WHO: Massive corona vaccinations threaten a shortage of syringes

Global vaccination campaigns to curb the spread of the coronavirus could lead to an overall shortage of one to two billion syringes by 2022. A specialist from the World Health Organization WHO warned about this on Tuesday, international news agencies report.

In a briefing to the UN, expert Lisa Hedman explained the problem: The more than 7 billion Covid-19 vaccinations administered worldwide to date are almost double the number of vaccines that are routinely shot every year. Approximately 6 billion immunization syringes are produced each year, thus creating a shortage. To avoid a shortage, more factories would have to start producing the necessary vaccination needles – but that will require investment, according to the WHO.

The international organization calls on national health authorities not to “hoard, or make panic buying,” but to properly plan its use. There are particular concerns about the impact of a syringe shortage in poorer countries, where it could encourage the reuse of syringes and needles. A shortage could also have serious consequences for public health if it prevents ‘routine’ vaccinations, such as vaccinations against childhood diseases.