WHO announces plans for H5N1 influenza vaccine stockpile

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

WHO welcomed the announcement by GlaxoSmithKline this week that it will contribute to the H5N1 global vaccine stockpile. Omninvest of Hungary, Baxter and sanofi pasteur have also indicated their willingness to make some of their H5N1 vaccine available.

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

Further work is needed on detailed operational planning for the stockpile, including how and under which conditions it will be deployed, as well as regulatory aspects of the vaccine.

As well as developing a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine, WHO also plans to give assistance to developing countries to increase their vaccine production capacity.