WHO: 1 billion Covid-19 shots given in Europe region

Around 1 billion vaccines against Covid-19 have been administered in the European region, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday.

"This is a great achievement," WHO Europe Regional Director Hans Kluge said.

The WHO said the progress means about a third of the region has been vaccinated.

However, in order to contain the pandemic, vaccine uptake needs to be increased and regional differences must be overcome, Kluge said.

A universal vaccination rate of 70% remains the goal to contain the crisis, he said.

The WHO counts more than 50 countries in its European region, including Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, for example, alongside the EU.