Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros, Dr Lee Bollinger, Dr Anthony Fauci, @DrNancyM_CDC pscp.tv/w/cwJvPDI2MTAy…

"I am deeply saddened & extremely concerned by the attack today on a humanitarian convoy in the #DRC which left three people dead, including the Italian Ambassador. I'd like to express my deepest condolences to their families as well as to the government & people of 🇮🇹"-@DrTedros

"On Friday, leaders from several @G7 countries and the European Union committed $4.3B in new funding to finance the equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics & therapeutics for #COVID19.
Several G7 countries also committed to sharing doses with COVAX"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"I'd like to express my deep thanks to the @G7 leaders for these contributions. These funds & donations move us one step closer to meeting our target to start vaccination of #healthworkers & older people in all countries within the 1st 100 days of 2021"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

"The @G7 countries have shown leadership, but we need all countries to step up.

We still face a gap of at least 22.9 billion dollars to fully finance the @ACTAccelerator this year"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"It’s important to note, however, that money is not the only challenge we face.

If there are no vaccines to buy, money is irrelevant"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"Currently, some high-income countries are entering contracts with #COVID19 vaccine manufacturers that undermine the deals that COVAX has in place, and reduce the number of doses COVAX can buy"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"Even if we have the funds, we can only deliver #COVID19 vaccines to poorer countries if high-income countries cooperate in respecting the deals COVAX has done, and the new deals it is doing"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"This is not a matter of charity. It’s a matter of epidemiology.

Unless we end the #COVID19 pandemic everywhere, we will not end it anywhere"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1363870749300260872?s=20

"The longer the #COVID19 virus circulates, the more opportunity it has to change in ways that could make vaccines less effective"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"So it’s in the interest of all countries, including high-income countries, to ensure that #healthworkers, older people and other at-risk groups are first in line for #COVID19 vaccines globally"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1363871097293266945?s=20

"To achieve this, we need more funding, we need countries to share doses immediately, we need manufacturers to prioritize contracts with COVAX, and we also need a significant increase in the production of #COVID19 vaccines"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"Recently I had a very productive discussion with President @EmmanuelMacron of #France, and I would like to thank him for his commitment to share 5% of France’s doses with COVAX"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"More #COVID19 vaccines are being developed, approved and produced. There will be enough for everyone.

But for now and for the rest of this year, vaccines will be a limited resource. We must use them as strategically as we can"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"Tomorrow I will be speaking at the @ColumbiaMed University symposium on #COVID19 vaccine development, strategy and implementation.

Today I’m delighted to be joined by Lee Bollinger, the President of Columbia University"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

"One of the first speeches I gave after my election as Director-General in 2017 was at @ColumbiaMed University, at the invitation of President Bollinger"-@DrTedros

"In that speech, I said that we do not know where or when the next global pandemic will occur, but we do know that it will exact a terrible toll, both on human life, and on the global economy.

3 years later, we are unfortunately learning that lesson the hard way"-@DrTedros

"Our next guest - Dr Tony Fauci is one of the best-known names in global health. For decades, he has not only been one of the world’s leading infectious disease experts, he has also been a fearless defender & articulate explainer of science and public health"-@DrTedros

"My friend Tony, thank you for your leadership over so many years, and especially during the past year. And thank you for joining us today"-@DrTedros

"It’s my honour to welcome @DrNancyM_CDC, the Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the @CDCgov.

Dr Messonnier is leading the CDC’s efforts on #COVID19 vaccination, and is one of the world’s leading experts on vaccination"-@DrTedros

"Among many other achievements, she played a vital role in the development and implementation of a low-cost vaccine to prevent epidemic meningococcal meningitis in Africa.

Dr @DrNancyM_CDC, thank you so much for joining us today"-@DrTedros

"As we often say, it’s not vaccines that save lives, it’s vaccination.

In 1796, Edward Jenner administered the first vaccine against #smallpox.

It took another 184 years for smallpox to be eradicated"-@DrTedros

"In combination with proven public health measures, vaccines give us the tools to control #COVID19. Whether we can is no longer a test of science; it’s a test of character"-@DrTedros

#ACTogether #VaccinEquity

The full remarks by @DrTedros at the #COVID19 media briefing - 22 February 2021 ⬇️

bit.ly/2NPUen4