The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on countries to postpone the delivery of COVID-19 booster shots until September so that poor countries can provide their citizens with the first dose of the vaccine.
WHO Executive Secretary Tedros Adanom Gebreyes told reporters that in some low-income countries, including much of Africa, less than 2 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
In contrast, in some high-income countries, adult immunization rates are 50%.
Over 5 billion COVID-19 vaccinations are given worldwide, 75% of which are given in only 10 countries. Who..
The United States is fully vaccinated in more than 52% of its population. according to To the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
President Joe Biden said the United States will widely distribute COVID-19 booster shots starting the week of September 20th, waiting for permission from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC scientists. ..
“That’s why, at least until the end of this month, we have called for a moratorium of boosters so that the most lagging countries can catch up,” Tedros said in a press conference Wednesday.
Although additional doses may be needed for people with weakened or weakened immunity, Tedros said, “For now, in fully vaccinated healthy people. I don’t want boosters to be widely used. “
The comments of the WHO Director General are in stark contrast to the comments of Dr. Anthony Fauci, President of President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser.
“Looking at the data we are looking at, we are confident that we will need that third dose,” Fauci said. NBC’s “Meet the Press”.
Fouch said the White House is still planning to distribute boosters eight months after people receive the second shot, saying “protection from infection is weakening” from mid-July to late July. Stated.
However, the chief medical adviser said they were “fully open to the data”, suggesting that the doses were available sooner and “flexible about it.”
“Now we are sticking to eight [months] But based on the data, we can fully embrace that variation, “Fauci said.
Other WHO officials have previously defended booster vaccination in wealthier countries, including WHO European Regional Director Hans Kluge.
At a press conference last month, Mr. Kruge urged countries with excessive doses to share with others, with booster shots acting as an “important means” to protect and keep vulnerable people safe. Said.
“The third dose of the vaccine is not yet a luxury booster deprived of those waiting for the first jab, but it’s basically a way to keep people safe and the most vulnerable,” Kruge said. Stated. “But at the same time, we need to share. We need to do everything.”
Pharmaceutical companies using the already developed COVID-19 vaccine, such as Pfizer, are demanding full FDA approval of booster shots in addition to the double-dose vaccine.
According to the company, 306 people who received the third vaccination between 5 and 8 months after the second shot showed 3.3 times the neutralizing antibody level after the second shot.
With a report from Reuters.
