April 19, 2023: COVID GAP Accountability Report Issue 24
Key Changes and Insights Since Previous Report:
- On April 17th, India reported over 9,000 new COVID-19 cases prompting some parts of the country to reintroduce mask mandates.
- The XBB.1.16 variant now accounts for roughly 7.2% of sequenced COVID-19 cases in the United States.
- The World Health Organization’s technical advisory group on COVID vaccine composition met in March to review the performance of updated COVID-19 vaccines. The group released a statement saying that the updated vaccines that contain either BA.1 or BA.4/5 provide better protection than vaccines that contain only the original virus.
- The FDA authorized a second bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for seniors ages 65+ and those with compromised immune systems.
The Duke Global Health Innovation Center is a proud partner of the COVID Global Accountability Platform (COVID GAP). COVID GAP’s Accountability Reports highlight and analyze recent developments, track progress toward national, regional, and global targets, and identify high-priority recommendations for a more effective, efficient, and equitable pandemic response and preparedness. Drawing on data across many sources, our team tracks important measures of progress on commitments and remaining gaps, helping to hold leaders and organizations to account on these actions.