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WHO calls on wealthy nations to suspend COVID-19 booster shots, again
In early August, the WHO director general had called for the suspension of the COVID-19 booster shots until the end of this month. But now he is seeking to extend the timeline for offering third shots, as the disparity in vaccine access for poorer countries has yet to be overcome.
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20201119_Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) attends a session on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak response of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct.5. (Reuters/epost-robot)
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orld Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday urged some advanced countries to suspend their ongoing or planned administration of third shots against the novel coronavirus until at least the end of the year to ensure vaccine supplies for developing countries.
In early August, the WHO director general had called for the suspension of the COVID-19 booster shots until the end of this month. But now he is seeking to extend the timeline for offering third shots, as the disparity in vaccine access for poorer countries has yet to be overcome.
"A month ago, I called for a global moratorium on booster doses at least until the end of September, to prioritize vaccinating the most at-risk people around the world who are yet to receive their first dose," Tedros told a press conference as reported by Kyodo News.
Noting that the situation has changed little since his earlier statement, the WHO head said, "So today I am calling for an extension of the moratorium until at least the end of the year, to enable every country to vaccinate at least 40 percent of its population."
Some developed countries are moving ahead with booster shots to protect their populations amid recent surges in infection cases, while developing countries have largely fallen behind in vaccination efforts against the novel coronavirus.
According to Tedros, while 5.5 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered globally, 80 percent of them have gone to high and upper-middle income countries.
Booster shots are meant to strengthen vaccine efficacy, but the WHO takes a position of not recommending them under the present circumstances, citing a lack of sufficient data on efficacy and potential side effects with regard to the available coronavirus vaccines.
