Thread by @mvankerkhove

As we head into the winter season in the northern hemisphere, I am worried about current #COVID19 vaccination levels.

A short thread 🧵about where we are and what we need to be doing…

https://x.com/WHO/status/1848728575240753336

Vaccination remains a critical tool for preventing the serious impacts of #COVID19, especially in those at high risk of severe disease - including older adults, individuals with chronic or immunocompromising conditions, pregnant women, and health and care workers.

A number of recent studies continue to demonstrate the impact #COVID19 vaccines have had in preventing death and disability from both acute COVID-19 and increasingly from Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC or #LongCOVID) & more research is needed. However...

thelancet.com/journals/lanre…

...current vaccination levels are very low globally. As of the latest data (to 30 June) only 0.81% of older adults are reported as having been vaccinated in 2024 (from 63 countries). In health & care workers, this is lower at 0.35% (from 42 countries).
technet-21.org/en/resources/r…

We see variations in vaccination levels across regions and income groups. Across all groups, uptake in the Americas and European regions and in high- and upper middle- income groups was greater than in other regions and income groups.

As an example, in older adults, uptake rates in the European (2.2%) and Americas (1.8%) regions were considerably higher than in other regions, all between 0.0-0.3% uptake. Also in older adults, HICs had an uptake rate of 2.1%, as compared with 0.37% in LICs.

Based on the latest epidemiological, effectiveness, and safety data, @WHO continues to recommend countries offer a simplified single-dose regimen for #COVID19 vaccines to individuals in high and medium risk groups who have never received a COVID vaccine.
who.int/publications/i…

For those who have been previously vaccinated, @WHO recommends that individuals at high risk of severe #COVID19 get re-vaccinated at an interval of every 6-12 months, depending on the person's risk group, to ensure sufficient protection against developing severe disease and dying

ALL #COVID19 vaccines with @WHO Prequalification (PQ) / Emergency Use Listing (EUL) continue to provide protection against severe disease and death – any of these vaccines can be used either for primary vaccination or for periodic revaccination.

Vaccination should not be delayed in anticipation of access to the latest vaccines. There is a great benefit in receiving ANY approved #COVID19 vaccine as compared to delayed vaccination and certainly compared to having no vaccine.

Importantly, #COVID19 & seasonal #influenza vaccines can be co-administered. As those at greater risk of severe flu are the same as for COVID-19, administering both at the same time (e.g., at the same appointment) may save time & money, while boosting uptake of both vaccines.

As of these next few winter months (in the Northern Hemisphere) typically result in higher respiratory virus burden, a couple of recommendations for individuals and for countries from @WHO:

For individuals – check with your doctor or local health authority to see if you are eligible for vaccination and if #COVID19 vaccines are available in your area. If yes, get vaccinated. It is an important act that can protect you and your loved ones.

For countries – work to accelerate #COVID19 vaccine uptake in risk groups. Use evidence-based strategies to increase confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, identifying the root causes of low confidence and tailoring interventions accordingly.

who.int/publications/m…

For countries - integrate #COVID19 vaccination with routine health services & sustain system gains. This is an opportunity to advance the life course approach to vaccination for both new adult vaccines and preparedness for future epidemic/pandemics.

who.int/publications/i…

For countries - finally, continue to collect, analyze, and report #COVID19 vaccine programme data, including vaccine uptake in risk groups.

These data should be used to inform policy and programme decision-making at all levels of the health system, from local to global.

Stay safe, your life is precious.

Another important study (I could share many more, but just some examples as part of this thread).

thelancet.com/journals/lanep…

Another important study (I could share many more, but just some examples as part of this thread).

thelancet.com/journals/lanep…