Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) West Pacific region Dr. Takeshi Kasai, has warned that the corona vaccine (Covid-19) will not end the epidemic in the short term, and the West Pacific countries may have problems with early vaccination.
According to a report in the South China Morning Post, Kasai said that the introduction of vaccines in large quantities in the West Pacific could reach the middle of 2021.
He said, "Vaccination is not an easy thing to end the epidemic quickly."
Takeshi emphasized that countries could be vaccinated at a lower rate at the outset, so those with the highest health risk should be given priority.
He added, "If we can invest at the right rate to provide coverage, we can have enough immunizations for people who are given priority in all countries by the end of 2021. For others who are not at high risk, it can take 12 to 24 months. However, uncertain and unpredictable situations can occur. "
Takeshi also likened the vaccine to a lamp at the end of a tunnel by saying,
"Even though we are tired now, we must continue to take steps to protect ourselves and those around us by washing our hands, wearing masks, observing social distance distances and avoiding high-risk areas."
The WHO recognizes people aged 60 and over and health care workers who are fighting Covid-19 as a "high-risk" group, and recommends that they be given priority for vaccination.