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Covid-19 vaccine distribution not expected until mid-2021: WHO chief scientist

 None of the candidate vaccines in advanced clinical trials thus far has demonstrated a "clear signal" of efficacy at the extent of a minimum of 50% sought by the WHO, spokeswoman Margaret Harris said.



The World Health Organization doesn't expect widespread vaccinations against COVID-19 until the center of next year, a spokeswoman said on Friday, stressing the importance of rigorous checks on their effectiveness and safety.

None of the candidate vaccines in advanced clinical trials thus far has demonstrated a "clear signal" of efficacy at the extent of a minimum of 50% sought by the WHO, spokeswoman Margaret Harris said.


Russia granted regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine in August after less than two months of human testing, prompting some Western experts to question its safety and efficacy.

US public health officials and Pfizer Inc said on Thursday a vaccine might be ready for distribution as soon as late October. That might be just before the US election on Nov. 3 during which the pandemic is probably going to be a serious factor among voters deciding whether President Donald Trump wins a second term.


"We are really not expecting to see widespread vaccination until the middle of next year," Harris told a UN briefing in Geneva.

"This phase 3 must take longer because we need to see how truly protective the vaccine is and that we also need to see how safe it is," she added. This mentioned the introduce vaccine research where large clinical trials among people are conducted. Harris didn't ask any specific vaccine candidate.


All data from trials must be shared and compared, Harris said. "A lot of people have been vaccinated and what we don't know is whether the vaccine works...at this stage we do not have the clear signal of whether or not it's the level of worthwhile efficacy and safety...," she added.

The WHO and GAVI vaccine alliance are leading a worldwide vaccine allocation plan referred to as COVAX that aims to assist buy and distribute shots fairly. the main target is on first vaccinating the foremost high-risk people in every country like healthcare workers.


COVAX aims to acquire and deliver 2 billion doses of approved vaccines by the top of 2021, but some countries that have secured their own supplies through bilateral deals, including the us , have said they will not join.

"Essentially, the door is open. We are open. What the COVAX is about is making sure everybody on the planet will get access to the vaccines," Harris said.


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