20 September 2023

Joint Statement

Mr. President,

Immunization is not only an indisputable human right but also a key component of primary healthcare and vital to the achievement of SDG 3, as emphasized by the WHO. Vaccination represents one of history’s most successful and cost-effective investments in health and socio-economic development, offering lifelong benefits.

Nonetheless, the tragic reality persists: about 1.5 million lives are lost to vaccine-preventable diseases each year and 25 million children worldwide remain under-immunized, missing out on basic vaccines due to limited access to vaccines and capacity of immunization programmes in many regions¹.

The COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the comprehensive benefits of vaccines for preventing both non-communicable and communicable diseases, as well as the primary responsibility of States as duty bearers. It underscores the importance of multilateral efforts to ensure equitable, affordable, timely and universal vaccine development, procurement, distribution, and vaccination for both routine programmes and health emergencies.

The Human Rights Council has a critical role to play in this regard, with the aim of saving lives, further promoting, and protecting the right to health for all, particularly children and other vulnerable groups.

States and other stakeholders are invited to enhance solidarity and collaboration to promote the implementation of the WHO Immunization Agenda 2030, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, at every age fully benefits from vaccines to enjoy the right to health.

Targeted action plans should prioritize demographic groups most vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. In this regard, we stress the importance of providing the necessary technical support and capacity building to facilitate these efforts for a healthier future that leaves no one behind, thereby improving the productivity and resilience of countries and ensuring a more prosperous world.

We also emphasize the necessity of enhanced international cooperation within the negotiations for a Pandemic Treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations, under the auspices of the WHO, which should ensure the successful implementation of immunization programmes for the enjoyment of the right to health for all.

I thank you, Mr. President./.

To confirm your Mission's participation as a co-sponsor of this joint statement, please kindly contact the Permanent Mission of Viet Nam by 20 September 2023:

1. Mr. Nguyen Khanh Toan, First Secretary, Human Rights Team, (nkt.mofa@gmail.com; +41 795 136 888 (WhatsApp))
2. Mr. Pham Van Trung, Second Secretary, Human Rights Team, (vtrung.pham@gmail.com; +41 782 345 486 (WhatsApp))

¹ Source: The Vaccine Alliance, GAVI.