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Tips on what you can do before, during and after you get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Mothers already shouldered tremendous financial, physical, emotional, and intellectual burdens before the onset of the pandemic. But now ‒ under increasing economic pressures, reduced access to health care, diminishing social support and growing unpaid care responsibilities ‒ many of these burdens have become crushing. All of this is taking a toll on the long-term health and welfare of mothers. Women have been disproportionately affected by pandemic-related job losses, and researchers are starting to see signs of rising stillbirths, maternal mortality and poor maternal health outcomes around the world.
UNESCO's Director-General has welcomed the decision by the United States and many other countries to call for the lifting of patent protection on COVID-19 vaccines. This growing momentum comes in response to the joint appeal made by UNESCO, the WHO and the UNHCR to open up science and boost scientific cooperation. The idea behind Open Science is to allow scientific information, data and outputs to be more widely accessible (Open Access) and more reliably harnessed (Open Data) with the active engagement of all the stakeholders (Open to Society).
International Nurses Day (12 May) is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, considered as the founder of modern nursing. Reports show investment in nursing can have the triple impact of better health, greater gender equality and stronger economies (SDGs 3, 5, and 8). Nurses have proven to be a critical force battling COVID-19, dedicating their time to protect, support, and care for people affected by the virus in the community. We must all acknowledge the great sacrifice they do for the health of all. Thank you nurses for saving lives and keeping our loved ones safe!
A deadly surge in COVID-19 cases is placing an enormous strain on health and critical care facilities in India. This second wave of the pandemic is larger and spreading more rapidly than the first, and is leaving vulnerable families paying a particularly steep price. UNICEF has already sent critical lifesaving supplies to help India in its battle with COVID-19 and has deployed senior-level experts to the worst hit areas to support state and local authorities. But more support is urgently needed to save lives. Donate now
3 May 2021 - The United Nations has deployed all the personnel and resources at its disposal to help Indians deal with the deadly surge in COVID-19 that has seen more than 300,000 reported new cases per day, for almost two weeks now, and left many hospitals overwhelmed.
Romain Grosjean, French-Swiss professional racing driver competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2021 is announcing his support for the WHO Foundation. Romain will race with the WHO Foundation logo prominently displayed on his race suit and helmet this year.
While immunization services have started to recover from disruptions caused by COVID-19, millions of children remain vulnerable to deadly diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance warned during World Immunization Week, highlighting the urgent need for a renewed global commitment to improve vaccination access and uptake. A WHO survey has found that, despite progress when compared to the situation in 2020, more than one third of respondent countries (37%) still report experiencing disruptions to their routine immunization services.
Helping to Tackle the Spread of Zoonotic Diseases
“In life, things wouldn’t always go as you wanted to but you have to learn how to roll with the punches,” frontline worker Peaches Dinnoo tells United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in their one-on-one conversation about the challenges she faces raising children, working at home and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Dinnoo talks about how balance is the key as she raises two children in online school while also working in their shared space.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all acutely aware that human health, animal health and planetary health are inextricably linked. UN agencies have now issued guidance for national governments to help reduce public health risks associated with the sale of live wild mammals. Among other measures, the guidance calls for the suspension of sales of live wild mammals in traditional food markets that do not have effective regulations and sanitary measures.
Greta Thunberg's foundation will donate 100,000 Euros to the WHO Foundation, in support of COVAX to purchase COVID-19 vaccines, as part of the global effort to ensure equitable access of vaccines to the most at-risk in all countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a devastating reminder of the chaos caused by diseases we cannot prevent. Thanks to vaccines, we now have a way of ending this pandemic and to rebuild our lives. This World Immunization Week, join UNICEF to show #VaccinesWork.
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched nearly every aspect of the world of work, from the risk of transmission in the workplace to occupational safety and health (OSH) risks due to the measures used to mitigate the spread of the virus. Shifts to new forms of working arrangements, such as teleworking, also posed potential risks, including psychosocial risks and violence. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021 examines how the current crisis demonstrates the importance of strengthening these OSH systems, including occupational health services, at both the national and undertaking level.