EU member states should start preparing now for a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in autumn and winter, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakidou said on Monday, adding that there was an “alarming increase” in coronavirus outbreaks.
The health commissioner also warned that there is no room for complacency, stressing that the pandemic is far from over.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic has shown an alarming growth in several countries,” she said in an interview with Cyprus state radio, as quoted by Reuters.
“For the past two months, we have been preparing for the fall and winter, fully aware that the next wave of the pandemic cannot and should not further burden our economy or our society, especially at a time when we are suffering from the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and high inflation “, – said Kyriakidou.
She noted that the Commission asked member states to accelerate the introduction of booster injections for people over 60 years of age and vulnerable population groups.
“These months should be preparatory, so that our health care systems are ready for possible new waves that can, for example, be combined with seasonal flu,” said the commissioner.