Emilio Parodi and Josephine Mason

LONDON/MILAN, (Reuters) – Europe is once again the epicenter of pandemics. This has prompted some countries to reconsider imposing inconvenient lockdowns during the Christmas period. It also sparked debate about whether vaccinations are sufficient to control COVID-19.

According to a Reuters tally of global 7-day infection rates, Europe is responsible for over half the latest deaths and more than half the worldwide average infections, which are the highest numbers since April 2013, when the virus was first introduced into Italy.

New turmoil is coming as the success of inoculation campaigns has plateaued before flu season and winter months.

According to EU data about 65% have been given two doses of medication in the European Economic Area (EEA), which comprises the European Union and Iceland as well as Liechtenstein and Norway. But, this pace has slowed over the past months.

The average take-up rate in the southern European region is around 80%. However, there has been a lot of hesitancy that has hindered rollout in Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, which could cause outbreaks that can overwhelm healthcare.

Germany, France, the Netherlands and other countries are experiencing an epidemic of infections. It is challenging for even governments that have high accept rates and strong hopes that vaccinations will bring back the normal.

Although hospitalisations have declined significantly in recent years, it is difficult to make generalizations about the entire region. There are large variations between countries regarding vaccinations and boosters.

Don’t look at the ball with your eyes.

Reuters was told by virologists that the problem could be due to low vaccination rates in certain areas, waning immunity in those who were inoculated earlier, and complacency over masks and distancing, as well as relaxation of curbs in summer.

Lawrence Young from the UK’s Warwick Medical School said, “If you’re going to get anything out of this it’s that your eyes should not be off the ball.”

In the World Health Organization’s most recent report from the week ending Nov. 7, Europe was the only area to see an increase in the number of cases. This is up to 7%. However, other regions reported declining or stable trends.

It also reported an increase of 10% in deaths while others reported decreases.

This bleak outlook has sent chills through governments and companies, who are concerned that the long-term pandemic could derail an economic recovery.

Germany has reported that some German cities have cancelled their Christmas markets once more. However, the Netherlands may close cinemas and theatres, cancel large events or shut down cafés and restaurants.

The majority of EU countries provide extra shot to elderly people and patients with compromised immune systems. But scientists say it is important to expand the program to other parts of the country and to get shots into the arms and hands for teenagers to keep away from lockdown.

“The real urgency is to widen the pool of vaccinated people as much as possible,” said Carlo Federico Perno, head of microbiology and immunology diagnostics at Rome’s Bambino Gesù Hospital.

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Data support the actions.

German data for the week ending Oct. 31 reveal that although the highest cases are in relatively young individuals, the majority of hospitalisations occur among those older than 60.

Hospitalization rates for over-60s who have not been vaccinated are significantly higher than that of those who were vaccinated.

In the Netherlands, 56% of patients with COVID-19 were unvaccinated and 70% received intensive care.

Michael Head, senior researcher in global health at Southampton University said that “this (outbreak), will likely make the EU consider booster doses and state that they do require them immediately.”

The central and eastern European countries have been forced to make drastic steps to increase their shots.

Latvia was the worst-hit country in the EU and imposed an emergency lockdown for four weeks in October.

Russia, Slovakia and Czech Republic have all increased restrictions. On Friday, the Czech Cabinet will decide if new measures are necessary.

The Dutch experts in western Europe have recommended that a partial lockdown be imposed, the first Western European one since last summer.

Germany’s draft law allows for social distancing and compulsory face masks to be continued to be in force until March 2019.

The record breaking 50,196 case numbers were reported on Thursday. This is the fourth highest daily total in consecutive days.

Some people are just not giving up. Britain relies on booster shots to boost immunity. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under increasing pressure to implement “Plan B”, which includes mask mandates and vaccine passes, as well as work-from home orders.

According to virologists, vaccines do not provide a panacea for the pandemic.

Many people pointed out Israel’s example of good practice. Israel has inoculated, reinforced mask wear and created vaccine passports following cases that had spiked in the past few months.

Professor Antonella Viola of immunology at the University of Padua in Italy, Antonella Viola said that indoor venues need to be protected with vaccine mandates, spacing and masks. “If either of these are missing, then we will see similar situations as what we’re seeing in many European nations these days.”