Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/cyN6eDI2MTAy…

"After six weeks of declining #COVID19 cases in January and February, we are now on track for a fourth consecutive week of increasing cases.

For the moment, the number of deaths is still declining, but at a slower rate"-@DrTedros

"#COVID19 cases are increasing in most regions. These are worrying trends as we continue to see the impact of variants, opening up of societies, and inequitable vaccine rollout"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1372952287388303360?s=20

"As you know, WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety met this week to review the data on blood clots and low platelets among some people who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1372941188421054465?s=20

‼️ "The committee has concluded that the available data do not suggest any overall increase in clotting conditions following administration of the Oxford-AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1372941188421054465?s=20

"As a result, the committee has recommended that the AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks, with tremendous potential for preventing infections and deaths from COVID-19"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1372941188421054465?s=20

"We understand that people may have had concerns about the safety of the Oxford-AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccine. The question with any pharmaceutical/vaccine is whether the risk of taking it is greater or less than the risk of the disease it is meant to prevent or treat"-@DrTedros

"In this case, there is no question. #COVID19 is a deadly disease and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine can prevent it.

It’s also important to remember that COVID-19 itself can cause blood clots and low platelets"-@DrTedros

"We urge countries to continue using this important #COVID19 vaccine.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is especially important because it accounts for more than 90% of the vaccines being distributed through #COVAX"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

"While I’m pleased that almost 150 countries have now started vaccinating, we still face serious barriers in ramping up production and distribution"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

who.int/vaccinequity

"This afternoon I spoke to leaders from @oecscommission states. Although most of their countries have succeeded in preventing large numbers of #COVID19 infections & deaths, their economies, which rely heavily on tourism, have been decimated"-@DrTedros

"They [@oecscommission states] had a clear message: we need #COVID19 vaccines, and we need them now"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1372953863385452546?s=20

"Next week, I am planning to speak with my sister Dr @NOIweala, Director-General of the @wto, to discuss how we can overcome the barriers we face to boost #COVID19 vaccine production"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

"#VaccinEquity is particularly important in cities, especially where people live in crowded conditions and the risks of transmission are high.

Cities are places where health can either be nourished or destroyed"-@DrTedros

"Yesterday, I had the honour of addressing the @c40cities network, which connects 97 of the world’s biggest cities, representing more than 700 million people"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1372214709013843971?s=20

"Although its main focus is climate change and air pollution, the @c40cities recognize that #VaccinEquity is essential for controlling the #COVID19 pandemic and driving a healthy and green recovery"-@DrTedros

"I would especially like to thank the Mayor of Los Angeles, @ericgarcetti, for signing WHO’s declaration on #VaccinEquity in his capacity as chair of the @c40cities network"-@DrTedros

"In response to #COVID19, the WHO Healthy Cities Network has enabled cities to share experiences and lessons learned, and to support the implementation of regional and national response plans and the WHO Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan"-@DrTedros

"WHO is also part of the Bloomberg Partnership for Healthy Cities, which is offering cities support for vaccine preparedness and distribution"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

"Today we’re honoured to be joined by the Mayors of three major cities:

-Mohammed Adjei Sowah, the Mayor of Accra in 🇬🇭, and the Vice-Chair of the @c40cities network
-@ClaudiaLopez, the Mayor of Bogota in 🇨🇴
-@yakisawyerr, the Mayor of Freetown in 🇸🇱"-@DrTedros

#VaccinEquity