Some of the A(H1N1) Mexican flu vaccines the Netherlands has ordered may be sent on to less wealthy European Union member states.

Health Minister Ab Klink mentioned the possibility at a meeting of EU health ministers in Luxembourg, which considered vaccine sharing in the EU.
 

The Netherlands has ordered 34 million doses of vaccine, which is enough to immunise the entire Dutch population twice. However, as yet only people in high-risk groups – those who would normally be offered winter flu jabs – are being vaccinated, along with health care staff. What’s more, it now appears that a single vaccination is often enough to protect against infection. Initially it was thought that because the flu strain was new, two doses would be needed.

The wealthier European countries, including the Netherlands, have now agreed that they will take joint responsibility for the less well-off countries in the union. The Netherlands had already said it was considering donating vaccines to the World Health Organisation. The WHO is expected to begin supplying flu jabs to developing countries next month.