One Earth, One Health” approach had guided its global cooperation during COVID-19 and beyond.

    Outlining India’s health initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat — the world’s largest health insurance scheme — and the expansion of traditional medicine systems and digital health services, the PM said, “We are ready to share our experience with countries of the Global South.”

    The Prime Minister welcomed the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre, launched in 2022, and the new “Leader’s Statement on BRICS Partnership for Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases,” saying it would inspire stronger cooperation.

    Looking ahead to India’s chairmanship of BRICS in 2026, PM Modi pledged to keep the concerns of the Global South at the forefront and redefine the grouping as “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.”

    “Just as we brought inclusivity to the G20, we will take BRICS forward with a people-centric, ‘Humanity First’ approach,” he said, congratulating President Lula for successfully hosting the summit and for Brazil’s warm hospitality.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Catch-up clinics offer vaccinations for secondary pupils

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The following vaccinations will be available:

    • The Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) vaccine, also known as the three-in-one teenage booster, which is offered to children in Year 9 and above. This booster is the last routine dose that provides young people with long-lasting protection into adulthood
    • The Meningococcal (Men ACWY) vaccination for children in Year 9 and above which helps protect young people against four types of meningococcal disease which can cause both meningitis and septicaemia
    • The HPV vaccine, given in school Year 8 which helps protect against cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)
    • The MMR vaccination, to provide long-lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella for all school-aged children who have missed doses.

    Clinic will be held on Saturday (12 July) at Whitmore Reans Family Hub, Lansdowne Road, Wolverhampton WV1 4AL, from 9.30am to 2pm and on Monday 21 July at Biz Space, Room 2, Planetary Road WV13 3SW, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Appointments must be booked in advance by contacting Vaccination UK on 01902 200077.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “These vaccines offer the best protection for teenagers as they start their journey into adulthood and start mixing more widely – whether that’s going to college, starting work, travelling or going to festivals.

    “So, if your child has missed out on their vaccinations, maybe because they were off school or are home educated, please come along to one of the catch-up clinics being delivered by Vaccination UK over the next couple of weeks.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Immunosenescence – E-001594/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Vaccination programmes and services are a competence of national authorities. The Commission supports Member States in increasing and maintaining high vaccination coverage rates and in a lifelong approach to vaccination. It is a theme of #UnitedInProtection[1], the Commission’s campaign promoting safe and effective vaccines’ benefits.

    Immunosenescence is a scientific challenge. In general, a clear understanding of the protective human immune response to infection is key to selecting and designing the right vaccine antigens.

    New or more specifically targeted formulations may be needed to improve response to existing vaccines in different population groups such as the elderly that may mount a suboptimal immune response to vaccination.

    The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) regularly generates estimates of vaccine effectiveness for key vaccination programmes, such as seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines[2], with specific attention towards older groups.

    The ECDC also regularly provides summaries of scientific data available on the performance of newer vaccines[3] which may help to address some of the challenges related to immunosenescence.

    This scientific evidence, together with existing complementary research in the field, can help to inform on where gaps exist, including areas where research and development for newer and more effective vaccines targeting specific population group needs is key.

    The ECDC also regularly publishes overviews on the performance of national immunisation groups, such as for seasonal influenza vaccination in older age groups[4].

    Such overviews include public health considerations on how Member States and stakeholders can strengthen the implementation of existing programmes.

    • [1] https://vaccination-protection.ec.europa.eu/index_en.
    • [2] Please consult Vaccine Effectiveness, Burden and Impact Studies (VEBIS) on the ECDC website for an
      overview of ongoing studies and latest results available: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/related-public-health-topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/vaccine-0.
    • [3] https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/systematic-review-update-efficacy-effectiveness-and-safety-newer-and-enhanced.
    • [4] https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/survey-report-national-seasonal-influenza-vaccination-recommendations.
    Last updated: 4 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Foot and mouth disease contained in Eastern Cape, Limpopo

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has decided to lift the disease management areas (DMA) in Eastern Cape and Limpopo after intensified efforts by veterinary services were successful in containing the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the two provinces. 

    In the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities in Eastern Cape, a DMA has been in place since 26 July 2024 to support the control of the FMD outbreaks. Vaccination was implemented as a control measure and 144 424 vaccinations were done. 

    The last cases were reported in September 2024. 

    “Extensive serological surveillance was done in the DMA to confirm that there are no undetected pockets of the disease. The Minister can now confirm the lifting of the movement restrictions in the Eastern Cape DMA,” said the department.

    In Limpopo, the DMA has been in place since September 2022 to control an FMD outbreak in diptanks in the Vhembe Municipality. Cattle at 34 diptanks were vaccinated in two rounds of vaccination, with a total of 23, 024 vaccinations done. 

