Coronavirus: a vaccine will not be enough to stop the pandemic, WHO warns

Could the pandemic come to an end soon? This Monday November 9, 2020 American Pfizer laboratory and German BioNTech laboratory have made an annoucement that sparked a lot of hope: a vaccine against coronavirus said to tbe 90% effective. This Friday November 13, 2020, World HEalth Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says: "Never in history has vaccine research progressed so quickly".

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In the event this vaccine was to be marketed, the WHO insists on the fact that all countries will be able to enjoy this scientific breakthrough. They also say they are for a global system enabling to centralize and share pathogenic agents and clinical samples in order to facilitate - in the future - a quicker development of the treatments as global public goods.

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It is yet far from being certain: a few months ago, in August, the World Health Organization (WHO) seemd to be more cautious. Even though director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus affirmed clinical trials were hopeful, he warned the elaboration of an effective vaccine – including over time – was not certain. “There is no ‘silver bullet’ at the moment, and it may never be there”, he said.

Yet, this Monday November 16, 2020 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns: vaccine will not be enough to stop the pandemic. It will complement other tools amid the fight against Covid-19. At first, doses will be limited and first be given to targeted groups including caregivers, elderly people, vulnerable people.We have to learn and live with the virus around. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says Covid-19 can only be controlled mainly thanks to the barrier gestures, maintaining good practices and the political commitment within the different States. Therefore, the priority is to break transmission chains by multiplying tests, isolating cases found and tracking down contact cases and not relaxing in our efforts or there will be more infections.