World Jan 23, 2022

U.S. opposes plans to make WHO more independent

The U.S. government is opposing the reform because it has concerns about the WHO's ability to confront future threats, including from China.

World Dec 16, 2021

Refugees lack COVID-19 shots because drugmakers fear lawsuits

Legal concerns add new hurdles to fighting the virus since unvaccinated people offer an ideal environment for it to mutate and threaten hard-won immunity around the world.

World Dec 1, 2021

The race is on to trace the omicron variant

The pace of research highlights the pressure on governments and public health authorities to decide quickly whether they need to take strict steps to curb omicron's spread.

World Sep 28, 2021

Global vaccine access body to revamp rules after giving U.K. more than Botswana

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) has largely allocated doses among its members according to population size — regardless of their vaccination coverage.

World Aug 4, 2021

WHO's pandemic project faces cash crunch amid vaccine and oxygen shortages

A large portion of the funding being requested is needed to buy tests, oxygen and face masks in poorer nations.

World Jun 25, 2021

WHO estimates COVID-19 boosters needed yearly for most vulnerable

A document shows that the WHO considers annual boosters for high-risk individuals as its "indicative" baseline scenario, and boosters every two years for the general population.

World Jun 24, 2021

Let down by rich and failing the poor, global vaccine program to be shaken up

By prioritizing their own diplomatic and commercial interests, wealthy nations have in effect wrecked COVAX's ambition to take overall charge of the global fight against the pandemic.

World Apr 21, 2021

How the WHO's push for global vaccines needled Europe

The EU's ambivalence stems partly from short supplies and a slack start to the COVAX program, but also from concerns that the EU's efforts will go unnoticed in a vaccine diplomacy war.

World Dec 17, 2020

WHO plan risks leaving poor nations with no COVID-19 vaccines until 2024

Documents show the program's promoters say it is struggling from a lack of funds, supply risks and complex contractual arrangements which could make it impossible to achieve its goals.