WHO says Covid vaccines saved at least 1.4m lives in Europe
At least 1.4 million lives have been saved in Europe thanks to Covid vaccines, the World Health Organization said, recalling that the virus was "here to stay".
The WHO European region - which covers 53 countries including those of Central Asia - has registered more than 277.7 million cases of Covid-19 and more than 2.2 million deaths, according to the organisation's most recent data, from 19 December 2023. "Today, there are 1.4 million people in our region - most of them elderly - who are around to enjoy life with their loved ones because they took the vital decision to be vaccinated against Covid-19," WHO Europe regional director Hans Kluge told reporters. "The first booster doses alone saved an estimated 700,000 lives." Dr Kluge said it was essential for people to protect themselves, especially those most vulnerable, during the winter. "As we learn to live with Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses, it's absolutely vital for vulnerable populations to stay up to date with their Covid-19 and influenza vaccinations as recommended." Europe must continue to invest in its healthcare systems, he said. "We may be unprepared for anything out-of-the-ordinary, such as the emergence of a new, more severe Covid-19 variant or a yet unknown pathogen." He called for more funding to resolve shortages of healthcare workers and basic medication. "I am deeply concerned that health is slipping from the political agenda and that we are failing to address the ticking time-bomb facing our health and care workforce," Dr Kluge said.
United States
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Cases: 46 252 513
Deaths: 750 423
Recovered: 0
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India
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Cases: 34 321 025
Deaths: 459 652
Recovered: 0
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Brazil
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Cases: 21 835 785
Deaths: 608 235
Recovered: 0
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United Kingdom
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Cases: 9 215 683
Deaths: 141 607
Recovered: 0
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Russia
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Cases: 8 494 589
Deaths: 237 619
Recovered: 0
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