HSE in talks with swine flu vaccine provider
The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, has confirmed that negotiations are currently underway between the HSE and a possible provider of a swine flu vaccination.
There are just a handful of research centres in the world developing vaccine prototypes for European manufacturers.
Three cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in Japan, while one case has been identified in Australia and a death linked with the disease has been reported in Canada.
Minister Harney says despite the high cost of advanced supply agreements, if and when a strain is identified, it’s an expense that will be necessary.
She says the Government has been advised by the country's health officials to prepare for the worst possible scenario.
“When we’re dealing with something like a possible pandemic, it’s a case of hope for the best, but prepare for the worst”, she said.
“Our health expert group…have advised the Government that we need to join the queue”, she said, “If we want to have the vaccine when it’s produced, six months after a strain is identified, then we need to pay now to be in that queue.”
