Government may buy avian flu vaccine

The 100,000 doses of influenza antivirals bought in 2005 by the government would expire in about two years' time, said Ray Busuttil, the director general for public health regulation.

However, the manufacturer was currently testing whether the shelf-life of the drugs could be extended by another two years, he said.

Four years ago the government followed World Health Organisation recommendations and ordered antivirals for a quarter of the population to be used in case of an influenza pandemic.

Antivirals are considered crucial during a pandemic since when taken within 48 hours from the onset of symptoms they shorten the period of illness, reduce the severity of symptoms and could lead to a reduction in complications. International experts have long maintained it is a question of when, rather than if a pandemic will strike.

The local health authorities are now looking into the possibility of buying supplies of a pre-pandemic vaccine against the avian flu virus, which could mutate into a strain easily transmitted among patients and cause the next pandemic.

Speaking at a press conference to mark World Health Day - which focused on the safety of health facilities and the readiness of health workers who treat those affected by emergencies - Dr Busuttil said the authorities were waiting for the WHO recommendations on whether this pre-pandemic vaccine should be stocked since there was the possibility that the next pandemic would not, in fact, be caused by the H5N1, or avian flu, virus, rendering the vaccines useless.

A pandemic influenza is one of the potential national disasters for which the health authorities are preparing themselves. Community Care Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea said a National Disaster Plan had been drawn up and it outlined what had to be done during a disaster.

"This is being regularly updated," Mr Galea said, adding that the Civil Protection Department also had a contingency plan for different scenarios, including earthquakes or other disasters.

Health Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar said rucksacks full of medicines and portable aluminium boxes filled with medical supplies were ready to be used in emergencies.

"In case of a national disaster, work practices of medical staff will change, with the focus shifting on those affected by the disaster. Protocols have been written down and people trained," he said, adding that Mater Dei Hospital was earthquake and fire-proof.