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HHS Buys Vaccine, Antiviral to Combat Potential Flu
Pandemic
Secretary voices support of International Partnership
on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
Sept. 15, 2005 - HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the
purchase of vaccine and antiviral medications that could be used in the
event of a potential influenza pandemic. He also affirmed his commitment
to the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
announced by President Bush yesterday at the United Nations General
Assembly.
(Read the statement on the international
partnership below news story)
The department has awarded a $100 million contract
to sanofi pasteur, the vaccines business of the sanofi-aventis Group, to
manufacture avian influenza vaccine designed to protect against the H5N1
influenza virus strain, which has caused an epidemic of avian flu in
Asia. The number of individuals who could be protected by the newly
contracted vaccine is still to be determined by ongoing clinical
studies.
In addition, HHS has awarded a $2.8 million
contract to GlaxoSmithKline for 84,300 treatment courses of the
antiviral drug zanamivir (Relenza).
These purchases build on the departments plans to
buy enough vaccine for 20 million people and enough antivirals for
another 20 million people. These supplies of vaccine and antiviral
treatment will be placed in the nations Strategic National Stockpile
where they will be available for use should an influenza pandemic occur.
These countermeasures provide us with tools that
we have never had prior to previous influenza pandemics, Secretary
Leavitt said. Never before have we possessed the wealth of knowledge on
the problem and the ability to prepare for it. These new contracts are
part of our aggressive, multi-pronged approach to planning for pandemic
influenza.
Initial clinical studies of the sanofi pasteur
vaccine in humans have shown that two 90-microgram doses of the vaccine
are required to stimulate a level of immune response that researchers
anticipate would provide protection for an individual against the H5N1
strain that has been spreading among birds in Asia. However, further
clinical testing is underway, including the evaluation of techniques
that may reduce the amount of antigen (active ingredient) per dose
needed to achieve effective individual protection. The H5N1 strain is
considered a potential threat that could lead to a global human
influenza pandemic.
The agreement with GlaxoSmithKline will provide HHS
with an initial supply of zanamivir, an antiviral medication that is
effective in reducing the severity of symptoms of human seasonal
influenza. This antiviral purchase builds upon HHS efforts to stockpile
oseltamivir (Tamiflu), another antiviral medication that is effective in
treating the symptoms of human seasonal influenza. The H5N1 virus that
is circulating in Southeast Asia appears to be sensitive to the
antiviral activities of these drugs. HHS has received the full shipment
from this order.
Earlier this year, Secretary Leavitt established an
HHS-wide Influenza Task Force to coordinate all HHS activities affecting
the public health preparedness for seasonal influenza outbreaks and an
influenza pandemic. Long term objectives include an effective and
efficient global surveillance network for outbreaks of influenza-like
illness in humans and animals, and interoperable local, state, and
federal government response plans for influenza outbreaks within the
United States -- including strategies and plans for effective
coordination with response partners, public and private and timely
communication with the public.
These investments are part of a comprehensive U.S. approach to prepare
for an influenza pandemic. HHS supports pandemic influenza preparedness
in several other areas such as enhanced surveillance in Southeast Asia
and improved vaccine production methods and capacity. These measures can
provide early warning and additional time for vaccine production should
a pandemic emerge.
Evacuees staying in a home or church that has
access to the Internet, or who can visit a nearby public library with
Internet access, can also get information on available benefits by going
to
www.govbenefits.gov.
Statement by Mike Leavitt Secretary of Health and
Human Services
International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic
Influenza United Nations General Assembly
Im pleased to affirm my commitment to the
International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza announced by
President Bush yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly. The
announcement was a critically important step in our collective efforts
to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. The partnership will help
us improve international surveillance, transparency, timeliness and
response capabilities. It is one of many, many steps we must take to
reduce the risk of suffering and loss of life because of a flu pandemic.
The human cost of an uncontained influenza pandemic
would be heart-wrenching. We have a humanitarian obligation at all
levels of government, and as individuals, to do our part to be prepared
now and respond rapidly, once a threat presents itself. Our actions are
guided by a sense of perspective about the seriousness of this
situation. The probability of a pandemic occurring soon is uncertain,
but the signs are worrisome.
An influenza virus strain with potential to harm
millions of people around the world could emerge with little or no
warning, at any time, in almost any part of the world. When a pandemic
virus strain emerges, even if the infection rate is no higher than the
10-20 percent we see in most regular flu seasons, millions of people
could be infected and a substantial number of lives could be lost.
To date, the avian flu has spread to 10 countries
and led to the death of over 140 million birds. Through migratory birds
the virus has now spread to Russia and is approaching Europe, with no
sign of slowing.
Of greatest concern is that the virus has shown an
ability to infect people. Half of the 112 persons who have been affected
have died. If the spread of the virus becomes efficient and spreads
person to person -- like the seasonal flu -- an unprecedented pandemic
could occur. There is no pre-existing human immunity to this virus.
None. Which is why pandemics can be so devastating.
Pandemics are not new to us: three swept the globe
in the past Century: 1918, 1957 and 1968. The 1918 flu killed
approximately 20-40 million people worldwide. It was a global health
catastrophe. Our task now is to make sure that when the next pandemic
strikes, as it surely will, that the global community will be ready and
the global network deployed.
Pandemics are diseases without borders. The
influenza virus will not respect political or geographic boundaries -- a
threat against one nation is a threat against the entire world.
This is why this International Partnership is so
important. The Partnership recognizes that we live in a global network.
Pathogens take advantage of this network to spread from one corner of
the globe to another with record speed. We have to use this same global
network -- our connection one to another -- to detect and contain the
threat. Computer-to-computer, person-to-person, in the global network,
speed is life.
On the international front, we must have complete
transparency. We must have joint rapid response capabilities. We must
conduct cooperative surveillance. We must share epidemiological data and
samples with each other and with the World Health Organization. We must
have commitment from the highest political levels in countries around
the world to adhere to these principles. And we must use our collective
best science to protect our people -- the worlds people.
I will be leading a delegation from the U.S. next
month to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to meet with Heads of
States and Ministers of Health. I will be seeking their critical
involvement and personal commitment to preparedness and response.
State Department Under Secretary Dobriansky will be
coming with me, and I have also invited Dr. Lee, Director General for
the World Health Organization, to join us. I am reaching out to the
heads of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the
World Animal Health Organization to see if they might be able to come
with us as well.
In Southeast Asia, I will be negotiating agreements
with the most-affected nations to offer assistance to build their
capacity to identify outbreaks and respond rapidly when needed. We feel
a common and genuine sense of urgency.
Here in the United States, we have adopted a simple
rule for our preparedness: prepare as if the pandemic strikes tomorrow.
This way, we do everything we can, everyday, to be ready. And, our job
is never done; we can always do more.
Weve all learned in the past few weeks, that bad
things can happen very fast. This is why the new International
Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza is so critical. We simply
must improve global readiness in an unprecedented way. Through these and
other efforts, we will respond to this threat and do our part to improve
our readiness, with the ultimate goal of reducing suffering and loss of
life.
Evacuees staying in a home or church that has
access to the Internet, or who can visit a nearby public library with
Internet access, can also get information on available benefits by going
to
www.govbenefits.gov.
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