Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
@nschwalbe.bsky.social
Strategist • Researcher • Advocate • CEO at Spark Street Advisors • Senior Scholar at O'Neill Institute • Dyslexic (typos mine) • Writes about public health and health equity • www.ssc.nyc
📢The 3rd meeting of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG3) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for #pandemictreaty ended today.
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
📢The 3rd meeting of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG3) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for #pandemictreaty ended today.
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
🫶DG Tedros welcomed delegates back to WHO.
🕰️As there will be only 3 meetings after IGWG3, he urged Member States to have draft text ready by end of this year – to give enough time for negotiations before April 20 hard deadline.
🕰️As there will be only 3 meetings after IGWG3, he urged Member States to have draft text ready by end of this year – to give enough time for negotiations before April 20 hard deadline.
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
🫶DG Tedros welcomed delegates back to WHO.
🕰️As there will be only 3 meetings after IGWG3, he urged Member States to have draft text ready by end of this year – to give enough time for negotiations before April 20 hard deadline.
🕰️As there will be only 3 meetings after IGWG3, he urged Member States to have draft text ready by end of this year – to give enough time for negotiations before April 20 hard deadline.
📍Co-chair Tovar (Brazil) opened meeting, noting that IGWG is now ready to start developing actual text.
📜 The Bureau, supported by the WHO Secretariat, has developed initial draft based on IGWG2 outline discussions, with inputs from Member States and Relevant Stakeholders.
📜 The Bureau, supported by the WHO Secretariat, has developed initial draft based on IGWG2 outline discussions, with inputs from Member States and Relevant Stakeholders.
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
📍Co-chair Tovar (Brazil) opened meeting, noting that IGWG is now ready to start developing actual text.
📜 The Bureau, supported by the WHO Secretariat, has developed initial draft based on IGWG2 outline discussions, with inputs from Member States and Relevant Stakeholders.
📜 The Bureau, supported by the WHO Secretariat, has developed initial draft based on IGWG2 outline discussions, with inputs from Member States and Relevant Stakeholders.
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) for the #pandemictreaty started its 3rd meeting to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex. The meeting takes place on 3-7 Nov in Geneva.
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🧵
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) for the #pandemictreaty started its 3rd meeting to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex. The meeting takes place on 3-7 Nov in Geneva.
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📢 As the World Health Summit begins, one question is front and center: how should global health architecture adapt? With SDG deadlines looming and funding cuts deepening, reform is no longer optional. 🧵
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
October 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
📢 As the World Health Summit begins, one question is front and center: how should global health architecture adapt? With SDG deadlines looming and funding cuts deepening, reform is no longer optional. 🧵
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
The day began with a discussion on Public Health Events and Risk Assessment. WHO provided an excellent process overview of how its works with Member States to:
🔍Detect and verify public health events
💻Assess risk
🚨Alert other states and public
🚒Support response
🔍Detect and verify public health events
💻Assess risk
🚨Alert other states and public
🚒Support response
October 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The day began with a discussion on Public Health Events and Risk Assessment. WHO provided an excellent process overview of how its works with Member States to:
🔍Detect and verify public health events
💻Assess risk
🚨Alert other states and public
🚒Support response
🔍Detect and verify public health events
💻Assess risk
🚨Alert other states and public
🚒Support response
The aim of the week is to build a common vision and knowledge of PABS elements by:
💡Linking Member States to relevant experts for questions
🗨️Exchanging views among Member States on PABS outline
🚦Testing different approaches
🪜Preparing for IGWG3
💡Linking Member States to relevant experts for questions
🗨️Exchanging views among Member States on PABS outline
🚦Testing different approaches
🪜Preparing for IGWG3
October 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The aim of the week is to build a common vision and knowledge of PABS elements by:
💡Linking Member States to relevant experts for questions
🗨️Exchanging views among Member States on PABS outline
🚦Testing different approaches
🪜Preparing for IGWG3
💡Linking Member States to relevant experts for questions
🗨️Exchanging views among Member States on PABS outline
🚦Testing different approaches
🪜Preparing for IGWG3
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) for the #pandemictreaty kicked off a week of informal meetings in Geneva to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex.
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
October 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) for the #pandemictreaty kicked off a week of informal meetings in Geneva to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex.
