The Hindu Business Line : GlaxoSmithKline to donate swine flu vaccine to WHO

UNITED NATIONS: The World Health Organization has said pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSM) is to donate 50 million doses of pandemic H1N1 vaccine to the WHO for use in developing countries.

“We welcome this generous donation by GlaxoSmithKline, which will go to protect the health of the world's poorest people,” said WHO chief, Ms Margaret Chan.

“WHO will now work to see that these vaccines are distributed to those who need them,” she added. An agreement has been signed between GSM Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Witty, and Ms Chan in this regard.

According to WHO, the first shipments of vaccine from GSM are expected by the end of this month. The global health organization has prepared a list of 95 developing countries that are slated for receiving vaccines from GSM, and it intends to cover 10 per cent of the population in these countries.

As of November 1, there have been over 482,000 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 worldwide and over 6,000 deaths reported to WHO. The actual number of people contracting the virus is said to be higher.

The UN has said the influenza is expected to peak in January and February when more cases are expected. The WHO has maintained that despite the concerns about the side effects of the vaccine, it remains the most effective way to combat the pandemic. – PT I

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