Geneva — May 26, 2026 — During the Seventy‑ninth World Health Assembly (WHA), Member States and global health partners renewed their commitment to the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), recognizing vaccines as one of the most powerful and equitable public health interventions. More than 70 Member States, regional groups, and technical partners voiced strong support for the IA2030 Mid‑Term Review, emphasizing that robust immunization programmes are essential for outbreak preparedness, resilient health systems, and long‑term health security.
Delegates warned that progress toward IA2030 targets remains off track, citing rising measles outbreaks, declining routine immunization coverage, and widening inequalities in vaccine access. The urgent need to reach zero‑dose and under‑immunized children was highlighted, with the “Big Catch‑Up” initiative recognized as a critical mechanism to recover lost ground. Sustained investment and political commitment were identified as key to preventing backsliding in immunization coverage.
The discussions also underscored the growing threat of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Member States stressed that rebuilding public trust will be vital to achieving IA2030 goals, calling for stronger community engagement, evidence‑based communication strategies, and regional vaccine manufacturing capacity to improve global vaccine security.
Looking ahead, countries outlined advances in introducing new vaccines, modernizing surveillance systems, expanding digital immunization registries, and strengthening life‑course vaccination approaches. WHO committed to prioritizing equity, rebuilding trust, and enhancing collaboration with partners such as Gavi and UNICEF to sustain immunization gains through 2030 and beyond.
As the decade progresses, leaders emphasized that the success of IA2030 will depend not only on scientific innovation but also on political will, sustained financing, community trust, and international solidarity. The coming years will determine whether global commitments can be translated into universal immunization access.
