WHO to create global stockpile of H5NI vaccine

By IANS

Geneva : The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it is working with vaccine manufacturers to create a global stockpile of vaccine for the H5N1 avian influenza virus.


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The announcement Wednesday follows a request by the World Health Assembly in May for WHO to establish an international stockpile of H5N1 vaccine, news agency WAM said.

WHO also welcomed the announcement by GlaxoSmithKline that it will contribute to the H5N1 global vaccine stockpile. Omninvest of Hungary has also indicated its willingness to make available some of H5N1 vaccine manufactured by it.

"This is another significant step towards creating a global resource to help the world and especially to help developing countries in the case of a major outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza," said Margaret Chan, WHO director-general.

"WHO welcomes this contribution from the vaccines industry and is also working with countries to develop capacity for the production of influenza vaccines."

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