12.3 Communicable diseases (Vaccination)

Honourable Chair, distinguished delegates,

As medical students, we stand firmly behind equitable, life-course immunisation for all, as immunisation remains one of our most effective tools for preventing communicable disease. In 2023, 14.5 million children received zero doses of DTP, and over half live in conflict-affected settings. Adolescent HPV coverage remains at 27%.

We urge governments, health institutions, and educational bodies to ensure affordable access to vaccines across all life stages, strengthen adult immunisation schedules, and embed vaccination education and counselling against misinformation meaningfully into medical curricula. In parallel, we emphasize the need for targeted public communication strategies to rebuild trust in vaccines among the general population.

Infectious diseases threaten progress on non-communicable diseases alike. Protecting people through vaccination should not be optional.

Thank you.

Contact person: Sie Meng Lee, Liaison Officer to the World Health Organization - lwho@ifmsa.org