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14 October 2009
WHO to Ship Swine Flu Vaccine to Poorer Countries in November

The World Health Organization says it will begin shipping millions of doses of the swine flu vaccine to poorer countries, possibly as early as November.

WHO vaccine chief Marie-Paule Kieny says about 100 countries will receive donations of the vaccine.

She told reporters in Geneva on October 12 that one primary goal is to protect health care workers in poorer countries against the virus to help ensure they do not become ill and, as a result, are unable to treat patients.

Meanwhile, European Commission members met October 12 in Luxembourg, where they discussed strategies to help member countries that have not secured sufficient stocks of the swine flu vaccine.

European Union (EU) Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou says members agreed to urge countries that have supplies of the vaccine to share them with countries in need.

Earlier this year, WHO declared the swine flu outbreak a pandemic. The agency says more than 4,000 deaths attributed to H1N1 influenza have been reported worldwide.

This report was provided by VOA News.

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