Vaccines against Covid-19 have saved 19.8 million lives worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a new update on Friday.
However, while 12 billion doses of vaccine have been distributed in almost every country in the world, there are big differences between nations. In the poorest countries, on average, only 28% of elderly people and 37% of health workers have received their first dose.
WHO says it aims to have 70% of the world’s population vaccinated. It believes all countries should aim for 100% vaccination among healthcare professionals, and 100% among the elderly.
However, while current vaccines have saved lives, they do not reduce the circulation of the virus, according to the WHO. This is why, it stressed, we must continue to invest in new vaccines and in remedies that are easier to administer, by using a nasal spray, for example.
