Speaking in an online news release, WHO Director-General of the Tetros Antanom Gebregesous gave three possible scenarios for how the pandemic could develop this year. “Based on what we know now, the most likely scenario is that the virus continues to evolve, but the severity of the disease it causes decreases over time as immunity increases due to vaccination and infection,” he said, warning that periodic increases in Cases and deaths can occur as the immune system weakens, which may require periodic support for vulnerable populations. “In the best case scenario, we can see less serious variations appear and no boosters or new vaccines will be needed,” he added. “In the worst case scenario, a more contagious and highly contagious variant appears. In the face of this new threat, the protection of people from serious illness and death, whether from previous vaccination or infection, will quickly weaken.” The head of the WHO clearly stated his recommendations to the countries to end the acute phase of the pandemic in 2022. “First, surveillance, laboratories and public health intelligence; second, vaccination, public health measures and socially and community-bound communities; third, clinical care for COVID-19 and resilient health systems; fourth, research and development and equitable access to tools and supplies and, fifth, coordination, as the response shifts from an emergency to long-term respiratory disease management. “ He reiterated that fair vaccination remains the most powerful tool to save lives. However, as high-income countries now apply fourth-dose vaccines to their populations, one-third of the world’s population has not received another dose, including 83% of Africa’s population, according to the WHO. “This is not acceptable to me and should not be accepted by anyone,” Tentros said, pledging to save lives by ensuring that everyone has access to tests, treatments and vaccines.
