WHO Advisory Panel: "AZ Vaccine Has Tremendous Potential to Reduce Deaths"

Vaccine experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have given a positive evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca. Photo by Yonhap News TV

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] Following the European Medicines Agency, vaccine experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have given a positive evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca.

On the 19th (local time), the COVID-19 subcommittee of the WHO's Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) issued a statement saying, "The AstraZeneca vaccine continues to receive positive evaluations in the 'risk-benefit' analysis," adding, "It has tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths worldwide."

They continued, "So far, there is no evidence that blood clotting disorders such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism have increased after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine."

They also pointed out, "Although very rare and specific thromboembolic events combined with thrombocytopenia, such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, have been reported after AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination in Europe, it is not certain whether these are caused by the vaccination."

The subcommittee urged, "We recommend that all countries continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines and report any suspected adverse events."

They added, "We agree with the European Medicines Agency (EMA)'s plan to further investigate and monitor these phenomena."

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a virtual press briefing held that day, "We understand that people may have concerns about the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine," but explained, "Any questions about medicines or vaccines come down to whether the risk of taking them is greater or less than the risk of the disease."

He emphasized, "COVID-19 is a deadly disease, and the AstraZeneca vaccine can prevent it," urging, "We encourage countries to continue using this important vaccine."

He also mentioned that he plans to meet with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) next week to discuss ways to increase vaccine production.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.