Overview
- The Department of State and HHS on July 18 formally transmitted the U.S. rejection of the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).
- The 2024 IHR revisions would have expanded WHO authority over pandemic declarations and mandated that manufacturers allocate 20% of vaccines, medicines and tests to the organization.
- Officials criticized the amendments’ vague terminology and digital health document requirements as threats to scientific debate and individual privacy.
- The rejection comes after President Trump began withdrawing the U.S. from WHO in January, with authorities noting the IHR amendments would have bound the country despite its planned exit.
- U.S. leaders flagged WHO’s susceptibility to political influence—particularly from China—as a key reason for disassociating from the binding health rules.