Devex: Vaccine allocation and WHO reform take center stage as WHO executive board meets
“During the two-day, semivirtual session of the World Health Organization executive board meeting this week, officials gave member states an overview of the COVID-19 response to date and provided updates on the changes that have taken place within the organization to support coronavirus response efforts. These changes include the creation of WHO’s science division — which initiated the Solidarity Trial to compare COVID-19 treatments and assess their effectiveness — and the new emergency preparedness division under the WHO Health Emergencies Program. Member states also asked questions on vaccine allocation and raised concerns about the planned U.S. withdrawal from the organization. Missing from the event, however, were the voices of civil society organizations, which expressed concern over their exclusion from the discussions…” (Ravelo, 10/7).