WHO Calls for Halt to Vaccine Booster Shots as World Reaches 200 Millionth Case of COVID-19

The World Health Organization on Wednesday called for a moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots until at least the end of September to give all countries the chance to vaccinate at least 10% of their populations with at least one dose. The same day, the world saw its 200 millionth detected case of COVID-19, as countries with low vaccination rates continued to struggle under the pandemic. 

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explained the move, saying, “So far, more than 4 billion vaccine doses have been administered globally. More than 80% have gone to high- and upper-middle income countries, even though they account for less than half of the world’s population. I understand the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant. But we cannot accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, while the world’s most vulnerable people remain unprotected.”

Coverage was mostly balanced across the spectrum and more prevalent in left- and center-rated outlets. As of Wednesday evening, most major right-rated outlets used an Associated Press article for their coverage.