The international health agency issued a warning because only 17% of Europeans were fully vaccinated when the Delta variant spread.

The World Health Organization has urged Europeans to travel responsibly during the holidays because it warns that the European continent is “never dangerous” in the fight against COVID-19.

Hans Kruger, WHO’s head of Europe, said at a press conference on Thursday: “With the increase in social gatherings, the increase in population mobility, and major festivals and sports events in the coming days and weeks, The WHO European region calls for caution.”

“If you choose to travel, travel responsibly. Be aware of the risks. Use common sense and don’t jeopardize hard-earned results.”

Although the infection rate has been steadily declining recently, the call is still being made.

In the past two months, the number of new COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations has decreased, prompting 36 of the 53 countries in the region to begin to relax restrictions.

Kruger said the number of COVID-19 infections reported last week was 368,000, accounting for one-fifth of the weekly cases reported during the peak period in April this year.

He added: “We should all recognize the progress made by most countries in the region, and we must also recognize that we are not out of danger.”

Kluge said the so-called Delta variant originally discovered in India is a worrying issue.

He said this variant “shows increased transmission, some immune escapes are ready to take root in the area, and many of the vulnerable people over 60 are still unprotected.”

Kruger said that countries should learn from the resurgence of cases in Europe last summer, even if the region is being vaccinated.

“Let’s not make that mistake again,” he said, adding that only 30% of people in the area received the first dose of vaccine, which is not enough to prevent another wave of vaccinations.

17% of people received both doses.

Herd immunity is usually achieved through vaccination, and most scientists estimate that at least 70% of the population must have antibodies to prevent outbreaks.

However, some experts have suggested that even if half of the population is immune, it may have a protective effect.

“There is still a long way to go before reaching at least 80% coverage of the adult population,” Kruger said.