The timely availability of safe and effective vaccines is crucial in protecting people all around the world against infectious diseases. An important part of achieving this, is CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations’, 100 Days Mission, which seeks to develop vaccines within 100 days of a pandemic threat being identified. With a major global health event coming up later this year, we have a critical opportunity now to raise the political priority of the 100 Days Mission.
The United Nations (UN) is holding three ‘High-Level Meetings’ (HLMs) in September this year: on TB, on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and on Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR). These meetings bring together political leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector from all around the world, providing a crucial moment to develop political commitments towards global health initiatives.
A key goal of the HLMs is to strengthen the resilience of health systems to prepare for and respond to outbreaks and diseases. This is highly important considering the chances of another pandemic happening in the next 25 years is between 47% and 57%. Implementing CEPI’s 100 Days Mission and reducing the time it takes for effective vaccines to be developed and distributed around the world is essential to achieve this goal.
While G7 leaders stated their support for the 100 Days Mission, no additional financial commitments were made. Without more funding for research and development into epidemic diseases, a strong global health system cannot be achieved and the promise of the HLMs will not be met.
This month, please write to your MP about this important opportunity, and ask them to write to the Government in support of CEPI. Read this month’s action sheet to find a prepared briefing, as well as links to reports and media articles about the importance of pandemic preparedness, preparation and response. You can also check out our guide to meeting with your MP.
Image: Colourised scanning electron micrograph of a single filamentous Ebola virus particle. Credit: NIAID.