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The world health entity decided to continue considering the spread of Covid-19 cases as a pandemic. Worldwide, scientists from multiple countries seek to find a universal vaccine against the disease caused by this virus.
The World Health Organization said that it continues to consider the spread of the coronavirus an international health emergency, that is, it maintains the status of a pandemic.
The agency stressed that “this is not the time to lower our guard” and asked that nations continue preparing to face the virus.
The decision was made by the WHO emergency committee, to whom the agency’s director general recommended not to change the alert level in relation to the coronavirus, since it continues to be transmitted intensely.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “the best way” to protect yourself is to be prepared for future outbreaks by filling gaps in access to vaccines.
The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated and boosted when recommended.
Continue wearing masks – especially in crowded indoor spaces.
And for the indoors, keep the air fresh by opening windows and doors, and invest in good ventilation.#COVID19 is not over yet. pic.twitter.com/GiGOWGDWCz
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 13, 2022
The technical director for the disease, Maria Van Kherkove, confirmed that the latest discovered sub-variants of Ómicron (named BA.4 and BA.5) have been detected in a limited number of countries in Africa and Europe, and are now being analyzed if they present any significant change from the original variant.
Van Kherkove pointed out that, at the moment, no changes have been detected in the severity of the condition caused by the virus or in the defense offered by immunizations.
In search of a universal vaccine against Covid-19
“An ambition of many scientists is to achieve a universal vaccine that can help protect the population from a wide range of coronaviruses,” said World Health Organization research and development specialist Ana María Henao-Restrepo.
According to Henao-Restrepo, the WHO has deployed a collaboration plan with experts from around the world to evaluate the development of the drug.
The statements were made at a joint press conference with other directors of the institution, including its general director and Soumaya Swaminathan, chief scientist of the world entity.
Swaminathan stressed that there is “a confluence of Omicron strains and this is likely to continue in the future. We have to be prepared for the possibility that this virus changes so much that it tests existing immunity,” he said.
According to the scientist, the best way to prevent the development of the virus is by extending vaccination coverage in nations where a large percentage of their inhabitants do not have access to it.
“Older populations are the most difficult to access because they are not in routine immunization programs and may have mobility problems, so we have to see where we can help them,” he said.
The WHO continues to promote other care measures against the pandemic, such as the use of the mask and the ventilation of internal spaces.
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