Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that backsliding in immunisation is a priority issue at the upcoming 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the G20 Heads of State and Government Summit.

The pandemic has placed substantial strain on immunisation programmes, with increasing numbers of children not receiving even the most basic vaccinations. The UK is the top donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's core mission. £1.65 billion of UK funding in 2021-25 will support countries to restore immunisation coverage and vaccinate children missed during the pandemic.

UNGA 77 and the G20 Summit represent important opportunities to maintain momentum and secure political commitments on global health. The UK will continue through both fora to champion health system strengthening and the critical role of strong, resilient and accessible health systems in supporting primary health care and essential services, including routine immunisation.