Thread by @WHO

"This Wednesday marks 1 year since the 1st #COVID19 vaccines were administered. A year ago, we all hoped that by now vaccines would be helping us all emerge from the long, dark tunnel of the pandemic. As the Omicron variant demonstrates, the pandemic is from far over"-@DrTedros

@DrTedros "Persistent vaccine inequity has allowed this to happen. More than 8 billion doses have now been administered 🌍 – the largest vaccination campaign in history. But we all know that this incredible achievement has been marred by horrific inequity"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1467960297008898056?s=20

"When we established the @ACTAccelerator and #COVAX last year, it was because we knew from our experience with many other diseases that market forces alone wouldn't lead to equitable access"-@DrTedros

"High-income countries ordering many times more [#COVID19 vaccine] doses than they needed, combined with export bans, starved #COVAX and AVAT of supply"-@DrTedros

"WHO and @UNICEF, in partnership with @gavi, are appointing Mr @TedChaiban, an experienced humanitarian leader, as global coordinator for country readiness and delivery, to lead an enhanced joint effort to turn vaccines into vaccinations faster"-@DrTedros

@UNICEF @gavi @TedChaiban @DrTedros "This effort will be focused on the 40 to 50 countries at highest risk of missing the target to vaccinate 40% of their populations by the end of this year"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1467960533588586501?s=20

"For this to work we need high-income countries and development banks to finance WHO, @UNICEF and @gavi and countries themselves. At the same time, the increase in quantity of supply must be matched by an increase in quality of supply"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

@UNICEF @gavi @DrTedros "Too often, countries receive unexpected deliveries of doses close to expiry, with far too little transparency of:
-when doses will arrive
-what product will arrive
-how much will arrive.
Over 2/3 of donations are of 💉 with less than three months’ shelf-life remaining"-@DrTedros

"This hampers countries’ ability to plan, to deploy domestic resources, and to mobilise populations and community leaders. Yes, we need accountability for how doses are used; but we also need accountability for how doses are donated"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity

@DrTedros "The emergence of Omicron highlights the need to scale up equitable access to:
-testing & sequencing
-oxygen
-new antivirals.
And yet the @ACTAccelerator is currently out of cash, especially to buy tests, oxygen, personal protective equipment & to fund vaccine delivery"-@DrTedros

@DrTedros @ACTAccelerator "It’s therefore essential that countries fully fund the @ACTAccelerator, which needs $23.4 billion over the next 12 months to get tests, treatments and vaccines to where they are needed most"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1467960807182974986?s=20

"I ask that you meet as a matter of urgency every two months to ensure adequate financing, and that you agree today to hold an emergency pledging event in the first quarter of next year to fully finance the @ACTAccelerator and the associated in-country delivery costs"-@DrTedros

@ACTAccelerator @DrTedros "Ultimately, our shared vision must be to strengthen local production of medicines and vaccines, to ensure a reliable and predictable supply of quality, safe, effective and affordable products"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

The full remarks by @DrTedros at the @USAID Development Ministerial on #COVID19 ⬇️
bit.ly/32YWIXT