With the continued spread of Omicron and its subtypes globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed the effectiveness of the second COVID booster shot. According to WHO health experts, there will be some benefit from giving a second booster dose of the Kovid-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations with weakened immune systems.
In an official statement, WHO Said that there was “a growing body of evidence regarding the value of additional booster doses” for healthcare workers, people over the age of 60, and groups with weakened immune systems.
“In those most at highest risk for serious illness or death … an additional booster dose of the mRNA vaccine may be of additional benefit,” the WHO said, acknowledging that to offer people a second booster dose There may be logistical or other challenges. in some countries.
According to WHO data, rich countries have vaccine More than 70% of their population while in poor countries less than 16% of the population has been vaccinated.
The WHO has slammed rich countries for offering COVID booster doses and called for a halt to the practice, saying boosters are unnecessary for healthy people.
However, after dozens of countries began to offer booster doses, the health agency has reversed its advice amid the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant.
A section of health experts has warned that countries launching additional booster campaigns before offering a shot to the most vulnerable in developing countries could deplete the world’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended in March that Americans 50 and over be eligible for a second COVID-19 booster shot, while the European Medicines Agency approved only a second booster dose for those 80 and over. Is.