The United States’ decision not to join the World Health Organisation’s new pandemic treaty is “foolish”, Luke O’Neill has warned. 

Last month, members of the WHO agreed on the text of a legally binding pandemic treaty that will govern the organisation’s response to future disease outbreaks. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Trinity Professor Luke O’Neill described it as a “great achievement” that 193 countries have signed up to it. 

“There was great celebration because getting them all to agree, it took quite a while to negotiate the various aspects,” he said. 

A Covid-19 vaccine. Picture by: PA Wire/PA Images.

The WHO hopes the treaty will help prevent future outbreaks of dangerous diseases and help them respond quickly to those that do. 

For that reason, Professor O’Neill said it was “so disappointing” that America’s decision to withdraw from the WHO means they will not be a signatory. 

“The US not being part of it is a tragedy,” he said. 

“Because the US Centre for Disease Control were very good at monitoring new pathogens, anywhere in the world. 

“They’re a hub internationally to do this; now they’ve lost their jobs. 

“So we’ve lost a key player in the world of searching for pathogens and viruses. 

“However, it has galvanised the rest of the world; so, it turns out the EU in particular, it looks like they’ve got their act together now that America’s not part of it.” 

A  COVID-19 vaccine. Picture by: Marc O'Sullivan

Professor O’Neill continued that it is a particularly unwise decision as no one knows what the next pandemic will look like. 

“This is a foolish thing to do because it could come to America, the next pandemic, and start killing American citizens,” he said. 

“So, why not be part of a global consortium to prepare for that and prevent it happening in the first place?”

One key aspect of the treaty is that it will mean more drugs are distributed to developing nations, most of whom struggled to buy vaccines because they were bought by wealthy, western countries.  

“The WHO is more involved now in vaccine distribution; that was held up during the pandemic and certain countries couldn’t get access,” Professor O’Neill said. 

“They’ve agreed that 10% of all vaccines will go to the WHO for distribution - which is a great achievement. 

“That’s drug companies agreeing to give up their product for free; the WHO will dispense that in different countries where it’s needed.

“The second 10% will be at a competitive price.” 

Excellent news from Geneva, where a first consensus on the Pandemic Agreement was reached last night.

We have learnt the lessons of COVID.

To beat a pandemic, you need tests, treatments and vaccines.

And you equally need solidarity and global cooperation.

Statement ↓

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 16, 2025

US President Donald Trump announced America’s withdrawal from the WHO on his first day back in office this year.

The White House cited the organisation’s alleged “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.”

Main image: Luke O’Neill in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk