
BRUSSELS, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The member states of the European Union (EU) are now required to prepare for a common vaccination strategy while the arrival of the first safe and effective vaccine is eagerly awaited, the European Commission said on Thursday.
According to a press release, the countries should start making preparations to secure the capacity of vaccination services, easy and affordable access for target populations, deployment with storage and transport needs, and clear communication to build public trust, among others.
Assuring the member states of access to COVID-19 vaccines "at the same time on the basis of population size," the commission warned that the overall number of vaccine doses will be limited before production can be ramped up.
The commission thus suggested that "unranked priority groups" are to be considered once the vaccines become available, including healthcare and long-term care facility workers, people aged above 60, people who cannot socially distance, and more disadvantaged socio-economic groups etc.
"When and if a safe and efficient vaccine is found, we need to be prepared to roll it out as quickly as possible, including building citizens' trust in its safety and efficacy," said Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, in the press release.
"Vaccines will not save lives -- vaccinations will," she stressed.
The commission has so far, on behalf of the EU, signed a number of contracts with potential COVID-19 vaccine suppliers, but it remains unknown which vaccine candidate will first be produced and go through the authorization process.
As of Oct. 15, a total of 42 candidate vaccines were in clinical evaluation worldwide, including several from China, the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States, Belgium and Germany entering Phase 3 trial. Another 156 candidate vaccines were in preclinical evaluation, according to the World Health Organization.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses