The European Union has achieved its main target against COVID-19: it has already distributed doses to fully immunize 70% of its adult population

The European Union (EU) has achieved its goal of distributing enough coronavirus vaccines among its member countries to cover 70% of the adult population, said the President of the European Commission this Saturday, Ursula von der Leyen.

Until “this weekend, we have delivered enough vaccine to Member States to fully immunize at least 70% of the adult population“said Von der Leyen, noting that it is now the responsibility of the 27 governments to administer them.” For tomorrow (Sunday), some 500 million doses will have been distributed in all regions of Europe“He added.

Through the Community Vaccine Purchase Mechanism, managed by the European Commission, the European Union distributed 330 million doses of BioNTech-Pfizer, 100 million AstraZeneca, 50 million Moderna and 20 million Janssen.

Considering that all except Janssen require two injections, this dose volume should allow for a complete vaccination. 70% of the 336 million people who make up the adult population of the European Union.

“COVID-19 has yet to be defeated. But we are ready to continue providing vaccines, also against the new variants. From now on, Member States must ensure that vaccination progresses. Only then will we all be safe, ”said Von der Leyen.

The President of the European Commission this week expressed his concern about the skepticism of certain social groups towards vaccines. “If we look at the statistics, more and more doses are being left unused. This is linked to the fact that there is a greater distribution of vaccines, but in part also to doubts about vaccination, ”he said.

The health certificate is already in force in Europe

The health certificate adopted by EU countries formally entered into force on July 1 in hopes of boosting travel and reviving tourism, despite threats of a “brake” on the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

The document – a QR code can be worn on a phone or printed – certifies that the carrier has been fully immunized with one of the vaccines approved in the EU, tested negative in a recent test, or already has immunity to having overcome the infection.

The intention is that the certificate allow travel through the 27 EU countries and four countries that have joined the initiative (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein).

All EU countries are already interconnected to the system, with the exception of Ireland, which suffered a cyberattack on its healthcare network but hopes to join the project on July 19.

The the countries of the bloc will be obliged to accept on their soil travelers who are already completely immune with EU-approved vaccines: Pfizer / BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca (two doses) and Johnson & Johnson (one dose).

Member States They may also – although they do not have to – admit people who are immunized with vaccines authorized in certain EU countries. (like russian Sputnik V, used in Hungary), or with vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (like china Sinopharm).

Although certificate holders are not supposed to undergo a quarantine or additional examination, it is still possible for a Member State to introduce restrictions if the situation in the traveller’s country or region of origin deteriorates.

(With information from AFP)

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