European health officials have warned that Omicron strains BA. 4 and BA. 5 can escape vaccines and immunity.

Amid fear of a ''summer wave,'' the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has become the first public authority to label both the strains as ''variants of concern.''

According to the ECDC, BA. 4 and BA. 5 can trigger an uptick in cases across Europe as they have become dominant in South Africa, where they were discovered in February.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/omicron-spreading-faster-than-any-other-variant-who-437132/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“The presence of these variants could cause a significant overall increase in Covid-19 cases in the EU/EEA in the coming weeks and months,” it said in a statement.

ECDC is worried as 37 per cent of the coronavirus cases in Portugal till May 8 were infected with the BA.5 strain.

Its daily growth rate of 13 per cent is similar to that reported in South Africa as per the Portuguese National Institute of Health.

The institute believes that if this growth rate continues BA.5 will become the dominant variant in Portugal by 22 May 2022.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-registers-more-than10000-covid-10-cases-for-first-time-since-january-478694">Also read |&nbsp;South Africa registers more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases for first time since January</a>

BA. 4 and BA. 5 can evade immune protection if it has waned over time as most vaccines are effective for only a year from the date of inoculation.

ECDC has asked all countries of the bloc to remain vigilant for signals of BA.4 and BA.5 emergence as its spread can increase pressure on both hospital and intensive care capacity.

“If such signals emerge, a second booster may be considered for some or all adults 60 years and older and for other vulnerable groups,” it said in its report. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

European health officials have warned that Omicron strains BA. 4 and BA. 5 can escape vaccines and immunity. Amid fear of a ''summer wave,'' the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has become the first public authority to label both the strains as ''variants of concern.

European health officials have warned that Omicron strains BA. 4 and BA. 5 can escape vaccines and immunity. Amid fear of a ''summer wave,'' the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has become the first public authority to label both the strains as ''variants of concern.'' According to the ECDC, BA. 4 and BA. 5 can trigger an uptick in cases across Europe as they have become dominant in South Africa, where they were discovered in February. “The presence of these variants could cause a significant overall increase in Covid-19 cases in the EU/EEA in the coming weeks and months,” it said in a statement. ECDC is worried as 37 per cent of the coronavirus cases in Portugal till May 8 were infected with the BA.5 strain. Its daily growth rate of 13 per cent is similar to that reported in South Africa as per the Portuguese National Institute of Health. The institute believes that if this growth rate continues BA.5 will become the dominant variant in Portugal by 22 May 2022. Also read | South Africa registers more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases for first time since January BA. 4 and BA. 5 can evade immune protection if it has waned over time as most vaccines are effective for only a year from the date of inoculation. ECDC has asked all countries of the bloc to remain vigilant for signals of BA.4 and BA.5 emergence as its spread can increase pressure on both hospital and intensive care capacity. “If such signals emerge, a second booster may be considered for some or all adults 60 years and older and for other vulnerable groups,” it said in its report. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

European health officials warn Omicron strains BA.4 and BA.5 can escape vaccines and immunity

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-unveils-digital-certificate-as-europe-seeks-to-welcome-tourists-388077">Greek</a> authorities sent police to holiday islands amid a surge in coronavirus cases as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) marked the country's Aegean island "dark red".

The government sent police to Mykonos and Ios in order to ensure locals comply with coronavirus protocols. A police force was also reportedly sent to Cycladesc isle&nbsp;as the European disease prevention agency declared that only essential travel was advisable in Aegean islands.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-to-offer-third-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine-to-elderly-401679/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Greek minister Nikos Hardalias added that popular tourist destinations - Mykonos and Ios were just "one step" away from restrictions with worrying situation developing in other islands including Rhodes, Santorini, Zakynthos and Tinos.

The popular tourist island of Mykonos was earlier placed on red alert despite it being considered a vaccination model. The authorities had imposed night curfew and among other restrictions and lifted it later.

Authorities decided to vaccinate 12 and 15-year-olds this week with the Delta variant raging in the country.

The country's parliament had earlier passed a bill to ensure mandatory vaccinations of health workers, including those working in retirement homes as the country ramps up its inoculation drive.

ECDC had predicted a sharp rise in coronavirus cases by August 1 with nearly five times as many new infections in Europe due to the highly transmissible Delta variant.

"The current continuing deterioration of the epidemiological situation in many countries is expected to continue given the rapid increase in the Delta variant," the ECDC report said marking Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain among others which could witness increased deaths.

The health body said 90 per cent of new COVID-19 cases by the end of August could be due to the Delta variant.

"In the most affected countries, the steepest increases and highest notification rates were reported among 15 to 24-year-olds, with limited increases in persons aged over 65 years," the European health agency asserted.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Greek authorities sent police to holiday islands amid a surge in coronavirus cases as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) marked the country's Aegean island "dark red".

