WHO warns vaccine alone will not end pandemic

17 Nov WHO warns vaccine alone will not end pandemic

As the world rejoices over vaccine finds, the World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday a working vaccine alone will not end the coronavirus pandemic.

He spoke as U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna announced that its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective in late-stage trials.

Speaking remotely to WHO’s executive board, Tedros said it is important to emphasise that a vaccine will complement other tools, not replace them.

Tedros said once a vaccine is given final approval and is ready to be distributed, supplies will initially be limited.

He said health care workers, older people and other at-risk populations will be prioritised, which hopefully will reduce deaths and ease the strain on health systems.

“That will still leave the virus with a lot of room to move,” he said.

He added that there will still be a need for testing, contact tracing and isolation.