H1N1 IN THE MALDIVES - VACCINE NEEDED

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000064 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INSB STATE FOR OES/IHB STATE FOR AID/GH/HIDN USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PGOV TBIO KFLU SOCI CASC CE SUBJECT: H1N1 IN THE MALDIVES - VACCINE NEEDED REF: 09 COLOMBO 1092 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (U) EconOff met with Dr. Aminath Jameel, Minister of Health (www.health.gov.mv),on January 14. The Minister noted that while only one death and 35 cases of H1N1 have been confirmed in the Maldives, many of her countrymen remain deeply concerned about the issue. The Government of Maldives (GOM) is therefore requesting 143,831 doses to protect "at risk" individuals in the country -- including pregnant women, children, health care providers, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases. WHO is expected to assist, but to date the Maldives has not received any vaccine. ¶3. (U) Having heard that Germany is interested in selling excess H1N1 vaccine, EconOff urged the GOM to consider that country as a possible source, which it is doing. The Minister asked for follow up on Diplomatic Note #(F2)EA-US/B/2009/91, received December 2, and reported reftel. (NOTE: Post has forwarded a copy of the Dip Note to SCA/INSB.) Post therefore seeks Department assistance in identifying any other USG (or non-USG) sources so we can provide additional options to the Maldives' request for assistance. Despite earlier limits, as the flu season winds down in the U.S. opportunities may arise to assist the Maldives. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: The Maldives has a pro-American, moderate-Muslim government, and its citizens are looking to it to deliver results. Unfortunately, until now, the GOM has not been successful in procuring the needed vaccine. Local media reports indicate that Maldivians are privately vaccinating themselves by obtaining the vaccine overseas. This is cause for concern since there is no way to determine the quality of these vaccines. Providing needed vaccines is the best method to limit mortality and increase the people's faith in their fledgling democratic government. END COMMENT. BUTENIS