Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA420
2009-09-29 15:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:  

SLOVAKIA PREOCCUPIED WITH INTERNAL H1N1 PREPARATIONS (133

Tags:  AORC PREL KFLU WHO LO 
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VZCZCXRO7041
RR RUEHSL
DE RUEHSL #0420 2721548
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291548Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0184
INFO RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0220
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000420 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/IHB JONES AND IO/HS BLACKWOOD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC PREL KFLU WHO LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA PREOCCUPIED WITH INTERNAL H1N1 PREPARATIONS (133
CASES, NO DEATHS)

REF: A. STATE 99707

B. BRATISLAVA 395

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000420

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/IHB JONES AND IO/HS BLACKWOOD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC PREL KFLU WHO LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA PREOCCUPIED WITH INTERNAL H1N1 PREPARATIONS (133
CASES, NO DEATHS)

REF: A. STATE 99707

B. BRATISLAVA 395


1. Ref A points were delivered to Sarka Kovacsova at the Public
Health Authority (PHA) Department of International Relations and
Dr. Adriana Liptakova, Chief State Counselor and the Director of
the Health Care Department at the Ministry of Health. GOS
officials view the President's September 17 announcement on a
coordinated H1N1 international response positively. However,
given budget and other fiscal constraints, GOS officials are not
prepared to make donations to the effort at this time. To date,
the PHA reports 133 confirmed cases of H1N1 and no deaths.


2. Rather than consider the Slovak contribution to an
international effort, health officials appear more focused on
internal press criticism suggesting the GOS has not secured
enough vaccinations for its own citizenry quickly enough (ref
B). Citing a World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation
that countries have vaccine doses covering 20 percent of their
population, the Slovak State Material Reserves Administration
(SSHR) is working toward a vaccine stockpile of one million
doses, including 700,000 packages of Tamiflu and 1,000 packages
of Tamiflu Dry Syrup targeted for first responders and
vulnerable populations. GOS officials have been particularly
sensitive to reports of higher vaccine per capita stockpiles in
neighboring countries, including the Czech Republic.

EDDINS