Statement By Mike Leavitt Secretary of Health and Human Services on the World Health Assembly Resolution on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Sharing of Influenza Viruses and Access to Vaccines and Other Benefits

U.S. Newswire, May, 2007

To: FOREIGN EDITORS

Contact: HHS Press Office, +1-202-690-6343

WASHINGTON, May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

I am pleased the World Health Assembly has adopted a resolution on pandemic influenza preparedness that makes clear that Member States must continue to share influenza specimens and viruses with the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance Network.

I am also pleased that the resolution emphasizes the need for increased vaccine access. We have invested heavily in the ...