Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/coqD0zI2MTAy…

"With the latest positive news from vaccine trials, the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel is growing brighter.

There is now real hope that vaccines – in combination with other tried and tested public health measures – will help to end the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

"The significance of this scientific achievement cannot be overstated.
No vaccines in history have been developed as rapidly as these. The scientific community has set a new standard for vaccine development"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1330905962190925830?s=20

"Now the international community must set a new standard for access.

The urgency with which #COVID19 vaccines have been developed must be matched by the same urgency to distribute them fairly"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"Every government rightly wants to do everything it can to protect its people. But there is now a real risk that the poorest & most vulnerable will be trampled in the stampede for vaccines"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether

"That’s why in April, with support from multiple partners, WHO established the ACT-Accelerator. It has supported the fastest, most coordinated & successful 🌍 effort in history to develop #COVID19 vaccines, diagnostics & therapeutics"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1330906510776471554?s=20

"More than 50 #COVID19 diagnostic tests are being evaluated and new rapid antigen diagnostics are being made available for low- and middle-income countries"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"Life-saving #dexamethasone treatments are being rolled out, and new medicines including monoclonal antibodies are being tested"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether

"187 countries are now participating in the COVAX facility, to collaborate on the procurement and rollout of #COVID19 vaccines, ensuing the best possible prices, volumes and timing for all countries"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"Importantly, COVAX is also analysing and supporting the systems for delivering vaccines and other #COVID19 tools, which have been mapped in 4 regions"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1330907370478825473?s=20

"We’re rolling out other tools like the #WHOAcademy’s new augmented reality course for #healthworkers on the correct use of personal protective equipment"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1329117677630214148?s=20

"Only a fundamental change in funding & approach will realise the full promise of the ACT-Accelerator.
$4.3B is needed immediately to support the mass procurement & delivery of #COVID19 vaccines, tests & treatments. A further $23.8B will be needed next year"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"This isn’t charity, it’s the fastest and smartest way to end the #COVID19 pandemic and drive the global economic recovery"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1330908153341423616?s=20

"The @IMFNews estimates that if medical solutions can be made available faster & more widely, it could lead to a cumulative increase in 🌍 income of almost $9 trillion by the end of 2025"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether

"The real question is not whether the 🌍 can afford to share #COVID19 vaccines and other tools; it’s whether it can afford not to"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"At the #G20RiyadhSummit on Saturday, it was encouraging to hear world leaders expressing their support for WHO and their commitment to the ACT-Accelerator"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1330192453928968195?s=20

"In September, WHO established a Facilitation Council for the ACT-Accelerator to leverage high-level political commitment to put the tools to defeat #COVID19 in the hands of the people who need them most"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1304005366275952643?s=20

"Today we’re honoured to be joined by the two co-chairs of the ACT-Accelerator Facilitation Council: His Excellency @dagiulstein, Minister of International Development of #Norway; and @DrZweliMkhize, Minister of Health of #SouthAfrica"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether

"This Wednesday marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Around the world, nearly one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence, mostly by intimate partners"-@DrTedros #EndViolence

"As countries have implemented #StayAtHome orders and other measures to prevent transmission of #COVID19, reports from women experiencing violence at home have increased. At the same time, services for survivors have been disrupted"-@DrTedros #EndViolence

"Violence against women is never acceptable.

We’re calling on governments to include services for women affected by violence in every country’s package of essential health services, and to allocate the resources to make them accessible"-@DrTedros #EndViolence

"We’re calling on health providers to pay more attention to identifying women who experience violence, and provide first-line support"-@DrTedros #EndViolence

"We’re calling on everyone to show their solidarity with women affected by violence by raising their voices, and by wearing something orange this Wednesday as a symbol of solidarity and hope"-@DrTedros #EndViolence