Prognosis

Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Recommended for All Adults by WHO Panel

Expert group’s move clears way for use in developing countries
Some EU countries have advised against Astra shots for elderly

WATCH: WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan comments on the recommendation at a press conference, Wednesday.Source: Bloomberg

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By Corinne Gretler

February 10, 2021 at 3:18 PM UTC

Updated on

February 10, 2021 at 4:56 PM UTC

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A World Health Organization panel recommended AstraZeneca Plc’s Covid-19 vaccine for all adults over 18, paving the way to speed up inoculations in developing countries.

The recommendation may encourage more countries to use the vaccine broadly, after some European Union members advised against giving it to the elderly because of insufficient trial data. The shot’s effect in older people is expected to be the same as for younger recipients, according to Alejandro Cravioto, chairman of the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.