LATEST RESOURCES
Enhancing response to Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant
21 January 2022 – On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern (VOC). Based on the currently available evidence, the overall risk related to Omicron remains very high. This guidance summarises current best available evidence on the epidemiology and potential impact of Omicron, as well as priority actions countries should take.
Checklists for care, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of respiratory devices. WHO, December 2021.
COVID-19 clinical care pathway (CARE): confirm SARS-CoV-2 infection, assess symptoms, risk factors and severity, respond with appropriate care and treatment, evaluate clinical response and recovery. WHO, February 2022.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) in health-care facilities in the event of a surge or resurgence in cases of COVID-19. WHO, December 2021.
COVID-19 infection prevention and control living guideline: mask use in community settings. WHO, December 2021.
WHO recommendations on mask use by health workers, in light of the Omicron variant of concern. December 2021.
Third round of the global pulse survey on continuity of essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO, February 2022.
GHC guidance note: Prioritizing Essential Health Services. Global Health Cluster, December 2020.
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EPI-WIN: WHO Information Network for Epidemics updates
EPI-WIN seeks to give everyone access to timely, accurate, and easy-to-understand advice and information from trusted sources on public health events and outbreaks: currently the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Global analysis of health care waste in the context of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to large increases in healthcare waste, straining under resourced healthcare facilities and exacerbating environmental impacts from solid waste. The recommendations target the global, national and facility levels to promote a “win–win” scenario for COVID-19 PPE use, testing and vaccinations that are safe and support environmental sustainability.
SAGE – Product specific documentation
See here for the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization recommendations for use of different vaccines.
WHO SAGE Roadmap for prioritizing uses of COVID-19 vaccines.
21 January 2022 – This revised Roadmap takes into account increasing vaccine availability, vaccine coverage rates, and the evolving epidemiological situation including COVID-19 variants of concern.
COVID-19 VACCINE INTRODUCTION TOOLKIT
Provides guidance and tools for partners to prepare for and implement COVID-19 vaccination. Recent useful guidance includes:
Guidance on operational microplanning for COVID-19 vaccination – WHO, January 2022.
EVENTS
Webinar on barriers to GBV health services in humanitarian settings during COVID
9 December 2021 – The Global Health Cluster and the READY Initiative co-hosted a one hour webinar to review findings from the recently published COVID-19 Task Team report Barriers to GBV Health Services in Humanitarian Settings During COVID-19: A Desk Review from Cox Bazar (Bangladesh), Iraq, and Northeast Nigeria and examine lessons learned from adaptations to health service programming undertaken by humanitarian organizations in each country to ensure continuity of healthcare for GBV survivors.
Keep yourself up to date
WHO RCCE Collective Service, please sign-up for updates here
WHO COVID-19 vaccine newsletter, please sign-up for updates here
WHO COVID-19 digital content newsletter, please sign-up for updates here
WHO Infodemic Management newsletter, please sign-up for updates here
COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, please read here the Weekly Operational Update.
COVID-19 TASK TEAM
The GHC COVID-19 Task Team established a vaccine working group and is supporting two workstreams: first to monitor and track information on vaccination roll-out in humanitarian settings; and second to ensure shared learning and development of key messages.
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