The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a moratorium at least until the end of September on the start of a third booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines, Reuters reported.
Israel, Britain, Italy and Germany have already announced that they will re-vaccinate the most vulnerable people in the autumn to boost their immunity before winter and because of reports that immunity is declining over time.
WHO chief Tedros Adanom Gebrejesus has called on countries to postpone plans to have more vaccines for developing countries. The organization aims to vaccinate at least 10% of the world’s population by the end of September.
“We need to focus on the people who are most vulnerable and most at risk of serious illness or death. They need to get their first and second doses,” the WHO said.
Although it did not decide on booster doses, the White House rejected the organization’s call.
“We think we can do both, and we don’t have to choose between putting boosters on Americans, which is not yet officially planned, and helping poor countries,” a White House spokesman was quoted as saying.
The United States has already distributed more than 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The EU also insists that it has sent as many vaccines to the world as it has given to European citizens.
Germany and France have reaffirmed their plans to continue planning campaigns to boost vaccines to the most vulnerable groups.
© Associated Press
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