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GENEVA, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization's
European director Hans Kluge said on Thursday COVID-19
transmission rates in Europe remained too high, putting health
services under severe strain, and therefore it was "too early to
ease up".
"We need to be patient, it will take time to vaccinate," he
told an online briefing. "We have learned harsh lessons -
opening and closing, and reopening (societies) rapidly is a poor
strategy" in seeking to curb coronavirus contagion, he said.
"Transmission rates across Europe are still very high,
impacting health systems and straining services, making it too
early to ease up," Kluge said. "Pushing transmission down
requires a sustained, consistent effort. Bear in mind that just
over 3% of people in the region have had a confirmed COVID-19
infection. Areas hit badly once can be hit again."
Kluge said a total of 35 countries in Europe had launched
vaccination programmes with 25 million does administered so far.
"These vaccines have shown the efficacy and safety we all
hoped they would...This monumental undertaking will release
pressure on our health systems and undoubtedly save lives."
He said continued high rates of transmission and emerging
variants of the virus made it urgent to vaccinate priority
groups, but said the rate of vaccine production and distribution
was not yet meeting expectations.
"This paradox, where communities sense an end is in sight
with the vaccine but, at the same time, are called to adhere to
restrictive measures in the face of a new threat, is causing
tension, angst, fatigue, and confusion. This is completely
understandable in these circumstances."
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay and John Miller
Editing by Mark Heinrich)
