WHO - World Health Organization

04/15/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/15/2021 07:15

Director-General's opening remarks at 7th COVID-19 Emergency Committee

Professor Houssin, members and advisors of the Emergency Committee, dear colleagues and friends,

Welcome to this seventh meeting of the Emergency Committee, and thank you as always for your time and commitment.

Much has changed since you last met.

After a slowdown at the beginning of the year, cases and deaths are increasing at worrying rates.

New variants are spreading across the globe, taxing already overstretched health systems.

Many countries have relaxed public health precautions, and intensive care units are once again overflowing.

While the global vaccine rollout is providing hope to many, there remains a shocking and expanding disparity in the global distribution of vaccines.

COVAX has distributed more than 40 million doses to 110 countries, but it's nowhere near enough.

Some countries that were supposed to receive vaccines through COVAX haven't received any yet, and none have received enough. COVAX works, but the scale is still far too small.

WHO and our partners in the ACT Accelerator are also working to provide countries with diagnostics and critical therapeutics, including dexamethasone and medical oxygen.

Of course, vaccines alone will not stop this pandemic.

We continue to urge all countries to implement a tailored, measured, agile and evidence-based combination of measures.

So many countries around the world have shown that this virus can be stopped and contained with proven public health measures and strong systems that respond rapidly and consistently.

As you know, many countries are now debating how to reopen international travel on the basis of so-called vaccine passports, and we look forward to your advice on this matter.

As always, the International Health Regulations will guide your deliberations.

Dr Soce Fall, Assistant Director-General for Emergency Response, will introduce the technical updates from WHO colleagues, which will focus on the current epidemiological situation, variants, vaccination and international travel.

Thank you once again, Professor Houssin, for your skilled stewardship.

And my thanks to each of the committee members and advisors for your expertise and commitment.

I wish you a productive meeting, and I look forward to receiving your views.

Professor Houssin, back to you.