The UK faced a recent heatwave and is braced for more to come. As worrying as this is for us, the health implications for children on the frontline of the climate emergency are so much more dire and exacerbated by fragile health systems as well as the recent cuts to overseas development assistance. The UK government must go further and faster to protect children from the devastating impacts of heatwaves and other climate extremes, both at home and abroad.

The NHS, which was delivered during post-war economic decline, turns 77 this Saturday while essential healthcare remains out of reach for over half of the world's population. Millions of children bear the brunt of this inequality, dying from preventable conditions. Universal Health Coverage could change this and with the UK’s leadership in supporting global health, free healthcare for all children everywhere could become a reality.

This blog highlights the significant impact of vaccines on global health. It traces the history of vaccination from Edward Jenner's groundbreaking discovery using cowpox to prevent smallpox, to the eradication of smallpox and the reduction of diseases like polio, measles, diphtheria, and tetanus. It also discusses current challenges such as funding crises, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy, while emphasising the importance of vaccines in preventing future pandemics.

A proposal for the World Bank's 20th IDA replenishment to have at least $109bn of resources to deliver for the world’s poorest children.

As South Sudan responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, it faces 7 threats to its health system.

Alongside the global COVID-19 response, donors and governments must prioritise reproductive health services and address pressing needs of women and girls.

There is much we should learn from how African countries have fought epidemics.

As the world focuses its energy on a COVID-19 vaccine – which it certainly should – we must not ease off on other vaccines.

Now, more than ever, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to protect essential services like immunisation and ensure equitable access for the most vulnerable.