Copenhagen (AFP)

The World Health Organization (WHO) fears that the Covid-19 pandemic will kill an additional 236,000 in Europe by December 1, expressing concern on Monday about the recent "stagnation" in the pace of vaccinations on the continent.

"Last week, the death toll in the region increased by 11%, with a reliable projection predicting 236,000 deaths in Europe by December 1," adding to the 1.3 million deaths already caused by the pandemic on the Old Continent, said WHO Europe director Hans Kluge at a press conference.

Countries in the region have seen infection rates increase as the anchoring of the more contagious Delta variant asserts itself, especially in unvaccinated people.

Of the region's 53 member states, 33 reported an increase of more than 10% in the incidence of cases over two weeks, Kluge said.

In addition to the high transmissibility of the Delta variant, an "undue easing" of restrictions and an increase in travel this summer is behind the rise in cases.

Especially since the pace of vaccinations has slowed.

- Europe: strong disparities -

If three quarters of caregivers in the whole of Europe are vaccinated, in some European countries they are only one in 10, according to the UN organization.

In Europe, only 6% of people in low- and lower-middle-income countries are fully immunized, he said, recalling that the WHO recommended 80% vaccination coverage to turn the page on the pandemic.

According to WHO data, in eight months, nearly 850 million doses have been administered in the region extending to Central Asia.

In the area, at least 413.26 million people are fully vaccinated (44.2% of the population), according to an AFP count on Monday.

Globally, 5.239 billion doses have been distributed.

In total, at least 216.3 million people have been sick with Covid-19 worldwide and at least 4.5 million have died since the end of December 2019, according to a report drawn up by AFP on Monday from official sources.

On the use of a booster or third dose, proposed in certain countries of the region, as in Israel or as it will be in Denmark - where it will be offered to certain immunocompromised people -, the WHO, which has for the moment called for a moratorium, does not exclude it.

Health pass control at the entrance of a restaurant in Bordeaux (south-west of France), August 18, 2021 MEHDI FEDOUACH AFP / Archives

"A third dose may be needed in the future for specific population groups and / or in specific settings. However, more data is needed on the optimal timing and dosage of booster doses, which may differ depending on the vaccine products, "said a spokesperson for WHO Europe.

- Vaccines for teachers -

For Mr. Kluge, "the acceptance of vaccination by the population is crucial", especially as public health and social measures have been relaxed in many places.

"Skepticism about vaccines and denial of science are preventing us from stabilizing this crisis. They are useless and good for no one."

At the start of the new school year, Member States must put in place a vaccination strategy intended to maintain face-to-face teaching, which is considered vital.

We should "offer the vaccine against Covid-19 to teachers and other school staff as a target group of national vaccination plans," said WHO and Unicef ​​Europe in a statement released earlier Monday .

Covid-19: 4.5 million dead worldwide Kenan AUGEARD AFP

Across Europe, the restrictions are disparate.

Thus, the introduction of the health pass took a new step on Monday in France, becoming compulsory at work for 1.8 million employees in contact with the public in restaurants, cinemas, museums, mainline trains, where it is needed. was already required for customers.

© 2021 AFP