The IATA Medical Evidence Document was updated again (10th edition) over the holiday period, incorporating information on Omicron: https://www.iata.org/globalassets/iata/programs/covid/restart/covid-public-health-meausures-evidence-doc.pdf and another update of the document should follow soon, followed by a move to a different format.
The WHO Emergency Committee met and confirmed that COVID-19 still constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) as defined in the International Health Regulations. The committee provided advice in its statement here: https://www.who.int/news/item/19-01-2022-statement-on-the-tenth-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-pandemic
The sections relating to air travel are here:
Lift or ease international traffic bans as they do not provide added value and continue to contribute to the economic and social stress experienced by States Parties. The failure of travel restrictions introduced after the detection and reporting of Omicron variant to limit international spread of Omicron demonstrates the ineffectiveness of such measures over time. Travel measures (e.g. masking, testing, isolation/quarantine, and vaccination) should be based on risk assessments and avoid placing the financial burden on international travellers in accordance with Article 40 of the IHR. WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
Do NOT require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for international travel as the only pathway or condition permitting international travel given limited global access and inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. State Parties should consider a risk-based approach to the facilitation of international travel by lifting or modifying measures, such as testing and/or quarantine requirements, when appropriate, in accordance with the WHO guidance. Interim position paper: considerations regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers; Policy considerations for implementing a risk-based approach to international travel in the context of COVID-19
A comprehensive look at the practical considerations around rapid diagnostic testing, here by Drain in NEJM: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp2117115
And related to that, a study comparing 7 different RAT tests, with variable results is useful - Kruger et al: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(21)00568-5/fulltext
Neutralising activity in saliva is low in those who have had the Pfizer vaccine – suggesting an ineffective activation of mucosal immunity by systemic vaccination. Azzi et al: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(21)00582-X/fulltext
A useful and current UK HSA reference on waning of the protective effect of mRNA boosters is here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1046853/technical-briefing-34-14-january-2022.pdf
Rates of COVID by industry in Ontario – aviation is within transportation which is not high comparatively – an occupational study by Buchan et al: https://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2022/01/11/oemed-2021-107879
Viral dynamics of Omicron – Hay et al: https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/37370587/omicron_ct.1-13-22.4.pdf
In particular this notes that viral load is probably not the main driver of increased transmissibility, and suggests caution around shortening the isolation period for Omicron infection, with a significant proportion of cases still apparently infective beyond 5 days.
Further evidence of enhancement of T-cell memory response to Omicron following booster is here – Jergovic et al: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.16.22269361v1.full.pdf
The latest ECDC epidemiological update is here, and is a good concise collection of current information on Omicron, although much of it has been contained within of previous MCG updates: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/weekly-epidemiological-update-omicron-variant-concern-voc-week-2-data-13-january-2022
Also from Europe, the EMA (European Medicines Authority) has a updated and reassuring information about the safety of mRNA vaccines during pregnancy, here: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/covid-19-latest-safety-data-provide-reassurance-about-use-mrna-vaccines-during-pregnancy
I reminder that the CDC traveller health notices (with many changes this week) are published here: COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination (interactive map), and COVID-19 Travel Recommendations (COVID-19 THN webpage).
Latest CDC recommendations on masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html
Best wishes,
David Powell
IATA Medical Advisor