GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has signed an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to donate 50 million doses of its adjuvanted pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine to WHO for distribution to developing countries most in need. GSK is working with WHO and health authorities to prepare for initial shipments of the vaccine to developing countries by the end of November.

“GSK is committed to supporting governments and health authorities around the world in their efforts to protect their populations against this pandemic. Our commitment recognises the needs of developing countries, and this donation of 50 million doses will enable vaccination to begin soon in some of the world’s poorest countries,” said Andrew Witty, CEO, GlaxoSmithKline.

"We welcome this very generous donation by GlaxoSmithKline, which will go to protect the health of the world's poorest people. This is a real gesture of global solidarity towards those who would not be otherwise able to have access to the vaccine," said Dr Margaret Chan, director–general, WHO. "WHO will now work to see that these vaccines are distributed to those who need them."

In addition to this agreement on vaccines, GSK continues to have discussions with WHO about a donation of its antiviral medicine, Relenza. A tiered-pricing policy based on World Bank classification of countries is also in effect for this antiviral medicine, and the company is making Relenza Rotacaps and Diskhaler available at not-for-profit prices to the world’s 50 least developed countries.

GSK is committed to facilitating equitable access to all these interventions to all countries. The company strongly endorses the principles set out by the Gates Foundation to help guide global allocation of pandemic vaccines and reiterates that the global community should take all steps necessary to protect all populations, including those without resources to protect themselves.