WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, in closing remarks at the Sixty-fourth World Health Assembly, discussed historic agreements reached by Member States. Full text here: http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2011/wha_20110524/en/index.html

The following excerpts are relevant to vaccines, immunization an related themes:

“…Mr. Bill Gates reminded us that we in public health have one of the hardest jobs in the world, but also one of the most rewarding jobs. He also reminded us that work done by these Health Assemblies is having a tremendous impact on the health of this world.

Having seen his teenage dream of putting a computer in every home well under way, he is now committed to devoting his time, talent, and wealth to getting vaccines in every child.

Through the Decade of Vaccines, launched with a $10 billion pledge, he is using his wealth to spur innovation and to work with industry to get the prices of existing vaccines down.

His devotion to polio eradication is unwavering, and public health in many other areas has benefitted greatly from the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He reminded us of the absolutely critical importance of leadership and accountability in getting things done…”

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“…Committee A experienced true euphoria when the item on pandemic influenza preparedness was discussed, based on the framework agreed in April.

I can summarize the significance of this agreed framework by quoting the words used by delegates during their interventions: a milestone, an historical agreement, a landmark, a momentous and remarkable achievement, and a proof of the democratic decision-making dynamics we see at WHO. Many delegates commended the strong collaboration of the pharmaceutical industry and the very useful perspectives provided by civil society organizations.

I will add my own comment. This agreed framework is a triumph for health diplomacy, under the superb leadership of chairs and co-chairs, as well as a triumph for public health. It is a tribute to the principles of equity, fairness, and solidarity that underpin everything we try to do at WHO.

The resolution on this matter was adopted, as amended, by consensus. As you know, this was the culmination of four years of very hard work which at times faced issues that appeared hopelessly deadlocked.

This was a high point for all of us, and especially, for the health security of the world. It vastly improves the world’s capacity to prepare for the next influenza pandemic through better surveillance and risk assessment, and to distribute the benefits of vaccines, antiviral medicines, and diagnostic tests more equitably.

With consensus now reached, delegates asked me to maintain close oversight of the framework’s implementation, working hand-in-hand with the Advisory Group, and to give particular attention to building the requisite capacities, skills, and know-how, including through technology transfer….”

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“…The item on the Global immunization and vision strategy deserves special mention as an exciting contribution to the achievement of the MDG set for reducing child mortality. Well over 50 delegates and representatives of civil society organizations took the floor.

As we enter this Decade of Vaccines, we heard high praise for support from WHO and UNICEF, but especially for the GAVI Alliance. With GAVI support, vaccines that prevent pneumonia and diarrhoea, the two biggest childhood killers, are now being rolled out in a number of countries.

We heard first-hand accounts of what the new meningitis vaccine means for Africa and its people. Many countries have also added yellow fever and hepatitis B vaccines to routine immunization programmes.

I hardly need to remind you of what these efforts contribute to the attainment of MDG 4. But as I have said, and you agree, achievement of this goal also depends on some very basic and cost-effective measures best delivered through primary health care.

You gave us an extremely clear message. The achievement of ambitious, yet fully agreed goals, such as expanded immunization coverage, the introduction of new vaccines, polio eradication, and measles elimination is directly tied to funds.

We heard compelling pleas to fully replenish GAVI funds so that this spectacular recent progress, supported by strong country ownership, does not lose its momentum.

As I have heard on many occasions, a vaccine that is too expensive for the developing world is worse than no vaccine at all.

Many asked the international community to seek ways to reduce the costs of vaccines, especially the newer ones. Let me assure you. WHO, UNICEF, several other partners and, of course, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are working on this right now.

You will see the results you so greatly need to maintain the current momentum. And I know you want this to happen. You strongly endorsed WHO plans for the development of a global vaccine action plan.

You referred to the need for technology transfer and skills training to enable local manufacturing of vaccines, especially in Africa. Some of you described WHO’s key role in achieving exactly this objective for the local manufacturing of pandemic influenza vaccines.

This is a decade with a vision, and vision always feeds that perennial optimism of public health that keeps us going despite the many obstacles and setbacks thrown our way by policies and events beyond our control.

This decade will help realize the full power of immunization to prevent morbidity and mortality, and the young lives saved from death or life-long disability will be numbered in the millions.

Several delegates mentioned the need for communication strategies that address public fears about the safety of vaccines, especially as these fears are responsible for several recent outbreaks that really should not have happened.

WHO was not proactive on social media during the influenza pandemic, and I believe that this allowed some unfounded criticisms to flourish and contributed to the decision of some groups, including members of the medical profession, to refuse vaccination as unsafe and unnecessary.

But we did use Twitter extensively during this Assembly, and our tweets about events over the past several days, on topics ranging from the reform agenda for WHO to pandemic influenza preparedness, reached more than three million people…”

http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2011/wha_20110524/en/index.html