WHO sees 'long transition' to pandemic end

The WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19 Maria Van Kerkhove told a virtual press conference the world had the tools to defeat the virus if used correctly.

She said giving vaccines to people who need them the most in all countries must be a priority instead of booster programmes. 

Dr Kerkhove added governments must also drive down transmissions or we would continue to see the virus mutate, which would bring us closer to the beginning than the end.

"I do believe we’re still in the middle of this pandemic, unfortunately. But I completely believe we have the power to end it in 2022," Yahoo cited her as saying.

"Omicron is likely not going to be the last variant of concern because the virus continues to circulate," van Kerkhove said. "[We have a] long transition into how this pandemic ends."