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EDCTP activated its Emergency Funding Mechanism in April 2020 to support collaborative clinical research studies in sub-Saharan Africa to manage and/or prevent the spread of the current COVID-19 outbreak. Twenty-six projects have been supported in 22 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. One year on from the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, many research questions have been answered, many others are still under investigation and new questions are emerging.

Speakers & Participants
Speakers will primarily include representatives of the EDCTP-funded COVID-19 Emergency Projects. Selected speakers will share preliminary findings (where available) and/or lessons learnt so far. The meeting will be open to researchers and all other interested stakeholders.

Agenda
The programme includes presentations and panel discussions on the following topics:
- Surveillance and response
- Focus on special populations (pediatric, pregnant women)
- COVID-19 and other major infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (HIV, TB, Malaria)
- New emerging research questions and knowledge gaps specific to sub-Saharan Africa

When and How to join?
The meeting will be held in 2 separate afternoons via Zoom on 18-19 March 2021, each day from 1 to 5PM Central European Time (CET). Registration is required (one link for both days).
Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cHhn2t0SQvuNJYemkJesBg

Gavi has launched a call for expressions of interest to identify members for the Vaccine Investment Strategy (VIS) Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will be convened to provide expert advice, strategic guidance, and oversight to the next VIS. This is Gavi’s evidence-driven process for identifying new and under-used vaccines of the highest importance to Gavi-supported countries and inform on options for future investments. The VIS takes place every 5 years. The next VIS will kick off later this year, with multiple decision steps culminating in final investment case decisions taken by the Gavi Board in June 2024.

The deadline to receive expressions of interest is 28 September 2022.

More information and applying: https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/gavi-vaccine-investment-strategy-steering-committee-now-open-applications

The Royal Society Africa Prize 2022 was awarded to Professor Novel Njweipi Chegou for his work in the fields of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and his innovative project proposal. Prof. Chegou is an EDCTP Senior Fellow researching new biomarker-based approaches for improving the diagnosis of childhood tuberculous meningitis at Stellenbosch University.

The Royal Society Africa Prize is to recognise research scientists based in Africa who are making an innovative contribution to the sciences. The medal is of bronze, awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000. The prize was previously the Royal Society Pfizer Award which was last awarded in 2016.

The conference theme, 'Ending the Emergency: Science, Leadership, Action', focused on what is needed to ensure commitments become action, and that lifesaving targets are met.

Congratulations to our EDCTP Fellows who's excellent research work was recognised!

Two Career Development Fellows received prestigious awards:

Dr Stephanus Malherbe received The Union Young Investigator Prize

Dr Sean Wasserman received the Stephen Lawn TB-HIV Research Leadership Prize

https://hyderabad.worldlunghealth.org/2019/11/the-union-recognises-major-contributions-to-lung-health-through-its-annual-awards/

Dr Stellah Mpagama, an EDCTP Senior Fellow gave her plenary presentation during the Ending the TB Emergency session. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw2eCplJ7Y8