Finland considers changing bird flu vaccine

The model vaccine developed against bird flu that has been ordered by Finland, appears to be losing its effectiveness because of mutations in the H5N1 virus.
      The National Public Health Institute is considering changing the vaccine currently on order by Finland for another model vaccine, which is still under development.
      The Oulu-based newspaper Kaleva reports that the National Public Health Institute learned of the mutations in the virus as negotiations for the purchase of the vaccine were nearing an end. According to Professor Tapani Hovi, it is still possible, in principle, to change the vaccine.
     
Finland has decided to buy 5.3 million doses of the model vaccine for the H5N1 virus to vaccinate the whole population if a pandemic breaks out involving a mutation of the virus that can be transmitted between humans. The contract for the order is scheduled for signing within two weeks.
      Currently, no bird flu vaccine exists that would work for humans. However, before a pandemic breaks out it is possible to develop a model vaccine against the early phases of the virus. A more precise vaccine against a version of a virus that would cause a possible pandemic can be developed only when the pandemic actually breaks out.
      According to the most optimistic assessments, vaccines based on the virus that causes the pandemic could become available within three months of a breakout, but because production possibilities of the vaccine are limited, Finland would probably not get the vaccine until about six months have passed.
      Ordinary flu vaccines that are used against annual flu pandemics do not give any protection against the bird flu virus, or against a possible pandemic virus.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Bird flu moving faster than anticipated; contingency plans for dead birds among migrating flocks (2.3.2006)
  Over 500 calls to bird flu hotline (22.2.2006)
  Finnish government drawing up plans for bird flu pandemic (20.1.2006)
  Bird flu scenario: Over 1.8 million Finns would catch virus if pandemic breaks out (13.1.2006)
  Finland prepares to vaccinate entire population against avian flu (29.9.2005)
  Finland prepares for possible global bird flu pandemic (11.3.2005)