    Following extensive serological surveillance conducted at the end of 2024, the department is satisfied that there is no evidence of FMD virus in the DMA. 

    “All restrictions on the DMA can, therefore, be lifted. The lifting of the DMA restrictions comes into effect today as it is published in the Government Gazette,” said the department.

    Minister Steenhuisen again emphasised that biosecurity is everybody’s responsibility. 

    “Biosecurity is not just a farming concern, but a shared responsibility of every individual in South Africa. We call on all citizens, especially those interacting with livestock or moving between rural areas, to consistently adhere to all biosecurity measures. 

    “Only through our collective efforts can we safeguard our agricultural sector, make sure livelihoods are protected and ensure we keep our areas FMD-free,” he said.

    Eastern Cape 

    A total of 76 farms in the Eastern Cape province, which were infected and/or vaccinated, remain under quarantine. Movement restrictions will remain in place on these farms until testing has confirmed the absence of viral circulation. 

    Testing will commence 12 months after the farms have been vaccinated. 

    The department said it has decided to allow milk from quarantined farms to be released into the local market following single pasteurisation, instead of double pasteurisation, which was required when the disease was still active in the area. 

    KwaZulu-Natal 

    The DMA in KwaZulu-Natal will remain in place as there are still signs of active virus circulation in the area. 

    Some outbreaks were detected outside of the DMA. 

    “An abattoir in the Vryheid area in the DMA was designated to slaughter animals from premises under FMD restrictions. A system has been put in place to assess the level of biosecurity on individual farms, with the intention of aligning the control measures to the biosecurity risks,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • PM Modi’s Trinidad & Tobago visit highlights deepening trade, development and cultural relations

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago this week highlights India’s efforts to deepen ties with the Caribbean nation. The partnership, built on historical connections dating back nearly two centuries, now spans development cooperation, trade, digital payments, and cultural exchange.

    Trade and Investment: Unlocking New Opportunities

    The Trade Agreement signed between India and Trinidad and Tobago in January 1997, which grants Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to each other, has laid a strong foundation for expanding economic ties. Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic economic role in the Caribbean, supported by bilateral and regional trade agreements, offers Indian exporters a gateway to the wider Caribbean market and beyond.

    Bilateral trade between the two nations has shown encouraging resilience and steady growth, rising from $264 million in 2020–21 to $341 million in 2024–25. India’s major exports to Trinidad and Tobago include vehicles and parts, iron and steel, pharmaceutical products, and plastic goods. In return, India imports mineral fuels and oils, bituminous substances, mineral waxes, iron and steel, ores and ash, and aluminium from Trinidad and Tobago.

    A notable milestone came in 2024 when Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This step is set to enhance digital payments infrastructure and promote greater financial inclusion.

    In recent years, India’s active participation in trade and investment conventions in Trinidad and Tobago has underlined the shared commitment to explore new opportunities. Sectors such as tourism, pharmaceuticals, information technology, renewable energy, and education are emerging as key areas for collaboration, signalling the growing potential of this bilateral economic partnership.

    Strengthening Institutional Frameworks and Development Cooperation

    The bilateral partnership between India and Trinidad and Tobago is anchored in institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). The first JCM was held in 2011 in New Delhi, while the latest round of FOC took place in Port of Spain in August 2021, enabling both sides to chart the way forward for expanding collaboration.

    India’s development partnership with Trinidad and Tobago has grown steadily in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India extended critical medical support by supplying 40,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, along with essential medical equipment and aid.

    Beyond healthcare, India’s assistance has strengthened other priority areas as well. A $1 million India-UNDP project supported the deployment of telemedicine and mobile healthcare robots in Trinidad and Tobago. An additional $1 million was allocated for agro-processing machinery to boost food processing capacity. In line with its commitment to regional food security, Indian cooperatives have also supplied rice and edible oil to the Caribbean nation.

    Cultural Bonds: A Living Heritage

    Cultural connections between the two countries remain vibrant, anchored by the Indian diaspora’s enduring ties to its ancestral roots. Hindi language education continues to flourish, with the support of Hindi teachers and local institutions. Nearly 300 students enrolled

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s new lung cancer screening program has chosen simplicity over equity, and we’re concerned

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa J. Whop, Associate Director of Research and Senior Fellow, Yardhura Walani, National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University

    Thurtell/Getty Images

    Australia’s lung cancer screening program launched on July 1, and marks real progress and opportunity.

    It aims to reduce the number of people dying from lung cancer by offering regular low-dose CT scans to people who smoke, and those who have quit. The aim is to detect and treat cancer early before it has spread.

