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WHO’s latest intervention came just as some countries had begun or were considering launching booster shots. Israel began implementing the third firing last month, and France, Germany and the UAE have announced plans to launch a reinforcement program. Others, such as the UK and the US, are still considering this. The US has purchased additional doses of Pfizer vaccines in preparation, but has not made any decisions about whether to make them available.
The science on whether boosters are necessary is still unclear. “The evidence is developing, it’s moving,” Kate O’Brien, WHO’s director of immunization, told reporters at the conference. “We don’t have full proof whether this is necessary or not.”
Pfizer data released last month this suggested that a third shot provides strong additional protection against the delta variant. However, current vaccine regimens have been shown to provide good protection against all major variants.
However, WHO wants to refocus on getting a larger portion of the world vaccinated before countries consider any form of supplementation. The agency has a goal of vaccinating 40% of the world by the end of the year and 70% by mid-2022.
“We need an urgent turnaround until the majority of vaccines go to high-income countries and the majority to low-income countries,” said Tedros, who urged vaccine manufacturers to focus on donating to Covax. vaccines were distributed to poor countries. Last week, he said the plan needed a large injection of funds to meet its goals.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki described the WHO’s intervention as a “wrong choice”. tell the AP That the US will have enough vaccines to donate to poorer countries and can offer supplements as needed.
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