FOLLOW-UP ON PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT TO EXPAND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 STATE 099707 SIPDIS BRUSSELS ALSO FOR EU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PREL KFLU WHO SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT TO EXPAND FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL H1N1 PANDEMIC REF: STATE 97471 (NOTAL) ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraph six. ¶2. Background. On September 17, 2009, President Obama announced that the United States will act aggressively to stop the global spread of the pandemic 2009-H1N1 virus through partnering with the World HEALTH Organization (WHO) to make 10 percent of the U.S. H1N1 vaccine supply available to other countries. Other governments are joining with the United States in this effort -- Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Similar announcements have been made to date by all except Brazil. The purpose of this cable is to solicit assistance from countries not included in the first round of the initiative. ¶3. Following is the text of the President's announcement of September 17 which can be found at www.whitehouse.gov. Begin text. The White House Office of the Press Secretary President Announces Plan to Expand Fight Against Global H1N1 Pandemic Today, President Obama announced the United States will continue to act aggressively to stop the global spread of the pandemic 2009-H1N1 influenza virus and is prepared to make 10 percent of its H1N1 vaccine available to other countries through the WHO. In recognition that diseases know no borders and that the HEALTH of the American people is inseparable from the HEALTH of people around the world, the United States is taking this action in concert with Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The United States will make the H1N1 vaccine available to the WHO on a rolling basis as vaccine supplies become available, in order to assist countries that will not otherwise have direct access to the vaccine. This week, the Food and Drug Administration officially licensed the 2009-H1N1 influenza vaccine. Last week, the Department of HEALTH and Human Services and the National Institutes of HEALTH announced that ONE dose of the vaccine - instead of two doses - will be effective in developing immunity in most adults, and HHS Secretary Sebelius announced the vaccine would be available in the coming weeks, earlier than originally anticipated. We remain confident that the STATE 00099707 002 OF 004 United States will have sufficient doses of the vaccine to ensure that every American who wants a vaccine is able to receive one. We continue to recommend that early priority at home and abroad should be given to pregnant women, HEALTH care workers, individuals caring for infants less than 6 months of age, and other high-risk populations. There is broad international recognition that the 2009-H1N1 pandemic presents a global HEALTH risk. Millions of people around the world have been affected, thousands have died and the virus continues to spread across international borders. The United States recognizes that just as this challenge transcends borders, so must our response. We invite other nations to join in this urgent global HEALTH effort. Working together, we can ensure that this vaccine limits the spread of the disease, reduces the burden on HEALTH care systems, reduces the risk of an even more virulent strain emerging and, most importantly, saves lives -- in the United States and around the world. End text. ¶4. The H1N1 initiative grew out of recognition that H1N1 is a global HEALTH risk requiring a global response. We have encouraged donations in a variety of ways, including: 1) funding for vaccine or non-vaccine contributions (such as technical capacity to enable timely delivery in-country, syringes, gowns, medical and protective equipment); 2) donation of vaccine purchased by the donor government, and 3) joining with the United States in an effort to free up contracted manufacturing capacity so that it can be allocated to the WHO. The question of timing for vaccine delivery is an important factor in the collective response, with earlier delivery being more efficacious against the pandemic. ¶5. Reftel was sent September 18 to capitals involved in the original announcement of the initiative (see para 3) seeking additional clarity on their commitments to donate portions of national vaccine supplies, or other significant assistance such as money for technical assistance. Germany announced September 24 that it would provide 20 million euros (approximately million dollars) to help developing countries fight H1N1. End Background ¶6. Action Request. Posts are requested to approach senior host government officials to ask that they consider contributing vaccines, funding, technical support or medical supplies to WHO to help developing countries and to identify the appropriate points of contact for any follow-up. For Ottawa: The issue has been raised in Washington with Canadian DCM Saint-Jacques. Canada expressed interest in STATE 00099707 003 OF 004 donating vaccine or providing support through other mechanisms, but was unable to conclude its review in time to be included in the original announcement. For Tokyo: The issue has been raised in Washington with Japanese Economic Counselor Hayashi. Japan expressed interest in donating vaccine or providing support through other mechanisms, but was unable to conclude its review in time to be included in the original announcement. For Berlin -- Please express appreciation for 20 million Euro donation Germany announced September 24, 2009 while seeking further details and contact information per talking points below. Responses are requested by September 29. Please slug for OES/IHB (Jones) and IO/HS (Blackwood). ¶7. Talking Points. --The United States and Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are working to provide assistance, including vaccines, to help developing countries respond to the global challenge posed by the H1N1 pandemic. Other countries are considering joining this effort. --We ask you to consider on an urgent basis whether your government/the EU can contribute to this common effort to combat the global H1N1 pandemic. -- Donations can be made in a variety of ways, including: 1) funding for vaccine or non-vaccine contributions (such as technical capacity to enable timely delivery in-country and medical supplies); 2) direct donation of vaccine purchased by your government, or 3) freeing up vaccine manufacturing capacity for WHO purchase on favorable terms to be negotiated between WHO and the manufacturers. If countries choose to free up capacity, it might be worthwhile to considering doing so in a coordinated fashion. We would welcome your government joining with the United States and our other partners in this global effort. -- To ensure effective coordination between donors and the WHO we would appreciate information on any assistance you may be able to provide and its timing. Since plans may still be under development, we would like to be kept informed of about yours, and intend to share our own. STATE 00099707 004 OF 004 -- The United States will work to facilitate contacts between relevant officials in our respective governments, as well as WHO. Please provide the names and contact information of the appropriate officials in your government for any follow-up. -- CLINTON