Global Health

From: vaccine-targets-income-global-20211227

The goal: at least 40% vaxxed in all nations by year-end. This map shows how we stand

11:30am December 30, 2021

by Nurith Aizenman

The program called COVAX was set up to make sure that all countries have access to COVID vaccines. Two key public health figures talk about what went wrong — and how to fix it.

Women wearing masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk against cold strong winds in Beijing, China, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.

Officials promise groceries for Xi'an, China, city of 13 million under lockdown

5:23am December 30, 2021

by The Associated Press

Officials pledged steady deliveries of groceries to residents of Xi'an, a city of 13 million that is under the strictest lockdown of a major Chinese city since Wuhan at the start of the pandemic.

Commuters wearing face masks ride an escalator at a subway station in the central business district in Beijing. Caseloads of omicron have remained relatively low in many parts in Asia.

Asia is keeping omicron at bay, but a surge may be inevitable

12:51am December 29, 2021

by The Associated Press

Much of Asia has managed to keep omicron in check even as the variant rages elsewhere, but the region that is home to most of the globe's population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge.

Most countries will fall short of global initiative to vaccinate 40% of populations

5:07pm December 28, 2021

by Nurith Aizenman

COVAX was set up to enable global access to vaccines against COVID. Yet nearly 80 countries will miss a target of vaccinating 40% of their populations by year's end. Here's what went wrong.

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An empty classroom during the pandemic in Seoul, South Korea.

$17 trillion: That's how much the pandemic could take away from today's kids

5:26pm December 27, 2021

by Anya Kamenetz

A new report from UNESCO estimates the potential lifetime earnings lost to the world's children due to school closings. But there are ways to prevent this from happening.

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A man is handed a swab for a rapid test as people line up for coronavirus testing at a gas station in the Reseda section of Los Angeles on Sunday.

Omicron surge sets records as flight disruptions continue

8:07am December 27, 2021

by NPR Staff

More than 1,400 flights canceled worldwide Monday, adding to thousands canceled over the Christmas weekend. And across the country, long lines continued at COVID-19 testing sites.

Our correspondent Michaeleen Doucleff's daughter, Rosy, at age 2, as she does dishes voluntarily. Getting her involved in chores did lead to the kitchen being flooded and dishes being broken, Doucleff reports. But Rosy is still eager to help.

How to raise kind kids, a booze ban, BTS at U.N.: Our top non-pandemic global stories

3:43pm December 25, 2021

by Malaka Gharib

Our most popular stories not about the pandemic included: advice on raising helpful kids, boy band BTS's U.N. appearance, why South Africa banned alcohol — and a very scary virus called Nipah.

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Health & Safety

Coronavirus FAQ: Remind me, how do you define mild, moderate and severe COVID?

9:23am December 24, 2021

by Fran Kritz

As researchers try to determine the severity of cases caused by the omicron variant, the question of what exactly constitutes mild, moderate and severe COVID is weighing on people's minds.

Health & Safety

COVID-19 surges are forcing countries around the world to adapt

7:27am December 24, 2021

Health experts worldwide are warning that the battle against the Omicron variant is far from over. Three NPR correspondents provide the latest on the pandemic from Europe and South Asia.

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In Zimbabwe and other African nations, the virus's resurgence is threatening the very survival of millions of people who have already been driven to the edge by a pandemic that has devastated their economies.

COVID-19 spike worsens Africa's severe poverty, hunger woes

3:19am December 24, 2021

by The Associated Press

In Zimbabwe and other African nations, the virus's resurgence is threatening the survival of millions. The United Nations says about 9 in 10 of the world's extremely poor live in Africa.