Europe Surpasses 1.5 Million COVID-19 Deaths... State of Emergency Declared and Booster Shots Expanded

100,000 Deaths in Germany... Deaths Double Every 11 Days in France
EU Proposes 9-Month Validity for Vaccine Certificates... Booster Shot Mandate Under Review

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] As the cumulative death toll surpasses 1.5 million, Europe, identified as the new epicenter of COVID-19, is rapidly implementing booster shot vaccination plans, declaring states of emergency, and expanding vaccination measures for minors.

On the 25th (local time), AFP reported that the total number of COVID-19 deaths announced by various European countries exceeded 1.5 million.

Germany's cumulative COVID-19 death toll surpassed 100,000 on the same day, with daily new cases reaching 75,961, exceeding 70,000 for the first time.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK has recorded over 10 million cumulative confirmed cases. The new cases reported on this day were 47,240.

As the spread intensifies, countries are accelerating vaccination for minors and expanding booster shots (additional doses).

In France, where the number of new infections has recently doubled every 11 days, the government decided to expand booster shots, which were previously administered only to those aged 65 and older, to those aged 18 and above. Additionally, they announced they would consider whether to start vaccinating children aged 5 to 11.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the EU's pharmaceutical regulatory authority, recommended Pfizer vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 on the same day. The EU Commission is scheduled to make the final approval decision on the 26th.

Moreover, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommended booster shots for all adults the day before.

Foreign media reported that Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic are preparing vaccination plans for children aged 5 to 11.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In particular, analyses have emerged that expanding vaccination is an essential measure to resolve the current COVID-19 situation in Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that vaccination has saved the lives of 500,000 Europeans.

Additionally, various countries are reintroducing quarantine measures, including declaring states of emergency.

In Germany, where the cumulative death toll recently exceeded 100,000, the daily new cases reached a record high of 75,961 on the same day.

The German government announced it will review whether to introduce additional quarantine measures over the next 10 days.

Slovakia began a two-week lockdown from this day, prohibiting travel to other regions except for commuting to work, school attendance, and medical treatment.

The Czech Republic declared a state of emergency for 30 days, shortening operating hours of all entertainment facilities and canceling the representative Christmas event, the 'Christmas Market.'

French authorities announced plans to expand mandatory mask-wearing measures.

In the Netherlands, where the number of confirmed cases is surging and all hospitals are expected to reach capacity within about a week, quarantine measures have been significantly strengthened. Health authorities recommended to the government that all restaurants, bars, and non-essential stores be allowed to operate only until 5 p.m.

The EU authorities are also busy. The EU Commission proposed that the validity period of COVID-19 vaccination certificates used within the region be set to nine months after completing vaccination.

Furthermore, starting next summer, it proposed that all citizens of member states must receive booster shots to travel to other countries within the region without quarantine.