WHO recommends use of AstraZeneca vaccine against coronavirus

Covid-19: Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine could reduce infections 1:17

(CNN) -

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday released its interim recommendations for the use of the Oxford / AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine in people over 18 years of age.

The new guide was developed based on advice from its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization.

WHO recommends that the vaccine be administered 8 to 12 weeks apart.

"In light of the observation that the efficacy and immunogenicity of two doses increase with a longer interval between doses, the WHO recommends an interval of 8 to 12 weeks between doses," say the WHO guidelines.

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'If the second dose is inadvertently given less than 4 weeks after the first dose, there is no need to repeat the dose.

If the administration of the second dose is inadvertently delayed for more than 12 weeks, it should be administered as soon as possible.

It is recommended that all vaccinated individuals receive two doses, "said WHO.

The Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine is administered as an intramuscular injection and is 63.09% effective against symptomatic coronavirus infection, according to WHO interim recommendations.

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The WHO recommendations include all people over 18 years of age, including adults over 65 years of age.

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"Now, obviously at this time, there is a lot of attention on covid-19 vaccines, and so far SAGE has made recommendations on the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine," said WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan during Wednesday instructions.

"In the coming weeks, you will see more recommendations as we review the evidence from the different candidates," Swaminathan said.

“The SAGE working group on covid vaccines has a very busy schedule.

In the next two weeks, they will be inviting the developers of different covid-19 vaccine candidates from around the world.

Coronavirus Vaccine