Speaking at the final World Health Organization media briefing for 2021 W.H.O Chief Dr. Ghebreyesus says the organization is challenging countries to reach 70 percent vaccination by July 2022.

Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus says the W.H.O wants 70% vaccine coverage by July 2022 in every country. He says with the huge waves of cases currently seen in Europe and many countries around the world, misinformation which has driven vaccine hesitancy is now leading to the deaths of unvaccinated persons.

Dr. Ghebreyesus says delta and omicron are twin threats that are driving up cases to record numbers. Meanwhile, he says he remains optimistic that this can be the year the world ends the acute stage of the covid-19 pandemic while gaining stronger health security.