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The researcher Sarah Gilbert
Photo: John Cairns, University Of Oxford / dpa
The corona pandemic has been forcing the global community into an exceptional situation for almost two years.
But according to vaccine researcher and AstraZeneca developer Sarah Gilbert, the world is threatened with even greater disaster.
Accordingly, far more deadly pandemics could occur in the future, Gilbert told the British broadcaster BBC.
"It won't be the last time a virus threatens our lives and livelihoods," Gilbert said of the pandemic.
“The truth is, the next one could get worse.
It could be more contagious, or more deadly - or both. "
Gilbert is Professor of Vaccines at the University of Oxford, specializing in vaccine development against influenza viruses and emerging viral pathogens.
She is one of the co-developers of AstraZeneca's British-Swedish vaccines.
More than 5.2 million corona deaths
In Gilbert's view, mankind must be better prepared for future pandemic events: "The progress that we have made [during Corona] and the knowledge that we have gained must not be lost." better pandemic prevention funding is needed now.
Gilbert also commented on the new Omikron variant.
Current vaccines may be less effective against the mutant, so the population must remain cautious and careful.
The first corona cases in the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan became known on December 31, 2019.
In the weeks that followed, people all over the world became infected.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 5.2 million people have died from or with the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus to date.
The British The Economist estimates that actual mortality is more than three times the official figure.
The pandemic has wreaked enormous economic damage and has left deep cuts in the daily lives of people around the world.
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