Francesco Guarascio & Jason Hovet

BRUSSELS/PRAGUE, (Reuters) – On Wednesday, coronavirus infection broke new records across Europe. The pandemic has made Europe once more the epicenter of a movement restriction and made experts reconsider booster shots.

As winter grips Europe, people flock indoors to celebrate Christmas and create a fertile ground for COVID-19, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic all report new highs in daily infected.

Since its first detection in China in 2012, this disease has spread around the world and infected more than 258,000,000 people.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the EU public health agency, recommended vaccine boosters for all adults, with priority for those over 40, in a major shift https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eus-health-agency-says-vaccine-boosters-should-be-considered-all-adults-2021-11-24 from its previous guidance which suggested the extra doses should be considered for older frail people and those with weakened immune systems.

In a Wednesday publication, the ECDC stated that there was evidence in Israel and Britain that a booster dose has shown a substantial increase in immunity to severe diseases and infections in both Israel and the UK.

Numerous EU countries are already giving booster doses of booster doses to their citizens, but they use different criteria for prioritizing and determining the interval between booster shots.

Andrea Ammon from ECDC stated that boosters will increase the protection against infection due to waning immunity. She also said it could reduce transmission and potentially prevent more deaths and hospitalisations.

Her advice was to accelerate vaccination rollouts for countries that have low levels. She also warned about the high risk of an increase in hospitalisations and deaths in Europe in December/January if these recommended steps are not taken.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from the World Health Organization acknowledged Europe’s role in the outbreak and warned of a “false sense” of security that would overshadow the benefits of vaccines.

Reporters were told that no country was out of their woods. He also said that he hoped that there would be a consensus at the next World Trade Organization ministerial meetings for an IP waiver in support of pandemic vaccinations. The World Trade Organization is already supported and supported by over 100 nations.

Sweden https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-says-it-will-extend-covid-19-boosters-all-adults-2021-11-24 will begin gradually rolling out boosters to all adults, government and health officials said. People over 65 have been given booster shots for the mRNA vaccination. It is possible to extend these shots later to include other age groups.

Lena Hallengren, Health Minister said that “we are facing an uncertain winter.” You can help by not going to work if your health isn’t good, or getting vaccines if necessary.

Slovakia’s highest-ever daily increase in infection cases was reported by broadcaster TA3 on Wednesday, when the government authorized a lockdown lasting two weeks, citing Richard Sulik (Economy Minister) to stop the fastest rise in the number of infections in the world.

VACCINATION RESERVATIONS

Austria, a neighboring country has taken measures to lock down its citizens for at least 10 more days this week. It is the first nation to do so. The entire population will have to get vaccinated starting February 1, which is a frustrating move in a country that has high levels of skepticism regarding state mandates that affect individual freedoms.

Czech Republic had its highest day-to-day rise in cases of infection, exceeding 25,000. It was putting additional strain on the hospitals. It is now possible to mandate vaccines for older people and certain occupations such as healthcare workers.

The Netherlands has recorded the largest number of coronavirus cases in the country since the beginning of the pandemic. The new government measures will be announced on Friday.

Hungary saw a record 12637 daily COVID-19 case.

The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who opposes any further economic lockdowns, has launched an anti-vaccination campaign, offering free shots to all, without the need for registration.

Hungarians are also concerned about the possibility of compulsory vaccinations.

Russia’s coronavirus deaths have reached record levels. Authorities said that Russian officials were looking into social media sites and other websites in order to uncover false claims regarding the dangers of vaccination. It is just one of a number of steps to boost sluggish vaccine rates.

France announces new COVID-containment measures as the nation’s infection rate rises.

Italy plans to limit indoor venue access for persons who haven’t been vaccinated.

The health minister stated that Poland must tighten its restrictions to ensure it doesn’t see daily cases decreasing anytime soon.

Numerous German regions already have tightened regulations in response to the worst COVID surge since the Angela Merkel years. They also require that indoor events be attended by those who are not vaccinated.

Jens Spahn (the outgoing Health Minister) stated Monday that nearly everyone in Germany by the end the winter would be either “vaccinated”, recovered, or dead.”

Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: open https://tmsnrt.rs/2FThSv7 in an external browser.

Eikon users can click https://apac1.apps.cp.thomsonreuters.com/cms/?navid=1063154666 for a case tracker.