Combating coronavirus: World Health Organization intensifies efforts to develop Covid-19 vaccine

Abu Dhabi - As part of the WHO's response to the pandemic, a Research and Development Blueprint has been activated to accelerate the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.

The World Health Organization, WHO, has intensified its efforts to develop a vaccine against the new coronavirus, Covid-19, said a WHO press release issued on Monday.
As part of the WHO's response to the outbreak, a Research and Development Blueprint has been activated to accelerate the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for this novel coronavirus.
Under WHO's coordination, a group of experts with diverse backgrounds is working towards the development of vaccines against Covid-19, the press release pointed out.
The group urges everyone to follow recommendations to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 to protect the health of individuals. The group also thanks everyone for putting their trust in the scientific community, the WHO said.
The group added that, while a vaccine for general use takes time to develop, it may ultimately be instrumental in controlling the worldwide pandemic.
"In the interim, we applaud the implementation of community intervention measures that reduce spread of the virus and protect people, including vulnerable populations, and pledge to use the time gained by the widespread adoption of such measures to develop a vaccine as rapidly as possible.
"We will continue efforts to strengthen the unprecedented worldwide collaboration, cooperation and sharing of data already under way. We believe these efforts will help reduce inefficiencies and duplication of effort, and we will work tenaciously to increase the likelihood that one or more safe and effective vaccines will soon be made available to all," the group of experts said.