The WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the May 17 briefing included expressing concern over the risk COVID-19 presents for severe disease and death in North Korea and Eritrea as neither country has started public vaccination programs. Read more. On a global level, case numbers have increased in the American, Western Pacific and African regions, fuelled by Omicron sub-variants. Last week, the ECDC categorised BA.4 and BA.5 as Variants of Concern, with the agency noting that indications are that ‘that the presence of these variants could cause a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the EU/EEA in the coming weeks and months’. In South Africa, tracking of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants to May 13 showed they comprised ‘96% of May sequences, but more data is needed to determine prevalence’.
In related news:
- On global vaccination rates, Our World in Data reports that almost two-thirds of the world’s population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, however that figure for low-income countries is only 15.9 percent. Read more
- A May 13 ABC News article on Australia’s high rates of infection: ‘COVID-19 infections in Australia hit worldwide highs — and experts predict another Omicron variant spike is coming’.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.