WHO calls for halt on booster shots for Delta variant

The World Health Organization is asking for a COVID-19 vaccine booster embargo until at least the end of September, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organization’s director-general.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros, the decision was made to ensure that at least 10% of the population of each nation got vaccinated.

As the disparity in immunisation rates in affluent and poor nations grows, the UN agency has issued its strongest demand yet to suspend COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

“I understand the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant. But we cannot accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it,” Tedros added.

High-income countries administered around 50 doses for every 100 people in May, and that number had since doubled, according to WHO. Low-income countries have only been able to administer 1.5 doses for every 100 people, due to lack of supply.

“We need an urgent reversal, from the majority of vaccines going to high-income countries, to the majority going to low-income countries,” said Tedros.

Some countries have begun to use or started weighing on the need for booster doses.