The World Health Organization (WHO) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have warned that another wave of COVID-19 infections is beginning to impact Europe.
“Although we are not where we were [one] year ago, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over,” European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, and Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Dr. Andrea Ammon, said in a joint statement. “We are unfortunately seeing indicators rising again in Europe, suggesting that another wave of infections has begun.”
The statement comes as the United States is reporting nearly 40,000 daily new cases on average and 338 deaths per day from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The U.S. is typically a few weeks behind Europe for COVID-19 trends, meaning an uptick in cases and hospitalizations there could mean a similar trend is on its way to the U.S. over the next few weeks.
Officials also issued the statement ahead of the influenza season, noting that the circulation of both viruses at the same time puts vulnerable people at increased risk of severe illness. The healthcare groups also encouraged people to get vaccinated for influenza this year, as well as receive a booster vaccine dose for COVID-19.
WHO and ECDC specifically noted that healthcare workers, people 60 years and older, pregnant women and those with comorbidities and/or underlying conditions should get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19.
Also of note, the southern hemisphere, which just had its winter season, experienced an early and highly active influenza season. That could mean similar trends in Europe this fall and winter, which worried health officials and prompted calls for vaccination.
“Our message is simple: vaccination saves lives,” they said. “It decreases the chances of being infected and reduces the risk of severe consequences from COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. There is no time to lose. We encourage everyone eligible, especially the most vulnerable, to come forward as soon as possible for both COVID-19 and influenza vaccination.”
The statement comes just weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of a new COVID-19 vaccine booster targeting the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the virus.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."