The World Health Organization (WHO) criticized the popular idea of ​​a full booster dose of vaccines against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), stating that adopting such a policy would widen the pre-existing vaccine inequality between the first world. And relatively poor countries. When talking about this issue, WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus said at a press conference on Wednesday that a comprehensive Covid-19 booster program may also prolong the pandemic, rather than end it, “by transferring [ of vaccine] Countries that already have a high level of vaccination coverage.” The head of the WHO said that this will give the coronavirus “more opportunities to spread and mutate,” which may expand the pandemic. In consultation with the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and its Covid-19 Vaccine Working Group, WHO concluded that the vast majority of people currently hospitalized and died of coronavirus disease are unvaccinated people, not Those who have received injections or boosters.

The WHO Director-General said at a press conference: “No country can accelerate its escape from the pandemic.”

In the interim statement on Covid-19 booster doses issued on December 22, WHO made it clear that the focus of immunization efforts must continue to be on reducing deaths and serious diseases and protecting the healthcare system. This is especially important in light of the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, which is said to be highly contagious and capable of frequent mutations. The WHO statement reads: “Countries/regions with high vaccination rates have high vaccine coverage, but in certain countries or local environments where key populations have not yet received primary vaccination, due to increased demand And the supply is diverted, so the risk of vaccination will exacerbate the availability of vaccines.”

According to the UN agency, barriers to access and distribution have led to widespread inequality in vaccine supply, which can only be resolved through high coverage and commitments by countries to achieve global vaccination targets and help other countries in need.

Public health agency forecasts indicate that only in the second half of 2022 will there be enough vaccines around the world to widely use boosters in all adults, and in cases where they are widely needed. But until then, broad-based strengthening plans will only continue to widen the existing supply gap, WHO concluded.

Read the interim statement on the booster dose of Covid-19 vaccination

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times