Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) believes that ‘further research’ was necessary when asked about the COVID-19 booster shots.
The World Health Organization (WHO) remains firm in its stance regarding the COVID-19 booster shots. Key individuals from the agency have repeatedly argued that there is no need for them right now.
This comes as some vaccine makers have already received approvals in some countries to distribute the third dose. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has recently authorized Pfizer’s and Moderna’s boosters for certain individuals.
The WHO emphasizes that more populations from several countries have yet to receive their first dose. This is why high-income nations should wait for the rest of the world to complete their vaccinations before deploying a “top-up.”
Data does not indicate the need for booster shots
On Wednesday, some officials from the World Health Organization shared their thoughts about the need for booster shots. Speaking to a Geneva news conference, they said that there is no need for the third dose yet, according to Reuters.
Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan noted that the data today “does not indicate” the need for COVID-19 booster vaccines. She, then, added that “further research” was necessary.
Senior Advisor Bruce Aylward consequently told reporters his views on the administration of boosters in high-income nations. He asserted that there are enough COVID-19 jabs around the globe. However, they are “not going to the right place in the right order.”
He, later on, stressed out that the most vulnerable worldwide should receive two doses first before fully vaccinated individuals take the booster shots.
White House dismisses recommendations from the WHO
Despite the repeated calls for a halt on third-dose administration, the United States “formally introduced” a recommendation on Wednesday. The White House announced that American adults who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should get a third dose eight months after completing the jabs.
Yahoo! News reported that the boosters will be available on September 20. But, the approval from the FDA remains pending.
COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients, later on, said that the U.S. have to protect the American people. But, “we have to continue to do more and more to vaccinate the world” to end the pandemic.
A call for “moratorium” on third doses
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization’s head made an appeal to wealthier nations that have already outpaced the developing countries in vaccinations. He called for a “moratorium” on booster shots at least until the end of September.
“I understand the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant. But we cannot accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, while the 🌍’s most vulnerable people remain unprotected”-@DrTedros
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 4, 2021
WHO Director-General Tedros said that he understands the concern of all governments. He asserted, however, that they cannot “accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines” and use even more of it for the boosters.
Images courtesy of DW News/YouTube