VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTH #1531 2781504
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 051504Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0793
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0005

UNCLAS ATHENS 001531 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
STATE PASS HHS 
STATE FOR OES/IHB JONES AND IO/HS BLACKWOOD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KFLU WHO AORC
SUBJECT: H1N1: GREECE WILLING TO PROVIDE ADVICE, NOT VACCINES 
 
REF: STATE 99707 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  In a response to reftel demarche, the Greek Ministry 
of Health indicated that it was not in a position to contribute 
vaccines to the US-led World Health Organization effort to aid 
developing countries ahead of the anticipated autumn flu season. 
The Ministry did offer technical and scientific assistance to 
developing countries in the form of expert advice, to be provided 
on an "as needed" basis.  Greece may feel underprepared itself, 
stating it only has enough vaccines for about 40% of its 
population.  Additionally, on September 30, for the first time 
based solely on H1N1 fears, Greek health authorities decided to 
close a number of schools, after 30 students and one teacher were 
diagnosed with the virus. END SUMMARY 
 
 
 
¶2. On September 28, Econoff delivered reftel points to Dr. 
Panagiotis Efstathiou, Governor of the National Center of Health 
Operations (EKEPY), Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity. 
Efstathiou provided a written statement to Embassy stating that 
Greece does not have the capacity to produce vaccines against the 
flu pandemic and has only sufficient vaccine supplies to cover 
approximately 40% of the Greek population, according to the 
Ministry's experts. (COMMENT: Many officials in the Greek 
Government were not available, or refused official meetings, 
because of the expected change in government after the October 4 
snap elections.  END COMMENT)  Efstathiou added that the vaccine 
strategy in Greece aims to protect high-risk patients and ensure 
the normal operation of the health care system.  He thought that it 
would be difficult for Greece to donate vaccines at this point, as 
they are anticipating a serious autumn flu season.  Efstathiou 
noted that Greece would consider it a priority to assist a European 
country in need, particularly if it is a member of the EU. 
 
¶3.  Local H1N1 fears in Greece may be growing for good reason.  On 
September 30, health authorities in Athens decided to shut down two 
secondary schools where 30 students and one teacher contracted the 
H1N1 virus.  According to local press reports, two private 
schools-the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation and Pierce 
College-were closed after dozens of students showed symptoms of the 
virus.  The Minister of Health released a statement that the 
schools were to remain closed for at least a week.  EKEPY noted 
that about 5,000 elementary to high school aged students have shown 
H1N1 symptoms in the past three weeks. 
 
¶4.  Despite serious local concerns, the Ministry of Health appeared 
to want to provide some offering to the US-led effort to combat 
H1N1.  Efstathiou added that Greece is willing to provide technical 
assistance in the form of scientific advice from Greek experts to 
developing countries.  Efstathiou's contact information, per reftel 
request, is provided in paragraph 5. 
 
 
 
¶5. Dr. Panagiotis Efstathiou 
 
Governor of National Center of Health Operations (EKEPY) 
 
Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity 
 
39 Kifissias Avenue, Marousi 
 
Athens, Greece 
 
(+30) 210-682-8350 
 
(+30) 210-682-2445 
Speckhard