WHO applauds and welcomes the announcement of donations of pandemic H1N1 vaccine made by the United States of America, in concert with Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The announcement demonstrates the commitment of these countries to fairness in sharing of scarce resources as the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic continues to evolve.
Current supplies of H1N1 pandemic vaccine are inadequate for a world population in which virtually everyone is susceptible to infection by a new and readily contagious Influenza A H1N1 virus.
Given that current demand outstrips supply, these donations, together with the doses pledged by manufacturers, will help increase supplies of pandemic vaccines to populations that would otherwise not have access.
WHO continues to support developing countries to ensure donated H1N1 flu vaccines are distributed where they are most needed.
Source: World Health Organization, Switzerland