Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/cvAOkTI2MTAy…

"Yesterday, a new case of #Ebola was reported near the city of Butembo, #DRC. Butembo is in the North Kivu province, where a previous outbreak was declared over in June last year. The woman, who sadly has died, was married to an Ebola survivor"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHOAFRO/status/1358464585242656768?s=20

"Thanks to the enormous capacity built during the latest outbreak [in #DRC], provincial health authorities have significant experience in responding to #Ebola and in preventing onward transmission"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHOAFRO/status/1358467221916377093?s=20

"More than 70 contacts have been identified, and WHO is supporting local and national authorities to trace them and provide care where needed"-@DrTedros #Ebola #DRC

"So far, no other #Ebola cases have been identified in #DRC, but it is possible there will be further cases because the woman had contact with many people after she became symptomatic"-@DrTedros

"#Ebola vaccines are being sent to the area and we hope that vaccination will start as soon as possible.

WHO has sent a rapid response team to provide support as needed"-@DrTedros #DRC

"The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is one of several that has been shown to be effective in preventing severe #COVID19, hospitalization & death.
The emergence of new variants of the virus has raised questions about the potential impact of those variants on vaccines"-@DrTedros

"Yesterday, 🇿🇦 announced it was putting a temporary hold on the rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after a study showed it was minimally effective at preventing mild to moderate disease caused by a variant first identified in 🇿🇦"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"This is clearly concerning news. However, there are some important caveats"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1358819187058212866?s=20

"Given the limited sample size of the trial and the younger, healthier profile of the participants, it is important to determine whether or not the vaccine remains effective in preventing more severe illness"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1358819276963131392?s=20

"These results are a reminder that we need to do everything we can to reduce circulation of the #COVID19 virus with proven public health measures"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1358819276963131392?s=20

"Several countries are succeeding in suppressing transmission, including those where new variants are circulating"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We all have a role to play in protecting #COVID19 vaccines. Every time you decide to:
-#StayHome
-Avoid crowds
-#WearAMask
-Clean your 👐
you are denying the virus the opportunity to spread, & the opportunity to change in ways that could make vaccines less effective"-@DrTedros

"It also seems increasingly clear that manufacturers will have to adjust to the evolution of the #COVID19 virus, taking into account the latest variants for future shots, including boosters"-@DrTedros

"We know viruses mutate and we know we have to be ready to adapt vaccines so they remain effective.

This is what happens with flu vaccines, which are updated twice a year to match the dominant strains"-@DrTedros

"WHO has an existing mechanism for tracking and evaluating variants of the virus that causes #COVID19.

It’s vital that countries continue to report these variants to WHO, so we can coordinate global efforts to monitor their impact and advise countries accordingly"-@DrTedros

"We’re now expanding that mechanism to provide guidance to manufacturers and countries on changes that may be needed for #COVID19 vaccines"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1358820365120770051?s=20

"These developments highlight why it’s so important to scale up manufacturing and roll out of #COVID19 vaccines as quickly as possible and as widely as possible to protect people before they are exposed to new variants"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

"We also need to continue designing and conducting new trials, and we need to keep a close eye on the impact vaccines are having on epidemiology, severe #COVID19 disease and death so we can use vaccines to maximum effect"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, or SAGE, has met today to review the Oxford-AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine and to discuss these new developments. Tomorrow I will meet with the chair of SAGE to discuss its recommendations"-@DrTedros

"To say more about the new study in 🇿🇦 & its implications, I’m pleased to welcome Professor @ProfAbdoolKarim.
We appreciate everything you are doing in 🇿🇦 & globally in the fight against #COVID19, as you have done for so many years in the fight against HIV"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"In the next few days, WHO expects to make a decision on the emergency use listing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine, for the two sites in 🇮🇳 & the 🇰🇷 which will produce it for COVAX. We are committed to using all available data to make those assessments"-@DrTedros

"In the meantime, COVAX continues to prepare for its first quarter distribution, and to add to its vaccine portfolio.
To discuss the implications of these new developments in 🇿🇦 for COVAX, I’m pleased to be joined today by @GaviSeth"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"I would also like to welcome @DrRHatchett, the CEO of @CEPIvaccines, which is a key partner in COVAX. Richard is also available to answer questions from journalists"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

The full remarks by @DrTedros at the #COVID19 media briefing - 8 February 2021 👇 bit.ly/2YUxzbx