INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
RSV, influenza and childhood pneumonia that are already on the rise.Rapidly increasing spreadThe classification of JN.1 as a separate
been found in many countries, including India, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States.Previously JN.1 was classified and tracked
as part of its parent BA.2.86 lineage, which itself is a descendant of the Omicron or B.1.1.529 variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing
COVID-19 disease.In comparison with its parent lineage BA.2.86, JN.1 has an additional mutation (the L455S mutation) in the spike
and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.Other respiratory diseasesCOVID-19 is not the only respiratory disease in
Influenza, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and common childhood pneumonia are on the rise, according to WHO.It advised people to take
measures to prevent infections and severe disease using all available tools, including wearing a mask when in crowded, enclosed, or poorly
ventilated areas, and keeping a safe distance from others.It also urged everyone to put safety first by covering coughs and sneezes;
risk of severe disease.Additionally, people should stay home if they are sick, and to get tested if they have symptoms, or if they might
have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or influenza.Global vaccine initiative winds downAlso on Tuesday, WHO announced that COVAX, the
landmark multilateral mechanism for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, launched in 2020, will end on 31 December 2023, as
COVID-19 vaccinations shift to regular immunization programmes.Since its launch in 2020, COVAX delivered nearly two billion doses of
continue to receive COVID-19 vaccines and delivery support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in 2024 and 2025, with 83 million doses so far
Accelerator, the ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests,
treatments, and vaccines.It was co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); WHO; and
partners urged the world to place vaccine equity at the heart of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for every country to have
huge and historic undertaking is something we can be collectively proud of and build on
