The World Health Organisation (WHO) says shortage of syringes may hinder vaccination of billions of people across the world against coronavirus.
WHO specialist Lisa Hedman who disclosed this on Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland, said there could be a shortfall of one to two billion syringes by 2022.
Hedman said poorer countries, which often placed small orders and therefore did not have priority with manufacturers, could be particularly affected.
She called on countries to plan ahead and order in large amounts, if possible, and pay heed that six months’ lead time is often necessary for manufacturers.
Hedman said if there were not enough vaccine syringes, routine jabs such as against measles, mumps and rubella may have to be foregone.
WHO estimates revealed that in a normal year 16 billion injections were given worldwide. It said before the pandemic, vaccinations accounted for about 1.6 billion.
It added that additional 6.8 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been given worldwide, vastly increasing the demand for syringe.
Reports indicated that syringes for vaccinations differ from those for other purposes, which usually have a mechanism that ensures that they are used only once.
WHO estimates say manufacturers can produce around six billion of those syringes a year, with India and China largest export countries.
It said next year’s demand could be four to seven times higher than the average pre-pandemic demand.
