Authorities emphasized that a new frenzy on the part of rich countries to hoard vaccines would only help prolong the pandemic, but not control it.
A WHO official on Thursday urged rich countries not to rush to buy vaccines – to the detriment of poor nations. In addition, he stressed that the need for a third dose against the omicron variant has not been proven.
With the appearance of this variant, “There is a risk that global supplies will be redirected back to high-income countries who seek to accumulate vaccines to protect their populations to an excessive extent, “said Dr. Kate O’Brien, head of immunization at the World Health Organization (WHO), in the framework of a meeting with the press.
O’Brien is on the WHO Advisory Committee of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).
On Wednesday, companies Pfizer and Biontech, manufacturers of one of the messenger RNA sera against covid-19, released a study in which they claim that their vaccine is also effective against omicron if three doses are administered instead of the two recommended for other variants.
The WHO has considered the data from this study, O’Brien noted, and indeed it may be “that the additional doses may better protect against omicron,” but “We are still at the beginning.”
A significant proportion of the health workforce and vulnerable people in the Poor countries have not even received a first dose.
The official emphasized that a new frenzy on the part of rich countries in hoard vaccines it would only help prolong the pandemic. (I)
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