COVID-19: Where are we now?

When severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged in December 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rapidly evolved into a global health crisis, prompting the WHO to declare it a pandemic in March 2020.Initially, the response relied on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as masking and physical distancing, which proved unsustainable in the long term.The rapid development and deployment of mRNA vaccines in late 2020 marked a crucial turning point in the fight against the virus.These vaccines, particularly those updated for evolving variants, have significantly mitigated severe outcomes and hospitalisations.As of September 2024, COVID-19 is endemic and continues to circulate, with smaller waves driven by increasingly transmissible variants.Despite reduced virulence compared to earlier strains, the virus still poses a substantial burden due to its high transmissibility and the persistence of long COVID -a condition causing prolonged neurological, neuropsychiatric, and physical symptoms in survivors.Vaccination remains critical for managing both acute and long-term complications, with updated boosters providing enhanced protection against severe illness and reducing the risk of long COVID.Nevertheless, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, perceived low risk of severe disease, and logistical barriers have impacted vaccination uptake.Family physicians play a vital role in addressing these issues by providing clear vaccination directives, building confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy, and improving convenience through co-administration with other vaccines.This paper highlights the ongoing challenges and strategies to manage COVID-19 and emphasises the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination efforts in mitigating the impact of the pandemic.