WHO "Repeated Boosters with Existing Vaccines Not Suitable for New Variants"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group has stated that repeatedly administering additional doses (booster shots) of existing COVID-19 vaccines is not appropriate in the context of new variants emerging.

According to foreign media on the 11th (local time), the WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Evaluation (TAG-Co-VAC) issued a statement expressing concern that "the strategy of repeatedly administering additional doses of the original vaccines is neither appropriate nor sustainable."

They also argued that in order to respond to highly transmissible new COVID-19 variants such as Omicron, it is necessary to improve existing vaccines until new vaccines are developed. Furthermore, they urged the development of vaccines that are not only effective in preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19 but also highly effective in preventing infection and transmission, which would help curb community spread and allow for the relaxation of public health measures.

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