European Union countries are racing against time to push ahead with COVID-19 vaccination, amid fears that the delta variant, which is more contagious than others, will overwhelm their health systems.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern about the alternative on Friday during a visit to Lithuania.
“We are concerned about the delta variant,” she said. “We see that the new variant is more transmissible than other species, we see infection rates increasing and we know it will continue to increase.”
However, Von der Leyen noted that current vaccines are still effective against the alternative. “I can only urge everyone who has not taken the opportunity to be vaccinated to do so. It protects yourself and your district.”
The increase in cases related to the delta coincides with the European summer holiday months, when more people travel and participate in population gatherings.
Many countries have also relaxed restrictions, allowing people to drop some social distance standards and participate in activities in public places.
However, the risk of contracting the delta variant is “extremely high” for communities that are partially unvaccinated or not immunized, according to the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC), which monitors 30 countries across the continent.
The agency estimates that by the end of August, the variant will account for 90% of cases in the EU.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that “it is very important to move vaccination forward at a very rapid pace.”
WHO calls for ‘discipline’
The World Health Organization (WHO) also urged caution about the new variant, which, according to it, makes the growth of transmission of the new coronavirus “exponential”.
The number of new cases is increasing in countries such as the United Kingdom, Portugal and Russia. Experts predicted that the Delta variant would become the dominant coronavirus strain in Germany by August.
“The three conditions for a new wave of hospitalization and excess deaths exist: new variables, deficits in vaccine administration, and increased social crowding,” said Hans Kluge, head of the WHO’s European office.
According to him, 63% of people in 53 countries in the WHO “region of Europe” did not receive a first injection.
He warned that “there will be a new wave in the European region of the World Health Organization unless we remain disciplined.”
