Anti-bird flu stocks to cover 100,000 key people

The Government has purchased enough bird-flu vaccine for nearly 100,000 front-line personnel and have orders in for the rest of the country, should it be needed.

The current two-dose vaccine against the H5N1 strain may be ineffective if a different strain causes a pandemic.

Health Minister David Cunliffe said the H5N1 vaccine would be given to 60,000 health personnel, 10,000 fire service emergency staff, 7000 police, 6000 defence personnel 2000 border controllers and 2300 NZ-based international aircrew.

"By offering early protection to these workers, it will help us to continue providing essential response services during a pandemic."

The vaccine lasts many years, but is only effective if both doses are received.

In the event of a nationwide pandemic the Government has negotiated contracts for a specific vaccine. "We have contracts in place to get priority access to such a vaccine once it's available, and we'll be getting enough to offer vaccination to all New Zealanders," Mr Cunliffe said.

A specific pandemic vaccine is developed from a strain of the virus that is causing a pandemic. Vaccine against influenza only protect against the particular strain of virus they are made from.

No vaccine protects against all influenza strains.

The Ministry of Health's contract is with CSL, an Australian company. It will take at least six months after a pandemic virus has been recognised to manufacture a vaccine.

The current stock of H5N1 vaccine expires in March 2009.

- NZPA.