Gender dimensions of COVID-19 preventive policies: a global perspective.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the global population not just from morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but also due to measures imposed upon populations to slow the transmission and prevent infections. Measures introduced by policymakers have included self-isolation of infective or potentially infective individuals, social distancing, travel bans, school closures, and mandatory face coverings. Most recently, the introduction of vaccination has been a key preventative measure encouraged by many governments. Considering gender differences in adherence to these measures is important to help guide future policymaking and targeting of advice. Differences also arise in how the preventative measures impact different genders. Some policies have caused greater harm to women, compounding existing problems such as inequality in the paid workforce, sexual- and gender-based violence, and inadequate maternal healthcare. Policymakers must consider the gender differences in response to preventive measures and creating effective and equitable policy.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Ensuring Social Justice and Health Equity among Refugees in Africa.

COVID-19 poses a particular threat to refugees in Africa. Overcrowded living conditions and lack of effective sanitation make refugees highly vulnerable to infection. Furthermore, migration has the potential to undermine measures to control viral spread. As a result, vaccination of the refugee community in Africa must be considered key in the vaccination plan to end the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Although the WHO has approved vaccines for emergency use worldwide in vulnerable groups through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program, there is a lack of a strategy for achieving vaccination in the African refugee population. A specific strategy for refugee vaccination must be among the top priorities at national, regional, and global levels to ensure all refugees and asylum seekers in African countries have equitable and quality vaccine assistance regardless of displacement, statelessness, and financial hardship. We call on leaders in Africa and worldwide to ensure that refugee vaccination is a priority to protect this highly at-risk population and achieve an end to the current pandemic.