In Europe, the Omicron variant is fueling infectionc rates that are three times higher than at any other stage of the pandemic, and vaccination is the key to preventing serious health outcomes and disruptive staff shortages, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said today in its latest COVID-19 risk assessment.Projections show booster dose benefitsVaccine uptake across the European region has only reached 70%, and booster dosing is increasing rapidly, but has only reached 50% of adults, the ECDC said.
Vaccine uptake among European populations is uneven, and countries with the lowest vaccination rates will face the highest pressure, the group said.The ECDC suggests booster doses be given 3 months after the primary series, a shorter interval than recommended by some health groups.Modeling estimates suggest that booster dosing though early January cut hospitalization admissions by 500,000 to 800,000.
The ECDC also estimates that extending boosters to all previously vaccinated people could reduce admissions by another 300,000 to 500,000.In a press release on the report, Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said the Omicron activity appears to have peaked in some countries, but warned that the pandemic isn't over."With an increase in immunity and more vaccination, we can expect to reach a more sustainable situation with COVID-19 circulating at manageable levels faster," she said, "but we need to be cautious with long-term predictions and the maintenance of key non-pharmaceutical interventions continues to be crucial in the immediate future to keep Omicron at manageable levels."Andrea Ammon, MD, PhD, the ECDC's director said despite high levels of circulation, the lower