With U.S. absent, WHO adopts pandemic treaty aimed at improving vaccine access
WHO members on Tuesday adopted a treaty that outlines how to prepare for and respond to pandemics. One country missing: the U.S.
GENEVA — World Health Organization members on Tuesday adopted a treaty aimed at preparing for and responding to future pandemics, what countries say is both a tangible example of how they’re learning the lessons of Covid-19 and a marker for the continued importance of international collaboration.
Health officials hailed the treaty, a goal of which is to enable the more equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments, as a historic milestone. Countries reached agreement on its terms last month after more than three years of negotiations, kicking off in late 2021 as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus swept around the world and underscored the gulf in vaccine availability between wealthy and developing nations.
