November 24, 2020
1 min read

WHO voices ‘real hope’ to end COVID-19

The WHO chief’s remarks came after drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine, developed with Oxford University, was up to 90 percent effective, making it the third major drug company after Pfizer and Moderna to have reported late-stage data for a potential COVID-19 vaccine…reports Asian Lite News

“There is now real hope that vaccines, in combination with other tried and tested public health measures, will help to end the pandemic,” said the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The WHO chief’s remarks came after drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine, developed with Oxford University, was up to 90 percent effective, making it the third major drug company after Pfizer and Moderna to have reported late-stage data for a potential COVID-19 vaccine, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

“The significance of this scientific achievement cannot be overstated. No vaccines in history have been developed as rapidly as these. The scientific community has set a new standard for vaccine development,” Tedros added.

He pointed out now the international community must set a new standard for access, as “the urgency with which vaccines have been developed must be matched by the same urgency to distribute them fairly.”

Worried that the poorest and most vulnerable countries will be trampled in the stampede for vaccines, WHO established the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator to support global efforts in developing vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, and has joined so far 187 countries in the COVAX facility to collaborate on the procurement and rollout of vaccines, ensuring affordable prices, volumes and timing for all countries.

According to the WHO chief, some US $4.3 billion is needed immediately to support the mass procurement and delivery of vaccines, tests and treatments, while additional US $23.8 billion will be needed next year.

“The International Monetary Fund estimates that if medical solutions can be made available faster and more widely, it could lead to a cumulative increase in global income of almost US $9 trillion by the end of 2025,” he said.

Also read:40% World’s population lack access to handwashing facilities: UNICEF

Previous Story

India’s IT spending to touch $81.9 Bn next year

Next Story

Xi calls for closer ties with Ethiopia

Latest from -Top News

US VP Vance Lands in India

Vice President Vance, who began his international tour with a stop in Italy on Friday, landed at the Air Force Station in Palam, New Delhi…reports Asian Lite News United States Vice President

Kabila returns to Congo from exile 

Kabila, who left Congo in 2023, came to Goma “to participate in peace efforts” in the conflict-hit east where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized large swaths of territory  Former Congolese President Joseph

India, Tanzania discuss strengthening bilateral ties 

Tanzania and India have traditionally enjoyed close, friendly, and cooperative relations. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the political relationship was characterised by shared commitments to anticolonialism, non-alignment   India’s External Affairs

INS Sunayna arrives in Mozambique 

 The port call marks a significant milestone, enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and Mozambique Navies   The Indian Navy’s INS Sunayna, currently deployed as part of the Indian Ocean
Go toTop