Greek authorities sent police to holiday islands amid a surge in coronavirus cases as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) marked the country's Aegean island "dark red". The government sent police to Mykonos and Ios in order to ensure locals comply with coronavirus protocols. A police force was also reportedly sent to Cycladesc isle as the European disease prevention agency declared that only essential travel was advisable in Aegean islands. Watch: Greek minister Nikos Hardalias added that popular tourist destinations - Mykonos and Ios were just "one step" away from restrictions with worrying situation developing in other islands including Rhodes, Santorini, Zakynthos and Tinos. The popular tourist island of Mykonos was earlier placed on red alert despite it being considered a vaccination model. The authorities had imposed night curfew and among other restrictions and lifted it later. Authorities decided to vaccinate 12 and 15-year-olds this week with the Delta variant raging in the country. The country's parliament had earlier passed a bill to ensure mandatory vaccinations of health workers, including those working in retirement homes as the country ramps up its inoculation drive. ECDC had predicted a sharp rise in coronavirus cases by August 1 with nearly five times as many new infections in Europe due to the highly transmissible Delta variant. "The current continuing deterioration of the epidemiological situation in many countries is expected to continue given the rapid increase in the Delta variant," the ECDC report said marking Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain among others which could witness increased deaths. The health body said 90 per cent of new COVID-19 cases by the end of August could be due to the Delta variant. "In the most affected countries, the steepest increases and highest notification rates were reported among 15 to 24-year-olds, with limited increases in persons aged over 65 years," the European health agency asserted. (With inputs from Agencies)

Greece sends police to popular tourist hotspots as COVID-19 erupts

The European Union&nbsp;will have enough Covid-19 vaccine doses to cover 70 per cent of its adult population by mid-July due to higher production within the bloc, a senior official said Tuesday.

"Fifty-three factories are producing vaccines in the EU. Our continent is now the largest producer in the world after the United States," internal markets commissioner Thierry Breton told French daily Le Figaro in an interview.

"I am now certain of how many doses are currently in production and I know how many millions will be delivered each week," he said.

"This allows me to assure you that we well have by mid-July the number of doses necessary for vaccinating 70 per cent of the European Union's adult population," he said, citing the threshold many health experts say is necessary to achieve "herd immunity."

European Union governments have faced fierce criticism over the bloc's joint vaccine procurement efforts, which saw a slow start to its inoculation drive even as programmes raced ahead in Britain and the US.

Already half of American adults have had at least one dose, and as of Monday anyone over 18 can sign up for a shot.

In the EU, by contrast, just over 20 percent of adults have received at least one jab, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Breton insisted that Europe would catch up in the coming months,&nbsp;with production capacity "that will reach 200 million doses a month by this summer."

But he poured cold water on the idea of using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine anytime soon, after Germany opened discussions with Moscow this month without waiting for coordinated EU action.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is evaluating Sputnik's safety and efficiency, but "it still lacks some essential data," Breton said.

And even if approved, "we'll have to find production capacity, because the Russians do not have large production sites and are looking for industrial partners in Europe which are already fully mobilised."

"For all these reasons, I don't think significant quantities of Sputnik will be available for Europe before the end of 2021," he said.

(With input from agencies)

The European Union will have enough Covid-19 vaccine doses to cover 70 per cent of its adult population by mid-July due to higher production within the bloc, a senior official said Tuesday.

The European Union will have enough Covid-19 vaccine doses to cover 70 per cent of its adult population by mid-July due to higher production within the bloc, a senior official said Tuesday. "Fifty-three factories are producing vaccines in the EU. Our continent is now the largest producer in the world after the United States," internal markets commissioner Thierry Breton told French daily Le Figaro in an interview. "I am now certain of how many doses are currently in production and I know how many millions will be delivered each week," he said. "This allows me to assure you that we well have by mid-July the number of doses necessary for vaccinating 70 per cent of the European Union's adult population," he said, citing the threshold many health experts say is necessary to achieve "herd immunity." European Union governments have faced fierce criticism over the bloc's joint vaccine procurement efforts, which saw a slow start to its inoculation drive even as programmes raced ahead in Britain and the US. Already half of American adults have had at least one dose, and as of Monday anyone over 18 can sign up for a shot. In the EU, by contrast, just over 20 percent of adults have received at least one jab, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Breton insisted that Europe would catch up in the coming months, with production capacity "that will reach 200 million doses a month by this summer." But he poured cold water on the idea of using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine anytime soon, after Germany opened discussions with Moscow this month without waiting for coordinated EU action. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is evaluating Sputnik's safety and efficiency, but "it still lacks some essential data," Breton said. And even if approved, "we'll have to find production capacity, because the Russians do not have large production sites and are looking for industrial partners in Europe which are already fully mobilised." "For all these reasons, I don't think significant quantities of Sputnik will be available for Europe before the end of 2021," he said. (With input from agencies)

EU to have COVID-19 vaccine doses for 70% of adults by mid-July