Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly opens

20 May 2013 -- The Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly opens today in Geneva, as officials from 194 Member States begin their annual review of the activities of WHO and set new priorities for the future. The Health Assembly will discuss specific health topics like noncommunicable diseases, universal health coverage, women and children’s health, as well as the programme budget, administration, reform and management matters of WHO.

• Full coverage of the Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly
• Read the Director-General's opening address

17 May 2013 -- The yellow fever ‘booster’ vaccination given ten years after the initial vaccination is not necessary. WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) has reviewed the latest evidence and concluded that a single dose of vaccination is sufficient to confer life-long immunity against yellow fever disease. This information is crucial for countries where yellow fever is endemic, because it will allow them to reconsider their vaccine scheduling. It is also important for travellers.

• Read the news release on yellow fever vaccination
• Yellow fever fact sheet

17 May 2013 – Australia has recently introduced a law on tobacco plain packaging with active support from WHO. Other countries are watching this pioneering measure and are considering tougher packaging laws. Increasing plain packaging is one of the aims for this year’s World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2013 whose theme is Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

• Read the feature story on Australia’s plain tobacco packaging
• Visit the World No Tobacco Day site

15 May 2013 – The world has made dramatic progress in improving health in the poorest countries and narrowing the gaps between countries with the best and worst health status in the past two decades, according to the World Health Statistics 2013. “Intensive efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals have clearly improved health for people all over the world,” says Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO.

• Read the news release on World Health Statistics 2013