Brussels, 01/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament environment and public health committee, under the chairmanship of Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) has taken stock of efforts to combat the H1N1 virus. The Commission action plan for tackling the virus and flu pandemic, published on 15 September, will be on the agenda of the extraordinary EPSCO meeting to be held in Luxembourg on 12 October which will be given over entirely to health issues. Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou attended the committee meeting on Wednesday 30 September to set out for MEPs the efforts being made to prepare for swine flu.
Vassiliou immediately quoted some figures, pointing out that these must not be treated as definitive, with cases of H1N1 flu continuing to increase: more than 55,000 cases of H1N1 have been reported in Europe and 355,000 cases worldwide. Most of those who have been infected are young people between the ages of 5 and 24. Up until now, 70 deaths have been recorded in Europe alone. However, Vasilliou pointed out, in the vast majority of these cases, the patient was suffering from underlying health problems. Up to 30% of the European population could be infected with H1N1 this winter, the commissioner warned, pointing out that the virus could mutate and become pathogenic - it is unpredictable and no one can know how it will develop. “This presents a realm problem for public health and health services,” she said. She also referred to the differences in terms of technical, budgetary and prevention capabilities that exist between EU member states. Because there are such differences, a coordinated approach at European level had to be put in place she argued. The Commission, she said, was working with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). It had published guidelines on the management and treatment of these illnesses and advice for health service personnel, it had considered the issues of school closures, travellers, tourists, vaccinations and aid for patients. The Commission wanted, also, to authorise the marketing of the first vaccines. “If the situation worsens this autumn, I hope still to have the continued support of the European Parliament,” she said.
Peter Liese (EPP, Germany) raised the issues of the antivirals and the fact that there will not be enough children's medicines. Dagmar Roth-Behrendt (S&D, Germany) said that conflicting information was coming from member states. Were member states ready to face this flu, she asked. In reply, Vassiliou said she agreed: “Our responsibility is to ensure that all member states receive the same directives, the same advice from us and then agree among themselves afterwards. But if I want to go further than the ministers, everyone will accuse me of interfering! In the final analysis, it is up to national health ministers to put everything into operation. It's a situation where we have never won, but I prefer to do too much rather than not enough. It is up to each member state to apply the concrete measures”. Françoise Grossetête (EPP, France) noted that there was great confusion among the general public as to how seasonal flu, which is perceived as not being very dangerous, differs from the H1N1 virus. How was one to react when some doctors did not want the antiviral injection? The commissioner replied that communication with the public was essential. The Commission, she said, was going to propose that a day be chosen to convey the same message throughout the whole of the EU. The proposal would be on the table for the EPSCO Council of 12 October, she said. The production pattern for flu vaccines was the same as it had been for 20 years, she noted. There was no reason for anyone to respond according to a doctor's personal choice, she opined.
Carol Lepage (ALDE, France) wondered about the usefulness of vaccinating healthy people. Michèle Rivasi (Greens, France) spoke about the composition of the vaccines and the adjuvants used. She regretted that there were no clinical data in the European Medicines Agency documents for children and expectant mothers, or for children under three who suffer from asthma. A further point raised by Rivasi was marketing authorisations. There was, she felt, a contradiction between the authorisation given and the paucity of clinical information. What about the reliability of the laboratory protocols, she asked. What should be applied in pharmacovigilance protocols and which independent experts should be appointed to be certain of having a really independent report? Vasilliou said that the vaccine was appropriate for children and expectant mothers. The EMEA, which had carried out more than 9,000 clinical trials, had no reason to believe that the vaccine was dangerous for children or pregnant women, she added.
Would it be possible to provide vaccines with no traces of metals, asked Thomlas Ulmer (EPP, Germany). The main concern for Antonya Parvanova (ALDE, Bulgaria) was to avoid panic and to have guarantees that the vaccines were not harmful, and she also wanted to know if there would be pharmacological measures to prevent side-effects. “I have confidence in our scientific agencies, the EMEA and the ECDC. If they tell me a vaccine is safe, I trust them,” the commissioner answered.
Philippe Juvin (EPP, France) wondered about fairness within the EU and stressed that it had to be ensured that everyone had access to the vaccines, whatever the national policies. Vassiliou replied that, from the start of the French Presidency, the Commission had been in discussions with member states about the availability of vaccines. All said that they preferred to have their own stocks, rather than have an EU stock, she went on, and it was for each individual to decide whether or not to be vaccinated in the light of his/her country's recommendations. There were wide variations on this, but “I continue to coordinate efforts and to help countries launch their calls for tender for the vaccines,” she said. On 30 October, the Commission will hold a conference to discuss the links between the animal illness and the human illness, she said, in response to a question from Salvatore Tatarella (EPP, Italy).
Richard Seeber (EPP, Austrian) called for an information campaign on vaccination, whether compulsory or optional, to be launched. Carl Schlyter (Greens/EFA, Sweden) pointed out that the role of the Commissioner was to manage the risk and, in that, her role was different from that of the EMEA.
In conclusion, Commissioner Vassiliou repeated her confidence in the EMEA and the ECDC “because their assessment is complete and exhaustive”. For the Commissioner, they provided “scientific support needed to help us come to our decisions. Our role is to watch how the situation develops and to amend decisions if other information becomes available”. As for vaccination, compulsory or optional, “that is a matter for each individual. Our role is to provide advice,” she stated. (G.B./transl.rt)