EC calls for vaccination amid rising number of Covid-19 cases

Covid-19 and its variants are still with us and increasingly circulating in our communities," said EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, stressing the need for vaccination in view of the coexistence of three viruses.

Recent data shows that some EU countries are seeing a resurgence of cases, and Kyriakides noted that an additional challenge is the co-circulation of other respiratory diseases.

In Croatia, local media reported that 68 Covid-related deaths were recorded in the period 12 to 18 December.

In Greece, there are projections of 80 deaths per week if current trends continue, while in Italy, cases of influenza and Covid-19 have reached a record high in the last two weeks of 2023.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the resurgence of SARS-CoV-2, as well as seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, is not unexpected, nor is the co-circulation of the three viruses.

"Vaccination remains a key defense mechanism against Covid-19, especially for the most vulnerable in our communities. I had stressed this in a letter sent to all Ministers of Health in September on the need for vaccination for Covid-19 and seasonal influenza," Kyriakidis noted.

"We need adequate testing, sequencing, reporting and sharing of Covid-19 data. This is the only way we can continue to effectively track the spread of circulating viruses and their variants and protect each other," she added.

Some capitals are already mulling over introducing new restrictive measures, such as mandatory masks in specific places.

Spain's health ministry has clashed with autonomous regions over the compulsory use of masks in health centres. Late last night, the Ministry of Health imposed masks in health centres across the country.

According to some estimates, the introduction of restrictive measures ahead of the European Parliament elections could be risky as it could be politically exploited by the far right.