# 3658
The WHO (World Health Organization) isn’t having much luck in enticing vaccine manufacturers into donating vaccine to the world’s poorest country, with roughly the same number of pledged doses today as they had two months ago.
(See Sanofi-Aventis To Donate 10% Of Swine Flu Vaccine To WHO)
The problem, of course, is that most of the world’s vaccine production capacity was spoken for months ago, when nations like the US, Canada, the UK, and others placed large orders.
If it turns out that only 1 shot is required, instead of 2, that may free up some of the supplies currently reserved for other countries. In the meantime, the WHO continues to urge companies to consider donating a portion of their vaccine run.
This from the Shanghai Daily.
WHO vaccine donations plea
Source: Agencies | 2009-8-23 |
THE World Health Organization's flu chief urged drug makers yesterday to donate swine flu vaccines to the world's poorest countries which are more vulnerable in the fight against the pandemic.
Dr Keiji Fukuda said the agency was working hard to lobby the world's rich nations and flu vaccine makers for donations.
"It is clear that the poorest countries in general are just the most vulnerable to any number of diseases, and so it is a big concern," Fukuda said on the sidelines of a symposium of health officials and experts in Beijing.
"We're continually hoping that more of the companies will step up and agree to donate more of the vaccine."
WHO says the swine flu virus - also known as H1N1 - has killed almost 1,800 people worldwide as of August 13.
Swine flu is generally mild at present and most people recover without needing treatment. But it could have a more devastating impact in countries where populations are also fighting AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases.
Many rich countries like Britain, Canada and France have orders for flu vaccines to cover their entire populations. But most developing countries have no such plans.
