"What we want to try to avoid - and sometimes it's unavoidable and we accept that - but what we want to try and avoid is these massive lockdowns that are so punishing," said Ryan.
"We will need vaccines and there is hope that by the end of this year we may have a vaccine. There is hope."
Some 72% of countries reported disruptions in mental health services for vulnerable children and adolescents and some 61% for women requiring antenatal or postnatal services.
"This will enable the expansion of testing, particularly in hard-to-reach areas that do not have laboratory facilities or enough trained health workers to carry out tests."
In the fight against COVID-19, universal healthcare has been found to be key to a strong response.
At issue had been a decision by the Palestinian Authority to halt is participation in the process, as a protest move against pending Israeli annexation plans.
"No vaccine is going to be mass-deployed until regulators are confident, governments are confident, and the WHO is confident it has met the minimum standard of safety and efficacy."
"The virus is spreading across a wide and rugged terrain which requires costly interventions."
The WHO has an Aug. 31 deadline for wealthier nations to join the "COVAX Global Vaccines Facility." Tedros said he sent a letter to the WHO's 194 member states, urging participation.
An analysis by the WHO of 6 million infections between Feb. 24 and July 12 found that the share of people aged 15-24 years rose to 15% from 4.5%.
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