Menu
24/02/2006
Government awards contracts for bird flu vaccine
Health Minister, Rosie Winterton has announced the award of contracts to Baxter and Chiron for supplies of around 3.5 million doses of H5N1 vaccine.
The announcement was made as EU Health Ministers attended a special meeting in Vienna to take stock of recent events and discuss coordination action at European level.
The contracts worth £33 million are part of the work to prepare for and reduce the impact of a possible flu pandemic.
The vaccine will be used to carry out further research and could also be used to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers before a specific pandemic vaccine can be developed.
Health Minister, Rosie Winterton said: "We take the potential threat posed by pandemic flu very seriously and as the WHO and a recent Lords Science and Technology Committee has recognised the UK is among the best prepared countries in the world. But, we are not complacent and recognise that more work needs to be done in order to make the country as fully prepared as possible to meet the threat.
"Today we have announced our intention to award the contract for the supply of around 3.5 million doses of H5N1 vaccine. Building a stockpile will allow us to carry out more research and could be offered as a possible first line of defence for NHS workers whilst the exact vaccine to match the pandemic flu strain is manufactured. This is in addition to placing sleeping contracts for 120 million doses of pandemic vaccine, which will ensure access to the vaccine once it is developed".
The vaccine is scheduled for delivery in May and October 2006.
(SP)
The announcement was made as EU Health Ministers attended a special meeting in Vienna to take stock of recent events and discuss coordination action at European level.
The contracts worth £33 million are part of the work to prepare for and reduce the impact of a possible flu pandemic.
The vaccine will be used to carry out further research and could also be used to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers before a specific pandemic vaccine can be developed.
Health Minister, Rosie Winterton said: "We take the potential threat posed by pandemic flu very seriously and as the WHO and a recent Lords Science and Technology Committee has recognised the UK is among the best prepared countries in the world. But, we are not complacent and recognise that more work needs to be done in order to make the country as fully prepared as possible to meet the threat.
"Today we have announced our intention to award the contract for the supply of around 3.5 million doses of H5N1 vaccine. Building a stockpile will allow us to carry out more research and could be offered as a possible first line of defence for NHS workers whilst the exact vaccine to match the pandemic flu strain is manufactured. This is in addition to placing sleeping contracts for 120 million doses of pandemic vaccine, which will ensure access to the vaccine once it is developed".
The vaccine is scheduled for delivery in May and October 2006.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 May 2009
Government Takes Steps To Begin Flu Vaccination
Agreements have been signed between the UK government and vaccine manufactures to secure supplies of up to 90 million doses of pre-pandemic H1N1 vaccine, the Department of Health has announced today.
Government Takes Steps To Begin Flu Vaccination
Agreements have been signed between the UK government and vaccine manufactures to secure supplies of up to 90 million doses of pre-pandemic H1N1 vaccine, the Department of Health has announced today.
17 November 2011
Flu Vaccination Delayed For 'More Advice'
The Department of Health has said on Thursday that it needs further advice from the committee looking into the flu vaccine before it can roll out a larger programme. The announcement follows a request from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to look at whether the flu vaccination programme should be extended to healthy children.
Flu Vaccination Delayed For 'More Advice'
The Department of Health has said on Thursday that it needs further advice from the committee looking into the flu vaccine before it can roll out a larger programme. The announcement follows a request from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to look at whether the flu vaccination programme should be extended to healthy children.
23 July 2009
Swine Flu Line To Be Launched As 100,000 Further People Are Diagnosed
The number of those diagnosed with swine flu in the last seven days has reached 100,000 - more than double of the total the previous week in England.
Swine Flu Line To Be Launched As 100,000 Further People Are Diagnosed
The number of those diagnosed with swine flu in the last seven days has reached 100,000 - more than double of the total the previous week in England.
19 October 2005
Flu jabs planned for all Britons
The government has announced plans to vaccinate everyone in the UK in the event of a flu pandemic. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson announced that the Department of Health is inviting manufacturers to tender for a contract to supply pandemic flu vaccine.
Flu jabs planned for all Britons
The government has announced plans to vaccinate everyone in the UK in the event of a flu pandemic. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson announced that the Department of Health is inviting manufacturers to tender for a contract to supply pandemic flu vaccine.
08 April 2010
Deal On Surplus Flu Vaccine
The Department of Health and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have reached an agreement on outstanding orders of the swine flu vaccine, which could provide significant savings for the Government.
Deal On Surplus Flu Vaccine
The Department of Health and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have reached an agreement on outstanding orders of the swine flu vaccine, which could provide significant savings for the Government.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
