The COVID-19 pandemic continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Interest (PHEIC), according to the WHO Emergency Committee (EC) at COVID-19.
The EC met virtually yesterday (January 14) at the request of the Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to review the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and to consider the potential use of vaccination and certificate testing for international travel.
On the variants, the EC called for a global expansion of genomic sequencing and data sharing, along with greater scientific collaboration to resolve critical unknowns.
The committee urged WHO to develop a standardized system for naming new variants that would avoid geographic markers, an area in which WHO has already started to work.
On vaccines, the committee underlined the need for equitable access through the COVAX Facility, as well as technology transfer to increase global production capacity.
The committee strongly encouraged vaccine manufacturers to rapidly provide safety and efficacy data to WHO for listing emergency use. The lack of such data is a barrier to ensuring the timely and equitable supply of vaccines globally.
Given that the impact of vaccines on reducing transmission is still unknown and the current availability of vaccines is very limited, the committee recommended that countries do not require proof of vaccination from incoming travelers.
The committee advised countries to implement coordinated and evidence-based measures for safe travel and to share with WHO the experiences and best practices learned.
This was the sixth meeting of the COVID-19 Emergency Committee. Since the declaration of a PHEIC on January 30, 2020, the Director-General has met again with the committee at three-month intervals to assess progress.
The full statement of the Committee can be accessed here.