The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday that “building a global stockpile (lager) of vaccine to fight a pandemic (global epidemi) would help ensure that poor countries do not lose out to wealthy nations if a flu virus starts killing people around the world, as it works to end a standoff with Indonesia over the issue”.
Only up to 500 million doses of vaccine can currently be produced worldwide, far short of the amount needed to protect the worlds population in a major pandemic. Indonesia and other developing countries in Asia fear they would not have access to the limited supply of bird flu (fugleinfluenza) vaccine, even though they provided the viruses to make it.
A so-called virtual stockpile, which can be built from countries that agree to donate a portion of their vaccine, could guarantee some vaccine would be equitably distributed within the developing world in the event of a pandemic, Dr. David Heymann, WHOs top flu official, said.
A long-term goal would be for poor countries to receive enough technology and training to produce vaccines.
– What we need to do and want to do is develop mechanisms that will permit countries to have access to vaccines if they need it, Dr. Heymann said, adding that Brazil and India are involved in projects to produce vaccines with help from experts.
Some countries are concerned that they could end up low on the global pecking order (hakkeorden) when it comes to receiving vaccines. China, Thailand and Vietnam have all resisted sending samples in the past.
While not yet ready to join forces with Indonesia, some Asian health officials say the current flap has opened a dialogue for poor countries to pressure WHO to find a balance.
– We should send our information on viruses, but WHO and other donors should help to make sure the countries that contribute the virus have some more benefits, said Nguyen Tran Hien, director of Vietnams National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
