“But it’s still an unacceptably high level – almost 50,000 deaths a week, and the real number is certainly higher,” WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus stated. “Deaths are declining in every region except Europe, where several countries are facing fresh waves of cases and deaths.”

Tedros underlined that the deaths were highest in the countries and populations with the least access to vaccines.

“As you know, 56 countries who were effectively excluded from the global vaccine marketplace were not able to reach the target of vaccinating 10% of their populations by the end of September – and most of them in Africa,” Tedros continued.

He noted that more countries were at risk of missing the 40% target by the end of this year.

“Three countries have not started vaccinating yet: Burundi, Eritrea, and DPR Korea,” he added.