Flu pandemic vaccine not yet ordered

The government has not yet ordered vital influenza pandemic vaccines which will be crucial if a pandemic strikes.

Earlier this month, the Health Division said the government was in the process of ordering 300,000 doses of vaccine in preparation for the pandemic.

Asked yesterday whether the order had been made, a spokesman for the Health Ministry said the go-ahead to place an order had been given but this would now go through the tendering process.

The World Health Organisation believes it is only a question of time before a global pandemic strikes. Currently all eyes are on South East Asia, where the pandemic is likely to start. Early ordering is essential since the vaccine will be produced on a first come, first served basis.

In fact, Thomas Wijnands, the global product director for influenza vaccines for the pharmaceutical company Solvay - one of the major vaccine producers - said some countries and companies had already concluded advanced purchasing agreements, while others were in the negotiating process.

Asked how long after the start of the pandemic the vaccines should be expected to be delivered to Malta had the country placed an order by last week, Mr Wijnands said taking into account prior obligations, it would take around six months from the company receiving the seed virus. He explained that a seed virus that is safe to use in production has to be made available by the WHO before industry can start production. He added that Solvay would be able to start production within two weeks of receiving it.

"It will probably take three months until the first pandemic vaccine is available after the seed virus becomes available," he said.

Earlier this month the Health Division also confirmed that the government was in the process of establishing the necessary parameters for the buying of antiviral drugs.

A local spokesman for Roche, which produces Oseltamivir Phosphate - one of the main antivirals - said although the company had not yet received any order from the government, it seemed that this would be issued very soon.

Antivirals will have a major role when a pandemic starts since if taken within 48 hours of developing symptoms they reduce viral shedding, shorten the period of illness, reduce the severity of symptoms and lead to a reduction in complications and hospitalisation.

Roche's local spokesman said if the government placed an order for antivirals now, they would probably arrive in the latter part of next year.

However, antivirals should be available on the private market by the end of October. She said that people should start booking their orders with their respective pharmacies.