COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines
The COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world is now in full swing. Along with the actions taken by WHO and its partners to respond to this pandemic (monitoring the pandemic, advice on essential interventions, distribution of vital medical supplies to those in need), a race for vaccines has been launched.
Vaccines save millions of lives every year. Their mode of action is to train and prepare the immune system (the body's natural defenses) to recognize and fight the viruses and bacteria they target. Thus, if the body is subsequently exposed to these same pathogens, it is immediately ready to destroy them, which helps prevent disease.
Every year, vaccination prevents 2-3 million deaths from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza and measles. Vaccines are available today to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, and work is being done at an unprecedented rate to make COVID-19 a vaccine-preventable disease as well.
More than 169 candidate COVID-19 vaccines are in development, including 26 in human trials. Under the ACT Accelerator, WHO is working with scientists, businesses and global health organizations to accelerate the response to the pandemic. Once a safe and effective vaccine has been found, the COVAX mechanism (led by WHO, the GAVI Alliance and CEPI) will be implemented to promote equitable access and distribution of vaccines, the objective being to protect the populations of all countries. Priority will be given to those most at risk.