Vaccines and Virus Variants - meeting of the Dr-to-Dr Initiative, 4th March 2021

On Thursday 4th March, the Doctor-2-Doctor Programme reconvened to discuss emerging variants and explore the progress of vaccination initiatives. This meeting marked the first Doctor-2-Doctor session of 2021 with participants from Italy, Jordan, The Lancet, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Taiwan the World Health Organisation and Yemen. During the discussion, representatives from the Lancet shared articles, briefings and letters that outline further information on the variants and the vaccines. Questions were raised on the relationship between gender and the Covid-19 vaccine, whether or not there is sufficient evidence to support delaying the second dose and whether or not the vaccine has an impact on long-Covid-19.The session illuminated the capacity to respond to the pandemic in vulnerable states remains challenging unless there is global cooperation, coordination and the pooling of resources and expertise. The Doctor-2-Doctor programme plays a role in creating a space for the exchange of recent studies, data and strategies. Understanding the needs of countries, their demographics and well as their infrastructure was a practical and important idea that emerged from this session.