EU states are urged to vaccinate the population against COVID-19 in time, in order to combat winter infections. 2,300 Europeans still die every week from COVID-19 and a new wave of infections is expected in autumn and winter.
EU countries should now start providing COVID-19 booster vaccines to their populations to limit a new wave of infections expected this fall and winter, the bloc’s executive said in a document seen by Reuters on Friday.
The Brussels-based European Commission said more than 2,300 people still die from COVID-19 in the Union each week, while other negative health consequences of the disease include long-term symptoms and mental problems.
The EU could face another wave of COVID-19
“The past two years have shown that the EU could face another wave of COVID-19 this autumn and winter,” the Commission said, as back-to-school and colder weather prompts people to stay indoors, contributing thus to the spread of seasonal flu as well.
“Vaccination continues to be the most reliable way to avoid serious illness and therefore reduce mortality from COVID-19,” the Commission said, asking the 27 EU states to prepare vaccination campaigns, including vaccines adapted to the new variants.
Recently, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccines adapted for a sub-variant Omicron of BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna.