Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-10-25-Speech-2-034"
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"en.20051025.4.2-034"2
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".
Mr President, the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have issued extremely serious warnings, based on scientific data, of a possible influenza pandemic in the future. We are therefore debating a topical issue which relates directly to public health and, of course, from our debate today, in the presence of the Commissioner, I expect us to draw conclusions and commit to action.
identify the population groups to be vaccinated as a priority; here, for example, I would say that we should have started vaccinating with the seasonal influenza virus people working with poultry, in order to minimise the possibility of one person carrying both viruses at the same time, which would be exceptionally dangerous, and consequently to reduce the risk of a pandemic.
Consequently, we need to strengthen the Union's ability to react to an influenza virus, including with a network of laboratories, mechanisms and public health resources. The key element in efficient preparedness is the timely development and quantitatively adequate production of vaccines and antivirals.
For example, the World Health Organisation says that we should have stocks of about 25% of the quantity of these medicinal products. Do we have 25%? I greatly fear that we are below this threshold and will suddenly find that we need to produce huge quantities. I hope, and the Commissioner has already told us at another meeting, that he has been holding talks so that we can bridge this gap somewhat. In addition, we may need – as I believe the Council has also said – some sort of solidarity fund, so that we can cover urgent requirements.
All this has to be done. Another question – which you can answer, Commissioner – is how efficiently the early warning and response system of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is operating and if it is connected to other Community warning systems relating to the health of animals, food, feedingstuffs and civil protection.
The Commission must basically strengthen its coordinating role and we are here, Commissioner, to give you effective support in that role. You must be ruthless with the Member States which do not submit plans or which have submitted unsatisfactory plans. We must help them, of course, but you must be exceptionally strict with them because, as we have said, the pandemic is something we need to avoid or, at least if it happens, to deal with correctly.
We need a comprehensive communication strategy. It is very important for there to be no panic and for there to be a constant exchange of information with neighbouring countries, inspections and random sampling of animals and, finally, we need to regulate everything needed in relation to restricting the mobility of citizens, especially in countries in which this influenza may emerge. Consequently, Commissioner, we shall wait for you to tell us what you have done so far, and we know that you have done a great deal, and what needs to be done in the future. We shall support you in this procedure so that we can have a comprehensive and effective plan so that, if – God forbid – this pandemic happens, we deal with it correctly, without panic and with good results for the citizens of Europe.
The possible source of the pandemic – I shall be brief on this because everyone knows this – is the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 which, following recombination with the human seasonal influenza virus, may produce a highly aggressive influenza which is not covered by existing vaccines, which is precisely why there is the risk of a pandemic. I should like to say here that the Commissioner has already told us that he has initiated certain discussions and plans for us to produce the new vaccine needed and to produce it as quickly as possible, not in the usual six to eight months required, but much earlier.
Consequently, as the influenza virus – this pandemic – could spread from one continent to another within a few days, it is obvious that, in order to combat this pandemic, a series of measures, vaccines and medicinal products are needed; in other words, a proper master plan. How many of these does the European Union have today? The Commissioner is here to tell us exactly what provisions have been made to date for these plans against a possible pandemic. Of course, it is a question which we also need to answer in relation to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.
These plans must seek to:
secure the necessary coordination between the Member States, and this will be done by the European Commission;
avoid panic among the general public;
combat any speculation, if larger quantities of vaccines and medicinal products are required;
determine the areas in which movements have to be restricted somewhat, because of course the virus travels with people;
ensure fair and universal distribution of anti-epidemic products;"@en1
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