A new report has been released by the World Health Organization, detailing the current state of global vaccination efforts against COVID-19. According to the report, a total of 12.4 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide as of the end of October, with the majority of these doses being given in the developed world.
The report highlights a significant disparity in vaccination rates between high-income and low-income countries, with the latter receiving a disproportionately small share of the global vaccine supply. Low-income countries have administered a total of 1.3 billion vaccine doses, accounting for just 10% of the global total.
The report also notes that vaccination rates have slowed in recent months, with the seven-day rolling average of administered doses dropping by 15% since the start of the year. This decline is attributed to a range of factors, including supply chain disruptions and the ongoing pandemic of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
Despite these challenges, the World Health Organization remains committed to its goal of vaccinating at least 70% of the global population by the end of the year. The organization is working with governments, vaccine manufacturers and other partners to increase vaccine supply and distribution, particularly in low-income countries.
The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued global cooperation and investment in the fight against COVID-19, as the pandemic is likely to continue to pose a significant threat to public health for the foreseeable future.