WHO Declares H1N1 Flu "pandemic" Over! What's Wrong with This Story?

FOX News is reporting that the WHO (World Health Organization) has declared that the H1N1 flu pandemic has come to an end. Just last week a local paper here ran a full page ad encouraging people to come in and get their shots. Why the sudden turnaround by the WHO?

In early June of this year, European countries were strongly criticizing the WHO over the handling of the H1N1 flu. They accused the WHO of exaggerating the threat posed by the H1N1 flu. They also said that the WHO had been influenced by the pharmaceutical companies.

The Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe released the first report in Paris. The report alleged that the WHO was declaring an H1N1 flu pandemic at the urging of drug companies. You know, the ones who make vaccines and anti-viral medicines.

Then a second report popped up. This report was by London's Bureau of Investigative Journalism and a prominent British medical journal, the BMJ. This report criticized the WHO's guidelines for the way countries should handle the H1N1 flu. They too said that drug companies had influenced the WHO. The report said that 3 experts that were giving advice to the WHO were also paid consultants for 2 leading companies who make anti-viral drugs that were going to be used in the fight against the H1N1 flu.

The WHO has denied the 2 reports. They have stated that there WAS an H1N1 flu pandemic. Now, the same WHO says it's over. But did the 2 reports force the WHO's hand?

The spokesman for the WHO said it was disrespectful to the people who died from the H1N1 flu to say that there was no pandemic. Some say it's disrespectful to practically force people to line up for H1N1 flu shots when there might have been no reason to do so. What about the people world-wide that had bad reactions to the shot?

The WHO and their guidelines for H1N1 flu shots cost countries millions of dollars at a time when countries are struggling to keep afloat. Should the people who made these decisions be replaced? Should consultants be screened BEFORE they advise the WHO to see if they are connected with the drug companies in some way?

The WHO has declared the H1N1 flu pandemic is over. Have the 2 reports damaged the credibility of the WHO? Will people think twice before lining up for shots when the next H1N1 type flu comes around?

sources:
FOX News
Washington Post