PETALING JAYA: Six years after the pandemic’s onset, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now urging nations to prioritise routine Covid-19 vaccinations as a critical necessity for those at high risk. This suggestion follows a high-­level meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation in Geneva last week. “SAGE recommended that countries consider Covid-19 vaccination based on local epidemiology, population characteristics, access to Covid-19 vaccines, cost-effectiveness, acceptability, and programmatic feasibility,” the organisation said in a statement. The recommendation stems from data showing that protection against severe disease drops significantly after the six-month mark. “For pregnant persons, whether unvaccinated or previously vaccinated, one Covid-19 vaccine dose during each pregnancy, at any stage, though ideally during the second trimester,” the WHO advised.

Source: The Star March 19, 2026 05:49 UTC