Austria H1N1 Update: New Cases Down; Unused Vaccine

UNCLAS VIENNA 001606 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CE, OES/IHB STATE FOR AID/GH/HIDN HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU CASC KFLO PREL AU SUBJECT: Austria H1N1 Update: New Cases Down; Unused Vaccine Returned to Baxter REF: (A) VIENNA 1454; (B) VIENNA 1389; (C) VIENNA 1361; (D) VIENNA 989; (E) VIENNA 891; (F) VIENNA 733; (G) VIENNA 519 ¶1. The number of new H1N1 infections appears to be slowing in Austria. In the week prior to December 16, health authorities estimated approximately 24,000 new infections, a decline from 45,000 infections the previous week. The total number of infections is now approximately 250,000. The number of officially registered fatalities due to an A/H1N1 infection remains at two cases (ref A). The Ministry of Health considers the decline in cases significant but has continued the pandemic warning. ¶2. Vaccinations are also declining as public concern has eased. Currently, there are 300,000 doses of Baxter Pharmaceutical's Celvapan vaccine remaining at health centers, and it appears unlikely that Austria will use this supply. The Health Ministry announced that, as previously agreed, the Ministry will return unused doses to Baxter when it believes the H1N1 pandemic has passed. An embassy contact in the public health section explained that, while Austria has a contract for a "production capacity" of 16 million doses with Baxter, the GoA had control over the 600,000 doses on which it took delivery. The GoA cannot sell unused doses to third parties, but will instead return them to Baxter. As for the unused production capacity, the GoA will likely retain this option for now. EACHO