Almost a billion people in low-income countries remain vaccinated against Covid-19, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom said today.
Speaking on the opening day of the 75th World Health Assembly, the executive revealed that only 57 nations had managed to vaccinate 70 percent of their populations, most of them with high incomes.
We must continue to support states to achieve 70 percent coverage as soon as possible, including everyone over the age of 60, health workers and people with underlying conditions, he urged.
“In some countries we are seeing insufficient will to implement vaccination. Has this been offset by the initial lack of political commitment to equitable access to vaccines?” he said.
Likewise, he urged areas that hit 70 percent to support those that are furthest behind, urging them to remain vigilant and ready to reintroduce and adjust health and welfare measures as needed.
“More than two years after the worst public health crisis in a century, the WHO has been informed of more than six million deaths from Covid-19, but our new excess mortality estimates are higher: almost 15 million,” he said.
The WHO chief said reported cases had fallen significantly since the peak of the Omicron wave in January 2022 and reported deaths were at their lowest since March 2020.
However, nearly 70 countries across all regions are reporting growth, and deaths are rising in Africa, the continent with the lowest vaccination coverage, he added.
The official also pointed to the fact that health workers are responding to Ebola outbreaks in the DRC and elsewhere, monkeypox, hepatitis of unknown cause and complex humanitarian crises along with Covid-19
The 75th World Health Assembly, which began today and will run through May 28 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, will focus its discussions on the theme “Health for Peace, Peace for Health.”