News

The 78th World Health Assembly has drawn to a close, but the work is only just beginning.

From a spotlight on rising measles cases to the adoption of the Pandemic Accord, immunization was once again highlighted at #WHA78.

For a recap of this year’s happenings and a glance at the road ahead, check out our latest blog at the link in our bio.

By 2030, we will face a global shortage of 11.1 million health workers.
 
At #WHA78, Ghana noted that Africa “continues to face critical health workforce challenges, including acute shortages, gender inequities… and the maldistribution of personnel.”
 
Gender arose as a key issue to address the increasingly dire shortage; compensating women in the health workforce was highlighted as key to the path forward. Women form 70% of the health workforce, and serve as the backbone of on-the-ground immunization in the world’s most vulnerable areas. We must ensure these workers are compensated.

Recent polling on measles knowledge reveals that 87% of Americans say the benefit of childhood MMR vaccination outweighs the risk.
 
But, despite the surging number of confirmed cases this year, only 6 out of 10 adults believed there are more measles cases in the U.S. in 2025 than the comparable period in 2024.
 
Misinformation is deadly. Learn more at the link in our story.

During a World Health Assembly event co-hosted by Gavi last week, new data was unveiled to demonstrate the ownership over immunization programs among lower-income countries.
 
Lower-income countries supported by Gavi upped their contributions by 19% from 2023, with 84% coming from domestic budgets.
 
Country-led, sustainable development in immunization financing is key to #HealthForAll.

A record number of people were driven from their homes by conflicts and disasters in 2024; the number of internally displaced people has doubled since 2018.
 
Sudan reported 11.6 million internally displaced people, the highest ever for a single country. Its neighboring countries are undergoing the same crises.
 
Help us reach refugees and internally displaced people in East Africa with lifesaving health interventions. Visit www.shotatlife.org/healthystart to get started.

The WHO has recently warned that about half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100-400 million infections occurring each year.
 
One vaccine (QDenga) has been licensed and approved to combat dengue in some countries, but many more are under evaluation.
 
As cases continue to rise from 2024, their worst year yet, in Mexico, Latin America, and Canada, neglected tropical diseases are taking center stage at #WHA78.

#WHA78 is poised to address several pressing issues in the global health sphere, from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases to sustainable financing for in-country health systems.
 
But one milestone that generated a buzz in the lead-up to WHA is the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement.
 
This major development in multilateral health cooperation takes the lessons from the COVID-19 response and institutionalizes equitable distribution of health resources during pandemic emergencies.
 
Stay tuned for more #WHA immunization content.

This week marks the start of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78).
 
#WHA78 comes at a time of unprecedented changes to global health that will reshape the WHO’s priorities and programs going forward.
 
The adoption of the Pandemic Accord; addressing surging outbreaks of measles, meningitis, and yellow fever; and prioritizing new, sustainable models of global health financing beyond 2025 will all be topics of conversation, most of which are tied directly to evolving immunization efforts.
 
For a preview of what’s to come, check out Gavi’s blog at the link in our story!

As of last week, the measles case count in the U.S. passed 1000—the second-most cases in a year since the disease was certified eliminated in the U.S. a quarter century ago.
 
And experts worry that, due to the lag in CDC’s data on case numbers in each state, the national total may not be accurately capturing the detail or extent of measles’ spread.
 
Measles vaccines save lives. Learn more and stay involved at shotatlife.org. For more content on the state of health in the U.S., check out @healthforuscampaign

33 years.

According to a recent WHO report, that’s the difference in life expectancy between the world’s highest (84.5 years old in Japan) and lowest (51.5 in Lesotho).

While significant progress has been made in increasing life expectancy, disparity remains pervasive. Universal health coverage—a pillar of this year’s World Health Assembly—is key to addressing this disparity and ensuring long, healthy lives around the globe.

A massive thank you to those who have Advocated to Vaccinate in the last six weeks. For a roundup of this spring’s advocacy efforts, check out our most recent blog! #linkinbio
 
Another advocacy activation has now come and gone, but the stakes are still higher than ever. We are currently facing one of the most turbulent global health environments to date—but YOUR voices are making a difference.
 
The deadline is quickly approaching for a “Dear Colleague” letter to Senate appropriators, asking them to support robust funding for polio eradication in Fiscal Year 2026. We need your help contacting your senators and asking that they add their names in support. Fill out our latest petition to do so at the link in our story.

A recent KFF poll shows that despite shakey trust in government and health agencies, 82% of respondents in the U.S. reported at least a “fair amount” of trust in their health providers—more than any other source—to provide reliable information about vaccines.
 
The front line of these conversations that ultimately build trust in vaccines is made up largely of nurses—both in America and across the world.
 
In a world of misinformation, nurses remain a steadfast voice of assurance. This #InternationalNursesDay, we recognize the vital role of nurses in ensuring that families around the world feel comfortable and confident about immunizations.