Monday. 29.04.2024

Around 1 billion vaccines against Covid-19 have been administered in the European region, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday.

"This is a great achievement," WHO Europe Regional Director Hans Kluge said.

The WHO said the progress means about a third of the region has been vaccinated.

However, in order to contain the pandemic, vaccine uptake needs to be increased and regional differences must be overcome, Kluge said.

A universal vaccination rate of 70% remains the goal to contain the crisis, he said.

The WHO counts more than 50 countries in its European region, including Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, for example, alongside the EU.

WHO: 1 billion Covid-19 shots given in Europe region