20 May 2011: The 64th Session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Assembly, meeting from 16-24 May 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, adopted a framework on pandemic influenza preparedness covering the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits.

The framework establishes a specific regime for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) with regard to influenza viruses, and for sharing of benefits arising out of research performed on those viruses, in particular through access to vaccines, antiviral drugs and scientific information. It aims to improve pandemic influenza preparedness and response, and strengthen protection against the pandemic influenza by improving the WHO’s global influenza surveillance and response system (GISRS).

The framework includes binding legal regimes for WHO members, national influenza laboratories and industry partners. The regimes establish these actors’ roles and obligations, which include: ensuring access to influenza viruses through the WHO system for monitoring and developing critical benefits such as vaccines, antiviral drugs and scientific information; and increasing and expediting access to essential vaccines, antivirals and diagnostic kits, especially for lower income countries.

In her closing remarks to the Assembly, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan portrayed the framework’s adoption as “a triumph for health diplomacy,” stressing its contribution to the world’s capacity “to prepare for the next influenza pandemic through better surveillance and risk assessment, and to distribute the benefits of vaccines, antiviral medicines, and diagnostic tests more equitably.” [Draft WHO Resolution and Framework] [Margaret Chan’s Closing Remarks] [World Health Assembly Webpage]