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“We will not achieve any level of population immunity or herd immunity in 2021,” WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan told a virtual press conference on Monday, emphasizing the need to continue to follow management measures for the pandemic such as physical distance, hand washing, and wearing of masks.
He praised the “incredible progress” that was made with the rapid development of several safe and reliable vaccines against coronavirus at once. But it will take time for the billions of vaccines the world needs to produce. Therefore, people must continue to arm themselves with patience.
She said that “the vaccines will arrive eventually. They will reach all countries. “
“But at that time, we must not forget that there are tools that work,” he said.
Public health and social measures to stop the spread of the virus should be maintained “at least until the end of this year,” he said.
Herd immunity occurs when the population of a country becomes so resistant to the agent that it can no longer spread widely. The unvaccinated population is then protected from infection.
With the spread of a new strain of coronavirus, the WHO European Unit called for tougher measures last week.
“This is a worrying situation, so in the short term we must do more than we have done so far and strengthen social and public health measures to ensure that we can flatten the vertical curves in some countries,” said the European Commissioner for WHO at a press conference. Hans Kluge, Head of Unit, in reference to a new strain of coronavirus detected in the United Kingdom (UK).
While it is natural for the virus to change and the symptoms of the new strain of coronavirus are not believed to be more severe, the “faster transmission” remains concerning, said the head of WHO’s European unit.
“Without tighter restrictions to stop the spread of the virus, the consequences will be even greater for health authorities who are already under so much pressure,” Kluge said.
He recommended measures “well known to all”: requiring universal use of masks, limiting gatherings, ensuring distance and proper hygiene. These measures, along with proper testing, quarantine and self-isolation, will work if we all adhere to them together, Kluge said.
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