The WHO points out that “there is no indication that suggests that the vaccines will not work” against omicron

“There is no indication to suggest that vaccines will not work.” With this phrase, the leading epidemiologist of the World Health Organization, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, announced that current treatments against COVID-19 are effective and save lives before the appearance of the omicron variant.

“Even if effectiveness is reduced somewhat, vaccines will save lives,” said the expert during a press conference after conducting a Extraordinary World Health Assembly, in which he urged people to get vaccinated “as soon as I can”.

“It is absolutely critical that you get vaccinated, because the possibility of having serious illness and dying is significantly lower than if you are not vaccinated”, indicated the specialist, as highlighted by the Infosalus medium.

In addition, Van Kerkhove He stressed that his institution is in the early stages in terms of understanding more about this new variant.

“We do not yet have all the information on whether it is more transmissible. We hope to have more information in the next few days. In terms of severity, we have seen reports of cases ranging from mild to severe “, he pointed.

However, he considered that omicron may be more transmittable than the variant Delta, but still do not know the severity. “All the measures that are being taken for Delta have to be strengthened for omicron until we have more information about the new variant”he insisted.

On the other hand, Van Kerkhove He suggested that the fact of where the variant originated should be set aside; on the contrary, he noted that it will take some time to determine how long it has been circulating. “The timeline of when omicron emerged may change because more sequencing is being done and there are many pending tests for the month of November. We still don’t have the complete photo “, he stressed.

The epidemiologist highlighted the rapid action of African countries for the prompt response to the first case of omicron detected and asked the other countries to “Keep doing surveillance with any variant.”

“The more the virus circulates, the more likely it is to mutate. I give a special thanks to so many researchers in South Africa for the great work they are doing and for reporting it in such an open way. I urge other countries to do the same ”, Held.

Failure to penalize South Africa and Botswana

The general director of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called on the nations of Europe, Africa and the rest of the world to take reasonable steps and not penalize South Africa and Botswana “for doing the right thing.”

“Adopt rational and proportional risk reduction measures, in accordance with the International Health Regulations.”

He also said that “This includes measures to delay or reduce the spread of the new variant, such as the control of passengers before traveling and / or upon arrival, or the application of quarantine to international travelers. General travel bans will not prevent the international spread of omicron, and place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods “, he warned.

The omicron variant has reached at least 23 countries in the world, as noted Tedros. They hope that this figure “increase”.

“The WHO it takes this event very seriously, and so should all countries. But it shouldn’t surprise us. This is what viruses do. And this is what this virus will continue to do, as long as we allow it to continue to spread ”, remarked.

“We have to use the tools we already have to prevent transmission and save Delta’s lives. And if we do, we will also prevent transmission and save omicron lives. But if countries and people don’t do what it takes to stop the transmission of Delta, they will not stop either omicron”, ended.