The spread of the Omicron variant is pushing COVID-19 towards becoming an endemic disease that people can live with; however, it continues to remain a pandemic at present, said EU′s drug regulator.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is doubtful about giving a fourth vaccine dose to the general population and said that repeated boosters did not seem to be a sustainable approach.

Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccine strategy at the agency, said that with increase in immunity in the population and Omicron surge, a lot of natural immunity will be there, besides vaccination. Therefore, we will be fast approaching a situation that will be closer to endemicity… (NDTV – AFP, January 12, 2022)