WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee Advances Initiatives to Build Trust in Vaccines

Health Ministers, senior health officials, and delegates representing 10 member countries across South-East Asia adopted the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health: Equity in Specialized Care, including a separate resolution on advancing policies that build public trust and confidence in vaccines. 

Member countries agreed to strengthen access to quality immunization services, engage communities more effectively, track behavioural and social drivers of vaccination, and identify and respond to misinformation focussing on underserved and marginalized populations - including older adults. The decisions taken by member states give the region a stronger platform to turn health access commitments into action. 

As populations age across the region, adult immunization remains a critical and underused tool to keep people healthy, independent, and out of the hospital. The Regional Committee's actions will help expand vaccine information and access to older adults living with NCDs. 

Read the Announcement from WHO's South-East Asia Regional Office here