It is time for European Union countries to think about mandatory vaccination to combat Covid and the Omicron variant, the head of its Commission has said.

Axar.az reports that the new Omicron variant has now been reported in 24 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

But the WHO said early signs were that most cases were "mild" and not severe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said vaccines would be crucial in the fight against the "highly contagious" new variant.

Ms von der Leyen said that with a third of the EU's population unvaccinated, it was "understandable and appropriate" for its members to discuss forced Covid vaccinations.

"How we can encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union? This needs discussion. This needs a common approach, but it is a discussion that I think has to be led," she told a news conference.