NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Joe Biden
    United States of America
    COVID-19
    Russia-Ukraine crisis
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / World News / Coronavirus: WHO eyeing half-billion vaccine doses by 2021's first quarter
    World

    Coronavirus: WHO eyeing half-billion vaccine doses by 2021's first quarter

    Coronavirus: WHO eyeing half-billion vaccine doses by 2021's first quarter
    Written by Shalini Ojha
    Dec 05, 2020, 10:46 am 3 min read
    Coronavirus: WHO eyeing half-billion vaccine doses by 2021's first quarter

    With encouraging news about the coronavirus vaccine trickling in, the World Health Organization said on Friday that it is expecting nearly half a billion doses will be available for distribution by the first quarter of 2021 under the global COVAX initiative. WHO's Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said the goal was to acquire two billion doses by the end of 2021. Here are more details.

    What is the COVAX initiative?

    Launched in August 2020, the COVAX initiative is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Gavi vaccine alliance, and the WHO. It aims to provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across the world. The initiative is part of a larger plan, called the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. Till now, 189 countries, barring the US, have joined the initiative.

    WHO eyeing two billion doses by 2021-end

    Addressing a press conference from Geneva, where WHO is based, Swaminathan said, "The goal is to get at least two billion doses by end of 2021 which will be enough to vaccinate 20% of the populations of countries that are part of COVAX." The number, she hoped, will be enough to end the "acute phase of the pandemic" by reducing the mortality rate.

    Naturally, few countries will receive the doses first

    She added by 2021's Q1, half a billion doses would be ready for distribution in a fair manner. "So countries can start expecting doses toward the end of the first quarter of 2021. A few countries may start earlier, it's likely, possible, that we may have some learnings by going early into a few countries," she added. By Q2, everything will be more streamlined.

    Vaccines won't be mandatory in US, said President-elect Biden

    Meanwhile, in the US, the worst affected nation, President-elect Joe Biden said vaccines won't be mandatory. "I don't think they should be mandatory. I wouldn't demand it to be mandatory," Biden said. But he added that he is willing to get inoculated publicly to address any concerns linked with the vaccine. In the US, 14,772,535 have gotten infected and 285,550 have died.

    Wear mask for 100 days: Biden

    Further, Biden also wants people to wear a mask for 100 days. "If people do it for 100 days in the middle of what will be still a raging crisis and the vaccine is able to be distributed, they are going to see deaths drop off the edge," he added. Last month, the Democrat defeated incumbent President Donald Trump to win the bitterly-fought elections.

    Three former Presidents have volunteered to get vaccinated on camera

    In the US, where there are palpable inhibitions about the vaccine, former Presidents have volunteered to get vaccinated publicly. Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George Bush have said they will take the vaccine on camera to assuage fears. "If Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe, and can vaccinate, you know, immunize you from getting COVID-19, absolutely, I'm going to take," Obama said.

    Vaccine will be in India within few weeks, said PM

    Separately, in India, the second worst-hit nation, the initial doses of vaccine are expected within a few weeks. At an all-party meet yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed, "There are eight potential vaccines at different stages of trials and their production will be in India. Three indigenous vaccines are also at different levels of trials. Experts believe it will not be a long wait for a COVID-19 vaccine."

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Latest
    World Health Organization
    Joe Biden
    Soumya Swaminathan
    Coronavirus

    Latest

    Indian Premier League: MS Dhoni averages 29.94 against leg-spinners Mahendra Singh Dhoni
    Honda Activa 125 v/s Access 125: Which scooter is better Honda
    Who is Brad Minnich, the VFX supervisor for 'NTR 30' Jr NTR
    IPL 2023: Ben Stokes likely to start as specialist batter Ben Stokes

    World Health Organization

    WHO lambasts China for allegedly hiding data on COVID-19's origin COVID-19
    Nagpur: 15-year-old delivers baby after watching online videos, kills newborn Nagpur
    Gambia: CDC links child deaths to Indian-made syrup United States of America
    India records over 300 COVID-19 cases after nearly 100 days COVID-19 India

    Joe Biden

    6 killed in Nashville school shooting, Biden calls it 'heartbreaking' United States of America
    2 wounded in California gurudwara shootout; hate crime ruled out United States of America
    US: Tornado kills 25 in Mississippi, Biden vows federal support United States of America
    Syria: Iranian drone attack kills US contractor; peace on edge Syria

    Soumya Swaminathan

    Pandemic not over, new variant can arise anywhere: WHO scientist World Health Organization
    No evidence to suggest healthy children need booster doses: WHO World Health Organization
    COVID-19 may become endemic in 6 months in India: Expert National Center for Disease Control
    COVID-19 may be entering endemic stage. What does it mean? World Health Organization

    Coronavirus

    UP: CM holds meeting with Team 9 amid COVID-19 resurgence COVID-19
    India records nearly 1,600 daily COVID-19 cases—highest in 5 months COVID-19
    PM Modi to hold high-level meeting amid rising COVID-19 cases Narendra Modi
    India reports highest daily COVID-19 cases in 2023: Check tally COVID-19 India

    Love World News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    World Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023