WMA _14.1_global vaccine action plan_final

THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE, INC
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL, INC
Centre International de Bureaux FEIN : 13-2566243
Immeuble A « Keynes » Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
13, chemin du Levant Telephone : (33) 4 50 40 75 75 Boîte Postale 63
01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Cedex
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
22 May 2017

70th Session of the World Health Assembly
Agenda Item: 14.1 Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP)

Honorable Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the WMA, representing more than 9 million
physicians from more than 100 countries.

We are currently in the middle of our timeline to achieve the Global Vaccine Action Plan GVAP
targets by 2020. We realize that the current pace of progress toward achieving GVAP targets is
slow; considering that almost all GVAP midpoint targets in 2015 were missed. The emergence of
several cases of wild poliovirus in 2016, global measles outbreaks, and only 22 out of 40 countries
being verified for Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Ellimination shows that there needs to be a stronger
commitment to achieving targets.

The WMA recognizes that many possible causes contribute to the burden in some countries,
such as low commitment to put immunization as priority, weak health systems and infrastructure,
vaccine shortage and inaccessibility, conflicts and natural disasters, outbreaks, and public
unawareness. Strong political will be needed to boost the pace of the progress. However, we can
learn from success stories where expectations are met such as the transition from oral to inactive
polio vaccination, which encourages to strengthen the commitment to achieve good governance
and improve health systems.

The WMA advocates for investing more in health system, vaccine research and development,
incorporating immunization programs to national health priorities, and strengthening leadership
and collaboration. We also emphasize the role of physicians to support national governments,
develop knowledge and skills, assist in surveillance, educate the public, and lead the community to
follow the recommendations.

The WMA looks forward to working together with WHO and the global community directly and
through the National Medical Associations in achieving GVAP targets and supporting immunization
as an important key driver of world’s sustainable development.

Thank you for your kind attention.

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