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
🚨US funding cuts to vaccine programmes have imperiled vaccine coverage around the world.
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
October 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
🚨US funding cuts to vaccine programmes have imperiled vaccine coverage around the world.
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
Paracetamol or acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) are recommended for pain relief and reducing fever until dengue infections are ruled out, as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the risk of bleeding.
Two preventive traveller's vaccines are available but not widely used.
Two preventive traveller's vaccines are available but not widely used.
September 27, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Paracetamol or acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) are recommended for pain relief and reducing fever until dengue infections are ruled out, as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the risk of bleeding.
Two preventive traveller's vaccines are available but not widely used.
Two preventive traveller's vaccines are available but not widely used.
Civil society in the US is getting crushed.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
September 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Civil society in the US is getting crushed.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
America has a new Global Health Strategy that is anything but a Global Health Strategy.
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
September 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
America has a new Global Health Strategy that is anything but a Global Health Strategy.
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
🦠Notably, the IHR Amendment, as adopted by World Health Assembly in May 2024, entered into force today- a big step forward in global collaboration for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
September 19, 2025 at 6:40 PM
🦠Notably, the IHR Amendment, as adopted by World Health Assembly in May 2024, entered into force today- a big step forward in global collaboration for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
📢Today was the final day of the second Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty
Here is a quick wrap-up of the week and next steps.
🧵
Here is a quick wrap-up of the week and next steps.
🧵
September 19, 2025 at 6:40 PM
📢Today was the final day of the second Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty
Here is a quick wrap-up of the week and next steps.
🧵
Here is a quick wrap-up of the week and next steps.
🧵
This is a disaster for low-income Americans who are not eligible for the programs noted above. Let's see if insurance companies do the right thing (which would be to cover this vaccine).
September 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
This is a disaster for low-income Americans who are not eligible for the programs noted above. Let's see if insurance companies do the right thing (which would be to cover this vaccine).
Breaking (good) news:
The US vaccine committee just voted that the combination Measles Mumps Rubella and Varicella vaccine will continue to be covered by the public VFC for those under 4 years of age.
The US vaccine committee just voted that the combination Measles Mumps Rubella and Varicella vaccine will continue to be covered by the public VFC for those under 4 years of age.
September 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Breaking (good) news:
The US vaccine committee just voted that the combination Measles Mumps Rubella and Varicella vaccine will continue to be covered by the public VFC for those under 4 years of age.
The US vaccine committee just voted that the combination Measles Mumps Rubella and Varicella vaccine will continue to be covered by the public VFC for those under 4 years of age.
🚨Measles in lower Manhattan: The New York City Department of Health has confirmed two adult cases, reports @CBSNews.
The city is investigating measles exposures at unnamed restaurants on the Lower East Side and in SoHo.
Current federal anti-vaccine policy is hitting NYC.
Time to stop RFK Jr.
The city is investigating measles exposures at unnamed restaurants on the Lower East Side and in SoHo.
Current federal anti-vaccine policy is hitting NYC.
Time to stop RFK Jr.
September 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
🚨Measles in lower Manhattan: The New York City Department of Health has confirmed two adult cases, reports @CBSNews.
The city is investigating measles exposures at unnamed restaurants on the Lower East Side and in SoHo.
Current federal anti-vaccine policy is hitting NYC.
Time to stop RFK Jr.
The city is investigating measles exposures at unnamed restaurants on the Lower East Side and in SoHo.
Current federal anti-vaccine policy is hitting NYC.
Time to stop RFK Jr.
📢Day 4 of the 2nd Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty started with a short briefing on yesterday’s closed sessions.
Co-chairs (Brazil, UK) updated relevant stakeholders on progress.
Co-chairs (Brazil, UK) updated relevant stakeholders on progress.
September 18, 2025 at 3:54 PM
📢Day 4 of the 2nd Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty started with a short briefing on yesterday’s closed sessions.
Co-chairs (Brazil, UK) updated relevant stakeholders on progress.
Co-chairs (Brazil, UK) updated relevant stakeholders on progress.
📢Day 3 of 2nd Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty kicked off with a briefing by the Co-Chair (UK) and Vice Chair (Qatar).
