CEPI, partners work to ensure equitable distribution of COVID vaccine
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is part of an effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries. CEPI helped launch the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX), part of the ACT Accelerator, which was established to ensure that the... Read More »
Wisconsin National Guard Unit garners honor
The 2020 Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert Award has been bestowed upon the Wisconsin National Guard’s 54th Civil Support Team (CST) in recognition of excellence in mission readiness. The specialized unit of full-time Army and Air National Guard members are trained to respond to chemical,... Read More »
FirstNet launches Vermont cell sites
FirstNet, the broadband platform for public safety, has launched a pair of Vermont purpose-built cell sites in North Bennington and West Bridgewater. “We worked hand-in-hand with Vermont’s public safety community to understand their needs for the network,” FirstNet Authority CEO Edward... Read More »
Sen. Blumenthal, colleagues call for end to gun background check loophole
With the introduction of the Background Check Completion Act last week, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and more than 20 of his colleagues took a stand against a legal loophole that has allowed gun sales to move forward if a background check is not finished in 72 hours. “No check, no sale... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Bennet introduce legislation to bolster DoD’s AI strategy and capabilities
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced legislation last week designed to strengthen and improve artificial intelligence (AI) within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Artificial Intelligence and National Security Act proposes to strengthen the department’s AI... Read More »
Biosecurity expert proposes medical countermeasures to address the next pandemic threat
Scientists did not anticipate the initial threat of SARS-CoV-2, but what if they could have. In a commentary released this month by Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, society could be prepared for the next pandemic through a medical... Read More »
GAO highlights opportunities to improve federal COVID-19 response, recovery efforts
In accordance with the CARES Act containing a provision for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on ongoing COVID-19 monitoring and oversight efforts, six recommendations have been issued. The GAO indicated its recent analysis examined key actions the federal government has... Read More »
Bill introduced to establish National Cyber Director
Lawmakers have introduced a measure creating a National Cyber Director position within the White House, who would serve as the president’s principal advisor on cybersecurity issues. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), Cyberspace Solarium commissioner, joined five colleagues in presenting the National... Read More »
DRC announces official end to second-largest Ebola outbreak
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health declared this week that an Ebola outbreak which has ravaged the eastern portion of the country since 2018 has finally reached its end. The news was hailed by global and U.S. health officials, still themselves battling the worldwide... Read More »
Colorado State University to collaborate with BARDA in developing platform capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2
A new platform, SolaVAX, aims to help inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus -- the virus which causes COVID-19 -- in patients, and its progress will be a joint project of its creators at Colorado State University and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). SolaVAX was... Read More »
Moderna taps Catalent to help with COVID-19 vaccine candidate
Pharma company Moderna will collaborate with Catalent – a company that develops technologies and manufacturing solutions for drugs and consumer health products – on Moderna’s mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Catalent will provide vial filling and packaging capacity, as well as... Read More »
CEPI reaches agreement with vial manufacturer for COVID-19 vaccines
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI, signed an agreement with Stevanato Group to supply glass vials to hold vaccine for the COVID-19 virus once it is developed. Stevanato, based in Italy, will supply 100 million Type 1 Borosilicate glass vials to hold up to 2 billion... Read More »
Rep. McAdams backs bill to prohibit explosive nuclear testing
U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) announced his support for a bill that would prevent the Trump Administration from restarting explosive nuclear weapons testing. The Preserving Leadership Against Nuclear Explosives Testing (PLANET) Act (H.R. 7140) was introduced earlier this month by Reps. Dina... Read More »
National Defense Authorization Act includes funding for Abrams tanks, Stryker vehicles
The U.S. Senate’s 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes $1.033 billion in funding to upgrade 89 Abrams tanks, announced U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). The tank upgrades will be done at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio. The bill also includes $847... Read More »