Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHOs’ director general, said the EUA will apply mainly to vaccines distributed in to low- and middle-income countries.  This marks only the second time the organization has approved an emergency use listing for a vaccine. The first approval was for the Pfizer/ BioNTech shot on Dec. 31, 2020.

Thanks to the EUA, countries receiving the doses through COVAX, the global coronavirus vaccine supply mechanism, will be able to leverage the WHO's recommendation for their own national approval process and receive deliveries. The first doses are scheduled to arrive during February.

“Countries with no access to vaccines as yet will finally be able to start vaccinating their health workers and populations at risk, contributing to the COVAX facility’s goal of equitable vaccine distribution,” said WHO’s assistant director general for access to medicines and health products, Mariângela Simão. She added that this removes the need for individual countries to pursue bilateral supply deals as these would increase competition and lead to higher prices.

On Feb, 10, the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization recommended that the AstraZeneca shot be given to adults of all ages, including in places where variants are in circulation. Some countries, such as Germany, are recommending this one only for people under 64, the oldest group tested during clinical trials.

Soriot gets pay boost for Covid vaccine decision

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, is being rewarded for his decision to step into the race to develop a vaccine for Covid-19. According to the company’s annual report, the CEO is receiving £15.45 million in 2020 compensation for delivering on financial and scientific goals in “extremely challenging circumstances” and for his “inspiring leadership” in the company’s Covid response.

According to reports, the payout that covers salary and bonus for 2020, plus proceeds from 2018 performance-related benefits, is £140,000 more than Soriot’s net intake for 2019, adjusted for recent share prices.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist