Poor Covid Vaccination Rates—Including Older Adults And Healthcare Workers—Persist In Low-Income Countries, WHO Reports

Topline

Only 28% of older adults and 37% of healthcare workers in low-income countries have received a primary course of Covid vaccines, and most have not received booster shots, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported Friday.

Key Facts

In a report, published Friday, the WHO noted 600,000 deaths could have been averted globally if countries had reached a 40% baseline for vaccination by the end of 2021, which the WHO wrote would have been possible if vaccines had been equally distributed.

According to the report, the WHO’s new strategy focuses on enhancing momentum with existing vaccines, while simultaneously increasing investment in vaccine research and improving distribution capacity.

The WHO also argued that while working to reach a 70% vaccination target, countries should first prioritize the vaccination of all healthcare workers and members of vulnerable groups, like immunocompromised adults.

Key Background

Twenty-seven of the WHO’s member states have yet to start a Covid vaccine booster program, according to the press release, including 11 low-income countries. The number of new Covid infections globally has risen since the start of July, according to the data aggregated by the New York Times.

Crucial Quote

“Even where 70% vaccination coverage is achieved, if significant numbers of health workers, older people and other at-risk groups remain unvaccinated, deaths will continue, health systems will remain under pressure and the global recovery will be at risk,” wrote WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the Friday press release.

Further Reading

“Coronavirus World Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak” (New York Times)