The WHO will review the data for the booster dose next week

The WHO Committee of Vaccine Experts will meet next week to review data on the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, a senior IAEA official said today as rich countries intensify vaccinations. their programs to cover most of the population.

WHO chief scientist Sumia Swaminathan did not specify the exact date of the meeting. However, he told reporters that the WHO would make recommendations on the use of these “booster” vaccines after the issue was examined by experts.

Mike Ryan, the WHO’s director of emergency management, said there was still no evidence that booster doses for the entire population, including healthy people, would provide greater protection against the disease.

“The end of the pandemic is not a matter of luck, it is a matter of choice,” said the WHO leader.

The world is facing a “toxic cocktail” due to insufficient vaccination coverage for Covid-19 but also limited tests, the head of the World Health Organization warned today, assuring that these conditions create fertile ground for the emergence of new species. .

“The end of the pandemic is not a matter of luck, it is a matter of choice,” said WHO Director-General of the Tentros Antanom Gebregesous in a press conference.

“Globally, we have a toxic mix, low vaccination coverage and very few tests, this is the perfect recipe to breed and enhance variations,” he explained.

This warning comes at a time when the appearance of the Omicron variant has caused panic on the planet. This is the first time since the Delta that another variant has caused so much international concern.

According to the WHO, Omicron or B.1.1.529 was first identified on November 24 by South African scientists. The first known case confirmed in the laboratory was in a sample taken on November 9.

On Friday, the WHO described Omicron as a “concern variant” because it contains many mutations and could therefore be more contagious or more resistant to vaccines. Studies are underway to determine if this is the case and to what extent, but the first results will be available in a few weeks.

“At least 23 countries in five of the six regions (in which the WHO divides the world) have reported Omicron cases and we expect that number to increase,” the Center added.