Published by the scientific journal Nature, these “priority recommendations to end covid-19 as a public health threat” were defined by a multidisciplinary scientific panel, covering the areas of health systems, prevention, communication, pandemic inequalities, treatment and vaccination.

In the health systems chapter, experts believe that governments should “remove economic barriers” in accessing Covid-19 screening tests, personal protective equipment and treatments.

“To reduce the burden on hospitals, primary care must be strengthened to include testing, contact tracing, monitoring for mild symptoms and vaccination,” Nature advances.

In addition, public health policies “should better take into account the potential long-term impact of the uncontrolled spread of covid-19”, taking into account the uncertainties that still persist about the prevalence, severity and duration of the 'long covid' in people who have recovered from the initial coronavirus infection.

“Because the global market does not satisfy the demand for vaccines and treatments, countries and regions must consider legislative and regulatory reforms to address these gaps”, which may involve nationalizing production capacity and negotiating international and regional supply agreements.

Prevention is key

As for prevention, Nature adds that, in order to end the public health threat posed by covid-19, the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in workplaces, schools and commerce centers “must remain a high priority”, reflected in the guidelines of the health authorities and supported by concrete measures.

Recommendations in the area of ​​communication indicate that community leaders, scientific experts and public health authorities should collaborate in the development of messages to “build and improve individual trust”, using appropriate means of access to information on the part of different groups of people. people.

“Public health officials and professionals must proactively combat false information through clear, direct messages that are cleansed of unnecessary scientific jargon.”

As for the inequities of the pandemic, the panel of experts recommends that high-income countries reorient vaccines against covid-19 to supply countries with low vaccination rates and inadequate access to doses.

“In addition to current vaccine equity efforts, governments and international health organizations should better coordinate to make Covid-19 testing and treatment accessible to all people in all countries,” the recommendations advance.