The worst part of the COVID-19 pandemic - deaths, hospitalizations and lockdowns - could be over this year, provided the vast inequities in vaccinations and medicines are addressed in time, stated the head of emergencies at the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Dr. Michael Ryan said we may never be able to end the virus because such pandemic viruses become a part of the ecosystem. However, he added, "we have a chance to end the public health emergency this year if we do the things that weve been talking about."

Less than 10% of the population in lower-income countries has received even a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Ryan said that if vaccines and other tools to fight the pandemic arent shared fairly across the globe, the calamity would continue… (ET Healthworld – AP, January 19, 2022)