    But the program’s design may further disadvantage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are disproportionately affected by lung cancer.

    So Australia’s first new cancer screening program in almost 20 years risks entrenching health inequities rather than addressing them.

    Lung cancer is a particular burden

    Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are 2.1 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer, and 1.8 times likely to die from it, compared with non-Indigenous Australians.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are also more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer at a younger age than non-Indigenous Australians.

    Understanding the broader context of lung cancer risk among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is crucial.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been paid in tobacco rations rather than wages up until the 1960s, excluded from economic and health systems, and targeted by tobacco industry marketing.

    Indigenous-led tobacco control and quit-smoking programs, such as the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program, have made significant progress in reducing smoking rates. Indigenous communities are leading the resistance against tobacco industry harms.

    However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face major barriers to lung cancer screening. This is particularly in rural and remote areas where access to GPs, radiology services and culturally safe care is limited.

    Lung cancer screening should account for this

    Initially, the lung cancer screening program was designed with a lower screening age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – 50 years compared with 55 years for non-Indigenous Australians. This made sense in the face of the earlier and higher risk of lung cancer.

    However, the Medical Services Advisory Committee, the body responsible for assessing applications for public funding, removed this risk-based distinction. Now there’s a general age eligibility of 50-70 years.

    This is a shift from equity (fairness) to equality (sameness). In health, treating everyone equally deepens inequities.

    By contrast, many public health programs strive for equity and reflect the differing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For instance, heart health checks and many vaccines are offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at a younger age.

    There are also possible consequences of lowering the screening age for non-Indigenous Australians from 55 (as originally intended) to 50. Cancer Australia’s report warned this would not provide a favourable balance of benefits and harms, nor would it be cost-effective.

    In this lower-risk population, this could increase the likelihood of detecting slow-growing lung nodules unlikely to cause harm. This can lead to unnecessary tests and procedures, anxiety, psychological distress, overtreatment and even harm.

    While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can also experience these potential harms, the higher risk of lung cancer earlier means the potential benefit from early detection outweighs these risks.

    Let’s call it for what it is – structural racism

    So current eligibility criteria expands the eligibility for lower risk groups. Yet it ignores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ higher risk and cumulative impacts of remoteness, limited access to health services and other health conditions.

    This decision significantly increases the number of people accessing the program. While this may appear equal on the surface, it risks a misallocation of limited health system resources, particularly in an already overstretched health system.

    That’s a clear example of structural racism – when policies that seem neutral actually uphold longstanding inequities, and reinforce disadvantages.

    This has parallels with concerns raised in the United States. Screening guidelines there have been criticised for failing to account for higher rates of lung cancer in African Americans.

    What should we do next?

    If we’re serious about a commitment to equity in cancer outcomes – as outlined in the Australian Cancer Plan and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan – we must ensure screening policies do not inadvertently widen inequities.

    We must revisit who’s eligible for screening and how eligibility is determined. This may mean not only considering age and smoking history, but other factors such as a family history of cancer.

    It might also mean predicting lung cancer risk using models such as the PLCOm2012 risk prediction model. However, this particular model has not been validated in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, which needs to be a priority.

    Instead, the Medical Services Advisory Committee has prioritised the same screening age for all – administrative simplicity over this more sensitive way of assessing risk.

    We must prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on screening waitlists and follow-up, and strengthen the cultural safety of services.

    We must ensure robust data collection and reporting to evaluate the screening program. Evaluation needs to assess if the program delivers equitable access and outcomes, as well as delivering on effectiveness, safety and cost.

    All these actions are essential to address the higher burden of lung cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and uphold equity and the right to health over administrative simplicity.

    This is the final article in our ‘Finding lung cancer’ series, which explores Australia’s first new cancer screening program in almost 20 years. Read other articles in the series.

    More information about the program is available, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. If you need support to quit smoking, see your doctor or call Quitline on 13 78 48.

    Lisa J. Whop has received funding from Australian government National Health and Medical Research Council, Cancer Australia, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Whop is the Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group of Cancer Australia and has been an investigator on lung cancer screening consultation projects funded by Cancer Australia. The views in this article are their own.

    Alison Brown has been a co-investigator on lung cancer screening consultation projects funded by Cancer Australia.

    Raglan Maddox has received funding from Australian government National Health and Medical Research Council, Cancer Australia, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Maddox has been an investigator on lung cancer screening consultation projects funded by Cancer Australia. The views in this article are their own.

    – ref. Australia’s new lung cancer screening program has chosen simplicity over equity, and we’re concerned – https://theconversation.com/australias-new-lung-cancer-screening-program-has-chosen-simplicity-over-equity-and-were-concerned-253614

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –