Pandemic Agreement

Pandemic Agreement - The Dangers of the U.S. Not Participating in the WHO Pandemic Agreement on American Health Security

The absence of U.S. participation in the WHO Pandemic Agreement will significantly undermine American health security, leading to limited influence over global coordination efforts, delays in accessing critical resources, decreased international data sharing and surveillance capabilities, and fragmentation of global response efforts. This reliance on solely domestic preparedness increases the risk of severe health crises and economic devastation for the United States. CONTACT CONGRESS NOW - URGE CONGRESS TO ENSURE THAT THE UNITED STATES JOINS THE PANDEMIC AGREEMENT FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FUTURE AND COUNTRY.

PANDEMIC AGREEMENT - APPROVED (A significant safety protocol for preventing and addressing the next pandemic)
The World Health Organization (WHO) Member States have officially adopted the world's first Pandemic Agreement, marking a significant historic milestone achieved through over three years of intensive negotiations. This agreement was launched in response to identified gaps and inequities revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to enhance global collaboration and ensure a more equitable and effective response to future health crises. The adoption took place at the 78th World Health Assembly, with widespread support—124 votes in favor, no objections, and 11 abstentions. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the consensus, emphasizing that the agreement is a victory for public health, science, and multilateral cooperation, and a vital step toward safeguarding populations and economies from future pandemics. The agreement establishes principles, approaches, and tools for improved international coordination across various areas, including equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. It also clarifies that it does not grant WHO or its Director-General authority to impose mandates or alter national laws, respecting national sovereignty.
Key next steps involve negotiations on a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing system, which aims to facilitate fair sharing of pandemic-related health products. Overall, the agreement reflects a collective commitment to learn from COVID-19 and build a more resilient and equitable global health architecture for future emergencies.

Urgent Call to Action: Contact Congress to Ensure U.S. Engagement in Global Pandemic Preparedness

While the WHO Pandemic Agreement represents a significant step toward global cooperation in pandemic preparedness and response, and the United States was a significant leader in its development, unfortunately, the Trump administration declined to continue. It is important to recognize that the United States is no longer a party to this agreement. This decision by the Trump administration will have deadly and financially negative implications for American health security during future pandemics in several ways:

1. Limited Influence on Global Coordination:
Since the agreement is designed to improve international collaboration on issues like vaccine sharing, diagnostics, and therapeutics, the absence of the U.S., a major global health actor, means it has less influence over the development and implementation of these coordinated efforts. This could lead to gaps in the global response that might indirectly affect Americans, especially if participating countries do not fully align or share resources effectively.

2. Potential Delays in Access to Resources:
The agreement emphasizes equitable access to pandemic-related health products. Without U.S. participation, America will face delays or disadvantages in securing early access to vaccines, their efficacy, therapeutics, or diagnostics developed through these international mechanisms, especially if global supply chains and sharing systems are prioritized among member states.

3. Reduced Global Data Sharing and Surveillance:
The agreement promotes improved international data sharing on pathogen detection and response. If the U.S. does not fully engage, there may be gaps in the global surveillance network, which could slow down the identification of emerging threats and reduce the lead time for Americans to prepare or respond effectively.

4. Fragmentation of Global Efforts:
The absence of the U.S. could contribute to a fragmented global health landscape, making it more challenging to mount a unified response. This fragmentation can result in inconsistent policies or delayed coordination, potentially increasing the risk of uncontrolled spread and impact within the United States.

5. Reliance on Domestic Preparedness:
Without the binding influence of the agreement, the U.S. must rely more heavily on its own public health systems and bilateral or regional agreements. While the U.S. has robust health infrastructure, gaps or delays in international cooperation could still hinder rapid access to global health resources during a crisis.

While the Pandemic Agreement aims to strengthen global health security collectively, the U.S. not being part of it will limit its influence over international response efforts, delay access to critical health tools, reduce the overall effectiveness of global surveillance and coordination, and will put Americans and its economy at a deadly health and safety risk. These factors underscore the importance of continued domestic preparedness and international engagement to mitigate risks during future pandemics and protect American health and safety.

What Can You Do?

Take Action - Contact Congress Now to ensure the United States is engaged in global pandemic preparedness in the Pandemic Agreement.

URGE CONGRESS
International agreements like the Climate Accord and the Pandemic Accord are crucial for addressing global challenges that transcend borders. They foster international cooperation, set shared goals, and promote collective action to mitigate climate change and improve pandemic preparedness. These agreements are vital for coordinating efforts, pooling resources, and ensuring equitable solutions, ultimately enhancing global resilience and safeguarding the health and well-being of all nations. Their effectiveness depends on widespread participation and commitment, making them essential tools in tackling pressing global issues. Evidence has shown the significance of international cooperation, shared responsibility, and collective action in addressing global challenges. Participation in international agreements enhances our influence and access to resources, contributing to global stability and sustainability. CONTACT CONGRESS NOW - URGE CONGRESS TO ENSURE THAT THE UNITED STATES JOINS THE PANDEMIC AGREEMENT FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FUTURE AND COUNTRY.

Contact congress now!

References

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2015). Paris Agreement. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Global Preparedness Monitoring Board Annual Report 2021: A World at Risk. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/gpmb/assets/annual_report/GPMB_2021.pdf