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In preparation for a possible new Corona wave in the fall and winter, the EU Commission calls on member states to close vaccination gaps in the population.
“Although the evolution of the pandemic is unpredictable, the EU must prepare – for the third year in a row – for a difficult autumn and winter,” the EU Commission said. In addition to a possible Corona wave, a brisk spread of other respiratory viruses is likely – posing a challenge to already overburdened health systems, it said.
Booster vaccination rate to be increased
The priority is to increase the rates of primary immunization against Covid-19 and the first booster vaccination. Since the end of April, there has been little movement in this area in the EU. He said 7.5 percent of people 60 and older are unvaccinated, compared with 14.1 percent of all adults. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) cleared the way Thursday for two vaccines adapted to the Omikron variant, with more preparations in the pipeline.
Warning of ‘dangerous blind spot.‘
The commission also warns that current testing strategies and reduced sequencing of positive samples create a “dangerous blind spot” in how the coronavirus spreads and evolves. The agency, therefore, recommends expanding systems to monitor covid-19, influenza, and other respiratory infections via random sampling in selected doctors’ offices or hospitals.
No EU Commission recommendation on corona protection measures
The commission does not provide a clear recommendation regarding corona protection measures such as masks or attendee restrictions for events. The document says that actions may have to be reintroduced in the coming months. Since the epidemiological situation varies significantly between EU states, the responses could also differ.
- source: vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com
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