Covid: Ecdc, vaccination alone is not enough against Omicron variant

• Ecdc data on Omicron: 2,127 confirmed cases in Europe, 27 in Italy

• Covid, new Ecdc map: infections in Italy increase

• Covid-19, Ecdc: the situation can get worse, contacts increase during the holidays

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December 15, 2021 "In the current situation, vaccination alone will not prevent the impact of the Omicron variant, because there will be no time to fill the remaining vaccine gaps. Strong action is urgently needed to reduce transmission and alleviate the heavy burden on health systems and protect the most vulnerable in the coming months. Countries have different response options in view of the holiday season in the current situation. " This was stated by the director of the ECDC, the European center for disease prevention and control, Andrea Ammon.

"As we said earlier, a rapid reintroduction and

is needed

to reduce the ongoing Delta transmission, slow the spread of the Omicron concern variant and keep the Covid-19 related burden manageable. It remains a priority to use masks appropriately, telework, prevent crowding in public spaces, reduce crowding on public transport, stay at home in case of illness, maintain hand and respiratory hygiene measures and guarantee adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces. Countries can expect a strong recovery in cases where revoke these interventions, "he added.

"The effectiveness of vaccines against Delta-induced severe outcomes remains high, so vaccination remains a key component in reducing Omicron's impact and addressing Delta's circulation. According to surveillance data, vaccines have so far saved. nearly half a million lives. Countries should step up efforts to increase full vaccination in unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated people, as well as to administer booster doses to all eligible people as soon as possible, "said the director of the ECDC. .

"The emergence of the Omicron variant has raised serious concerns due to preliminary reports of case groups, even among people who had been fully vaccinated. There are indications that community transmission is already underway in EU / See countries and on the Based on the model predictions, a further rapid increase in Omicron cases is imminent. We assess the likelihood of further spread of the Omicron variant in the EU / See as very high, and it is considered very likely to cause further hospitalizations and deaths, as well as those already foreseen by the previous forecasts that consider only the Delta variant ", said Andrea Ammon again.

"For probable or confirmed cases of Omicron infection, contact tracing should be given priority, regardless of vaccination status. Testing remains an important tool and people with symptoms should be tested regardless of their vaccination status, along with testing. isolation of positive people, to limit the spread of the virus and reduce the burden on health systems. Genomic surveillance remains of great importance and genome sequencing should be performed to confirm infection with a specific variant, "said Ammon, noting. : "These measures will not only help keep us healthy, but will also protect those around us. By acting together, we can overcome the difficult situation that the pandemic has caused. With theapproaching the holiday season, we need solidarity more than ever ".