122nd Session Agenda item 4.11
EB122.R7 25 January 2008
Global immunization strategy The Executive Board, Having considered the report on the global immunization strategy,1 RECOMMENDS to the Sixty-first World Health Assembly the adoption of the following resolution:2 The Sixty-first World Health Assembly, Having considered the report on the global immunization strategy; Applauding the remarkable investments in human and financial resources made by Member States and partner agencies in support of vaccines and immunization as well as the launch of innovative financing mechanisms such as the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, and the advance market commitment for a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine through the GAVI Alliance; Recalling resolution WHA56.20 on reducing global measles mortality, and commending Member States’ and their partners’ success in exceeding the goal of reducing deaths worldwide due to measles by 50% by the end of 2005 compared with the 1999 level; Commending also Member States’ and their partners’ progress in increasing the availability, affordability and uptake of hepatitis B vaccine worldwide; Encouraged by the progress in molecular biology and genetics that is accelerating the discovery and development of new vaccines and by the increasing number of developingcountry manufacturers producing vaccines that meet WHO requirements for vaccines of assured quality; Alarmed that many developing countries are not on track to meet the internationally agreed target in Millennium Development Goal 4 for reducing the under-five mortality rate;
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Document EB122/14. See document EB122/14 Add.1 for the financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of the resolution.
EB122.R7
Concerned that there are insufficient resources available for introduction of new vaccines, especially in low- and middle-income countries; Stressing the vital role that vaccine and immunization programmes can play in reducing infant mortality and in facilitating the delivery of a package of life-saving interventions, 1. URGES Member States: (1) to implement fully the strategy for reducing measles mortality in order to achieve the goal set in the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006–2015 of a 90% reduction in the global measles mortality rate between 2000 and 2010; (2) to enhance efforts to improve delivery of high-quality immunization services in order to achieve the target of equitable coverage of at least 80% in all districts by 2010 set in the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006–2015; (3) to further expand access to, and coverage of, available and cost-effective new lifesaving vaccines of assured quality, in accordance with national priorities, for all target populations in order to accelerate the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 4; (4) to develop, strengthen and/or maintain surveillance systems for vaccine-related adverse events; 2. REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to work with Member States to sustain political commitment at all levels for achieving high immunization coverage rates with all available cost-effective vaccines; (2) to collaborate with international partners, including UNICEF and the GAVI Alliance, in order to continue to mobilize the financial resources required to achieve this objective; (3) to collaborate with international partners and donors as well as vaccine producers to mobilize necessary resources to support low- and middle-income countries with the aim of increasing the supply of affordable vaccines of assured quality; (4) to take measures, as appropriate, to assist developing countries to establish and strengthen their capacity for vaccine research, development and regulation, for the purpose of improving the output of vaccine production with the aim of increasing the supply of affordable vaccines of assured quality; (5) to provide guidelines and technical support to Member States in order to minimize vaccine-related adverse events; (6) to facilitate scientific, technical and financial investments into the research and development of safe and effective vaccines against poverty-related and neglected diseases;
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(7) to monitor progress towards achievement of global immunization goals and report on such progress to the Sixty-fourth World Health Assembly.
Seventh meeting, 24 January 2008 EB122/SR/7
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