Benefits of AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh risks – WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that AstraZeneca vaccines are safe for humans despite claims of blood clots associated with the effects of the vaccines.

After several evaluations by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, the WHO in a press release recommends the use of the vaccine following information that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks.

“A few African countries have stopped or postponed their use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, following the suspension of the vaccine by some European countries. This precautionary measure is based on reports of rare blood clotting disorders in people who have received the vaccine. The suspension concerns a specific batch of AstraZeneca vaccine, which has not been distributed in Africa.

“The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is carefully evaluating the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine reports for full understanding and will communicate its findings. Based on what is currently known, the WHO considers the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine to outweigh its risks and recommends that the vaccinations continue. “

According to the WHO, around 7 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Africa.

In a virtual press conference facilitated by APO Group on Thursday, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, reported that 38 African countries have received more than 25 million Covid-19 vaccines and 30 others have launched vaccination campaigns.

Comparing countries from other regions that had access to vaccines much earlier, Dr Moeti said the initial phase of deployment in some African countries has reached a much higher number of people.

“Although Africa received vaccines late and in limited quantities, a lot of ground was covered in a short period of time. This is due to the continent’s vast experience in mass vaccination campaigns and the determination of its leaders and people to effectively fight Covid-19, ”she added.

Meanwhile, Ghana has administered more than 420,000 doses and covered over 60% of the target population in the first phase in the Greater Accra region – hardest hit by the pandemic just two weeks after purchasing the vaccines. AstraZeneca as part of the WHO COVAX Reports program.

In addition, in Morocco, more than 5.6 million vaccinations have taken place in the past seven weeks, while in Angola, vaccines have reached more than 49,000 people, including more than 28,000 health workers during the week. last.

These achievements notwithstanding, Dr Moeti revealed that there is an urgent need for more doses as Ghana, Rwanda and other countries are on the verge of exhaustion.

“Countries are recording an impressive vaccination rate, but we need to make sure that this speed does not slow down by creeping up. More supplies are urgently needed to close the gap between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, ”she said.