Global Consortium of Leading Health Organizations Urges Shifts forSustainable Post-Omicron COVID-19 Strategy

Prioritize country-led efforts to vaccinate the most vulnerable, build resilient health systems

Durham, NC — Eleven leading health organizations from around the world released a joint declaration today highlighting urgent, actionable priorities to update the post-Omicron COVID-19 strategy for a more equitable and effective global pandemic response. These recommendations set clear expectations for global leaders coming together on May 12 for the Second Global COVID-19 Summit.

COVID GAP and Pandemic Action Network co-hosted a joint virtual convening, Global Call to Action: End the COVID-19 Crisis and Prevent the Next Pandemic, on March 29 along with Africa CDC; African Population and Health Research Center; Amref Health Africa; Andean Health Organization; Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives; College of Medicine, University of Ibadan; School of Public Health, Cayetano Heredia University; ONE Campaign; and WACI Health. The convening and report were supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  

The joint report, Seizing the Moment: Global Action to End the COVID-19 Crisis and Prevent the Next Pandemic, synthesizes the perspectives of diverse speakers — who were joined by over 400 participants from around the world — to identify top priorities to meet global needs at this stage of the pandemic and to build stronger, more resilient, and equitable systems for the future.

“The post-Omicron global strategy must evolve, and requires global solidarity, coordination, and commitment to address short- and long-term imperatives,” the report notes. “We can and must shift from an emergency crisis response to a strategy of sustainable pandemic control that strengthens resilient health systems and future preparedness.”

The report calls for four specific high-priority actions:

1. Accelerate equitable access to and acceptance of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

The next phase of COVID-19 response requires accelerating vaccination — translating growing vaccine supply into shots in arms. Efforts must immediately prioritize fully vaccinating (including boosters) the most vulnerable and high-risk populations, including the elderly and health and other essential workers, to save the most lives, most quickly, as part of efforts to expand vaccination coverage. To complement vaccination, leaders must ensure equitable access to oral antivirals and diagnostics and prioritize the expansion of test-and-treat capabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

• Support country-led and community-driven goals and priorities, with global support strengthening national and regional systems and advancing equity.

Global systems and coordination remain important, but global efforts should support national and regional goals and priorities, applying lessons from the past two years. Putting more power, authority, and design in the hands of communities will empower a more effective and equitable response — for COVID-19 and future health emergencies.

• Build and invest now to pandemic proof the future for everyone, everywhere.

Global leaders must continue to fight the current threat while simultaneously investing in systems and structures to be prepared for the next global health emergency. This will require urgently mobilizing new and diversified funding. The world also needs stronger, more robust and equitable health systems everywhere to respond to health security crises and other population health needs.

• Drive accountability at all levels and commit to global solidarity.

Leaders must be accountable for taking action — at all levels. But to drive accountability, governments and health institutions must disclose easy-to-access data and information, so the public can understand what is happening and follow up when leaders are falling behind.

The report further notes, “Above all, we must start thinking of the world as one. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to make clear that the health, well-being, and livelihoods of people around the world are interlinked.”

This consortium of global organizations will continue to collaborate to increase accountability for action and progress from key public and private stakeholders around the world.

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About COVID GAP

The COVID Global Accountability Platform (COVID GAP), led by Duke University and COVID Collaborative, aims to improve and accelerate global pandemic response by serving as an independent source of insights and actionable recommendations, convening key stakeholders to galvanize actions and collaborations, and strengthening transparency and accountability. Find out more: https://covid19gap.org/. 

About Pandemic Action Network

Pandemic Action Network is a global advocacy platform — a partnership of over 250 global multi-sector organizations — built to end the COVID crisis for everyone and ensure the world is prepared for the next pandemic threat.

Pandemic Action Network catalyzes actions, fills gaps, works collaboratively, translates learnings and insights into clear messaging, and provides expert policy, advocacy, and communications recommendations — all with a focus on advancing pandemic preparedness and ending the COVID-19 crisis for everyone around the world.Find out more: www.pandemicactionnetwork.org

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Quotes

“There is an urgent need for renewed and sustained global solidarity to confront the realities of the current pandemic and prevent the occurrence of a future one,” said Dr. Isaac Adewole, Professor, University of Ibadan, Former Minister of Health, Nigeria.

“It’s not only a matter of what is happening with COVID from now on, but what we need to prepare for the next pandemics,” said Dr. Patricia Garcia, Professor, Cayetano Heredia University, Former Minister of Health, Peru.

“This pandemic has highlighted the inequalities between countries and within countries, the fragility of health systems, the close relation between health and economy, the need to build regional response capacity to avoid dependency,” said Dr. María del Carmen Calle Davila, Executive Secretary, Andean Health Agency – Hipolito Unanue Convention, Former Vice Minister of Public Health, Peru.

“We’re at a pivotal moment in the pandemic. Omicron has changed the trajectory and epidemiology of the pandemic. If we don’t update our strategy and priorities in response, we’ll be left fighting the last battle, not the next,” said Gary Edson, President of COVID Collaborative, and Co-Leader of COVID GAP.  

“We need greater ambition to end COVID-19. All of us need to be advocates. Only a whole-of-society, whole-of-government approach will ensure that the necessary tools are where they need to be to prevent the next pandemic.” said Carolyn Reynolds, a Co-Founder of the Pandemic Action Network.

“The convergence of COVID and conflict present a moment of real danger for all of us.  Responding to all of these challenges at once places even greater pressure on leaders – but allowing any one challenge to be forgotten could create the conditions for an even greater disaster,” said Gayle Smith, CEO, ONE Campaign. 

Contacts

Melissa Estrada

Mobile: +1-412-498-5146

Email: melissa.slogan@duke.edu