Coordinator of the WHO‘s Immunisation and Vaccine Development Programme for Africa, Dr. Richard Mihigo says the Covid-19 Vaccines on the market are effective in protecting everyone against the omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus.
During an online briefing yesterday, he said intense research is however being conducted to ascertain whether or not there will be the need to modify the vaccines in order to cater for the omicron.
The omicron variant of the Covid-19 was discovered on November 24 in South Africa and so far, it is present in 57 countries including Ghana.
The new cases in Africa rising by 93%. The WHO has indicated that the omicron variant of Covid-19 is observed to cause less severe disease compared to the delta variant and warns that the rate of hospitalization resulting from infection is likely to rise.
Dr. Mihigo said Africa accounts for 46 percent of reported cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 globally,
Affirmation
He reaffirmed the resolve of the World Health Organisation-Africa to continue supporting in national vaccine deployment plans to all African countries.
He also mentioned that starting January 2022, countries will be made to decide the exact quantity of vaccines to be made available to them.
Hoarding
The World Health Organization urged wealthier nations during the briefing against stockpiling COVID-19 vaccines for booster doses in order to combat the new Omicron variant, endangering supply to poorer countries with low inoculation rates.
Many Western countries have been distributing boosters to the elderly and those with underlying health difficulties, but concerns about the rapidly spreading Omicron have spurred some to extend their programs.
According to the WHO, those with health difficulties or who have gotten an inactivated injection should instead obtain boosters.
WHO Vaccine Director, Kathrine O’Brien said “As we approach whatever the Omicron scenario will be, there is a danger that the global supply could return to high-income nations stockpiling vaccine”.
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Source: Elikem Lawoe
