The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged governments to maintain and not dismantle the systems built for COVID-19 intervention.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, in during an online media conference, explained that although COVID-19 was over as a global health emergency, it remained a global health threat.
According to him, cases and deaths continue to be reported from around the world.
He said that although people were better protected by vaccination and prior infection, this was not an excuse to let down the guard.
WHO boss said the organisation would continue to advise people at high risk to wear a mask in crowded places, to get boosters when recommended, and to ensure adequate ventilation indoors.
He advised that governments should continue to conduct surveillance and report, to track variants, to provide early clinical care, to provide boosters for the most at-risk groups, to improve ventilation, and communicate regularly.
On immunisation, he said that data showed promising signs that immunidation services were rebounding in some countries after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In 2022, four million more children received immunisations than in 2021.
“This is encouraging news, but large gaps remain, and global and regional averages mask severe and persistent inequities, especially in low-income countries.
“More than 20 million children missed out on one or more vaccines in 2022 and almost 15 million missed out entirely.
“While these numbers are lower than 2021, they’re still higher than pre-pandemic levels,” he said.
