By Stephanie Nebehay and Ben Hirschler, Reuters GENEVA/LONDON – World Health Organization advisers have recommended using a fifth of the standard dose of yellow fever vaccine in the event of a global shortage to combat the worst outbreak of the deadly disease in decades. Fears of a widening outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease were fueled this week by a spike in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which now says it has seen more than 1,000 suspected cases since March. “Experts agreed to propose if necessary, if there is a shortage of vaccine, to divide the vaccine by five,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said on Friday, reporting on a meeting this week. “One fifth of a dose according to their evidence would be sufficient to provide immunity for at least 12 months.” Reuters previously reported that a move to stretch vaccine supplies was likely. Logo photo courtesy of [...]
