On May 4, 2023, after the fifteenth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus 2019 disease, the WHO Director-General determined that COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). While there is a reason for celebration this does not mean that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, and there are still a significant number of cases and deaths globally and in the U.S. A PHEIC is defined in the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) as, “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”. The decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths, the reduction in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, and population immunity to COVID-19 at high levels were determining factors in making the decision to move to long-term management of the pandemic.
Temporary Recommendations Issued by the WHO Director-General to all States Parties
- Sustain the national capacity gains and prepare for future events to avoid the occurrence of a cycle of panic and neglect.
- Integrate COVID-19 vaccination into life course vaccination programs.
- Bring together information from diverse respiratory pathogen surveillance data sources to allow for a comprehensive situational awareness.
- Prepare for medical counter measures to be authorized within national regulatory frameworks to ensure long-term availability and supply.
- Continue to work with communities and their leaders to achieve strong, resilient, and inclusive risk communications and community engagement (RCCE) and infodemic management programs.
- Continue to lift COVID-19 international travel related health measures, based on risk assessment, and to not require any proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a prerequisite for international travel.
- Continue to support research.
Maegan Traveler is an Education Specialist for Education and Institutional Preparedness for the SPECTRE Program.
References
https://www.who.int/news/item/05-05-2023-statement-on-the-fifteenth-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-pandemic