WHO

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization has brought the world’s scientists and global health professionals together to accelerate vaccine research and development, create new norms and standards to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and care for those affected by the virus. The organization has established a COVID-19 dashboard with information for the public, technical guidance for country leaders, vaccine information, situation reports, and more. With hopes to make fighting COVID-19 accessible, WHO has launched the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) aimed at collecting and sharing information related to the development of vaccines, tests, treatments, and other health technologies to fight the virus. EPI-WIN, WHO’s epidemic information communication system, provides additional information. In addition, WHO has created the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) to speed up development and equitable allocation of treatments and vaccines. COVAX is the designated vaccine pillar of ACT-A and specifically works to ensure access to vaccines for lower-income countries. As of April 2021, over 100 countries have received vaccines through COVAX, and COVAX aims to distribute 2 billion vaccines throughout 2021.  The Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines have been approved by WHO for emergency use, and the organization has reaffirmed its support for the AstraZeneca vaccine despite safety concerns from European officials. WHO has published extensive advice for the public including health campaigns, protection tips, and care advice. The organization has also published situation updates and additional research and resources on their website. 

Additionally, WHO has published epidemiological updates that display information about international public health events and recommendations issued by the Pan American Health Organization. WHO’s contact tracing tool is helping countries’ health authorities follow up on cases. PAHO, WHO, World Bank, and UNICEF have developed the Vaccine Introduction Readiness Tool (VIRAT), an online platform that evaluates country vaccine preparation plans. WHO is sending essential response supplies, helping countries improve their response capacities, establishing a mutual COVID response fund, and coordinating research for treatment. Solidarity Trials coordinated by WHO have produced results on the effectiveness of certain therapeutic drugs, which will help guide treatment strategies moving forward. In response to the economic inadequacies highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has established a Council on the Economics of Health for All. This council is made up of economic and health care professionals and will aim to improve long-term investments in public health infrastructure.

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Related Country Pages

The following country pages document the WHO’s response to the pandemic in specific areas, or contain links to further resources about the WHO.

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Select resources for the WHO:

To learn more about the World Health Organization, visit https://www.who.int/.

COVID-19 Response Fund.‌‌ (n.d.). Supporters of the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO. https://covid19responsefund.org/.

World Health Organization. (n.d.). The access to covid-19 tools (Act) accelerator. https://www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator.

————. (n.d.). COVID-19 operations. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-operations.

————. (n.d.). EPI-WIN, World Health Organization’s epidemic information network. https://www.who.int/teams/risk-communication.

————. ‌(n.d.). Feature stories. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/feature-stories.

————. (n.d.). Global scientific community unites to track progress on COVID-19 R&D, identifies new research priorities and critical gaps. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/global-scientific-community-unites-to-track-progress-on-covid-19-r-d-identifies-new-research-priorities-and-critical-gaps.

————. (n.d.). Independent evaluation of global COVID-19 response announced. www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-07-2020-independent-evaluation-of-global-covid-19-response-announced.

————. (n.d.). ‌Maintaining essential health services. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/related-health-issues.

————. (n.d.).  R&D Blueprint and COVID-19. https://www.who.int/teams/blueprint/covid-19.

————. ‌(n.d.). Strategies and plans. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/strategies-and-plans.

————. (n.d.). Technical guidance publications. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance-publications.

————. (n.d.). Travel advice. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice.

————. (n.d.). Timeline: WHO’s COVID-19 response. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/interactive-timeline/.

————. (n.d.). ‌WHO Response in Countries. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/who-response-in-countries.

————. (2019). Coronavirus. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.

————. (2020). Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan Infographic. https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/covid-19-exr-srp-infographic-15june2020.png?sfvrsn=f2c0e77b_0.

————. (2020, January 31). Novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/mOV1aBVYKGA.

————. (2020, October 15). Solidarity THerapeutics Trial produces conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of repurposed drugs for COVID-19 in record time. https://www.who.int/news/item/15-10-2020-solidarity-therapeutics-trial-produces-conclusive-evidence-on-the-effectiveness-of-repurposed-drugs-for-covid-19-in-record-time.

————. (2020, November 13). WHO establishes Council on the Economics of Health for All. https://www.who.int/news/item/13-11-2020-who-establishes-council-on-the-economics-of-health-for-all.