The head of the global COVAX initiative warns that focusing on COVID-19 booster shots alone to combat the recent wave of cases is a 'dangerous mistake.'
Berkley said that even in the Omicron era, global vaccinations are still the most effective way to protect people, though not everyone around the world has access to them.
Berkley urged officials around the world that the priority for 2022 should be getting primary COVID-19 doses to everyone, not just boosters to those who are vaccinated."If the priority with each new variant of concern is to race toward reopening society by offering boosters instead of tackling the root cause — namely, the fact that nearly 3.
"The danger now with Omicron is that if governments once again turn their attention inward and focus all attention toward making boosters available to their citizens, it could again start to hinder equitable access and further prolong the global crisis," he added. "If we end up in a situation where we face Pi, Rho, Sigma, or Tao variants, and fourth, fifth, or sixth booster shots are being offered to some people while billions of others are still waiting on their first, then we really shouldn’t wonder why we are still in a state of global crisis," Berkley said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19 and weather canceled thousands of flights — including out of Salt Lake CityChristmastime already has a reputation as the busiest, most stressful time to fly, but this year a wave of COVID-19 induced cancellations and delays has upended travel plans for thousands.
Read more »
Flight cancellations at O’Hare continue as COVID-19 causes staffing shortages for some airlinesHoliday weekend flight cancellations continued into Monday at Chicago’s airports, as weather and COVID-19 staffing shortages combined to cancel dozens of flights.
Read more »
COVID-19 live updates: CDC shortens recommended isolation period for some patientsPres. Biden says government is mobilizing an additional 1,000 military doctors, nurses and medics to help staff hospitals amid omicron surge. “We want to assure the American people that we’re prepared, we know what it takes.”
Read more »
COVID-19 impact on infant and adolescent vaccine suppliesA new SciencePolicyForum presents an analysis of how the push to manufacture COVID19 vaccines is affecting the global supply of key infant and adolescent non-COVID vaccines.
Read more »
Federal program offers cash to cover COVID-19 funeral expensesFamilies who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 can apply for reimbursement from the government for up to $9,000 to cover the cost of funeral expenses.
Read more »