The COVID-19 vaccines should first be administered on persons most in need before being rolled out to the rest of the population, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom said.

Tedros made the remarks at a media briefing on Monday as countries continue to wait for their vaccine acquisitions.

"As countries plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks and months, we urge them to prioritize vaccinating those most in need, based on the Values Framework & Population Prioritization Roadmap issued by WHO's Strategic Advisory Experts Group on Immunization," said the WHO chief.

"Vaccinating health workers who are at high risk of infection will help to protect them and the health system. People at highest risk of serious disease or death as a result of age are also a high priority group because protecting them will reduce severe disease and death and take the burden off health systems."

Tedros said the people that should get the vaccines after the initial groups ought to be those who have higher risk of severe disease because of their underlying conditions, and marginalized groups at higher risk.

He also reiterated calls to ensure people adhered to the laid down COVID-19 health guidelines in the initial stages of the vaccination drive in order to avoid an upsurge of new infections in the period.

Tedros' remarks came as the number of COVID-19 cases globally surpassed the 67.25 million mark, with a death toll exceeding 1.53 million.