WHO launches strategy to achieve global COVID-19 vaccination by mid-2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a strategy aiming to achieve global COVID-19 vaccination coverage by mid-2022, emphasizing stark inequities in vaccine distribution. The organization noted that low-income countries have received less than 0.5% of the world's vaccines.

The strategy sets targets of vaccinating 40% of every country's population by the end of 2021 and 70% by mid-2022. WHO stated that global vaccine production, at nearly 1.5 billion doses monthly, is sufficient to meet these targets if doses are distributed equitably. The issue is framed as one of allocation rather than supply.

WHO urged countries and companies controlling vaccine supply to prioritize contracts for COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT). This includes swapping delivery schedules and prioritizing donated doses.

Additionally, WHO published a clinical case definition for post-COVID-19 condition to help clinicians identify and care for patients, and to advance research in the area.