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September 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
📢Day 3 of 2nd Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty kicked off with a briefing by the Co-Chair (UK) and Vice Chair (Qatar).
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🧵
Wellcome's “Future of Global Health” Initiative: What is the bottom line?
Check out our new Spark Street Advisors Substack post where we provide summaries (without editorializing!) of their five new papers on reimagining global health.
open.substack.com/pub/ninaschw...
Check out our new Spark Street Advisors Substack post where we provide summaries (without editorializing!) of their five new papers on reimagining global health.
open.substack.com/pub/ninaschw...
September 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Wellcome's “Future of Global Health” Initiative: What is the bottom line?
Check out our new Spark Street Advisors Substack post where we provide summaries (without editorializing!) of their five new papers on reimagining global health.
open.substack.com/pub/ninaschw...
Check out our new Spark Street Advisors Substack post where we provide summaries (without editorializing!) of their five new papers on reimagining global health.
open.substack.com/pub/ninaschw...
🎙️Of note, this morning the room was emptier than yesterday, with fewer delegates and stakeholders present and online.
➡️Day will continue with item 3 - Scope and Use of Terms
➡️Day will continue with item 3 - Scope and Use of Terms
September 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
🎙️Of note, this morning the room was emptier than yesterday, with fewer delegates and stakeholders present and online.
➡️Day will continue with item 3 - Scope and Use of Terms
➡️Day will continue with item 3 - Scope and Use of Terms
📢Day 2 of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty opened up with a quick recap of yesterday’s closed sessions.
Co-chair Tovar (Brazil) updated relevant stakeholders on the progress.
🧵
Co-chair Tovar (Brazil) updated relevant stakeholders on the progress.
🧵
September 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
📢Day 2 of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty opened up with a quick recap of yesterday’s closed sessions.
Co-chair Tovar (Brazil) updated relevant stakeholders on the progress.
🧵
Co-chair Tovar (Brazil) updated relevant stakeholders on the progress.
🧵
🔒As negotiations are not public, Day 1 will continue behind closed doors with discussion on draft Annex, based on Bureau’s proposal.
🔓 Each day will begin with a 30-minute open session featuring relevant stakeholders, so more updates are to come.
🔓 Each day will begin with a 30-minute open session featuring relevant stakeholders, so more updates are to come.
September 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
🔒As negotiations are not public, Day 1 will continue behind closed doors with discussion on draft Annex, based on Bureau’s proposal.
🔓 Each day will begin with a 30-minute open session featuring relevant stakeholders, so more updates are to come.
🔓 Each day will begin with a 30-minute open session featuring relevant stakeholders, so more updates are to come.
@DrTedros then reminded that PABS is in every country’s interest, as the next pandemic is not if but when.
🛟He focused on the positives: country commitment shown in the #pandemictreaty process, existing Article 12, and instruments like the PIP framework for Influenza.
🛟He focused on the positives: country commitment shown in the #pandemictreaty process, existing Article 12, and instruments like the PIP framework for Influenza.
September 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
@DrTedros then reminded that PABS is in every country’s interest, as the next pandemic is not if but when.
🛟He focused on the positives: country commitment shown in the #pandemictreaty process, existing Article 12, and instruments like the PIP framework for Influenza.
🛟He focused on the positives: country commitment shown in the #pandemictreaty process, existing Article 12, and instruments like the PIP framework for Influenza.
Co-Chair Tovar (Brazil) noted the goal of having (by May 2026) a PABS annex that is:
🗺️Operational
⚖️Balanced
💪Ambitious to reach equity and fight pandemics
🗓️The timeline? A full treaty open for signatures at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Sept 2026.
🗺️Operational
⚖️Balanced
💪Ambitious to reach equity and fight pandemics
🗓️The timeline? A full treaty open for signatures at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Sept 2026.
September 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Co-Chair Tovar (Brazil) noted the goal of having (by May 2026) a PABS annex that is:
🗺️Operational
⚖️Balanced
💪Ambitious to reach equity and fight pandemics
🗓️The timeline? A full treaty open for signatures at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Sept 2026.
🗺️Operational
⚖️Balanced
💪Ambitious to reach equity and fight pandemics
🗓️The timeline? A full treaty open for signatures at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Sept 2026.