Despite significant success in the vaccination field, the World Health Organization (WHO) supposes that the coronavirus pandemic will last at least one year. Thus, it is better to keep taking safety measures until the pandemic is over.
Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Europe, said that COVID-19 will still be prevalent in 2021, but it will be more manageable than in 2020. The WHO director said that 2021 would be another year dominated by the coronavirus. However, by the end of this year, people will know much more about the virus, which means that the pandemic could be over in early 2022.
Hans Kluge called on the authorities of some countries and their citizens to be patient concerning the coronavirus vaccine. He explained that at the beginning of any vaccination program, demand always exceeded supply. It is impossible to provide doses to everyone at once. He also assured people that every person would receive a dose. The WHO’s representative also tackled the issue of vaccination passports. European citizens will receive their passes as early as this summer. Notably, it is not among the requirements provided by the WHO. Hans Kluge doubts whether it is necessary to have such a document. However, from a political point of view, it is a good idea.
“From a scientific point of view, how long does a vaccine give immunity? It is not so clear yet. And if you get a vaccine, it protects you but does not necessarily stop transmission. So it’s not a watertight thing.”
