The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Union's health agency, has warned that vaccinations alone will not stop the rise of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, saying that “strong action” is urgently needed.
“In the current situation, vaccination alone will not allow us to prevent the impact of the Omicron variant, because there will be no time to address the vaccination gaps that still exist,” Andrea Ammon, director of the ECDC said, according to AFP.
The agency called for strengthening and reintroduction of “non-pharmaceutical interventions,” such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, distance working and prevention of crowds in public spaces.
