Cyprus endorses EU efforts for better coordination on tackling H1N1 flu

Cyprus has endorsed efforts by the EU Presidency and the European Commission for the better coordination and effectiveness of the EU member states to tackle H1N1 flu.

In an intervention during an extraordinary meeting of the EU Health Ministers Council held in Luxembourg, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Stella Kanna Michaelidou said that cooperation between countries on communication policy issues and its enhancement constitute fundamental components to address the pandemic and manage crises.

Michaelidou stressed the importance of solidarity among EU member states to effectively address challenges as pandemics, and also underlined the need to support developing countries through a continuing scientific update and the provision of the know-how for the epidemiologic observation of infectious diseases in developing countries.

She also noted the need for a common EU policy on issues as the provision of vaccines, the determination of prices and the percentage of vaccines for high risk groups.

The extraordinary meeting adopted conclusions which acknowledge the actions that have so far been undertaken by the EU to address the pandemic both at the scientific and the political level and underlined the need to undertake further coordinated actions.

The conclusions also underlined the importance of cooperation between EU member states, focusing on the public’s awareness, the adequacy and provision of vaccines and the enhancement of the support and solidarity with the developing countries.