ABSTRACT
The H1N1 flu pandemic crisis created a major challenge affecting WHO's image and credibility. The organization is criticized for declaring a pandemic without reference to the severity of the disease; for promoting widespread vaccination campaigns requiring the purchase of large amounts of the approved medicaments, later thought ineffective; and for a lack of transparency when faced with charges of pressure by pharmaceutical companies on WHO's Committee experts and WHO staff, alleging conflicts of interest. Although most human cases have been attributed to human-to-human infections, camels are likely to be a major reservoir host for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) as an animal source of MERS infections in humans. The Report of the Fineberg Committee dismissed most of the charges made against the organization's management of the crisis and all charges against the integrity of its staff.
