US will join vaccine scheme for world’s poorest countries as it builds bridges with WHO

Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser has announced that the United States will join Covax, a global initiative to combat “vaccine nationalism”, in a speech that marked a dramatic contrast from Donald Trump's sharp criticism of the World Health Organization.

Addressing the WHO’s executive board on Thursday via video link, Dr Anthony Fauci said that President Biden will “issue a directive later today” setting out plans to join WHO-led efforts to equitably distribute vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics across the globe.

This includes the ACT Accelerator - an umbrella scheme to develop and distribute medical tools - and the Covax facility, which aims to deliver vaccines to low and middle income countries and has an ambitious target of distributing two billion doses before the end of 2021.

More than 170 countries - including the UK, European Union and China - have already joined. But under Mr Trump, who repeatedly criticised the WHO’s handling of the pandemic and claimed the organisation was “very China-centric”, the US refused to sign up.

Dr Fauci’s speech marked a dramatic U-turn in narrative. Calling the WHO director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, his “dear friend”, Dr Fauci said he was “honoured to announce” that the US will remain a member of the UN agency.

He added that the Biden administration “will cease the drawdown of US staff seconded to the WHO”, resume “regular engagement” with the organisation and “fulfil its financial obligations.”

Dr Fauci said that the US also looks forward to evaluating the results of a “clear and robust” investigation into the origins of Sars-Cov-2 and will work with partner countries to reform the WHO and strengthen the International Health Regulations.

“I join my fellow representatives in thanking the World Health Organization for its role in leading the global public health response to this pandemic, under trying circumstances,” Dr Fauci said.

“The US stands ready to work in partnership and solidarity to support the international Covid-19 response, mitigate its impact on the world, strengthen our institutions, advance epidemic preparedness for the future and improve the health and wellbeing for all people.”

Countries and the WHO were quick to respond. Congratulating the new administration and referring to Dr Fauci as “my brother Tony”, Dr Tedros said: “This is a good day for WHO and a good day for global health.”

Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the UK’s scientific advisory committee and director of Wellcome, added that the US commitment to Covax and the ACT accelerator is “brilliant news”.

“We need solidarity now more than ever,” he said. “Strong US collaboration on the international stage will be key to ending this pandemic as quickly as possible and improving the lives of millions of people worldwide.”

The shift in the US’s pandemic response is also reflected in Mr Biden’s domestic policy.

Just hours after his inauguration on Wednesday the President signed an executive order stating that federal employees and those on federal properties are required to wear face masks. On Thursday Mr Biden is also set to outline a detailed plan to tackle Covid-19 in America.

But Dr Fauci’s speech did not just address Covid-19. The chief medical advisor said the US would work to “counter the erosion of major gains in global health”, including around HIV/Aids and food security.

In what will come to a major relief for women's rights organisations, Dr Fauci also announced plans to revoke the Mexico City policy - known as the “global gag rule”. This prohibited international charities from receiving funding if they provided or offered referrals to legal abortion services.

While it has been introduced by every Republican President, Mr Trump dramatically expanded its scope. Previous iterations applied to family planning providers and affected some $575 million of funding, but under the Trump administration it applied to roughly $9 billion of aid across all areas.

“President Biden will be revoking the Mexico City policy in the coming days as part of his broader comments to protect women's health and advance gender equality at home and around the world,” Dr Fauci said.

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