Like it or not,such human-wildlife interfaces are here to stay

Without understanding how viruses jump species & why some jumps cause outbreaks & others don’t,you’re really flying blind,says @mvankerkhove.bsky.social @who.int

“You’re making recommendations that may not be the most appropriate”

2/

The new WHO Mid-Term Results Report:

📘 highlights measurable achievements under the Thirteenth General Programme of Work

📘 outlines what still needs to be done

📘 reaffirms WHO’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and measurable impact.

bit.ly/3GGOJTf

Decisions from TAG-CO-VAC are timed to balance the latest scientific evidence with the time needed for manufacturers to update currently approved #COVID19 vaccines.

Read more about the work of @who.int TAG-CO-VAC here: www.who.int/groups/techn...

👉 Importantly, instead of "chasing" every new variant, #COVID19 vaccine updates aim to help your immune system recognize a broad range of current and future variants — providing more durable and flexible protection even as the virus continues to evolve.

🔹 Vaccine policy advisory groups make their own recommendations on how updated vaccines should be used and which groups should be prioritized for vaccination (WHO provides support through SAGE: who.int/publications/i…)

✅Publishing recommendations with supporting data, & sharing these with vaccine manufacturers, regulatory authorities & vaccine policy advisory groups:

🔹Regulatory authorities then make decisions on vaccine composition and product approval within their own jurisdictions.

✅ Consulting vaccine manufacturers on the performance of their current vaccines, as well as vaccines in development

✅ Convening twice a year (currently May and December) to advise @who.int whether to retain or update #COVID19 vaccine composition recommendation

The TAG-CO-VAC evidence-based process includes:

✅ Monitoring genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants with @who.int TAG-VE: www.who.int/activities/t...

✅ Reviewing published evidence on antigenic characteristics and immune responses to different variants

💉 Vaccination continues to play a crucial role in protecting populations against #COVID19, including from disease caused by recent SARS-CoV-2 variants. 

All currently approved COVID-19 vaccines provide high levels of protection against severe disease and death.

Since then, TAG-CO-VAC has advised @who.int on several updates, including adding #Omicron in 2022, moving to a monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine in 2023, and a monovalent JN.1 variant vaccine in 2024.