At the midway point of the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), Member States and global health partners reaffirmed their commitment to delivering life-saving vaccines to everyone, everywhere, during the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79). The message was issued on 9 June 2026 by Kate O’Brien, Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a press release. Participants recognized immunization as one of the most powerful, cost-effective and equitable health interventions available. They also acknowledged that strong immunization programmes are central to emergency preparedness and response. The renewed commitment underscores that vaccines are foundational to resilient health systems, global health security and equity.
Despite this commitment, progress remains fragile. In many countries, routine immunization coverage is slipping, and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are occurring across a wider range of nations. Inequities are deepening, particularly for zero-dose children, while misinformation, conflict, climate pressures and constrained financing pose additional challenges. Discussions at WHA79 stressed that no country can afford complacency. Initiatives such as The Big Catch-Up illustrate what can be achieved through political commitment, financing and partnership.
New evidence presented this past month reinforced the impact of vaccines. Data on the public health use of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in the first African countries to introduce it confirmed that the vaccine saves child lives. Over four years, an estimated one in eight child deaths were averted among those eligible to receive the malaria vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi. Today, 25 countries in Africa are offering malaria vaccines. This expansion is expected to further reduce child mortality and provide additional health care touchpoints for other essential services.
Progress was also reported on tuberculosis vaccines. The fourth meeting of the Tuberculosis Vaccine Accelerator Council, held on the sidelines of WHA79, brought together global, regional and country-level health leaders, funders, technical agencies and civil society. Discussions focused on domestic financing, equitable access mechanisms, integration with existing TB control interventions, and country preparedness for rollout. Efficacy data for new TB vaccines remain on track to be available by 2028. “Reaching children with vaccines in a timely way, to avoid them becoming zero-dose children, means systematically innovating in every community how to reach underserved populations,” O’Brien stated.
Looking ahead, WHO emphasized that the task is to move from commitments to local action. Protecting gains already achieved and accelerating progress where it matters most will require sustained domestic investment, strong country leadership and effective partnerships. It will also require trust in vaccines, in health systems and in one another. The path to the 2030 goals is narrowing, but the targets remain within reach for many communities and countries. Country ownership, regional commitment and global support are needed to deliver on the promise of IA2030.
