Statement by H.E. Prof. Bahram Einollahi Minister of Health and Medical Education Islamic Republic of Iran High-Level Thematic Debate entitled “Galvanizing Momentum for Universal Vaccination” Friday, 25 February 2022
Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our world has been grappling with an unprecedented situation in the course of last two years. Even though tangible progress has been made in overcoming this multi-variant virus, Governments and people around the world still suffer from the multifaceted consequences. Viruses know no borders and epidemics do not discriminate between countries and races.
Scientific endeavor in production of vaccines is a key to save lives, but the unfair distribution, vaccine hoarding, and lack of transparency from manufacturers remain as an underlying cause of incomplete achievements. All countries need vaccines but not all are able to produce or acquire them.
Mr. President,
Amidst all the efforts across the globe to contain COVID-19, my country suffers from inhumane and illegal economic sanctions. These unilateral coercive measures constitute a serious obstacle to the fulfilment of countries’ fundamental right to obtain and access to the necessary means to contain and defeat COVID-19.
On a different point, Iran and other developing countries who have developed their own vaccines, expect WHO to facilitate and expedite the registration process in order to obtain EUL. Whilst, in the battle against Omicron, vaccines remain the0o. most effective public health intervention to protect people from COVID-1/9, the current approach would not serve the goal for a successful global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, Access to the COVID-19 Accelerator Tool (ACT-A), which was launched for fair and equitable access to public goods failed to remove barriers to public access. Thus, it is important to ensure compliance and consistency throughout the envisaged line of activities.
Vaccines hesitancy and poor community engagement are still prevalent across the world. Further work is required to raise awareness, because no one is safe until everyone is safe.
In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who are at the forefront of the fight against this virus. I would also like to emphasize on significance of taking a holistic approach through enhanced international cooperation, aiming at developing a more robust, efficient and resilient health system for the current and future pandemics
