- The global roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination is the largest and fastest in history, but many of the people most at risk remain unprotected: only 28% of the elderly and 37% of health workers in countries low-income have received their main course of vaccines and most have not received booster doses.
- Healthcare workers, the over 60s and other risk groups must be reached as priorities on the way to achieving the 70% coverage target.
- WHO strategy update raises targets to vaccinate 100% of healthcare workers and 100% of high-risk populations with primary and booster doses, with the aim of reducing deaths, maintaining open societies and ensure that economies function as transmission continues.
- Although vaccines have saved countless lives, they have not substantially reduced the spread of COVID-19. Innovation is needed to develop new vaccines that substantially reduce transmission, are easier to administer, and provide broader and longer-lasting protection.
WHO today published an update of the Global Vaccination Strategy against COVID-19, in response to the spread of Omicron subvariants, advances in vaccine evidence and lessons from the global vaccination program .
In the first year of release, the COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to have saved 19.8 million lives. Through unprecedentedly large and rapid releases worldwide, more than 12 billion doses have been administered worldwide, in almost every country in the world, bringing countries to 60% of its average population.
However, only 28% of older populations and 37% of health workers in low-income countries have been vaccinated with their primary series. 27 of WHO’s member states have not yet initiated a booster or additional dose program, 11 of which are low-income countries.
The strategy aims to use primary and booster doses to reduce deaths and serious illness, in order to protect health systems, societies and economies. On the way to achieving the 70% vaccination target, countries should prioritize achieving the core goals of vaccinating 100% of healthcare workers and 100% of the most vulnerable groups, including larger populations (more than 60 years) and immunosuppressed people or those with underlying conditions. conditions
“Even where 70% vaccination coverage is achieved, if significant numbers of healthcare workers, the elderly and other at-risk groups remain unvaccinated, deaths will continue, health systems will remain under pressure and the global recovery will be at risk,” WHO said. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General. “Vaccinating everyone most at risk is the best way to save lives, protect health systems and keep societies and economies open.”
To ensure that vaccines reach the highest priority groups, the strategy emphasizes the need to measure progress in vaccinating these groups and develop targeted approaches to reach them. Approaches include using local data and engaging communities to sustain demand for vaccines, building systems to vaccinate adults, and reaching more displaced people through humanitarian response.
The strategy also aims to accelerate the development and ensure equitable access to improved vaccines to substantially reduce transmission as a top priority, but also to achieve long-lasting and broadly protective immunity.
Today’s vaccines were designed to prevent serious illness and death, which they have succeeded in doing, saving millions of lives. However, they have not substantially reduced transmission. As the virus continues to circulate widely, new and dangerous variants are emerging, including some that reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. It is critical to continue investing in research and development to make vaccines more effective and easier to administer, such as nasal spray products.
Other vital actions to take include: equitably distributing manufacturing facilities across regions and supporting strong vaccine delivery programs. WHO will continue to work with COVAX and the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership (CoVDP) partners to support countries with deployments, such as bundling the COVID-19 vaccine with other health interventions.
Note to editors:
The Global Vaccination Strategy for COVID-19 in a Changing World: July 2022 Update can be read in full here.