G20 Health Ministers have united to pledge global action to
improve future health security, increase vaccine confidence and
tackle antimicrobial resistance.
The G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting, which took place in Rome,
Italy, focused on building on strong cooperation and
collaboration to end the COVID-19 pandemic and support recovery
around the world, and to continue contributing to better prevent,
detect and respond to global health threats and emergencies. A
Health Declaration with commitments from all G20 countries has
been published today (Monday 6 September 2021).
The nations agreed to work together to enhance timely global
access to safe, affordable and effective COVID-19 vaccines,
therapeutics and diagnostics, building on the work led by the
Prime Minister at the UK-hosted G7 earlier this year for these
three interventions to be available within 100 days of a future
pandemic threat being identified.
To protect one of the pillars of medicine, antimicrobials that
protect against infection, the G20 commits to building capacity
for surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance. A key focus
of future action will be on support for the development of new
safe and effective antimicrobials, in particular antibiotics, and
incentivising the production of low-cost, affordable generic
antimicrobials to safeguard the ability to fight infections for
future generations.
Meeting counterparts on his first international visit as Health
and Social Care Secretary, made clear
the UK’s position on the need for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial
participants to have their vaccination status recognised
globally.
Health and Social Care Secretary,
said:
“The UK has led the way on the international response to this
pandemic because no one is safe until we are all safe and
international collaboration is vital to boosting global health
security.
“These G20 Health meetings have been an excellent opportunity to
work together to strengthen our collaboration in combating
COVID-19, through rooting out dangerous misinformation, boosting
vaccine confidence and protecting the rights of clinical trials
volunteers who have saved lives by taking part in vital medical
research.
“By working together, harnessing scientific progress and industry
innovation, we can help protect people in every corner of the
planet from future health emergencies, including the silent
pandemic of AMR, which threatens the fabric of modern medicine.”
To promote vaccine confidence, G20 Health ministers agreed to
implement the most effective, culturally appropriate, and
science-based public communication. This will help tailor
reliable information to specific communities, combat
misinformation and improve vaccine uptake.
Overall the UK has one of the highest vaccine uptake rates in the
world and vaccine hesitancy has fallen among ethnic minority
groups from 22% in the Jan-Feb survey to 9% at the most recent
wave (May-June). The government has expanded the Community
Champions Scheme so that communities have trusted local leaders
who can help answer questions about the vaccine and work with the
NHS and public health teams to support local communities.
Over 91 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been
administered across the UK, with nearly 80% of everyone aged over
16 receiving both doses, including more than 50% of those aged
18-29 being double jabbed.
The G20 also recognised the importance of recognising gender when
designing and implementing health policies, considering the
specific needs of women and girls, with a view to achieving
gender equality in healthcare delivery. This builds on the UK’s
Women’s Health Strategy which is working to put women’s voices at
the heart of change, and making sure the health and care system
delivers for them.
A joint Finance and Health Ministers’ G20 meeting will take place
in October, ahead of the main G20 Summit on 30 and 31 October.
Notes to Editors
- The press release regarding the Health and Social Care
Secretary’s focus for the G20 can be found here.
- The G20 Health Declaration can be found here.
