The World Health Organization said the new variant of the coronavirus is already present in 77 countries. According to WHO Secretary General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, none of the current variants of the coronavirus is spreading as quickly as the omicron.
– So far 77 countries have reported omicron contamination, but in fact this variant could possibly be found in most countries of the world, even if it has not yet been found there. Omicron is spreading at a pace we have not seen with any other option, Tedros said at an online news conference in Geneva.
Vaccines and omicron
Tedros, however, stressed that the new data showed that the effectiveness of vaccines against severe COVID-19 symptoms and omicron-related deaths had decreased only marginally. There is also a slight decrease in the effectiveness of vaccinations to prevent mild symptoms of illness or infections, according to the head of WHO.
“The emergence of the Omicron variant has prompted some countries to introduce revaccination programs for adults, even if we do not have evidence that a third dose provides better protection against this option,” Tedros said.
The head of WHO expressed concern that such programs would lead to replenishment of vaccines, as has happened this year, and exacerbate inequalities in access to them. – It is clear: WHO is not against booster doses. “We are against inequality in access to vaccines,” Tedros said.
“It is clear that as immunization progresses, booster doses can play an important role, especially for those who are at high risk of developing symptoms of severe illness,” Tedros said. – It’s a matter of prioritization and order. He added that increasing doses for low-risk groups of severe illness or death simply puts the lives of high-risk people at risk, who are still waiting for their basal rates due to supply constraints.
“On the other hand, giving extra doses to people at high risk could save more lives than giving basic doses to people at low risk,” Tedros said.
The most dangerous option
The head of WHO also urged not to underestimate the omicron, although there is no evidence that it is more dangerous than the currently dominant Delta variant in the world. – We are concerned that people perceive it as an easy option. We underestimate this virus at our own risk. Even if Omicron causes less serious illness, Tedros said the sheer number of infections could paralyze untrained healthcare systems again.
He also warned that vaccines alone will prevent any country from recovering from the epidemic crisis, and called for the continued use of all existing coronavirus controls, such as wearing masks, regular indoor ventilation and social distancing. – Do everything. Do it consistently and do it well, – urged the head of WHO.