This content was published on July 22, 2022 – 00:54 July 22, 2022 – 00:54
Geneva, July 22 (EFE) .- Only 28% of the elderly and 37% of healthcare workers in low-income countries have received a first full course of treatment with the anticovid vaccine, the World Health Organization announced on Friday, reiterating its appeal, immunize these most vulnerable groups.
In addition, 27 countries in the world have yet to start a booster vaccination program in the current pandemic, when medical studies estimate that vaccines have saved nearly 20 million lives in 2021, the WHO recalled in a statement.
The Geneva-based organization today raised its global vaccination targets, noting that 100% of health workers and people who are part of risk groups (elderly, immunocompromised, etc.) should have access to anti-Covid vaccines.
“Vaccinating the most vulnerable is the best way to save lives, protect health systems and keep societies and economies open,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Around 12,000 million doses of anticovid vaccines have been administered worldwide, equivalent to one and a half times the world population, which according to the WHO is the largest and fastest vaccination in history.
Despite this, there are still large inequalities in vaccine distribution, with a global average of more than 60% vaccination, but falling to less than 20% in low-income countries.
The WHO is sticking to its goal of achieving 70% global vaccination coverage this year, which is essential for achieving so-called “herd immunity”.
The Geneva-based panel, on the other hand, stressed today that “vaccines have saved countless lives but have not significantly reduced transmission of Covid”, urging that research be stepped up to obtain new products that target infections against fast-growing variants reduce the omicron. EFE
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