House of Commons · Westminster Hall
09 May 2024 · 3 other contributors · 6,609 words
Opened by Virendra Sharma Lab Ealing, Southall
Responding minister: Andrew Mitchell
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Virendra Sharma raised concerns about global health agencies and vaccine-preventable deaths in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I ask the Minister how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been engaging with Gavi ahead of its next replenishment. I also inquire about the support given to the Global Fund for strengthening health systems worldwide. Additionally, I seek assurance that the UK will pledge significant financial support to both organisations when they host their respective replenishment conferences next year.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the importance of vaccines and immunisation in tackling deadly diseases. Vaccines have a positive effect in reducing incidence, spread, and mortality of infectious diseases, leading to significant reductions in cases like polio and measles. However, there are challenges such as ensuring strong health systems for successful vaccine roll-outs and addressing inequalities in vaccine manufacturing capabilities highlighted during the covid-19 pandemic.
Ms West highlighted the importance of immunisation in global health, citing examples from Malawi where a groundbreaking malaria vaccine has been administered. She expressed concern over the plateauing of progress in fighting malaria and urged for continued support for agencies like Gavi and the Global Fund to save lives through vaccination. She also asked about the Government's intention to support these vital global agencies and steps being taken to build research and development capacity, particularly in vaccine manufacturing.
Vaccines save millions of lives annually and are a critical tool in global health security. However, during the covid pandemic, richer countries stockpiled vaccines while poorer nations struggled to access them, resulting in 600,000 avoidable deaths. Law urged for international agreements to ensure fair vaccine distribution in future pandemics. He also highlighted the importance of local mRNA vaccine production hubs in South Africa that could scale outwards globally, enabling equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
Apologised for being late and indicated his willingness to intervene on a Front-Bench speaker. Reflecting on his experience from the Select Committee on Overseas Development, Peter Bottomley urges consideration of how to ensure vaccination and immunisation programmes function during times of conflict. He highlights the need for addressing the hindering effects of conflict on vaccination efforts as highlighted by United Nations Security Council resolution 2417.
Government Response
Andrew MitchellThe Minister praised the work of MPs on global health issues and acknowledged their contributions. He highlighted the UK's commitment to immunisation, mentioning that vaccines have saved over 150 million lives in the last 50 years. The UK has supported Gavi since its inception, committing £1.65 billion over five years and pledging an additional £548 million for COVAX. He discussed future strategies focusing on routine immunisations and primary healthcare services integration. The Minister also addressed replenishments for partners like Gavi, the Global Fund, and the WHO, promising to announce contributions at upcoming events.