During the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board, 36 Member States, including delegations from each of the WHO regions and 11 non-State actors acknowledged the continued relevance of the Immunization Agenda 2030’s (IA2030) vision to ensure every one, everywhere benefits from life-saving vaccinations.
As part of Member States discussions on the IA2030 mid-review, they recognised that the global health architecture and financing landscape have shifted significantly since 2020 and stressed that the route to achieving the IA2030 vision must also adapt to these new realities. In order to achieve IA2030, Member States called out the need to place a strong emphasis on equity, ensuring that all countries reach zero-dose and under-immunised children, particularly those living in fragile, conflict-affected, and remote settings.
Member States repeatedly highlighted the importance of integration, calling for immunisation to be embedded within primary health care, universal health coverage, national budgets and health information systems. They also stressed the need to adopt a life-course approach to vaccination ensuring that people at every age get the vaccinations they need.
Given declining domestic and international financing, there was broad support for refocusing IA2030 activities. Surveillance, outbreak response, and demand generation were identified as top priorities in this constrained funding environment. Member States also called for the replenishment of the Contingency Fund for Emergencies to respond to the 36 emergencies worldwide, including through vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance. Concerns over misinformation and vaccine hesitancy featured prominently in the discussions. Member States urged stronger risk communication and community engagement, backed by evidence-based messaging, to build trust and sustain demand for vaccines.
Improved data and accountability were also recurring requests. Delegates called for better subnational and disaggregated data, investment in digital immunisation systems and stronger accountability mechanisms to track progress.
Finally, Member States underscored the importance of country ownership. Aligning IA2030 with national plans, strengthening domestic financing and ensuring sustainability pathways were seen as essential to achieving long-term immunization goals.
While Member States welcomed progress in interrupting wild poliovirus transmission outside limited areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan, they stress the need for intensified efforts to reach zero-dose and mobile populations. They emphasised trust-building, strong routine immunization and surveillance, and partner collaboration. Member States supported the extension of the Polio Eradication Strategy to 2029 and the integration of polio assets into broader health systems for long-term resilience.