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WHO hopes for 10cr Covid-19 vaccine doses this year

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Published: 18:01, 18 June 2020   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
WHO hopes for 10cr Covid-19 vaccine doses this year

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its hope to produce more than ten crore doses of coronavirus or Covid-19 vaccine this year.

Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist of the organization, expressed the hope on Thursday (June 18).

The chief scientist of the organization also hoped to produce 200 crore doses of coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2021.

The WHO is drawing up plans to help decide who should get the first doses once a vaccine is approved, she said.

Priority would be given to frontline workers such as medics, those who are vulnerable because of age or other illness, and those who work or live in high-transmission settings such as prisons and care homes.

"I'm hopeful, I'm optimistic. But vaccine development is a complex undertaking, it comes with a lot of uncertainty," she said. "The good thing is, we have many vaccines and platforms so even if the first one fails, or the second ones fails, we shouldn't lose hope, we shouldn't give up."

Around 10 potential vaccines are now undergoing trials in humans, in the hope that a shot to prevent infection can become available in coming months. Countries have already begun making deals with pharmaceutical companies to order doses, even before any vaccines have been proven to work.

Swaminathan narrated the ambition for more than ten crore doses this year as optimistic, and the hope for up to 200 crore doses of up to three different vaccines next year as a "big if".

Genetic analysis data collected so far showed that the new coronavirus has not yet mutated in any ways that would alter the severity of the illness it causes, She added.

Source: Agencies


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