US: US, Europe offer swine flu vaccine to nations in need
Fri Sep 18 04:27:33 EST 2009
Thu Sep 17 18:27:33 UTC 2009
WASHINGTON, Sept 17 AFP - The United States, France and Britain are among nine countries that have pledged to make 10 per cent of their swine flu vaccine supply available to other nations that may need it.
In recognition of the global nature of the pandemic, the United States is taking this action along with Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and Britain, the White House said in a statement on Thursday.
The A(H1N1) vaccine will be made available through the World Health Organisation (WHO), said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
In Paris, President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said France would donate nine million swine flu vaccine doses -- 10 per cent of its entire stock of 94 million doses of vaccines -- to the WHO.
British International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander announced a similar donation.
The move is made "in recognition that diseases know no borders and that the health of the American people is inseparable from the health of people around the world", read the White House statement.
Swine flu cases are expected to increase as the northern hemisphere enters the autumn season.
"We remain confident that the United States will have sufficient doses of the vaccine to ensure that every American who wants a vaccine is able to receive one," the White House said.
In Paris, the Elysee palace said international solidarity "will be a determining factor in reducing the health, economic and social impact of the pandemic".
Britain "recognises that H1N1 is a global pandemic which requires a global response", Alexander said in London.
"Solidarity with other nations is vital, particularly the poorest who may be most vulnerable and have least capacity to respond," he added.
At least 3,205 people have died of the virus since it was uncovered in Mexico in April, according to the WHO.
US drug regulators approved a single-dose swine flu vaccine on Tuesday, which will be produced by four US manufacturers.
The US government has purchased 195 million doses of swine flu vaccine and will make shots against the influenza A(H1N1) virus available free of charge starting next month, Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, although providers might charge a fee to administer them.
Vaccination in the United States will be on a voluntary basis, with priority given to groups deemed to be especially at risk from the swine flu virus.
