The urgent need for a COVID-19 vaccine underscores the pivotal role immunizations play in protecting lives and economies. Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, marking the European Immunization Week 2020, stressed ‘we must not, especially now, let down our guard on immunizations’. WHO and UNICEF have released a joint statement to mark European Immunization Week 2020. 

WHO has provided over US$ 400 000 dollars of medical supplies and equipment to the Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan region of Iraq to support response efforts in fighting COVID-19.

In the ‘Subject in Focus’ below, WHO presents data on COVID-19 cases by age and sex. This data is based on nearly 750 000 WHO case reporting forms received from 113 countries, territories and areas.

Globally, the number of reported confirmed cases exceeded 2 million. 

Speaking at the COVID-19 media briefing yesterday, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros stressed that our "commitment to public health, science and to serving all the people of the world without fear or favour remains absolute."