The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that COVID-19 will now be considered an established and ongoing health issue that “no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).”
This follows the fifteenth meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus pandemic, according to the health body.
The Committee members argue there has been a “decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths, the decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, and the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2.”
The Committee has advised that “it is time to transition to long-term management of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, concurred with the advice of the Committee and will convene an IHR Review Committee to advise on Standing Recommendations for the long-term management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
The Review Committee will take into account the ‘2023-2025 COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.’
Regarding global vaccination efforts, the Committee was informed that “13.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered” and “89% of health workers and 82% of adults over 60 years have completed the primary series.”
However, coverage in these priority groups varies in different regions.
The Committee members discussed the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged that “SARS-CoV-2 has been and will continue circulating widely and evolving, but it is no longer an unusual or unexpected event.”
They also recognized that the Director-General may decide to convene an IHR Emergency Committee on COVID-19 in the future if the situation requires.
The group emphasized the need to “strengthen health systems, continue active risk communications and community engagement, implement a One Health approach to preparedness and response, and integrate COVID-19 surveillance and response activities into routine health programmes.”
