PAHO encourages local countries to “build confidence” in approved vaccines – Eye Witness News

Organizations state that false information can be “life-threatening”

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Bahamas, yesterday encouraged local countries to dispel false information about the safety and efficacy of the approved COVID-19 vaccine. People’s perceptions of available vaccines “may be life-threatening,” he argued. “.

“We call on countries throughout the region to help build the confidence needed for future vaccines by providing clear and accurate information about the vaccine development process and its safety and efficacy.” He said.

“Above all, these rumors affect people’s perceptions and attitudes towards the COVID vaccine and need to be planted against false information.

“This not only wastes valuable time and resources, but also sacrifices human life.”

According to Barbosa, the COVID-19 vaccine is still a few months away, but continuous preparation for its deployment is important.

In his pandemic, he said countries must continue to enforce health guidelines such as social distance and wearing masks.

According to Barbosa, countries in the region continue to face challenges in combating the virus, but the development of a potential COVID-19 vaccine is “good news.”

“This is encouraging and I would like to see the accompanying data,” he said.

“However, it needs to be made clear that only vaccines that have proven to be safe and effective will be approved by regulators, adopted by the WHO (World Health Organization) and eventually available at COVAX facilities. there is.

“So there’s still a lot to do.”

He added: “We know that providing vaccines is difficult and expensive.

“In fact, the latest projections from the COVAX facilities in Latin America and the Caribbean estimate that vaccination of about 20% of the population will cost more than $ 2 billion.”

Barbosa said the organization continues to work with member states to ensure equitable access.

Tentatively, Barbosa urged countries in the region to remain vigilant and build medical capabilities in the face of accelerated incidents in some parts of the Americas.

He said the United States has recorded more than one million cases last week alone and continues to experience an acceleration of cases.

Self-funding countries in the Americas participating in COVAX have the option to purchase vaccines approved through the PAHO Revolving Fund. This is a mechanism that is expected to accelerate access.

To date, 28 self-financing countries have contracts with the COVAX facility.

Ten more countries in the Americas are eligible for support under the COVAX Advance Market Commitment.

“Because time is important, many vaccine manufacturers start producing COVID vaccines before regulatory approval, but it is important to remember that they can only be used after clinical trials are complete. And effectiveness data has been published and licensed by the regulatory authority. “

The facility consists of 186 countries.

We aim to introduce at least 2 billion COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

“This is a remarkable number, but we also know that vaccination of everyone is not enough, at least initially.

“Our main goal is [enter] The first step in vaccination is to save lives, which is why it is important to protect the most vulnerable people first.

“The priority is to protect healthcare professionals, other front-line workers, and those at high risk of developing serious illness.”

In September, when the approved vaccine became available, the government invested $ 2 million to obtain 80,000 vaccines.

Moderna Inc. And Pfizer Inc. Recently published results that the vaccine appears to be more than 90% effective against the virus.

Both vaccines are awaiting approval from US regulators.

China has three vaccine candidates for final trials in several countries.

Allows emergency use by some people.

Chinese officials said the government had not made a formal request for help, but said it would provide the Bahamas with a vaccine if approved.

Last month, Health Minister Renwald Wells said no one would be forced to get the vaccine once it became available.

Wells states that the government will procure COVID vaccines through PAHO.