DG remarks and links for COVID-19 press briefing, 08 February, 2021

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No images? Click here Monday 08 February, 2021 Please find enclosed the link of the WHO Director-General's statement as well as other materials from the COVID-19 media briefing on 08 February and more: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19-8-february-2021 Yesterday, a new case of Ebola was reported near the city of Butembo, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So far, no other cases have been identified. WHO has sent a rapid response team to provide support as needed.  The emergence of new variants of the virus has raised questions about the potential impact of those variants on vaccines. We know viruses mutate and we know we have to be ready to adapt vaccines so they remain effective.  In the next few days, WHO expects to make a decision on the emergency use listing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, for the two sites in India and the Republic of Korea which will produce it for COVAX. We are committed to using all available data to make those assessments. In the meantime, COVAX continues to prepare for its first quarter distribution, and to add to its vaccine portfolio.  Media briefing audio link (Length 1hr 04mins): https://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/presser/WHO-AUDIO_Emergencies_Coronavirus_Press_Conference_08FEB2021.mp3 News edit link (TRT 4mins 43sec): https://who.canto.global/b/RP52B Media assets and information on COVID-19 https://who.canto.global/v/coronavirus Related: COVAX Statement on New Variants of SARS-CoV-2 The emergence of variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,  serve as a powerful reminder that viruses by their very nature mutate, and that the scientific response may need to adapt if they are to remain effective against them. In light of recent news stories regarding the preliminary data on minimal effectiveness of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine at preventing mild to moderate COVID-19 disease caused by the viral variant B.1.351, it is important to note that primary analysis of data from Phase III trials has so far shown – in the context of viral settings without this variant – that the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine offers protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death. This means it is vitally important now to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness when it comes to preventing more severe illness caused by the B.1.351 variant. More.    Media contacts: mediainquiries@who.int   You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list. If you have been forwarded this update you can click here to subscribe. Do not reply to media@campaign.who.int as it is an unmonitored mailbox. Journalists may write to mediainquiries@who.int.   World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202 Geneva 27, Switzerland    Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Preferences  |  Unsubscribe