Mass jab unlikely until 2021, says WHO

THE World Health Organisation said yesterday it did not expect widespread immunisation against Covid until mid2021, despite growing expectations in the US and beyond that a vaccine could be released within weeks.

Across the world, governments are hoping to announce a vaccine as soon as possible and roll out treatments for Covid-19, which has killed nearly 870,000 people and infected more than 26million. The UN health agency welcomed the fact that a “considerable number” of vaccine candidates had entered the final stage, phase three trials, which typically involve tens of thousands of people.

“We know of at least six to nine that have got quite a long way with the research already,” WHO spokesman Margaret Harris told reporters in Geneva.

However, she said: “In terms of realistic timelines, we are really not expecting to see widespread vaccination until the middle of next year.” Under normal procedures, test administrators must wait for months or years to verify that vaccine candidates are safe and efficacious.

But it was revealed this week that Washington has urged states to get ready for a potential vaccine roll-out by Nov 1, triggering concerns that President Donald Trump’s administration is rushing to begin distributing a vaccine before the Nov 3 elections.

The Food and Drug Administration has denied allegations from the medical community that it is bowing to political pressure from Mr Trump.