Journal of Asian Health
Racial minorities currently face underrepresentation in phase 1 clinical trials for major COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Novavax). Despite data suggesting higher infection rates in Blacks and Latinos, and higher death rates among Asians, participation rates of various minority groups in clinical trials are sometimes even lower than 1%. It is currently unknown whether future phase 2 or phase ... Read More »
COVID’s Impact on Hepatitis B Vaccinations
New research by the World Health Organization and Imperial College London raises concerns about the effects of COVID-19 on hepatitis B vaccination rates. Specifically, the study estimates that a worst-case scenario could potentially decrease the 2020 birth and childhood immunization rates of hepatitis B by 60% and 20% respectively. This decrease in vaccination rates would lead to a projected 5.3 ... Read More »
World Hepatitis Day, July 28th
Hepatitis B, despite a vaccine existing for the last 39 years, is one of the deadliest diseases of our time. In 2015, the World Health Organization approximated 887,000 deaths annually, with hepatitis B deaths alone set to overtake other pandemics like HIV and others, shown below. Hepatitis B is most notable, however, in the severity that it disproportionately affects Asian ... Read More »