The vaccines against COVID-19 saved at least 1.4 million lives in Europethe regional head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said today, recalling that the virus is “here to stay”.

“Today, 1.4 million lives in our region – the majority of them elderly – can enjoy life with their loved ones because they made the vital decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” he said in an online press conference. Hans Kluge.

According to WHO data as of December 19, 2023, more than 277.7 million cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the region, which consists of 53 countries and extends to central Asia, as well as more than 2.2 million deaths.

“The first booster doses alone enabled about 700,000 lives to be saved“, Kluge emphasized.

During the winter, it is critical that people protect themselves, especially the most vulnerable, he noted.

“As we learn to live with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, it is absolutely vital that vulnerable populations are consistent with vaccinations against COVID-19 and the flu,” he underlined.

Europe absolutely must continue to invest in health, he also insisted.

“We may not be prepared for any contingency, such as the emergence of a new, more severe variant of COVID-19 or an as yet unknown pathogen,” Kluge added.

Efforts should be made to improve the condition of health personnel and address the shortage of essential medicines.

“I am deeply concerned that health is falling off the political agenda and that we are failing to solve the ticking time bomb problem facing our health and care workforce,” Kluge concluded.