The COVAX is preparing for its first-quarter distribution as the World Health Organisation (WHO) awaits the emergency approval of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Once approved, the vaccine will be added to the WHO’s vaccine portfolio. According to the WHO’s Director-General, the organisation expects to make a decision on the emergency use listing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the next few days.
The World Health Organisation granted Pfizer the emergency approval in December last year. The emergency use listing is to make medicines, vaccines and diagnostics available as rapidly as possible to address the emergency. However, it should adhere to stringent criteria of safety, efficacy and quality.
During a recent press briefing by the WHO, the Director-General said Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is one of several that has shown to be effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.
He added that South Africa’s decision to hold on the roll-out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after showing minimal effectiveness to South African variant is concerning.
“It is important to determine whether or not the vaccine remains effective in preventing more severe illness. These results are a reminder that we need to do everything we can to reduce the circulation of the virus with proven public health measure. We all have a role to play in protecting vaccines. Every time you decide to stay at home to avoid crowds, to wear a mask or to clean your hands, you are denying the virus the opportunity to spread and the opportunity to change in ways that could make vaccines less effective,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO.
He added that vaccine manufacturers will have to adjust to the evolution of the virus as it mutates. It is also important for the countries to continue to report these variants to the WHO so that the organisation can coordinate global efforts.
Kinley Dem
