The winter epidemic of Influenza A H1N1 has passed but leaves many unused vaccine doses in its wake

The Influenza A H1N1 epidemic is over for this year, according to senior physician Kåre Mølbak from Statens Serum Institut (SSI), the national disease control centre.

When an epidemic was on the cards earlier this year, the National Board of Health estimated that up to 3000 could die from the illness. But the final tally stands at 300,000 sick, 1000 admitted to hospital and 23 dead.

Health authorities told Politiken newspaper that the epidemic had passed thanks to tight monitoring levels across the country.

According to SSI, there could be a third wave of H1N1 in the New Year, but it is likely to be mild.

The news comes as the SSI confirmed that only about 380,000 of the 3.1 million vaccine doses were distributed and used.

If the World Health Organisation declares a pandemic, countries are obliged to buy large quantities of vaccines from the drug manufacturers.

‘It’s a problem that ordering vaccines is directly linked to the notion of a pandemic. WHO and the other experts should be able have to call an influenza a pandemic,  without it triggering the sale of vaccines,’ said virology professor Jens Lundgren to Information newspaper.