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Regulatory experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) from around the world and the UN agency’s own teams reviewed data on the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine and found on Thursday that it met the essential criteria of the WHO on safety and efficacy, with its benefits outweighed. any potential risk.
“This is a very positive step to ensure global access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
“But I want to emphasize the need for an even greater global effort to achieve a sufficient vaccine supply to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere.”
‘Working day and night’
The move opens the door for countries to accelerate their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine.
It also allows UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to purchase the vaccine to distribute it to countries that need it.
At the same time, WHO is encouraging more developers to come forward for review and evaluation to meet the critical supply from all countries in the world to stop the pandemic.
“WHO and our partners are working around the clock to evaluate other vaccines that have achieved safety and efficacy standards,” said Dr. Simão.
Configuration policy
The vaccine is also under policy review.
Building on the population prioritization recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) for COVID-19 vaccines, which were issued in September, the group will meet on January 5 to formulate specific policies and recommendations on vaccinations
Meanwhile, WHO is working with regional partners to advise national health authorities on the two-dose injection and its anticipated benefits.
The World Health Organization, with the GAVI Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), are spearheading a global effort called COVAX to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines to all countries and not just to wealthy nations.
