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The World Health Organization’s plan to collect and distribute donated vaccine to nearly 100 developing nations got a shot in the arm today with the signing of a formal agreement with GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) for the delivery of 50 million doses over the next six months.
While this donation, along with as many as 100 million additional expected doses from other manufacturers and nations, won’t be enough for the developing world . .. it is a start.
Statement
10 November 2009
Agreement for donation of pandemic H1N1 vaccine signed
GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) is to donate 50 million doses of pandemic H1N1 vaccine to the World Health Organization (WHO) under an agreement signed at WHO headquarters in Geneva by the WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, and the Chief Executive Officer of GlaxoSmithKline, Mr Andrew Witty.
"We welcome this very generous donation by GlaxoSmithKline, which will go to protect the health of the world's poorest people. This is a real gesture of global solidarity towards those who would not be otherwise able to have access to the vaccine," said Dr. Margaret Chan. "WHO will now work to see that these vaccines are distributed to those who need them."
GSK expects to prepare the first shipments of vaccine to the WHO by the end of November. The WHO has a list of 95 developing countries that are eligible to receive donated vaccines, and aims to secure enough vaccines to cover 10 percent of the population of these countries.
And from the Associated Press, this report indicating that this donated vaccine will ship between late November and May.
Nov 10, 7:23 AM EST
WHO: Glaxo vaccine donation shipping thru May
GENEVA (AP) -- The World Health Organization says it expects GlaxoSmithKline to complete shipping donations of swine flu vaccine to poor countries by May 2010.
WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said Tuesday the global body hopes countries will start receiving the first of 50 million doses from Glaxo in late November or early December.
