There could be a shortage of one to two billion syringes needed to administer Covid-19 vaccinations in 2022, which could also impact routine immunisations and undermine needle safety, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.

National health authorities should plan their needs well in advance to avoid the "hoarding, panic buying and type of situation" seen early in the pandemic with the lack of personal protective equipment, WHO expert Lisa Hedman said.

"We could have a global shortage of immunisation syringes that could, in turn, lead to serious problems such as slowing down immunisation efforts as well as safety concerns," she told a UN briefing.

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