Swine flu: learning from past mistakes

The EU’s response to the outbreak of the H1N1 (“swine flu”) virus in 2009-2010 is scrutinised and found wanting, in a resolution adopted by Parliament on Tuesday which weighs up the cost of vaccination programmes and the relative risks. Suggestions for the future include group purchases of vaccines and tighter safeguards against conflicts of interest. H1N1 had caused 2,900 deaths in Europe by April 2010, which compares with 40,000 for seasonal flu in a moderate year. Michèle Rivasi (Greens/EFA, FR), who drafted the report and resolution for the Environment Committee, commented  “This report is an important attempt to highlight the concerns that have been raised about the disproportionate response to swine flu in Europe, as well as the potential influence of pharmaceutical companies in response processes.” Vaccination programmes EU Member States’ responses ranged from wholesale vaccination programmes to none at all (in the case...