"It is unlikely that we will see mass vaccinations against COVID19 before the middle of the next year," Margaret Harris, spokeswoman, WHO, was quoted as saying by the media.

China reports 25 new imported cases:

Meanwhile, the Chinese mainland reported 25 new imported COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 2,553, the National Health Commission said Friday, reports Xinhua.

Of the new imported cases, 13 were reported in Guangdong, five in Shanghai, two each in Guangxi and Shaanxi, and one each in Tianjin, Fujian and Sichuan, the commission said in its daily report.

Among all the imported cases, 2,364 had been discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 189 remained hospitalized, with three in severe condition, the commission said.

No deaths had been reported from the imported cases.