Appendix 1
WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing for Geneva-based
journalists - 20 December 2021
Good afternoon ....
The last time we hosted you, in July last year, none of us could have imagined that
almost 18 months later, we would still be in the grip of the pandemic.
More than 3.3 million people have lost their lives to COVID-19 this year - more
deaths than from HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined in 2020.
And still, COVID-19 continues to claim around 50 000 lives every week.
That's not to mention.the unreported deaths, and the millions of excess deaths
caused by disruptions to essential health services.
Africa is now facing a steep wave of infections, driven largely by the Omicron
variant. Just a month ago, Africa was reporting its lowest number of cases in 18
months. Last week, it reported the fourth-highest number of cases in a single week
so far.
There is now consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading significantly faster than
the Delta variant. And it is more likely that people who have been vaccinated or have
recovered from COVID-19 could be infected or reinfected. There can be no doubt
that increased social mixing over the holiday period in many countries will lead to
increased cases, overwhelmed health systems and more deaths.
All of us are sick of this pandemic. All of us want to spend time with friends and
family. All of us want to get back to normal. The fastest way to do that is for all of us
- leaders and individuals - to make the difficult decisions that must be made to
protect ourselves and others. We must fight this pandemic together. In some cases,
that will mean cancelling or delaying events - just as we have had to cancel the
reception we planned to have with you today. But an event cancelled is better than
a life cancelled. It's better to cancel now and celebrate later, than to celebrate now
and grieve later.
None of us want to be here again in 12 months' time, talking about missed
opportunities, continued inequity, or new variants. If we are to end the pandemic in
the coming year, we must end inequity, by ensuring 70% of the population of every
country is vaccinated by the middle of next year. Last week, WHO issued Emergency
Use Listing for a ninth vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India under
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