WHO: COVID-19 continues to constitute a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern"

On the 19th local time, WHO issued a statement on the 10th meeting of the new crown pneumonia emergency committee, which pointed out that the new crown pneumonia epidemic continues to constitute a "public health emergency of international concern". WHO held its 10th COVID-19 Emergency Committee meeting on 13 January to discuss the global outbreak situation, the challenges posed by the Omiljun strain, and the burden on public health systems. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to vulnerable groups in a timely manner, hoping that global efforts will be made to end the "acute phase" of the new crown pneumonia pandemic.

The COVID-19 Emergency Committee recommends that countries respond to WHO's call to vaccinate at least 70% of the population against COVID-19 by July this year and integrate COVID-19 vaccination into routine health services. At the same time, surveillance of the new crown virus and potential animal hosts is strengthened to quickly detect, track and evaluate the new crown virus variants. WHO also stresses that countries should endorse COVID-19 vaccines on WHO's Emergency Use List.

In accordance with the International Health Regulations, WHO convened its first COVID-19 Emergency Committee meeting from 22 to 23 January 2020. Following a second meeting on 30 January of that year, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared COVID-19 to constitute a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern", after which WHO convenes the COVID-19 Emergency Committee every three months. (Reporter Zhu He)