Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Copyrighted Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is perhaps the most widely used and validated tool in assessing burnout among different occupations and health care professionals compared to the free to use Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of these tools in comparison with MBI among a subset of Nigerian resident doctors. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A cross-sectional survey with reliability of the burnout scales calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity was assessed by principal component analysis and correlating dimensions within each burnout tool with one another using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The criterion validity of each dimension was assessed for the ability of independent variables to predict their scores using multiple linear regression. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Copenhagen Personal Burnout dimension had the highest Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.91. MBI-Emotional Exhaustion had the highest correlations with Copenhagen Work-related, Copenhagen Personal-related, and Oldenburg Exhaustion burnout dimensions. Only the multiple regression models for Copenhagen personal (<i>p</i> = 0.04) and work-related (<i>p</i> = 0.02) burnout dimensions were significant, with the specialty of the residents being the significant independent variable in both models. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> CBI and OLBI have high internal consistency and reliability among the subset of resident doctors recruited into this study, CBI dimensions had the best predictive and construct validity and can be used as valid alternative to MBI.

Background; Despite the adoption of Elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) strategy in 2012, mother to child transmission of HIV remains one of the significant forms of new HIV infections among children in Uganda, accounting for 20% of new infections. However, the implementation of the EMTCT strategy in Uganda remains unclear and an under researched field. This study aimed at assessing the extent of implementation of EMTCT strategy, barriers and constraints in Lira district using the adapted Policy Implementation Barometer (PIB) approach. Methods; This was a cross sectional study that employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A Policy Implementation Barometer tool developed by a project called Supporting Policy Engagement for Evidence-based Decisions (SPEED) for Universal Health Coverage in Uganda was adopted to assess the extent of implementation of EMTCT strategy. A total of 32 interviews with health facility managers were purposively conducted from a random sample of 20 health facilities offering Antenatal clinic (ANC) services in Lira district. Quantitative data was analyzed using STATA 14. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis approach. Results; Majority 17/32 (53.1%) of the respondents were health facility in charges, 14/32 (43.8%) were midwives and half 16/32 (50.0%) had been in service for more than five years. Half of the respondents perceived their facilities to have fully established programs for implementing EMTCT and only 2/32 (6.2%) perceived the EMTCT programs to be functioning optimally. The perceived level of EMTCT implementation was 80%. Almost all the respondents perceived the funding for EMTCT activities to be inadequate, untimely, and not sustainable. Only 4/32 (12.5%) of the respondents believed that the health workforce size was adequate to support EMTCT activities, 13/32 (40.6%) believed that health workers lacked the skills to provide EMTCT services.Conclusion/Recommendation; Overall, the perceived extent of EMTCT policy implementation was high, however slow progress was reported in some of the key policy objectives due to a number of hindrances including inadequate staff and funding. Therefore, there is a need for strategies to increase the number of health workers for EMTCT and solicit for more funding for the implementation of EMTCT strategy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) accounts for over 92 million confirmed cases worldwide, with over 2.06 million deaths. In the past year, more than 290 candidate vaccines have been tested; COVID-19 vaccine development was sped up, with shortened timeline, due to the urgent global need in the face of the pandemic. In addition, people with the highest risk of contracting the disease, such as health workers with a high risk of exposure, elderlies, and people with underlying comorbidities, were prioritized with vaccination rollout. The article narratively reviewed original and review articles available on PubMed and Google Scholar related to the theme to provide up-to-date information. The different templates developed and studied for COVID-19 vaccines include the whole-virus vaccine, viral vector vaccine, nucleic acid (deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid), and protein subunit vaccine. Myths impede vaccine uptake in this part of the globe. Adopting these myths leads to sharing and spreading, which negatively impacts the prevention of COVID-19 and vaccine uptake. Adverse event following immunizations (AEFIs) is classified based on severity, from minor to severe. The minor ones are common events that pose no potential health risks to the receiver of the vaccine. The type determines the safety profile, severity, and frequency of AEFIs observed with the vaccine administration. Overall, this pandemic has heightened the global level of threat awareness; it has also provided motivation to prepare for future pandemics by developing new vaccines.