COVID-19 vaccines

Last updated: 30 July 2021

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, WHO has worked with countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region on public health measures to slow or stop the spread of the virus.

Safe and effective vaccines are an important tool, in combination with other measures, to protect people against COVID-19, save lives and reduce widescale social disruption.

Countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region have already completed regulatory approval and started introducing one or more COVID-19 vaccines.

Through the COVAX Global Vaccine Facility and other mechanisms, WHO and partners are working with governments to facilitate equitable access to and distribution of an initial allocation of vaccine as quickly as possible.

WHO recommends that initial vaccination should prioritize groups at highest risk of exposure to infection in each country, including health workers, older persons and those with other health issues. Once COVID-19 vaccines become more available, countries can expand to vaccinate other priority groups and the general population.