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WHO hopes to roll out vaccines for all in February

12 January 2021 08:27 (UTC +04:00)

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) called Monday for a collective commitment so that within the next 100 days, coronavirus vaccination for health workers and those at higher risk in all countries can begin, with one official saying the hope is for a rollout during February, APA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.

At a bi-weekly press webinar, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said that a year ago, the first death from COVID-19 was reported.

The world health body issued technical guidance on such issues as surveillance, lab testing, infection prevention and control, a readiness checklist, risk communication and community engagement.

"A year on, there have been almost 2 million deaths from the COVID-19 virus, and while we are hopeful about the safe and effective vaccines that are being rolled out, we want to see this sped up and vaccines allocated equitably in the coming weeks," he said.

"I call for a collective commitment so that within the next 100 days, vaccinations for health workers and those at high risk in all countries are underway."

He said governments, manufacturers, civil society and religious and community leaders must unite to create the “greatest mass mobilization in history for equitable vaccination.”