Global flu stockpile urged

Last updated: Monday, March 05, 2007 Print A global stockpile of bird flu vaccine needs to be established in order to help guarantee that poor countries have access to vaccine if a global pandemic erupts, the World Health Organization's leading flu official said Friday.

Currently, up to 500 million doses of bird flu vaccine can be produced, which is far below what would be needed if bird flu starts to infect large numbers of people around the world, the Associated Press reported.

A number of developing countries fear they won't be able to get the vaccine if there is a pandemic, said Dr David Heymann. He suggested the creation of a "virtual" stockpile, where richer countries agree to donate a percentage of their vaccine supplies to poorer nations if there is a pandemic.

"What we need to do and want to do is develop mechanisms that will permit countries to have access to vaccines if they need it," Heymann told the AP.

That would cover the short term. The long-term goal is to provide developing nations with the technology and expertise to produce their own vaccines, he said. – (HealthDayNews)

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Flu Centre
Avian influenza (Bird flu)

March 2007

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