Vaccines have saved millions of lives since the Covid-19 pandemic
Nearly 15 million additional deaths globally by the end of 2021 were due to Covid-19, according to the latest WHO figures.
An estimated total of 336.8 million years of age have been lost globally since the pandemic was declared in early 2020.
That means, on average, each additional death results in a loss of more than 22 years of life, with the highest loss occurring in the 55-64 age group.
The figures are the clearest evidence yet of the pandemic's dire consequences on a global scale.
Earlier this month, the WHO decided to lower its alert level for the disease. The WHO said that Covid-19 is no longer a global emergency, but Covid-19 continues to be a threat to the world.
"Covid-19 has changed our world, and changed us," the WHO said, warning that the risk from new variants still looms.
The WHO recommends that the next generation of Covid-19 vaccines should not include the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, but instead be supplemented with a different version of the virus to respond to current variants, including the XBB.1 family, which is currently causing the most cases.
The WHO report on the state of global health also calls on the world to strengthen its response to non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders and diabetes.
WHO warns that if left unchecked, these diseases could account for 86% of global deaths by 2050.
Source link
Comment (0)